Feng Shui

Evidence shows that Feng shui existed and has been practiced for 2000 years in China. Literally translated , Feng means “Wind” and Shui means “Water”, but this gives little insight into the broad application of this science.

A closer translation would be “Environment”, as this art is deeply concerned and rooted with discerning the properties of “Universal Energy” (Qi, or Life-force), and using it to create environments in which to live that have auspicious effects on their inhabitant's lives.

The Traditional Master

The master's work is to observe; take an overview of the surrounding areas and natural features of a location and, from this, to determine the right location to establish a business, home or even an agricultural farm. Some cultures engage in this using tools such as a dowsing rod, and copy of Li shu (Book of rights). Knowledge of this religious book provides the traditional Feng Shui master with his keys and symbols, thus he is able to provide a precise plan for his client.

Originally, process was not only designed for determining the requirements of buildings, whole landscapes were affected: rivers were diverted and hills reshaped to improve the fortunes of the Emperor. In the distant past, the basic principles of Feng Shui were "second nature" to the Chinese. An acknowledgement of the master’s art, and limited writing on the subject, meant that people would always consult a practitioner before building.

Feng Shui played a large role in Chinese lives and was closely interwoven with all parts of architecture including surveying, building, and interior design

Modern Style

In the Ninth Century, various schools split, as did many internal arts in China. These schools were divided into two categories: one studying the scenic configuration of the land, the other, studying the science and technical applications of the compass.

These are "classic" schools, and various aspects of each have been combined in a more simplified system of Feng Shui, now widely practiced in the west. Below the Bagua For the most part, the modern system doesn't empbrace the compass so much. Some schools still do. However, the Ba Gua – a nine square grid in which each square represents an aspect of life (example relationships, wealth and blessings) is the most common tool used today.

The Ba Gua is placed over a plan of your home, or over each room separately. Areas that are considered inauspicious can be then corrected (and thereby enhanced positively) If there is too much energy in that area, it can be minimized.

Application and Applying the Principles

In simple terms , everything about your home, from your garden to your bathroom, in their locations and layout, can have a powerful effect on you. Your home can be predominately positive or negative, though most are a mixture of both.

The ideal house would be built straight from the plan in a perfect location, designed along smooth lines to allow a propitious flow of Qi. Each room would be optiminally positioned according to its function.

In reality, though, most of us move into an existing house complete with windows, doors and walls in fixed positions, with maybe an electrical or telegraph pole outside the bedroom, and an underground sewer main or storm-waterd main running directly below the building. Reducing the negative affects on these, give this art its biggest challenge.

A compass is used to apply the Principle of the Five Elements to the building and to each room. Energy is then balanced with colour, crystals, plants, water, wind-chimes and more.

What do we really want?

With the growing explosion of Feng Shui, along with the realization of its profound affects on health, wealth and fulfillment, many tend to loose sight of the real reasons and break its rules. If you remember at the beginning of this article, it mentioned the Wind & Water which represents the Environment. Most of us reading this article are involved in gardening in one way or another. It is here that we can apply Feng Shui's applications and, hopefully, pass these on to others, such as friends and family. In doing this we will all benefit, and benfit in so many ways.

Feng Shui Wikipedia