What
is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui, literally means wind and water. It is rapidly becoming a standard
practice for creating the ideal environment in which to live and work. Feng
Shui is an ancient Chinese study of the natural and "built" environment
and has been practiced for thousands of years. This environment can be at
the office, in your home, in a building, or on real property. A Feng Shui
analysis examines the surrounding environment, the building, how the people
interact with the building and looks at time-related factors. Based upon
these considerations, recommendations can be made on how to improve your
relationship with the environment around you. Results include prosperity,
health benefits, and well being. Properly applied, Feng Shui recommendations
can result in improvements in the life of the individuals who occupy the
property.
How did Feng Shui originate?
Feng Shui can be stated as a form of "Geo-mancy" or "Earth Wisdom." Many
cultures in the world have a form of Geomancy in their history. The Chinese
form of Geomancy, or Feng Shui, has evolved to be both an Science and an
Art. The science comes from the calculations and methodology used in analyzing
a property. The Art of Feng Shui is the wisdom acquired from performing
a multitude of analysis and knowing the exact degree to which the remedies
(which are the results of the scientific analysis) are prescribed. Throughout
ancient China, classical Feng Shui was a closely guarded discipline used
as a tool to ensure the good health, wealth, and power of the Imperial Dynasties.
The keepers of this secret body of knowledge - Feng Shui Masters*, were
highly respected meteorologists, astronomers, and other scientists and who
were charged with sustaining the good fortune and prosperity of the royal
court. It has been guardedly passed down the generations through very specific
lineages.
*These masters were very selective of their
protégées. Extreme care was exercised in the selection of candidates who
would become their successors.
What
are the basic principles of Feng Shui?
The balance of Yin and Yang. Feng Shui is based on the principle of Yin
and Yang. Balance, harmony, consistent change, and the interdependency of
all things are but a few of the deep meanings within this simple representation.
Yang representing heat and light is rising and Yin representing cold and
darkness descends.
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The Environment
The environmental aspects are what most people immediately think of
when they consider Feng Shui. Things such as not having sharp corners
pointed at them and not living under high tension power lines are
a couple of common examples that everyone either knows or can understand.
Other environmental aspects such as living next to a freeway or a
construction site are considered unfavorable. The elimination of "Sha"
or evil influences and strengthening those environmental aspects that
are good is what an environmental analysis recommends. These are but
a few examples of what needs to be examined during an analysis.
How are these principles applied?
Feng Shui is based upon a set of theories and complex calculations
derived from the I-Ching. This includes an in-depth understanding
and application of the basic principles. Using these principles and
taking into account the physical relationship between the natural
environment and the magnetic fields of the Earth provides a "blueprint"
of the influences around us. Using this blueprint we can see clearly
the energies or "Chi" that effect us in our properties.
How is a Feng Shui analysis done?
The Feng Shui practitioner first observes the environment, using a Lo Pan
(compass) to determine the orientation of the property. Calculations are
then completed according to the basic principles. Then a determination of
the energy characteristics within the property and its resulting effects
on the occupants is made based on the results of these calculations. Remedies
are then prescribed where necessary in order to balance the energy to produce
a positive effect!