Feng Shui Home

Feng Shui is the practice of analysing and influencing the interaction between people, buildings and the environment in order to enhance quality of life.

Originating in Ancient China, Feng Shui, which means ‘wind and water’, is based on the understanding that everything in life is made of energy – known as ‘chi’. This includes the food we eat, the air we breathe, the earth we live upon and our material possessions. It also includes our physical, emotional, mental and physical bodies. By taking note of and making changes to our surroundings using Feng Shui principles, the subtle changes in energy can bring about incredible life transformations and help achieve maximum benefits in terms of health, mental peace, financial success, job satisfaction and spiritual fulfilment.

The ancient Chinese who developed Feng Shui, believed that attention should be paid to the ‘outside world’ - meaning the land on which we live and the places in which we live and work. They also believed that as our outer world mirrors our inner world, attention should also be paid to the inner person and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, channelling the natural energy forces (e.g. Tai Chi and energy work) the effects of astrology and our thoughts, emotions, hopes and dreams.

Over the past 2,000 years various forms of Feng Shui have been developed around the world, taking into account cultural, historical and geographical differences. It is however possible to adapt and integrate the wisdom of these many traditions into our own culture to help us reach our true potential in life.

The different schools of Feng Shui share the same basic principles, though each has a slightly different approach in reaching the same objective. Use your intuition to choose which Feng Shui ‘path’ you would prefer to travel upon. Once you are familiar with one school of Feng Shui do not be afraid to take a ‘detour’ and choose a different path for a while to develop your understanding and enjoyment.

The Form School

This focuses primarily upon the contours of the physical landscape, its shape, size and watercourse, and the relationship between the physical formation and any dwellings. The four compass directions of North, South, East and West are represented by four animals – the Red Phoenix, the Black Turtle, the Green Dragon and the White Tiger – which are used to find the most auspicious location for a house or village.

The Traditional Chinese Compass School

This uses the Eight Trigrams of the ‘I Ching’, the eight-sided ‘pa kua’ symbol and the ‘lo shu’ square to diagnose the quality of energy, or ‘chi’ flowing from different directions. These directions are used to ascertain which areas of your home or workplace relate to specific areas of your life – such as career, finance and prosperity. With this particular system the Career sector is always located in the magnetic North.

The Black Hat Sect (BHS) Feng Shui

This School originates form a hybrid of Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism and Chinese Feng Shui. Rather than using a compass or the Chinese ‘lo pan‘ to determine which areas of your home relate to sectors such as career and finance, each house or room is judged from the position of the main door. Based upon a more spiritual approach to Feng Shui this School is particularly popular in the West.

Intuitive Feng Shui

This works on the basis that the best Feng Shui – that is, a feel for and the ability to positively direct the flow of energy in our inner and outer world – comes from our intuition. Working with energy – particularly when dealing with the specialised branch of Feng Shui known as ‘Space Clearing ‘ – requires good intuition. This can be developed and enhanced very easily. When combined with the above schools of Feng Shui the results are often subtle but spectacular.

Whatever school of Feng Shui you choose, remember that the most important tool in Feng Shui is intention - as where intention goes, energy flows! Using Feng Shui as a navigational tool, propelled by a clear, focused intent, can help you on your life journey.

Using Feng Shui as a tool can help you make positive life changes, at your own pace, and in the manner best suited to you as a unique individual! Enjoy!

(Many thanks to Tricia Hawkins who has contributed this introduction to Feng Shui)

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