Feng Shui

Feng Shui is ancient practice based on Chinese philosophy. It literally means "wind and water," a basis for two fundemental forms of life energy. Why wind and water? Because these two forms of energy act as vehicles to transport and cultivate energy know as ch'i. Ch'i (also spelled qi) is energy or the life force "breath." This energy flows through water, the earth and all living things. Ch'i is also found in buildings and the human body. Ch'i can be affected in the body through acupuncture. In buildings and homes ch'i can be manipulated by feng shui application. Whether in the human body, in nature or in a structure it is best to have steady flow of energy for harmony to exist. By harmonizing the energy inside a structure its surrounding energy levels become optimal resulting in improved efficiency and productive living habits.
 

The Analysis

A feng shui analysis is based on several points of reference that reflect key components of the laws of nature. First, the land and surrounding form is evaluated for its integrity and support. How the structurre is aligned according to sun's position or compass readings indicates the type of energy the structure will absorb. The year the sturcture was built impacts the specific type of energy that becomes encapsulated into the structure and how that energy will hold up over time. Finally, the element components (5) in all, are placed according to their natural growth points. This coincides to the seasons and its cycles in nature.
 

Schools

There are two m ajor school of feng shui. The oldest is known as Form School and is mainly concerned with how a dwelling fits into the surrounding landscape. Natural protective vegetation such as trees, mountains, rockery and water play a significant role in supporting a structure and creating a healthy foundation for it.

Compass School deals with the energy emitted by the 8 directions (4 cardinal & 4 intercardinal) and how the dwelling accepts that energy. The compass school approach also evaluates the time factor or cycles of energy a structure will go through. Some periods will be beneficial while others will be stagnant.
 

The Elements Of Life

 

In Chinese philosophy there are 5 core elements that are considered to be the building blocks of all life, They are water, wood, fire, earth and metal. These elements can be found in their natural state and have a flowing sequence that follows seasonal changes.

5 Elements:The wood element represents an activating force filled with growth and potential. This element catapults new ideas and can motivate you to try new things. Like the rising sun filled with potential, the wood element is upward and energetic. Wood has a resilient quality that strives for vitality and health. It embeds its roots into everything and branches out to reach for the heavens. Too much wood can restrict potential, as its very foundation becomes uprooted, nourishment dwindles, and a need to continually feed inner desires exhausts its very essence. The fire element is the most powerful element in Feng Shui and represents expansion and transformation. Representing the ultimate yang quality, fire is the ability to DARE in life, take risks and seek out what fuels the soul. Too much fire will exhaust the desire to try new things and lead to complacency. The Earth element represents your support and stability in life. This energy has a rotational movement holding things into place. This type of energy reminds us that we live in the physical world and symbolizes a nurturing environment for things to grow. Excessive earth has a weakening effect on the ability to take risks in life and truly find what sparks your soul. It tends to lock your energy into a grounding mode or a sense of routine. Metal energy represents our mental faculties, creative juices and leadership qualities. Obviously these are powerful attributes for successful living. Excessive metal can drain your sense of security. It can destroy the ability to be innovative and take necessary risks in life. Water is the nurturer, the ability to become silent and discover wisdom. Its very qualities have a way of relaxing, soothing and nourishing our very essence. Excessive water can make daily living overwhelming leading to an emotional based life.
 

 

Trigrams

The tirgrams correspond to the eight great manifestations of natural energy (thunder, wind, fire, earth, lake, heaven,water and mountain). They represent a universal chart that depicts the Universe and life. The eight trigrams are also known as the bagua.

Qian: Mentors - heaven - justice - virtue - power - vitality - peace-maker.

Kun: Relations - earth - elegance - passivity - devotion - service.

Zhen: Family - thunder - awakenings - stimulation - beginnings - renewal.

Xun: Blessings - wind - obedience - transformation - gentleness - affection - changeability.

Li: Goals - fire - warmth - radiance - togetherness - intelligence - clarity - expansion.

Kan: Life Journey - water - vitality - adabtability - difficulty - hinderance.

Gen: Wisdom - Mountain - stability - meditation - halting - concentration - research.

Dui: Creativity - lake - joy - tranquility - intuition - bliss.

These manifestations map out the human life journey and become imprinted into every structure. The interacting energies play out in the occupants life based on the law of resonance.

 

"If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation." ~Confucius