What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is the study of how invisible life force energy or Qi (chee), of the land and buildings affects our lives. It gives specific information on how to harness beneficial Earth energies in buildings, to benefit the people who live and work in them. Much like tapping into natural water flow, or taking advantage of beneficial land formations and wind streams to manage air flow, temperature, and scenery, Feng Shui helps us utilize the invisible, nourishing energies from the Earth and the atmosphere by knowing where to put up walls or where to let the Qi flow through windows and doors. It instructs us to notice the subtle, but persistent, cycles of change in our bodies, our buildings, in the atmosphere, and in the world. These changes over time can be precisely calculated using mathematical formulae, or they can be perceived by an experienced practitioner, to help us prepare for foreseeable changes.

The Principles of Feng Shui

The underlying principles of Feng Shui are based on the same 4000-year-old body of knowledge that is used in classical Chinese medicine. They include Theory of Qi, Tai Qi, Yin Yang Theory, Five Element Theory (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), and Cycles and Correspondences.

In addition, Feng Shui is a dynamic discipline that expands and advances with human awareness and takes into account all available knowledge up to the present time. It works by harnessing the beneficial Qi of natural and man-made environments, and balancing or properly using any detrimental Qi. Just as acupuncture works by balancing the Yin and Yang flow of energy in the body, Feng Shui does the same in a building.

Feng Shui Guidelines

Feng Shui gives guidelines for orientation of a building on the land, exterior and interior architectural designs, colors, shapes, lighting, furniture placement and landscaping, and specific suggestions for correcting Feng Shui imbalances. Placement of the house on the lot, facing direction, shape and material of the house, landscaping, roads, waterways, decorative water features, man-made or natural structures, and the bed in which we sleep are all a part of Feng Shui.

Feng Shui Cures

There are Nine Basic Cures from the Black Sect tradition of Feng Shui that can be used interchangeably to remedy many common household problems. The Classical Feng Shui cures come mostly from the use of the five Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The purpose of Feng Shui “cures” is to adjust the invisible Qi, or life force, of the room, the Qi flow through a building or the site. We may suggest the use of objects such as wind chimes, mirrors, or crystals, or “curing” an area may involve something more extensive such as re-hanging of doors, room allocation, furniture placement, and accessory or wall colors. For predecessor problems and buildings located on or near grave yards, police stations, or other Yin places, we may suggest ceremonies for blessing or protection and other techniques. Some cures work by adjusting the Qi of the environment, and some work by adjusting the Qi of the residents. For example, a mirror on an interior protruding wall helps to calm the nervous system of the person who might feel as though she is “faced with a mountain or obstruction” when she enters a room. Most Feng Shui adjustments can be easily incorporated into the existing floor plan or when planning renovations.