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Fundamentals of Feng Shui

Feng Shui, literally translated from Mandarin, means 'wind and water'. Increasingly recognised and embraced by the West, Feng Shui is the ancient study of how the flow of energy within and around our environment impacts the harmony, prosperity and well being of people co-existing in that space. Traditional Feng Shui like other Chinese practices (acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chinese Astrology, I-Ching using Chinese coins and so on) is fundamentally based on 2 universal laws of nature:

1. Yin and Yang and
2. The interrelationship of the 5 elements of the universe -
Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire.

Yin and Yang and the 5 elements.

Yin and Yang is simple, but complex. It lays the foundation for all Chinese metaphysics including Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui. Akin to the West's binary system of zeros and ones, Yin and Yang should not be unfamiliar or mystic as it represents the foundations for all living things. Look at the European languages like French and German and you will see that nouns are divided into masculine and feminine. In technology, the first computers were coded with instructions on cards that consisted of zeros and ones (binary system).

The outer circle represents 'Mu Chi' - everything, yet nothing. It relies on a cosmic event where the universe is created and is filled with the 'Tai Chi' which is Ying and Yang.

The yang portion is white. It is the male side and represents light, joy, happiness, heat and strength while the Yin portion is black. It is the female side and represents dark, sadness, cold, weakness and so on.

While there are 2 portions, a little black circle exists within Yang and a little white circle within Yin. This signifies that neither is complete without the other. Going to extremes presents imbalances that disrupt aspects of our life, grey areas are necessary for harmony and balance. In Chinese metaphysics everything is translated into the 5 elements of the universe - Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. They follow 2 special cycles which cannot be broken. There is a passive more yin cycle of birth, regeneration and renewal and a more aggressive yang cycle of destruction and conquering. Following the rules of Yin and Yang, both are needed for balance. Each element is associated with parts of the body, colours, numbers, shapes, people and so on.

Feng Shui uses the interrelationship and balance of these elements along with the concept of yin and yang to assess and make recommendations on how you can improve your life.

The concept of duality in life and the 5 elements is said to date back to the mythical sage Fu Hsi (4000 BC) and can be found in many ancient Chinese writings including ancient medical texts of the Yellow Emperor found in the Han tombs. These medical texts suggest that illnesses are caused by imbalances in Yin and Yang and the 5 elements of the universe that support it.

Applications to modern day life

Feng Shui initially began as a science to locate auspicious grave sites for the dead to be buried so they would be in a position to help those living. Over time, Feng Shui has branched into a social science to select auspicious sites for the living and arrange any space in a beneficial and supportive way for its occupants.

In modern day Feng Shui the ancient formulas and relationship between Yin and Yang and the 5 elements as they appear in your home, office or garden are still applied. At its simplest level, the physical features of a room can be assessed using the principles of Yin and Yang.

For example a room that does not have good sunlight and is prone to damp and cold would be considered Yin, while a room that is exposed to constant sunlight and movement is classified as Yang. One is not more dominant or better than the other. For harmony and prosperity, there must be a balance of Yin and Yang. Getting this balance correct to ensure harmony, prosperity and wellbeing in your family or at work is what a skilled traditional Feng Shui practitioner will provide. On a more complex level, your feng shui practitioner will determine the unseen energy circulating in your home for a given period of time - usually on an annual basis. Once the energy grid has been determined real and effective change can be made to support its occupants based on their needs.While everyone's personal circumstances are varied, often subtle changes and remedies can be enough to bring good fortune and success into your life.

For example you can use feng shui in the bedroom to apply Feng Shui colours, Feng Shui decorating tips and Feng Shui bed position to enhance harmony and health in the home.

Traditional Chinese Feng Shui that applies both Form school and Flying Star school feng shui as well as assesses your personal profile will offer effective and modern recommendations to enhance your life in the home and office.

Feng Shui for the home concentrates on: