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Basic Principles of Feng Shui
 
Feng shui literally means wind and water. It describes the natural flow of these elements along the path of least resistance. In Asian societies this law of nature, the natural flow of wind and water, was observed and contemplated for more than 3,000 years by the masters: philosophers, mathematicians, scientists, spiritual sages, and healers. Over millennia, these great minds contemplated, refined, synthesized, and processed this information into their book of wisdom, the I Ching. They described the flow of energy in all life as chi, and the sacred natural order of life as feng shui.

Chi energy can be welcomed or repelled, cultivated or diverted, stagnant or circulating. It can rage like rapids or become as reflective as a lake. Feng shui is the art and science of enhancing the flow of chi, cultivating flow in one’s environments, and thus in one’s life, facilitating change rather than being at the mercy of the chaotic effects of its turbulent forces.
 At its essence, feng shui is based on a simple truth: all life is interrelated and dynamically changing. Chinese society is rooted in this tradition.

Many of us pride ourselves in living miles from where we grew up and extol the "benefits" of our upwardly mobile lifestyles. But by jettisoning our family origins in search of lofty dreams of individual accomplishment, we move too quickly for health, creating what feng shui practitioners call a "poison arrow"—dangerously accelerated energy. When the Rhine River’s meandering curves were bypassed to shorten its course during the industrial revolution, the river became too fast to navigate safely. By straightening and shortening it, the water’s natural flow became a raging poison arrow of energy.

The traditional Chinese palette using black as the color of wealth, white as the color for grieving, and red as the bridal color could not be less appropriate in North America—harlots and brides confused with wealth and death are cultural conflicts we can live without.

I found much of feng shui to be a diverse and mystifying field with distinct schools of superstitious numerologies, negative terminologies, and patriarchal astrologies. For example, an auspicious location for a bedroom for a male head of a household took priority over what would be the best location for his wife, for whom it could be a "death room".

The Western form of feng shui is tailored to the meet the needs, values, and perceptions of the Western mind, this approach to feng shui empowers people to live and work inspired by a harmonious flow of chi, inviting and affirming positive growth. This Westernized orientation of feng shui is inclusive of everyone, working for the good of the entire family or company, with each individual empowered for the combined greatest good with harm to none.

Feng shui begins with clearing clutter. It is not as important to know where you are going as it is to clear the path.


The path will guide you, and removing the physical and emotional debris does wonders for clearing confusion. Sometimes we don’t want to unbalance ourselves with over-zealous enthusiasm. Begin with step-by-step applications, meditatively. Start small when clearing, especially when you have been stuck for a long period staring at the overwhelming layers of papers, dust, and clutter. When feeling overwhelmed or depressed, tackle one drawer, dish, or corner of a room at a time: small, segmented, short-duration tasks. Several small tasks add up to a much larger task’s completion. By organizing a simple area of your life you might see creative solutions to problematic situations flow from a more empowered perspective.

Feeling burdened sets us up for failure. The pile often started because of our burdening guilt. Negative emotions are powerful blockages. They can feel like dams holding back an awesome weight of potential. But just as we place obstacles in our paths, we can remove them. Humans are one of the few animals who will repeatedly bang their heads against a wall instead of moving aside and trying another route (Even a mouse knows to turn and try another avenue when there is no cheese at the end of the maze.) When you face a wall, simply turn around and begin anew; the obstacles disappear behind you.

Attracting Good Chi:
 
Begin at the Beginning
  • The most auspicious path gently meanders to the front door or has asymmetrical lines, since a straight way may cause a too-rapid "poison arrow" of energy. Colorful flowers in random patterns on opposite sides can accent a straight or sharp-angled path, drawing ones eye back and forth across the path every few feet, softening the angles and creating the illusion of a meandering path.
  • The entrance to your home or workplace represents your connection to the outer world: business and career if the entrance is centered along the front wall; self cultivation if it is on the far left; travel, helpful people, clients, and employees if right of center. Potted plants can hang over sharp corners on walls or steps as long as they do not block the entrance. Chairs, plants, or attractive displays can crowd the entrance to a home or business, so make sure any decorative features do not bottleneck your way into the door and block the chi.

    Multicolored flowers may represent auspicious benefits from a variety of sources ("many eggs in one’s basket"):
  • Purple flowers specifically enhance wealth
  • Blue flowers are for family health, knowledge, and self-cultivation
  • Reds represent the fire element, enhancing fame and reputation
  • Pinks (the merging of red and white) help cultivate relationships, partnerships, and romance
  • Yellows help center and ground you
  • Pastels or whitewashed colors bring creativity and children (white represents the metal element)
  • Grays (combining white and black) facilitate travel and helpful people in our lives

    Foliage that is threatening, sharp, spiked, or swordlike is better as a "guard dog" close to the street or at the back fence of your property. No one is going to cross a hedge of rose thorns or cactus. If you add foliage to your entrance, it is better to place rounded, softened, and inviting plants. Evergreens and ivy are better for continuing success during winter months than plants that lose their leaves; in colder climates they can be replaced with stone gardens and sculpture.
  • Fountains, aquariums, bird baths, ponds, and other water features placed in front also attract wealth and good chi, but must be clean to avoid dirty money or murky finances. Whether inside or out, they should face the home, flowing toward and not away from the house, creating
    "income". Outward flow directs finances away from the home, promoting too much spending and too many losing opportunities as energy drains away, "flowing out the door."  Make sure to get your information straight. 
  • The path guides the chi to your door, so invite it in! Unless you want to open the door just halfway to success, make sure your door can swing wide like open arms, welcoming without cramping or obstructions. If the door opens to a narrow hall or wall that keeps it from fully opening, a mirror placed on the wall the door opens against gives the illusion that the wall is further away even if the door doesn’t open wide because the entrance opens wider with the help of the mirror. Alternatively, a painting with depth such as a landscape or even painting the wall a dark receding color can help create the illusion or affirmation of more space. I also recommend getting a black door mat, one that is large, attractive, and welcoming as well as utilitarian. Black is representative of a deep pool of water and good for attracting wealth. Take care not to go too far with the presentation of your entrance. If it feels and looks better, the enhancement has worked. If it disturbs or overwhelms your senses, it probably has created more of a problem than it was meant to solve.
  • Immediately move or fix anything in your path that you’ve bumped into, hit your head on more than once, or have meant to repair. It wears on your mind, interferes with your intuition, and stops the flow of good thoughts. Your junk or repairs may be in the way of a great creative idea or nurturing deep breath—that sigh of relief when it is taken care of and resolved. You also build self confidence and self esteem by achieving a seemingly tiny victory. Many small steps create a magnificent journey.
  •   Feng Shui symbols and what they mean

    Bats Luck, happiness & long life
    Bear Strength & courage
    Bells Break up negative Chi
    2 birds Romantic love
    A broom Sweeping away of trouble
    Butterflies Love & joy
    Cicada Rebirth, immortality, youth, joy
    Coins Prosperity
    Conch shell Prosperity
    Cranes Longevity & fidelity
    Deer Longevity & fidelity
    Dog Protection & prosperity
    Dove Long life
    Dragon Creativity & nobility
    Dragonfly Impermanence & delicacy
    Duck Happiness
    Elephant Wisdom, strength & power
    Eagles & falcons Farsightedness & daring

     

    Goldfish Success & abundance
    Flowers Wealth
    Wild goose Congugal fidelity
    Hare Longevity & the vital essence of the moon
    Horse Perseverance & speed
    Leopard Bravery
    Lion Protection & defense
    Monkey Cleverness, health & protection from evil
    Old man Long life
    Peacock Beauty
    Pearls Purity
    Pheasant Royalty, good fortune & beauty
    Phoenix Beauty, love, peace & prosperity
    Quails Courage
    Swallows Prosperity & success
    Tiger Sterness, courage & ferocity
    Toad Wealth
    Tortoise Longevity
    Unicorn Longevity & joy

     

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