What is Feng Shui?

During the last decade Feng Shui (pronounced Fung Shway) has become very popular in the western part of the world. With this popularity have come many misconceptions about Feng Shui.

Classical or traditional Feng Shui is the study of the environment and of qi (pronounced chee) or energy. This study has been practiced in the East for thousand of years. Environmental study appraises the world around us such as rivers and mountains, buildings and roads, and the interior and exterior designs of homes. The study and calculations of qi take into account the eight directions (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW), the movement of time, and the relationship of the five elements: fire, earth, wood, water and metal.

A Feng Shui practitioner takes all of these into account in assessing necessary remedies to balance a home. For more of an introduction to Feng Shui read my article Feng Shui 101 in the March 2007 Montford Newsletter.

The emperors of China utilized Feng Shui to support a healthy and prosperous life. Today we can benefit from this same ancient knowledge and use these same practices in our own homes and offices.

Everyone can benefit from a supportive and balanced home.

What Feng Shui Isn't!

Feng Shui does not involve the following:

  • Ghosts or spirits, or past lives. Although it may seem like it uses psychic abilities, Feng Shui is akin to earth science: studying closely geography, astronomy, and physics. There may be Feng Shui practitioners that have psychic ability but that is not a part of Feng Shui that is their individual talent.
  • Religion. Religion is based on faith, while Feng Shui is based on facts and rational observance of the nature and the way its elements behave. Feng Shui provides rational knowledge and guidelines based on nature and on physics laws.
  • Mirrors. Qi energy cannot be reflected therefore mirrors have no place or use in Feng Shui other that to bring more light to a dark room. Ancient Feng Shui practitioners used mirrors due to the high metal content. Modern mirrors no longer consist of polished metal and do not usually make a good metal remedy. See newsletter #2 for more on this subject.
  • Performing blessings or burning incense. This practice is performed in many traditional cultures and may or may not work but they are not a part of Feng Shui.
  • Using statuary of animals for luck or money. These are a part of Chinese superstition and a misinterpretation of traditional Feng Shui information.
  • Crystals. These are used by some to boost the energy in a room or even redirect the energy. They were not used in traditional Feng Shui and are not a good use of one of the five elements. See newsletter #1 for more on this subject.

Schedule a Consultation Now!

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