Feng Shui Articles

The answer is-- all of the above. Feng Shui is part science based on geomancy. Originally it was used outdoors to locate Emperors tombs, then later palaces, according to the “lay lines” or the energy grid of the earth. This earth science considered locations of mountains, streams and other natural earthly features. There’s evidence that government residences and imperial palaces were built 3000 years ago in China based on feng shui theory. Weather and climate figured in and sites were chosen to avoid cold north winds, devastating typhoons and other forces that nature brought against the ancients and their dwellings. The topography of a site was often likened to a dragon. The humps of the dragons back were often mountains behind a site that served as protection for the dwelling located strategically according to feng shui geomancy. Often oriental artwork illustrates that.

We needn’t be scientists to understand that energy is everywhere. It’s a life force in people and other living things but also exists in seemingly inanimate objects. Remember from junior high science class that everything has moving molecules? That means everything you surround yourself with has energy. You needn’t fully understand the physics involved to realize some “things” make you feel joyful to look at, touch or use; while you avoid others. The same is true of entire spaces. You may tour model homes that are lavishly decorated but don’t feel like home. It’s the energy emitted that attracts or repels you.

Practicing feng shui becomes an art when all the principles are applied through the intuitive eye. This can mean creating aesthetically pleasing environments as well as those that “feel” better. It means using feng shui to make what you have work better for your life. To keep the flow of energy in all areas it’s important to utilize the feng shui principles to fit with your lifestyle, furnishings and space. Placement is very important in feng shui. Knowing the eight areas of life and how Chi flows is knowledge but using the intuitive sense elevates it to an art. Every artist takes unrelated items and ideas to combine into the whole, creating something uniquely theirs yet appealing to others. Very much like creating an artful painting, placing items and furniture with purpose in a balanced way; using intuition just feels better!

There are many “givens” in feng shui which include more than a few superstitions. Because feng shui is based on the invisible “Chi” many remedies are symbolic which may seem like superstitions to some. For instance, the wind chime hung outside the front door is believed to attract Chi but the Chinese also believe that the sound will frighten away any evil spirits to keep them from entering.

The same is true for being careful to always replace burned out light bulbs outside the front door. Again, it’s said that evil spirits are attracted to the dark. Bed placement is considered inauspicious if the foot is directly opposite the door because the Chinese carry the dead out feet first. Mirrors, as discussed in previous articles, are said to deflect evil and attract money. Superstition or not, feng shui minded residents avoid purchasing houses with master bedrooms that have adjoining bathrooms because it’s believed residents will suffer digestive problems.

The practice of feng shui has spread to many countries and each has it’s own interpretation of it’s principles, beliefs and superstitions. There are more than 17 schools of feng shui with over 100 variations of those so often you’ll find contradictions among them. Sometimes even within the same system.

© Sharon Kasmira