A Beginner's Guide to Feng Shui

The art of Feng Shui (pronounced Fung Sch-way) is an ancient and much respected form of art. It is considered a philosophical system for balancing all aspects of a home or workplace and is followed by many dedicated people across the Eastern and Western. Guided by Feng Shui Masters who have studied for many years, Feng Shui is considered a useful tool in creating a harmonious and balanced home or workplace. A space mastered by Feng Shui is also thought to create good relationships and a healthy mental state.

If you are interested in learning about Feng Shui as a tool to improve your life or your business, then you should be aware that the principles of Feng Shui. These principles can be complicated for beginners to grasp, but if mastered, the effects can be extremely powerful. However, the wrong techniques could have a negative effect on an environment just as the right practices can have a positive effect. Some dedication is required if you are unable to employ a Feng Shui Master to aid you in changing your life for the better through Feng Shui.

The Basics of Feng Shui

The basic principal of Feng Shui is that the natural flow of energy can be controlled by the management of your environment. Feng Shui is sometimes called “the art of placement” which means that the space can be negatively or positively affected by the positioning of everything from the toilet to the cooker to the bed and anything else that occupies the place where we live.

What does Feng Shui Mean?

Feng Shui translates as “Wind and Water” – which are the two most basic natural elements required for human life. The essence of these natural elements is called “Chi” which means “life force.”  Feng Shui, as a practice, seeks to perfectly balance the “Chi” or flow of energy in a building which will affect the lives of the inhabitants positively or negatively.

The Control of our Environment

Feng Shui exists to assist us in controlling our environment in a positive way; so adjusting the rooms in which we conduct our daily lives can assist the Chi to flow in a positive fashion and help us to feel more at peace with the universe. There are many techniques involved in harmonizing a home or work environment and they involve taking the whole picture into consideration.  The placement of a building in the surrounding landscape can have a knock-on effect for the inhabitants, so adjustments are made within. A simple example would be a home which sits very close to a large body of water; some imbalance will occur due to the large amount of water and the wind element must be readdressed so that life inside is harmonious.

Many other issues are also taken into consideration. With this in mind, many Feng Shui professionals use a map of the home and its surroundings to begin adjusting the layout of the rooms and gardens.

Some Simple Tricks to Adjust the Energy Flow inside your Home

• Ensure that entrances and exits are clear and clutter-free. The windows will also need to be checked… they considered as the “eyes” of a home and junk on window siles is akin to an eye infection which will affect the inhabitants’ view of the world at large.
• Remove or repair broken objects. Broken objects cast a negative energy in the home and when they are lying around, relationships may sour.
• Toilet lids and plugs should be sealed. These are openings into sewers and the thinking in Feng Shui is that your wealth will drain away through these openings.
• Fill a small necked bottle or jar with bright shiny coins, jewellery and anything that represents treasure. Place it in a cupboard where it can be protected.

Feng Shui is not something which may be thoroughly learned in a short time, but rather a skill which is perfected through years of study. Beginning with the basics should allow those who are interested to see the positive effects which can be brought about by some simple changes.

About the Author

Cormac Reynolds is a lover of interior design and good spaces. He has written for a number of sites on the subject.