What is Feng Shui

Feng Shui literally means "wind- water" and refers to the theory that wind scatters beneficial, vital energy or qi (chi, pronounced ch'ee) and that where water flows and collects so does qi. Therefore Feng Shui is the art and science of avoiding dispersion or scattering and enhancing the flow and collection of qi in the context of one's living or working space defined as a physical structure. In applying Feng Shui we can then realize our potential for health, love and prosperity.

Feng Shui is not related to any religious, mystical or esoteric beliefs as some would have you believe. It is a natural science based on thousands of years of observing how natural phenomena, the environment and the cycles in nature, such as, the change of seasons, movement of planets and stars, the ebb and flow of the tides affects the lives of people. By placing natural elements in specific alignments with the earth’s magnetic fields we can manipulate our environment to attract success. In fact, this fascinating study was originally called "KAN-YU" which implies raising the head to observe the heavens and lower the head to observe the earth, thus gaining insight on how to conduct oneself harmoniously with the cycles of the universe. Observations and experimentation over thousands of years have led to the development of basic theories, procedures and formulas that are consistent among advanced practitioners.

Feng Shui is indeed a study of change. It is not static or dead but constantly evolving and changing just as our world and the planets are in constant motion. Therefore Feng Shui calculations need updating from time to time.

This body of knowledge is comprised of theories and principles that allow the practitioner to uncover energetic imbalances in one's environment. These imbalances in our environment (office, home, bedroom, etc.) exert subtle yet powerful influences on our lives. For example money problems, lawsuits, difficult relationships and many other situations can be directly traced to a feng shui imbalance. These conditions can be fixed by the strategic placement of natural elements, i.e.. plants, water, metal, etc. within specific alignment of the earth’s magnetic field. The use of crystals, flutes, mirrors or other strange "cures" do not have a place in classical Feng Shui. Likewise, there are the oversimplified versions which use an eight position template which is laid over the floor plan with a so called "marriage corner, career corner, wealth corner" etc. This would be like a doctor prescribing the same treatment for every patient regardless of their condition. They may get "lucky" from time to time, but only at the risk of causing feng shui problems for the majority of their clients.

Feng Shui does not ascribe to the belief of any religious dogma. So whatever explanation for the existence of the universe you are comfortable with is fine. Whether it’s the “Big Bang” theory or the creation story described in the book of Genesis. What Feng Shui deals with is simply the fact we are here on this planet and we are part of this world so what can we do to maximize the good times and soften the bad times. As soon as there was “something” there was movement and energy (qi). When there exists movement then up-down, forward-backward, clockwise-counter-clockwise are distinguished. Polarity is created and yin and yang were differentiated.

Yin and Yang represent the polar forces in nature. Yang represents the active and Yin the passive or still. Daytime is yang while night is yin. Fire is yang, water is yin. Rising is yang falling yin. These are complimentary aspects which cannot exist separately.

A symbol that expresses this continual interaction of Yin and Yang is called the Tai Ji (Great Ultimate). (Figure 1)

This symbol can be used to explain the interchange of yin and yang in various cycles seen in nature. The revolution of the earth around its own axis, which is of course one day, or the revolution of our earth around the sun, or one year. You will notice the black portion which symbolizes yin has its greatest portion on the bottom because yin like water sinks. Yang on the other hand, symbolized by the white portion, rises like fire so the greatest area of yang is above the yin. In the natural cycle of things when something approaches its maximum it holds the potential for decline. Therefore, at the time of most yang there is a dot of yin, and in the deepest yin there is a speck of yang. Yang and yin are inseparably linked together. Feng Shui strives to harmonize yin and yang to foster an environment that attracts abundance.

The Tai Ji symbolizes the interaction that occurs between Yin and Yang throughout the course of the day. The darkest area of yin, (at the bottom) correlates to the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. in the morning and the strongest yin being at midnight. As the earth continues rotating on its axis, we perceive the sun rising in the East. The start of a new day is full of energy, fresh dew on the grass and coolness in the air and the anticipation of the day to come. The hours of 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. correlate to this period. The most yang period of the day is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This is represented by the largest area of white in the Tai Ji diagram and is the warmest time of day. As the earth continues rotating we see the sun gradually sinking in theWest. The temperature decreases. Affairs of the day are completed as daylight fades between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Night again returns and we rest and restore ourselves with sleep until the next dawn.

Just as there is a subtle and gradual interchange of yin and yang over the period of a day. The Tai Ji also applies to the larger yearly cycles. Again, note the area of greatest yin at the bottom of the Tai Ji. This is a period when days are shorter, the climate changes and rain or snow (depending on latitude) is prevalent. This is the period when seeds lie hidden beneath the surface, a time of storage and lessened activity even hibernation for some animals. This is the season of winter, the most yin time of the year. The earth continues on its path around the sun and the climate warms. Soon seeds begin sprouting.

Everything turns green with the abundant growth of springtime. In summer the weather is hot, fruit is set, the days become longer. This is the most yang time of the year. With the approach of autumn the days grow shorter, leaves turn golden. It is time to harvest. It is time to receive the abundance of the season. Each season has it’s unique energy and climate and natural element. Winter, the most yin, is akin to water. Spring, with it’s fresh start for anew year and rapid plant growth is akin to wood. Summer, the most yang period with its long hot days is akin to fire. Autumn, a time of reaping the benefits of the year, a time of harvest is akin to gold (metal). Of course, this all occurs here on the earth. From this observation five states of change were discerned. From the interaction of yin and yang the theory of the five elements evolved.

The interaction of the five elements form the basis for all Feng Shui diagnosis and remedies. Read on to find out how this theory can be applied to improve specific areas of your life!

Wu Xing can be translated as the “five elements”. The word Xing however implies a transient form, therefore Wu Xing conveys a meaning consistent with “five states of change”, not only on a tangible level but also on an energetic level. The five elements are fire, earth, metal, water and wood. As you will see later each one of us will belong to one of these elements based on our year of birth and that will influence how we relate to certain places. We have all had the feeling that certain places just seem to “feel” more comfortable than others. We also have had the experience of instantly feeling an affinity toward an individual or an aversion to another for no apparent reason. This may be explained by the interaction of your birth year element with those of others.

There is a natural sequence to the five elements where one element promotes the next in line. (Clockwise) Fire burns and creates earth, out of earth metal is mined. Metal (gold) has the hidden meaning of air because air (breath) is as valuable as gold in maintaining life. Therefore out of Metal (air) water is formed. Additionally when metal is molten it flows like water. Water promotes wood, and wood fuels fire. This gives rise to the “Mother-child” relationships of the five elements. (Counter-clockwise) Metal is the child of earth and metal weakens earth. Earth is the child of fire and earth weakens fire. Fire is the child of wood and fire weakens wood. Wood is the child of water and wood weakens water. Water is the child of metal and water weakens metal. This is the natural cycle but when we construct buildings we create our own manmade environments in which the five elements may be in disharmony.

In the diagram, the straight arrows between the elements indicates the sequence where one element will dominate the other. Metal destroys wood like an axe to a tree, wood destroys earth like the roots of a tree can penetrate and crack a boulder or sidewalk. Earth destroys water by damming it, diverting its flow or absorbing it. Water destroys fire by extinguishing it. Fire destroys metal by melting it. If you are wood by your year of birth then the reason you may not feel comfortable around a certain person could be that they belong to metal and that dominates you and so you don’t seem to hit it off. The Feng Shui analysis will determine the energetic influences of the various areas of a building and will yield combinations of these five elements. Combinations that are productive are generally considered positive while a combination that results in a domination will cause a negative influence in that area.

For example we may find after doing a calculation that the master bedroom has an earth-water combination. This is a domination and will have a negative impact on the occupants. To harmonize this combination we would add actual metal to that particular compass direction. This can be accomplished by using metal art objects, metal vases, anything made out of metal. Why? Because the earth will cease to dominate the water because of its natural attraction to metal (earth’s child). Metal is the mother of water and will strengthen the injured water. In a Feng Shui analysis this combination can cause divorce, kidney, urinary, blood or ear problems. But to understand how, read on about the Eight Trigrams. Each of us belongs to one of the trigrams by our year of birth.

Each of the eight trigrams will have specific attributes. Refer to the following chart.

A trigram is a symbol made of three lines. These lines are either solid or broken.

There are three positions counting from the bottom up. These are earth below, heaven above and man in the middle. The five elements and yin/yang come together in the eight trigrams. By understanding the interactions of these natural forces we can apply the trigrams in a specific way in our lives. For example potentials for specific occurrences such as scholastic achievement, literary skill, fame, authority, wealth, promotion, marriage and children can be enhanced or created. Additionally robbery, fire, lawsuits, car accidents, love affairs, divorce, loneliness, suicide, sex disease, gossip, serious illness, difficulty conceiving, eye problems, head problems, mouth/teeth problems, leg problems, heart trouble, liver, kidney, stomach, abdominal and back problems. Injury to children, hand/arm problems or injuries can be detected and fixed. These conditions can often be nailed down to within a certain time period and even the particular family member. Read on to see how Feng Shui works.

By referring to the Eight Trigram chart lets walk through an example. When we do a Feng Shui analysis we use the time the building was constructed (a 20 year cycle) and the orientation of the building in the earth’s magnetic field. To determine the later we use a lopan which is a special compass with divisions at every 15 degrees making 24 sections. From this information 216 formulas emerge. Combinations of the eight trigrams will be formed using the corresponding number to represent it’s trigram. These combinations will fall within the eight compass directions and the center and they will influence the rooms to which they correspond. The first question we ask ourselves is “Is this combination productive or destructive according to the five element theory. Let us look at a specific case:

1 2

6 6

South

8 4

9 3

East

2 1

Center

4 8

West

5 7

7 5

North

3 9

In the SE corner we find a 1 – 2. By referring to the Eight Trigram Attribute chart we see that 1 belongs to the KAN trigram and is of the water element. 2 belongs to the KUN trigram and the earth element. To determine whether this is productive or destructive look at the Five Element chart (figure 2). The 2 (Kun, earth) dominates the 1 (Kan, water). The 1 is being “injured”. Look to the Eight Trigram chart for Kan and notice the columns “Body Part” and “Illness, Injury”. From this we can diagnose that the person staying in that SE room will be prone to kidney, blood, urinary or ear troubles. If a married couple is in this room there will be a strong chance for divorce. To explain, look at the “Family” column, Kan (water) represents the husband who is dominated by Kun (earth) wife. The wife will tend to act like a mother (Kun) and will treat the husband like a son (Kan). This will not be a harmonious relationship for a husband and wife in most cases. Further, if one of the couple was born in a Kan year that person will be most prone to experiencing the negative effects. The remedy for this area is to place metal in the SE. In our discussion of the five elements we used the example earth dominating water. Metal is the child of earth and the mother water. The placement of metal in the SE for our example will harmonize the area restoring health and relationships.

Lets turn our attention now to the West area. In this case we have 4 (Sun, wood) dominating the 8 (Ken, earth). Under the “Illness, Injury” column for Ken we see hands and arms, etc. are at risk. Look under the “Family” column and we see that children would be at risk for injury in this area. Using the five element theory we need to add fire, (red color) to harmonize the domination of wood to earth. Wood is the mother of fire and so is automatically attracted to fire and fire is productive to earth. In this particular case using this area with fire as an office would create name and fame with money following. Under the column labeled “Image” we see that 8 (Ken) is a mountain. Who could miss noticing a mountain? It stands out in the landscape. The occupant of this room/area/compass direction will also be noticed and stand out among peers.

In the East we have a 9 – 3 combination. The 3 (Chen, wood) is productive for the 9 (Li, fire). This area would be a good place for study and research and will lead to scholastic achievement. An expectant mother sleeping in this area will give birth to a child with above average intelligence.

There are other more advanced principles and terms ie. nine stars, 10 heavenly stems, 12 earthly branches, East / West theory, Eight House theory, Xuang Gun, interior and exterior environment, etc. that are employed, or should be considered in doing a professional Feng Shui analysis. However, I hope the theories presented in this report along with the examples give you an idea of how Feng Shui works. Feng Shui can help make profoundly positive changes in your life and help minimize those less positive periods. It is really quite accurate. Usually I will tell my clients not to tell what is going on, but let me do my analysis and I will be able to tell them what events have impacted their lives while living in that home or working in that office, etc. Feng Shui is not going to change who you are. We all have our own lives to lead with ups and downs.

We have our destiny, and the choices we make. We say that Feng Shui can account for 33.3% influence on our lives. That is quite a bit, really! Good Feng Shui can minimize those negative periods and push our positive, productive periods to the maximum.

Here are some thoughts to consider when looking for a Feng Shui practitioner.

Choosing a Feng Shui practitioner for a consultation should be approached with some deliberation. In order to protect one's self from being mislead by the unqualified "Masters" appearing on the scene it is a good idea to adhere to some basic criteria when seeking advice that can affect one's life so profoundly, either for better or worse. Following is a list of factors to be addressed:

1. Does the practitioner make use of a Lopan or compass? Often the reply may be that the practitioner doesn't need a compass because his "skill" or "insight" is so keen a compass reading is not necessary. Or perhaps he belongs to the "Forms School" and again a compass in not needed. Probably the case is he/she doesn't know what to do with a Lopan anyway! Since Feng Shui is based on position and directions, not knowing the precise orientation of a structure relative to the earth's magnetic field leaves these practitioners basing their advice solely on guesswork which cannot be backed up with a specific basis for arriving at their conclusions.

2. Does the practitioner take time into account? In mainstream Feng Shui, cycles of time are delineated and regarded as important in making an analysis of a space. Specifically, the time a building enclosed the land beneath it, combined with the orientation of the particular structure, forms the basis for all calculations. The current time is then considered to determine the particular phase or condition of the space. By understanding the applications of time the past, present and future potentials of a structure are revealed.

Altering our Feng Shui does not change our basic nature. We all have our unique potentials for health, love and prosperity. The goal in applying this knowledge is to maximize those good things in life by removing or canceling those obstacles imposed on us by negative influences in the Feng Shui of our environment.

Isn’t time you made arrangements to make the most of your home? Call and make an appointment for a professional Feng Shui analysis of your property and Dr. West or a trained associate will come to your site and perform precise calculations and provide you with a thorough analysis and specific advice tailored to your individuals needs.

Name	Image	Family Member	Body Part	Illness, Injury	Element	Compass Direction	Number
Chien	Heaven	Father (CEO, owner)	Head, Lungs	Head, Pulmonary	Metal	Northwest	6
Kun	Earth	Mother, Matriarch	Abdomen, Womb	Digestive, Abdominal	Earth	Southwest	2
Chen	Thunder	Eldest Son	Legs, Feet, Throat	Legs, Throat, Hysteria	Wood	East	3
Kan	Deep Abyss	Middle Son, Middle aged man	Ears, Kidney	Vertigo, Kidney, Bladder, Blood	Water	North	1
Ken	Mountain	Youth, Youngest Son	Hands, Arms	Hand, Arm problems	Earth	Northeast	8
Sun	Penetrating Wind	Eldest Daughter	Buttocks	Hips, Thighs, Buttocks	Wood	Southeast	4
Li	Illuminating Fire	Middle Daughter, Middle aged woman	Eyes, Heart	Eye, Heart problems	Fire	South	9
Tui	Joyous Marsh	Youngest Daughter, Women	Mouth, Chest	Injury/illness to mouth or chest	Metal	West	7