Literally translated Feng Shui means "wind water", the two elements in nature that control the flow of Qi (Chi). The ancient Chinese revered nature and developed three principles based on it: ying and yang, the five phases and the eight trigrams. Feng Shui is the science of living in harmony with your environment. It is the study of time and space. Feng Shui seeks to harness natures energy, or Qi.
What is classical Feng Shui?
Classical Feng Shui is an ancient practice developed over 6000 years ago by the Neolithic Chinese. Classical Feng Shui is a system based on observations of the heavens (time) and earth forces and how qi interacts with them. It is the science and practice of balancing these forces. The Chinese believe that with balance becomes harmony and the likelihood of better health, wealth and personal relationships. It is a precise science, which requires working with a compass, making calculations and observations for each dwelling based on it's exterior surroundings, the magnetic sitting and facing directions of your dwelling, the time (year) your dwelling was built, the current time, and the compatibility of the inhabitants with the dwelling. Each dwelling is unique. One of the most complicated and sophisticated schools of Feng Shui is the "Flying Star" method. In the Flying Star method, there are 216 distinct types of dwellings. No "cure-alls" are used to work with producing positive or productive Qi in a dwelling, only natures 5 phases. A classical feng shui practitioner in Flying Star studies the qi numbers and their relationships to help balance the positive and reduce the negative.
What is Qi?
Pronounced "chi", qi is the underlying life force. It is frequently translated as "energy flow". The literal translation is "air" or "breath" or "life breath". It is the air we breath, the light of the sun, the magnetic field of the earth and our inner "spirit". It is both physical and metaphysical. Qi moves. Qi connects everyone and everything.
What is ying and yang?
Literally translated yin means "shady" and yang means "sunny". It represents the duality that exists in everything. Light cannot exist without darkness, man cannot exist without woman, good cannot exist without evil, etc. Yin is associated with female and is known as "passive", and is represented as "darkness". Yin is earth. Yang is associated with male and is known as "active" and is represented as "light". Yang is the heavens.
What are the five phases?The five phases are, the five physical elements in nature : fire, earth, metal, water and wood. They represent 5 phases of qi as it changes over time. Each element phase has it's own characteristics and interacts with other phases differently. How the phases interact with one another determines the balance of qi. The five phases are also associated with a season, a compass direction, weather, colors, and body parts.
What are the eight trigrams?The chinese studied how qi navigates thru cycles of ying and yang. They studied the movements and transformations of natures elements. Nature was seen as a network of interconnected and interdependent events. These were correlated into a model representing all possible natural and human situations. This model is called the eight trigrams.
What is not Feng Shui?
In the West Feng Shui has become something that is plagued with misconceptions and falsities. Many have been brought to believe it is a practice in superstitions and myths. Many books, schools, and practitioners here in the West offer advice or techniques that are far removed from classical Feng Shui. Many are diluted and simplified and full of myths and superstitions. Some of these faux schools refer to themselves as "Compass" or "Western" schools of Feng Shui. While it is true that you do use a compass for feng shui, the term "Compass School" is a western invention, it is a blanket term with encompasses a myriad of sophisticated techniques that are used today and is not a term used by classical feng shui practitioners. Classical feng shui is based on computations, intellect, and observations rather than the intuitiveness offered up in these schools. These faux schools often use a term called "Life Aspirations". Claiming each of the 8 feng shui areas, or directions, has a feng shui element, feng shui colors, and life aspiration associated with it. They place a simple static diagram over your house that is based on where your front door is and believe that this applies to all dwellings. They give general advice which they believe applies to everyone, such as "the head of your bed should always face north" or "placing a fountain in the SE corner of your home brings fortune" or "stop up your sinks because your wealth will go down the drain". They also use "cures" or "protections" such as mirrors, crystals, coins, wind chimes, "lucky" sculptures or bamboo, etc. to "activate" these life aspirations. These are marketing gimmicks. This is commonplace amongst these schools. These are geared towards people who are looking for the latest fad. This is not authentic classical Feng Shui. Feng Shui is not a superstition,it is not a religion or based on any religion, is does not have magic cure-alls for your problems. It is not a science that can be simplified down to a one size fits all qi diagram that can apply to all situations. Don't fret, even if in the past you have taken some stock in these faux school, I admit at one time I thought this was real feng shui as well before my studies, don't worry, you were still trying to make a conscious change to your environment. You had some understanding of how your surroundings can have an impact you; a first step in the right direction.
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