Chapter 2
Feng shui literally means “wind and water.”
Wind moves the invisible life force called chi, and water retains or cultivates it. An ancient Chinese system, feng shui teaches people how to create harmony between nature and manmade structures. Traditional practitioners of feng shui believe that this “intentional harmony” will balance out the world, bringing peace and prosperity to all. Many people today are exploring feng shui as a way to bring balance to their own life and spirit.
Thousands of years ago, in southern China (a rich, fertile region of mountains, rivers, valleys, and farms), the art of feng shui was born out of necessity. People had a real need to determine the most auspicious places for their homes, altars, and burial grounds. The burial sites were particularly important to the people, since they relied heavily upon the energy of their ancestors for everything from good crops and increased prosperity to spiritual guidance.
To these primitive yet wise rural people, everything spiritual and ethereal had its own earthly correspondent in nature, and everything in nature could be carefully “directed” to assist in the achievement of earthly goals. What were (and are) those goals? Simply put, to achieve a positive flow of energy, a balance of the eternal opposites of yin and yang, and a proper interaction of the five elements (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood).
What is feng shui?
Feng shui means, literally, “wind and water.” The practice of feng shui relates to the positive flow of energy through your indoor, outdoor, and spiritual surroundings. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just about moving furniture around to attract wealth!
The Bagua: To use the bagua, place the career side along the entrance of your space (which can be as general as your yard or as focused as your desk). That is your starting point.
Although we are many miles and several centuries away from the original feng shui “masters,” we share a common belief today that external factors affect our internal landscapes, whether for good or ill.
We know that there are invisible cosmic forces that govern all things—man, nature, and the Universe—and the main goal of feng shui is to learn to move gracefully within this flow. It’s definitely not a religion, and it’s not about moving some stuff out of your house so you can go get more stuff. In feng shui, it’s the energy or chi that counts most, followed by good intentions and personal integrity. It also requires an open mind, one that can take an objective and honest look around at its surroundings and be ready to give up in order to receive.
Do you need to practice the principles of good feng shui in every single room of your house? No, you don’t. But remember—the more that you create using feng shui principles in your life, the better your overall results are likely to be.
Today, there are many individual schools of feng shui, and many different methods that practitioners use to help others move their possessions and elements in the right direction. However, most feng shui practice can be divided into the following three basic schools.
The Form School began in rural southern China and focuses on the lay of the land (i.e., landforms), water formations, and the topography of the land. Practitioners of this school will generally spend most of their time evaluating the lot your home is situated on and the relationship of each area of your home to the land surrounding it.
In northern China, where there weren’t as many hills, people devised a more scientific method of finding the right directions for homes, people, and possessions: They created a compass called the “luo pan.” Many places of the world use this method, but because it requires use of a compass and some mathematical prowess, many Westerners find it too complicated to use. If this school is appealing to you, your best bet is to find a practitioner who is skilled in the Compass School—attempting to use the compass on your own could result in inaccurate readings or results.
Founded by Professor Thomas Lin Yun, the Black Hat Sect (or School) synthesizes Buddhism, Taoism, shamanism, and folk wisdom. It encourages anyone who practices feng shui, professional or novice, to rely heavily upon intuition. The only feng shui tool a Black Hat practitioner uses is the bagua. In the Black Hat Sect, if it feels right, it probably is—as long as there is a positive, healthy flow of chi. Black Hat also incorporates the Zen practice of meditation.
This book will focus mostly on the Black Hat Sect of feng shui, as it is the easiest of the three schools for the novice to effectively follow and implement in his surroundings.
The concept of yin and yang, the eternal opposites, is common to all schools of feng shui study and practice. Chances are, you’ve even heard the saying, “It’s a yin-yang thing.” But what exactly are yin and yang—and how do they work in the world of feng shui? In their simplest sense, they represent two opposing yet complementary halves of a whole—the duality of the Universe.
“Yin” is the female energy, which is soft, nurturing, flowing, passive, and contemplative. Its direction is north, the numbers associated with it are even, and its universal correspondent is earth. “Yang” is the male, or aggressive, energy and is bright, solid, and creative. Yang represents odd numbers, the southern direction, and the energy of heaven. Together, the two symbols form a whole circle and the complete Universe—but each has a dot in it of the other’s energy, meaning there is some yin in yang and some yang in yin to complete the whole picture.
Yin is earth energy (feminine, passive energy), and yang is heaven energy (masculine, dynamic energy). The yin-yang symbol is round, continuous, and complementary—both energies are needed in balanced form to create wholeness. Neither is better than the other.
The symbol of yin and yang shows us that we should seek the natural balance in all things, and that all things, both natural and manmade, naturally gravitate toward this balance. The same is true in human beings, all of whom contain a little of the opposite sex’s energy in them. How many times have you heard someone say, “Wow, that man is really in touch with his feminine side?” or “She has a male strength about her.” What people are really responding to when they say things like that is the complementary nature of energies in another that set them apart or help them to achieve admirable feats—well-balanced people are admirable!
With yin and yang, the object is to keep the balance as, well, balanced, as possible—to not have rooms or living spaces that are too yin or too yang. The mission of feng shui is to seek out that balance in each room so you can help yourself feel grounded or centered in your living environment.
A key to understanding feng shui is learning about the five elements (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) and discovering how they relate to one another in ways that mimic nature. As in nature, there are both creative and destructive cycles, and here’s the “magic formula” for each:
The Chinese believe that the Universe is heavily influenced by this positive and negative (yin-yang) interaction of the five elements. A room that uses good feng shui placement has a balanced use of each element—and is not too heavy on any one element. Too much of one element (especially a powerful one like fire) can make a room feel oppressive and can actually block the chi of the home’s inhabitants.
Good feng shui takes some time to get used to—and to take effect. Give your efforts some “breathing time” before you start expecting miracles. The best feng shui practitioners will tell you that some results will feel instant, while others will take time and may require some refining to achieve.
On a symbolic level, the elements represent order and the influence of the Universe in nature and all things, including humankind.
But let’s look more closely at the qualities associated with each element for an even deeper understanding:
Fire represents emotions and corresponds to the color red. Fire energy is pure yang—strong, assertive, and dominant. In objects for décor, real fire elements such as candles or oil lamps can be used to represent the fire element in a room. Or you can use symbolic items like a red star, red fabric, or even red flowers.
Earth relates very much to the physical plane of existence. In people, earth types are grounded, organized, and very practical in all matters. They are quite levelheaded and hold harmony very dear to their hearts. Earth elements that can be used in décor include soil in a potted plant, yellow and brown items, or rectangular objects like a flowerbed that fits on a windowsill.
Metal energy pertains to mental activity and thought processes. Use metal objects like metal picture frames, lampposts, sculptures, or clocks in a room to represent this pensive energy. Symbolically, you can use round items that are silver, gold, or white in color to represent metal. Just remember that the closer the object is to its natural element, the stronger the energy of the object in your home will be. The more symbolic you get, the less powerful the object will be in positively affecting your home situation.
Begin your feng shui process with a clear idea of your intention. Everything about your process should be geared toward the positive, from your initial attitude to the finishing touches. Never begin on a negative note (i.e., with a plan to use feng shui to ward off evil neighbors).
Water relates to spirituality, reflection, and meditation. There is always an air of mystery with water elements. To incorporate water into your home, use clear glass vases or pitchers with fresh water, glass or clear marble stones in a dish or bowl, or anything black (since black is the symbolic color of water). You can also use a fountain or aquarium to add the water element to a room.
Wood relates to intuition and the feeling of “knowingness” inside us all. Wood people are strong yet flexible, trusting their inner voice to lead them to the next project or situation safely. Best to use real live plants in your home décor to represent wood; bamboo sticks are especially considered in feng shui to be auspicious, or full of good luck. Anything green will symbolically create the wood element in your home.
Each of the above elements is represented on the bagua (see “Feng Shui’s Energy Map” later in this chapter). The most important thing to remember about the elements is that you need to keep them balanced. Don’t worry if you don’t understand it all yet. When we go room by room later in the book, there will be plenty of good examples to make everything clear!
Also key to the principles of good feng shui is the need to balance appeal to all of the senses. After all, the senses are considered to be the human manifestation of the five elements. But how can you accomplish a balance of these energies in your home? Here’s an example of how it can work. You will have a well-balanced living room if you include items that appeal to each of your senses: a scented candle (smell), soft pillows on the sofa (touch), fresh fruit in a bowl (taste), soft music or a gently splashing water fountain (sound), and an interesting, dynamic piece of artwork hanging on one of the walls (sight).
Every room of the house can use this kind of attention to its balance of the senses. Don’t be afraid to think a little unconventionally—you can incorporate taste into your bathroom “spa” experience by mixing up a fresh fruit smoothie to sip on during your bath.
If feng shui is a way of life, then the bagua (see diagram on page 17) is the road map for getting to all the great places you want to be in life. Each of your endeavors is represented in a corner of the octagon, and each corner also has its corresponding colors, elements, and energy.
Used correctly, the bagua helps you to determine the preferred locations for all of your beloved possessions. Ancient Chinese wisdom holds the belief that when we place items carefully and with intention, we clear away the blockages of energy that can hold us back from success. In other words, it’s how you keep your stuff that determines how well you do in life.
Simply translated, bagua means eight-sided figure or octagon. It comes from a book of ancient Chinese wisdom called the I Ching, or the “Book of Changes.” The “Book of Changes” is a method of divination that contains insightful and profound teachings in the form of trigrams, which are symbols pertaining to business, life, and the ways of nature and the Universe. The I Ching reveals the flow of nature as perfect balance (yin-yang) and harmony.
Each area of the bagua has a connection with the main aspects of your life: career, helpful people (who assist in creating opportunities and good luck), children/creativity, relationship/marriage, fame/reputation, wealth/abundance, family/health/well-being, and knowledge/self-cultivation. In feng shui, all of these “channels” are affected by both positive and negative (or blocked) energies; the goal is to keep the energies as positive and flowing as possible.
Go easy on yourself and your surroundings at first. Assess your current living situation with a positive checklist rather than a guilt-ridden list of what’s wrong. Remember to stay positive throughout the process—this includes being positive toward yourself!
As a tool, the bagua is placed over your location so each area of your home or business has meaning. For example, one area represents wealth, and another, partnership. As these sections of your location represent areas of your life, you have the potential to transform your life situation when you activate them in alignment with your clearly stated intention.
To use the bagua, you need to place it (either physically or using your visualization ability) over the main entrance to your home with the career side aligned with the front wall. The area of career is always at the front of the location; this means that your front door is usually in the section of knowledge, career, or helpful people.
Place the bagua over geographic areas in your house (either over your whole floor plan or just room by room), then look at its corresponding life endeavor. As a map, of sorts, the bagua will help you determine the most auspicious locations and décor to help you achieve your life’s goals. Remember, you don’t have to apply feng shui to every single room, but the more attention and mindfulness you give to each part of your surroundings, the better the results will be.
Balance the yin energies (feminine, curving, nurturing, dark, soft, earthly energy) with the yang (masculine, active, angular, sharp, heaven, and sun energy) to achieve a balance that will make you feel most comfortable in a space.
What does your home say about you? If you try to view your home through the eyes of a stranger—considering the arrangement of each room, the amount of clutter or the lack thereof, the colors, the textures, the scents and sights—what do you think your home reveals?
How much clutter is in each room of your house? Is the clutter reflective of your personality? A teenager may defend the piles of clothes, books, papers, and other odds and ends in his room as providing comfort and security for him. “It’s who I am,” he will say defiantly when asked why he seems to enjoy this environment. If clutter truly reflects who you are, don’t worry about it. But if you feel embarrassed by it, or, worse, constrained by it, pay attention to this cue; if it prevents your living comfortably, keeps you awake at night, or prevents you from thinking clearly or creatively, then you should take steps to eliminate the clutter and allow the chi to flow freely.
Work on one room or area of your house at a time. Do not try to feng shui your whole house in one weekend. It takes plenty of “reflective time” to consider your actions and to determine the changes that will feel best.
Conversely, are your rooms too spare? Are the walls white and bare, the furniture sterile, and the space too pristine? Are guests afraid to sit or move about freely in the room or rooms for fear of making a mess or disturbing the arrangement in some way? Do you cover your furniture with plastic or rush to place coasters under every cup and glass? In other words, are you projecting unfriendliness and a “keep out” mentality toothers? This is fine if you truly do not want guests showing up on your doorstep. However, if you are having trouble attracting friends to your home or keeping them there long once they arrive, it could be because the starkness of your decor or the sparseness of your furnishings is pushing them away.
Is your home completely open to your children, or have you relegated their toys, books, and other possessions to only a room or two? Is there anything at all that is welcoming or comforting to children in the living room, the dining room, the patio, or the den?
Allowing them even a little space throughout the house and a place for them to play in most, if not all, of the rooms gives children the comfort of knowing that the home is theirs, too. Providing child-sized furniture and allowing a few toys in even the neatest and most sophisticated of rooms tells others that there is room in your life and your heart for something much more important than material possessions—your children.
Is your home open, airy, and filled with light, or packed with possessions, close, and dark? Are the colors rich and vibrant in the rooms where you spend your waking hours and soft and relaxing in the rooms where you sleep or unwind? Can chi move easily through your rooms and hallways? Do you demonstrate awareness of the bagua in how your furnishings arearranged? Can the flow of energy in your home be improved by making minor adjustments in one or more rooms, or even in the yard or garden?
Once you become aware of these principles of feng shui, you will see that it is not difficult to change aspects of your home and property in order to improve energy flow and open up your life to the positive results that will follow! Of course, your starting point will be the removal of clutter—the great energy block—from your life.
Before you embark on your feng shui journey, it’s a good idea to conduct an “energy audit” to determine areas of clear and blocked chi. Here’s a quick checklist for assessing the chi in and around your home:
Before you begin the process of changing your home’s energy, be sure to begin with a space clearing. If weather permits, open windows to get the chi moving. Physically clean the space you will be working on. Dirt and dust symbolize stagnant chi—and that must always be cleared first!
Light a candle (a pure aromatherapy type), diffuse pure essential oils, burn incense, or use a smudge stick (a tightly wrapped bundle of herbs and wood). Just be sure that whatever you use is in its purest form. Unfortunately, there are a lot of products on the market today that claim to be pure aromatherapy that are, in fact, full of artificial fillers and additives.
Play some music. A wonderful drumming or chanting CD would be great, but use what you love the most. It doesn’t have to be meditation music to “speak” to you—and there’s nothing like a little Tina Turner or Rolling Stones to get the chi moving!
Always begin with a close look at your intentions. What do you want to accomplish? What are your goals, and which are most important to you right now? What action are you preparing yourself to take?
Now you’re ready for step two, which is intention. Remember your intention as you’re placing the appropriate enhancement or cure in a particular sector. Keep this intention clearly in your mind. Open your heart to your highest good. Embrace the possibilities, and most important, trust your process.
The final step involves reinforcing all that you have done—giving more power to your enhancement or cure. This is the part where you meditate and offer blessings or thanks to the Universe through a process the Black Hat Sect of feng shui calls “The Three Secrets”:
Chances are, you’ll feel uplifted and ready to take on the world when you’re finished with these steps. But don’t forget the last step of the whole process: Let go of the outcome—and trust the Universe to do its work!
Adding remedies to a specific area where the chi seems to be blocked is the best way to open up the energy to its greatest good. In feng shui, there are eight basic remedies or cures:
Harness the subtle power of feng shui and its cures to move yourself in the right spiritual direction. Your feng shui mantra should be: “Trust the Universe.” In short, trust your intuition. Let go of the outcome. Give thanks for all that is.
Learn to “mindfully move” the items in your environment that are creating obstacles in your life. Obstacles are not only physical items such as a couch, table, or computer, but also the mental “clutter” that keeps you from practicing mindfulness and holds you back from achieving your greatest potential in life.
Now, roll up your silk sleeves, put on some soft Chinese bamboo flute music, and get started!