Feng Shui Part 1 - Overview
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui, pronounced ‚fung shway’ which is Chinese for the words „wind“ and „water“ might be described as an ancient Chinese form of geomancy or, more precisely, the practice to arrange and place space in order to achieve harmony. It is a very complicated system including geography, mathematics, astrology, philosophy, and religion which has been practiced for thousands of years.
Feng Shui analyzes how people are affected by the environment and makes recommendations how to improve this relationship. The environment is not just limited to the surrounding features such as hills or rivers or to how the furniture in a home is arranged, it also includes astronomical influences, electromagnetic radiation, as well as the forces of gravity. A Feng Shui practitioner examines all related factors, gives advice in what needs to be changed and thus helps to bring prosperity and well being to the people concerned.
In ancient China, Feng Shui masters were highly respected scientists who were often hired by emperors to sustain the prosperity of the court, but also to wage war. They were keepers of a closely guarded discipline that was passed down from generation to generation and it was believed that they had the power to control the winds, waters and mists and thus control the outcome of battles.
In China, nature is seen as an organism that breathes the spiritual or life energy called qi. Through Feng Shui we can influence the flow of qi to produce wealth, health, and happiness.
How are the Feng Shui principles applied?
Feng Shui is based on the „Book of Changes“ the Yi Jing (I-Ching), employing theories and complex calculations derived from it. A Feng Shui practitioner uses a compass to observe the environment to determine the orientation of a property. According to the basic principles he then does his calculations and determines the energy within the property and its effects on the people in it. In the end he will give the necessary directions to balance the energy in order to bring on a positive effect.
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