Feng Shui

Feng Shui

Create spaces and flow to attract abundance, love and vitality

How can Feng Shui nourish you?

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and science of improving health and fortune through the thoughtful design of people's surroundings. Most people associate it with the design of buildings and the arrangement of interior spaces, but Feng Shui also extends to outdoor environments, such as the layout of gardens. 

The premise of Feng Shui is that harmonious spaces promote the healthy flow of qi, or life energy, and a balance of yin and yang, or feminine and masculine forces. Utilising the five elements of fire, water, wood, metal and earth recognised in Chinese tradition, and the way they interact with one another, is also an important consideration. 

Although there is some discussion about the origins of the practice, it is believed to be about 6,000 years old. In its earliest forms, Feng Shui is thought to have been used by ancient farming communities to choose optimal locations for their dwellings and crops. 

By thoughtfully considering geography and how their villages were orientated, these communities could make the most of available sunlight and natural watercourses while also being shielded from harsh weather conditions. As a result, their inhabitants thrived, and the principles of environmental harmony were refined and applied to increasingly ambitious undertakings, including the design of entire cities. As the practice developed, more subtle magnetic influences were also mapped out and taken into consideration.

The words ‘Feng Shui’ themselves mean ‘wind’ and ‘water’ respectively. Wind is believed to carry qi but can also dissipate or scatter it, while water is able to collect it. The objective of Feng Shui application is to collect positive environmental qi and to make it available for people to use.

Each space should have the elements within balanced in the right proportions to support the way in which the area is used. The choice of which element will balance an area depends on the way the space is used, its layout, and the subtle Feng Shui energies present in the space.. 

For example, one home office may benefit from metal, an element associated with focus and concentration, while another may require fire to enhance a wealth and success energy present there. The elements can be literally represented, for example by lighting candles to include fire in a space, or or metaphorically, by a picture of waves to symbolise the water element

Benefits of Feng Shui

Winston Churchill famously once observed that “We shape our buildings, and afterwards, our buildings shape us.” Generally, the intended benefits of feng shui for health stem from the creation of environments that feel good to spend time in, support vitality in living spaces and restfulness in bedrooms.

Many people apply the principles of feng shui for love or wealth, and some believe they have enjoyed significant success as a result. The classic benefits of feng shui are reported to include good fortune, health and prosperity, improvements in focus and concentration, and an increased ability to attract positive relationships

Research suggests that traditional feng shui concepts may correspond closely with modern architectural principles of best practice. Another small-scale study endeavoured to correlate the feng shui of hotel foyers with the level of business success their managers reported. The findings suggested hotels with good feng shui may enjoy greater business success. 

Feng shui has also been studied alongside environmental psychology as a way of creating holistic, sustainable living spaces which are intended to have measurable benefits for their occupants’ mental and physical health

By treating the building in relation to those living in it, rather than the people themselves, Feng Shui may relieve the following symptoms triggered by your home or workspace: 

ADD/ADHD Allergies Asthma Circulation and cardiovascular conditions Concentration, focus and problem solving Creativity Depression Energy and vitality Headaches and migraines Infections Insomnia and sleep disorders Love and Relationships Memory and cognitive function Pain relief Relaxation Stress and tension Weight control and obesity Show all

What to expect from practising Feng Shui 

Before your session, a feng shui consultant will request information about your business and residence, such as the floor plan, birth dates of people living or working there, and when the building was constructed. You will also be asked about how you would like the space -- and your life -- to improve, as well as what is causing you difficulty.

Your feng shui practitioner will usually visit your home or business, evaluating the building and its surroundings, and talk to you about how feng shui works within your space. Depending on the school or discipline of feng shui they use, your consultant will often perform calculations related to the orientation of your home or business, as well as the balance of the five elements within the space. Normally, a bagua (energy map) of your home or business will be used to analyse how the various spaces correspond with different areas of your life, such as relationships, health and business.

Some consultants will physically help you move around some of the furniture in the space to show immediate effects and possibilities, assuming you are comfortable with them doing so. After the consultation, you will be provided with detailed recommendations about changes you can make, ranging from the arrangement of interior furnishings to colour selection and window treatments.

If you suffer from allergies or a condition such as asthma, it is advisable to seek a practitioner with qualifications in building biology. These consultants are trained to complement feng shui recommendations with advice about managing moisture intrusion, contaminants such as mould, and electromagnetic fields in the home.

References

What is Feng Shui? | Association of Feng Shui Consultants

How to bring Feng Shui Outside | fengshuiforeveryone.com 

Feng Shui Yin Yang-Create balance in your home | learn-about-feng-shui.com

What is Feng Shui? | fengshuisociety.org.uk 

The Metal Element | openspacefengshui.com

Feng Shui 101: Introducing the 5 Elements | morrisfengshui.com

The Five Elements | Feng Shui For Real Life

What Are the Basic Principles of Feng Shui? | thespruce.com 

A Brief History of Feng Shui | Feng Shui Style

The Origins of Feng Shui | fengshui-living.com

History of Feng Shui | fengshuisociety.org.uk

Churchill and the Commons Chamber | parliament.uk

Creating the Ideal Bedroom According to Feng Shui | verywellmind.com 

20 advantages and benefits of feng shui | fengshuinexus.com

Seeking a Harmonious Life With Feng Shui | The New York Times

How can I benefit from Feng Shui? | thechinesezodiac.org 

Feng Shui Your Home To Attract Love | Rodika Tchi 

The art and science of Feng Shui | Building and Environment

Fact, fiction, and feng shui: an exploratory study | Facilities

Holistic Dwelling: Integrating Biophilic Design, Environmental Psychology and Feng Shui | Scholarspace

Use of Environmental Psychology and Feng Shui for a More Supportive Living Environment | South East European Journal of Architecture and Design

What is Feng Shui Consultation Like? | fengshuinexus.com 

How Does Feng Shui For Homes Work? | fengshuisociety.org.uk 

Feng Shui Consultation: The Process | Feng Shui Style 

Reiko Feng Shui Design provides in-depth consultations to transform your home or office. | reikodesign.com

Feng Shui Bagua Area Basics for Your Home or Office | thespruce.com

A day in the life of a Feng Shui consultant | soulspace.info 

The Feng Shui of Windows | redlotusletter.com

What is Feng Shui? | fengshuiliving.com.au

 


Frequently asked questions

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that aims to enhance health and fortune through the strategic design of spaces. It operates on the principles of promoting the harmonious flow of life energy (qi) and achieving a balance of yin and yang forces.

Feng Shui influences the arrangement and design of interior and exterior spaces in homes. It considers factors such as furniture placement, color schemes, and the use of specific elements to create a balanced and harmonious environment.

Feng Shui incorporates the five Chinese elements—fire, water, wood, metal, and earth—along with their interactions. These elements play a crucial role in determining the energy balance within a space.

Yes, Feng Shui extends to outdoor environments, including gardens. The layout and design of outdoor spaces are considered to influence the flow of energy and contribute to overall well-being.

The origins of Feng Shui are believed to date back about 6,000 years. It is thought to have been initially used by ancient farming communities in China to choose optimal locations for their homes and crops.

Feng Shui has both spiritual and cultural aspects. While it is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy and culture, it also encompasses spiritual principles related to energy flow and balance in the environment.
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