Where the Earth and the Wood Element entwine in harmony. For me this is a beautiful summary of what it is we try to achieve with Feng Shui design. A harmony of elements that provide you with the support in your personal space. This image is from a recent trip to Japan. And it’s prompted me to explain the basics of what can Feng Shui can do for you.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is an art as well as a science. Originating in China, the literal translation is: feng means wind and shui is water. It is a study and discipline, thousands of years old, focusing on one’s personal space – home, office, landscape – and the flow of energy. Through Feng Shui, we intend to maximize life goals and intentions, balance elemental facets, feel grounded and nurtured within our spaces, and look to the feminine and masculine of all things.
In Feng Shui, there is an understanding that energy flows through all things – living and inanimate. Through that energy flow, we can design and arrange our spaces to support and nourish our lives and goals using the Feng Shui tools of the trade. The positive aspects to chi flow bring about positive shifts to our world, relationships, home and work, abundance and health and more. A less than positive, or negative, chi flow can keep us stagnant, from achieving our goals, or from being all that we are intended to be. There is also the understanding that all situations are fluid and can change. Change in inevitable; change can be beneficial. Feng Shui uses the physical shifts and updates to our spaces to bring about the positive and harmonious shifts in our lives.
How does Feng Shui work?
There are many ways we incorporate Feng Shui shifts or enhancements. Through the varied schools or perspectives of Feng Shui, there are also varied ways to accomplish and empower your life path. Even with those variances, many of the basic principles remain the same and are what unify us all.
Through Feng Shui we look at design and flow. We look for safety and comfort. We look at the overabundance of one element or another.
While not all of the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water need be present in exactly equal portions – each element can be represented and present in ways that influence positively the inhabitants of a space. Balancing the feminine and the masculine – the yin and the yang – is also important for enriching the lives, careers, relationships, health, and abundance of those living and working in spaces.
The bagua map is also an excellent guide to mapping your spaces and finding those areas where more balance or focus is needed. Some perspectives will also use birth charts, compass or luo pan, astrology, numerology, dowsing and space clearing to provide specific adjustments.
What effects can Feng Shui design have on my life?
The number one result for any of my Feng Shui consultations has been clarity. Being clear on what you want in your life, and what you don’t want. The effects of this are wonderful – it increases your vitality and you begin leading a more harmonic, holistic life.
One of my clients described it as, “Throwing the doors wide open to the life I want.” Her perfect job seemed to just turn up out of nowhere.
Others who had trouble moving on with their lives, found a new sense of direction.
Another found great relief from chronic health conditions by decluttering and creating the space to live on her terms.
One lady who worked from home found that more clients suddenly emerged.
Feng Shui design activates an energy to support you to live the life you want. It is a tremendously valuable and relevant part of everyday life around the world. And we must remember that there are important considerations for those of us living in the Southern Hemisphere. Living with what you love, freeing yourself from clutter, and expressing your true self will help you manifest the best Feng Shui for you.
