Written by:
Wendi Friend
“We do not know, in most cases, how far social failure and success are due to heredity, and how far to environment. But environment is the easier of the two to improve.” ~J.B.S. Haldane~
Do you ever feel displaced in your environment, off balance in an unexplainable way? Having bad dreams? Keep finding yourself at the fridge even when you’re not hungry? Do you feel suffocated in certain rooms of your home or office? Many unexplainable feelings may be identified or rectified by changing your environment by way of Feng Shui.
Feng Shui: a philosophy which, through its practice, creates a balanced environment. Feng Shui may improve areas such as finances, health and career. It may also increase awareness of true self, making obstacles less difficult to overcome; creating a harmonious, peaceful existence by using intuition and common sense to maintain and restore the natural balance of life.
Traditionally practiced in the far east, Feng Shui was originally used to prognosticate placement of graves or to map a location for a home or communal area . These same philosophies are now used for the interior design of the home, office and garden. The aim of Feng Shui is to restore full equanimity to the natural order through sensitivity and awareness of life’s natural functions.
Nature has a balance and has had since before humankind invaded the planet. The concepts of Yin and Yang are symbolized by the sun and the moon. They are two opposite energies operative in the universe, said to be inclusive of each other. This exchange of negative and positive which keeps the world in rotation creates Qi, the life giving force of the universe.
Qi compares to the wind, a natural energy source constantly flowing all around us. Everything is alive with the energy of Qi. Qi is also like water, an energy source that can be redirected. It is a cycle that if disconnected will affect everything else that depends on the continuance of this natural flow of energy. For example, the Colorado river was diverted with the building of Hoover Dam, which changed the entire direction of the flow of the river, which then affected plant and animal life along both paths, the natural path of the river and the diverted path. Feng Shui translates to “wind-water.”
Feng Shui methods are structured on Qi and the belief of the importance of the five Elements; water, wood, fire, earth and metal which are considered the building blocks of life.
Feng Shui can be used to locate an area and direction in which to build a home or office based on the flow of energy or obstructions of energy in the area. Feng Shui can be applied to interior design in which colors and placement of objects affect the way a person behaves inside their home. For example, the color blue is representative of the element water. Having too much blue in one room can make the occupant feel like they are drowning. Adding yellow, the earth sign; symbol of cheer, is a simple remedy to restore balance.
Crystals are used in Feng Shui and are believed to have properties that protect and break up concentrations of blocked energy. Color and or fabric is applied to symbolize the five elements and enhance certain traits such as strength, wealth and creativity. Bamboo flutes are also used frequently as are mirrors, often placed in strategic order to reflect negative energy from windows with obstacles, such as trees, in their view. Having an obstacle in view in the home is said to manifest by way of obstacles in the life. Feng Shui can also be applied in the garden by choosing specific colors and species of plant varieties and the right locations in which to plant them.
If what the spirit seeks is an existence which is peaceful, harmonious, productive, balanced and beneficial not only to the self, but the environment, consideration should be given to changing your environment by way of Feng Shui.
The first time I read about Feng Shui, I thought it seemed like Chinese superstition.
Having since become a serious student of Feng Shui, I now believe it to be based on scientific principles that are as yet undiscovered. What really convinced me was that I know from experience of several friends that acupuncture works quite well. Acupuncture is based on the flow of chi within the body (which is in turn picked up from the environment).
We don’t really know yet scientifically how acupuncture works, but it is just a matter of time until it is eventually discovered. I think that Feng Shui scientific principles will be discovered along with the mysteries of acupuncture in the future.
Madame Monet
Writing, Painting, Music, and Wine
winewriter.wordpress.com
Greetings, Madame Monet –
I’ve a lot to learn yet about Feng Shui, but the concept of it was introduced to me a few years ago during an encounter with a psychic. The psychic suggested that I was a natural “energy rod”, sensitive to energy fields and/or disrupted energy. He pointed out a few behavior patterns of mine (such as being unable to tolerate a crooked frame on a wall), and suggested I look into Feng Shui. The moment I opened the first book on the subject, I knew I’d stumbled onto something remarkable.
Thank you so much for your comment. I appreciate the feedback.
Blessings,
Wendi
end clutter. that works best for me.
Agreed, clutter = chaos. Well said.
Stopped by your site this morning… love your poem about the New Moon, particularly the line about the river being the sky’s twin.
Thanks for dropping by and for sharing your comment. I appreciate the feedback.
Blessings,
W
I think another easy way to restore the balance to your life with Feng Shui is to look around at your home for things that are broken, dying, or just not in use. These are items that might be holding onto energy that you want to use for different parts of your life. Fix things that are broken, throw out or revive things that are dying, and get rid of things you don’t use or that you don’t love. Thanks for the lovely post!
Lynda –
I couldn’t agree more. In fact, the other day, I drew the Squirrel animal card from a Medicine Wheel deck. It’s message? Clear clutter, get rid of things that are no longer in use, and store energy for future needs! Right on target! Hopefully, I’ll get much of that accomplished in this upcoming anticipated move. The house I’m in now is a Feng Shui nightmare, but I’m hoping to apply some of what I know, as well as learning more, for our new home.
Thank you so much for the comment.
W