Home Ecology: Feng Shui Basics

“Feng what?” you may ask. If you are not familiar with the term, you are not alone. Rooted in Buddhist and Taoist teachings, feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”) translates literally as “wind-water” and is often defined as the ancient Chinese art of placement. More than interior decorating, feng shui is a deeply held and widely practiced philosophy. The goal of feng shui is to achieve harmony, comfort, and balance, first in one’s environment and then in one’s life. The underlying philosophy is that living in sync with the earth’s elements (water, fire, earth, metal, and wood) can cultivate positive energy, which will deliver prosperity and good fortune. Feng shui is founded on the idea that people will enjoy healthier and happier lives when the environments they inhabit are in harmony with nature.

A 4,000 year-old design tradition, feng shui originated in China and retains a large following in Asia. In China today, there are more feng shui specialists than there are architects in the U.S. In Hong Kong, it is practically mandatory to consult a feng shui expert before opening a new business. In Taiwan alone, there are an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 consultants. These consultants charge from $300 to $1,000 per hour. Feng shui is also big business in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and other Asian regions. It is not strictly an Asian phenomenon; roughly 10 million Americans are consciously practicing some form of feng shui.

Although it enjoys a broader base of support on the West Coast, especially in California, feng shui is flourishing in other parts of the country as well. Workshops by feng shui consultants are common throughout the country. Numerous publications have sprouted on the subject—from detailed literature to easy-to understand guides. In addition, over hundreds of Web sites are dedicated to the topic. Though it has been popular among the Asian community for years, now feng shui is starting to influence the American way of life.

CREATING A BALANCE

This kitchen designed by Carole Shashona- Meltzer uses feng shui principles like the circular light above the square island for Prosperity, and the reflective mirror-like surfaces for Positive Energy.

Typically, when designing a residence or business establishment, a feng shui practitioner considers the wind directions, a person’s birth year, birth order, and animal in the Chinese zodiac. Numbers and colors also play an important role in design and placement. For example, the number four is generally avoided because the “four” in Chinese is a homonym for “death.”

The arrangement for each person is unique, taking into account individual differences. What is similar is the effect—a person must feel at ease with the final setup. A room in feng shui balance—with a round mirror, with living energy, perhaps a wind chime, the placement of furniture- is a room that nourishes the spirit and calms the soul.

Have you ever gone into a new situation—someone’s home or a doctor’s office and you feel terribly uncomfortable? Or you’re at a meeting and the entire conference room seems on edge? If your answer is “yes,” then you are aware of the positive energy influence. Conversely, many places are inviting, and make us feel energized, creative, tranquil, loving, etc. That is feng shui at its best. I always strive to create this kind of aura for my clients.

When you’re in balance, things start coming in. Feng shui helps to feed a positive type of energy. Everything has this type of energy –a life force and energy field— including people, animals, buildings, and nature. It connects all physical things and is constantly changing. By tapping into this energy relationships can be better, business can improve, and health matters can become stabilized.

GETTING STARTED

Feng shui principles involve everything from colors to numbers, bathrooms to bedrooms, clutter to clarity. It would be impossible to demonstrate all of the many different practices involved. The following is a brief list to introduce you to the world of feng shui:

• Do not directly align the foot of your bed with the door. Known as the “death position,” this is often the way in which the dead are buried in many cultures.
• Your desk should be in a “commanding” position, where you face the door and are able to view the expanse of the room when seated from your desk.
• Hang a crystal ball over a chronically cluttered area to improve the flow of positive energy. Crystals encourage a healing energy.
• Wind chimes can draw positive energy into a room and prevent its escape.
• Good lighting equals good positive energy.
• A fish tank can attract wealth and prosperity because fish symbolize never-ending abundance.
• A total of nine plants in the home (or multiples thereof) are considered to be a positive symbol of living energy. In addition, the plants’ deep green color represents career, longevity, and tranquility.

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