Read an Excerpt
Introduction
Throughout history, cultures around the world have believed that spirits dwelled in nature, the weather, and things they could not explain but intuitively sensed were special. Even primitive peoples identified natural places they considered unique and sacred. To the ancient Chinese, that feeling was captured in the philosophy of feng shui.
Feng Shui Philosophy
Literally translated as "wind-water," feng shui is the art of placement and is one of the five components of a person's destiny. The first factor, fate, is determined by heaven at the moment of your birth. Luck, the second element, occurs in the form of pure luck, man-made luck, and heaven luck. The third component is feng shui, or earth luck. Next comes philanthropy, and finally education and experience.
I like the analogy that life is a journey from one place to another. You start out in a particular circumstance, but the choices and decisions you make determine your mode of transportation. The last three components of your destiny are the proactive things you can do to make changes along the way.
Feng Shui Concepts
The three major concepts of feng shui are the flow of energy; the balance of yin and yang; and the interaction of the five elements in the universe: fire earth, metal, water, and wood. The flow of energy is expressed in nature, where perfectly straight lines occur only in very short segments, such as sugar cane and bamboo stalks. Even the tallest trees have irregularities, and it is a natural law that energy flows in wavy lines similar to breezes and streams. When energy travels in a straight path, as in the case of a roaring flood, its awesome power is unleashed. When a flood destroys everything in its path, it usually follows something man-made, such as a road. Freeways, tunnels, bridges, buildings, and lampposts have straight edges that are conduits of negative energy called sha or "killing" energy. In feng shui, straight lines and the angles they create are called "killing" arrows.
The second important concept is the duality of the universe, expressed in the yin/yang symbol of one dark and one light teardrop positioned in a circle. One teardrop embodies yin qualities, which are female, soft, passive, nurturing, dark, fluid, even numbers, and the right side of the body. The other teardrop signifies yang traits, which are male, bright, hard, active, aggressive, odd numbers, and the left side of the body. The two halves comprise a whole, yet there is an element of each in the other.
A fluid S-shaped line divides the two teardrops and personifies the balance within the universe, nature, the environment, and the self. It is our task to maintain the balance of yin and yang within our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual selves. Achieving this balance results in feeling grounded - much like a rock that is pounded by the elements but remains solid.
The third concept includes the five universal elements, each of which relates to the others in two ways: a generative or creative connection that provides strength and power, and an overpowering or destructive relationship that denies strength and power. Knowledge of these relationships is critical in feng shui; placement based on misinformation or ignorance can result in an effect opposite to the one you want to achieve.
Generative Cycle
Fire generates earth
Earth generates metal
Metal generates water
Water generates wood
Wood generates fire
Destructive Cycle
Fire melts metal
Metal cuts wood
Wood moves earth
Earth dams water
Water puts out fire
Using Feng Shui
I have created the acronym CANE — C for color; A for animal; N for number; E for element - to help you place objects according to general feng shui principles. Basically, place the C, A, N, and E in its corresponding direction if you want to improve that aspect of your life. You can also add the element that precedes it in the generative cycle to strengthen your efforts. To suppress an aspect, introduce its "destroyer," or the one that follows it in the destructive cycle, to weaken it.
Whichever form of feng shui you choose, be consistent and practical. If you don't get the results you desire, feel free to try other forms of the art. The guidelines are basically the same: Put the right objects in the right locations in order to achieve harmony with the universe, nature, and yourself. You can also activate the areas of your life that you wish to improve, such as health, career, or love.
Much of what you do is based on common sense, sound architectural design, intuition, geography, ecology, meteorology, astronomy, interior design, ancient Chinese philosophy, and Chinese folk beliefs. As you tap into the tao, or flow of the universe and its rhythms, these are the keys you will use to create a more holistic, natural, and simple way of life. Keep your heart pure and your intentions strong, and see how this fascinating and wonderful tradition transforms your life.
Do keep fish in multiples of nine, a symbol of long life, or in odd numbers. Eight fish should be gold in color, since eight is the homonym for the Chinese verb "to prosper." One fish should be black, a color that will provide protection and absorb negative energy. (page 31)
Don't install more than one stove. Rather than doubling your wealth, this will divide it. Instead, increase the number of burners on the stove. (page 279)
Don't have a skylight in your office, as it provides a way for wealth to leak out of the room. (page 345)
Do keep your pets and their habitats in the rear of the house. Reserve the front of the house for people and positive chi to enter your home. (page 349)
