Feng Shui 101

The practice of Feng Shui (Feng meaning "wind" and Shui meaning "water") originated around 1000BC in China, and was developed by Taoists as a manifestation of their beliefs that nature was an active participant in human lives. Having said this, it is an important distinction to note that Feng Shui is not affiliated with any religious but is intended to serve as a scientific set of guidelines that crosses religious borders seamlessly. The driving ideal of Feng Shui was that humankind's fortune relied heavily upon the existence and placement of nature and other external surroundings. From this principle, it is not hard to draw a connection to the modern usage of Feng Shui, which largely involves the strategic placement of items in one's home to maximize the chi within.

As popular as Feng Shui has become, it should be noted that experts spend years becoming versed in what once revered as an endlessly complex practice. For this reason, the popular use of Feng Shui has been limited to only the more superficial levels that can be understood by Westerners with little to no experience in ancient Chinese culture. As this is a beginner's guide to Feng Shui, we will attempt to focus only on these popularly accepted principles and leave most of the complex material for another day.

Every Feng Shui enthusiast's journey begins with a reading from a Feng Shui compass. The compass, which somewhat resembles a standard directional compass, consists of a magnetically-charged needle mounted to a board that displays concentric rings. The compass, when used properly, will reveal to its user the space's Ba-Gua, which translates to "eight spaces". The compass provides you with a reading that can then be translated to show the life areas that Feng Shui encompasses: (Browse these and get the "gist")

North
Compass: 337.5 to 22.5
Element: Water
Colors: Blue, Black
Life Area: Career, Life Path

Northeast
Compass: 22.5 to 67.5
Element: Earth
Colors: Beige, Sand, Light Yellow
Life Area: Spiritual Growth, Self-Cultivation

East
Compass: 67.5 to 112.5
Element: Wood
Colors: Brown, Green
Life Area: Health, Family

Southeast
Compass: 112.5 to 157.5
Element: Wood
Colors: Brown, Green
Life Area: Abundance

South
Compass: 157.5 to 202.5
Element: Fire
Colors: Red, Orange, Purple, Pink, Bright Yellow
Life Area: Reputation, Notoriety, Prominence

Southwest
Compass:202.5 to 247.5
Element: Earth
Colors: Beige, Sand, Light Yellow
Life Area: Romance, Love

West
Compass: 247.5 to 292.5
Element: Metal
Colors: White, Gray
Life Area: Creativity

Northwest
Compass: 292.5 to 337.5
Element: Metal
Colors: White and Gray
Life Area: Travel

When one looks at this list, it becomes clear that the eight areas of Feng Shui each represent a desirable facet of human life. Therefore, one can use these measurements to create a sense of balance in the home, thereby influencing their fortune in each of the eight areas. This, dear readers, is the backbone of the ancient art of Feng Shui. When a compass reading is performed, a professional (or amateur, for that matter) will chart the areas of the home and make a note of its weak and strong points. The ultimate goal is to create a balance (a key notion in the art) that ensures a proper dose of each area outlined in the principles of Feng Shui.

To find out more about the complex and magnificent practice of Feng Shui, a reputable source should be consulted to ensure an authentic and accurate experience. There is an overabundance of quality books and websites dedicated to the subject available all over the world, and the more ambitious could even consider hiring a professional consultant. These experts will come to your home and take measurements and advise you on your decor and placement, assuring accuracy and efficiency. The important thing to remember is that a lot of people claim to be experts, but in reality they may know very little more than you do. Choose carefully and tread cautiously.

For more information on feng shui and its related disciplines, visit the EnvyMyHealth.com Feng Shui Channel!

For a more complex look at the art of feng shui, check out Feng Shui Vibes

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