Feng Shui (pronounced fung shoo-way) is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging a physical environment to create balanced energy (Chi). The main concern of Feng Shui is to understand the relationship between nature and ourselves so that we can live in harmony in our environment. Chi is considered an invisible, positive energy that flows all around us in constant motion - a life force that impacts health, relationships and prosperity. Feng Shui is the art of enhancing the flow of Chi so we can create balanced, peaceful dwelling places.

For millenniums, we have sought to understand the unpredictable forces of nature. Some 5000 years ago, the early shaman kings of China emphasized the need to attune to the laws of nature and land  so that, for the then primarily agricultural people, harvests would be abundant and give rise to healthy settlements. Feng Shui means ‘wind water’, a means to demonstrate the power of the elements and the opposing forces of yin and yang. While yin and yang are opposing forces they are also complimentary - a balance symbolized by the sun and the moon. The early fundamental teachings of Feng Shui encouraged the belief that bringing opposing forces together creates harmony. By evaluating the natural features of landscape, Chinese farmers determined the best placements for buildings and for crops.

Today, this Feng Shui method is often referred to as The Land School.

The Compass School (Lo Pan Feng Shui) uses mathematics and compass points to determine the lay of the land and to orient placement of buildings. Chinese legend has it that a turtle emerged from the River Lo with nine clusters of circular markings visible on its back. Each cluster had between one and nine dots in a grid pattern. This magical Lo-shu Square is said to have provided a more practical understanding of the universe. The eight directions of the Ba-gua, an essential Feng Shui tool developed by The Compass School, identify different aspects of life. These are known by various names but in general fall under the attributes of fame, wealth, knowledge, children and family, relationships, friendships, health, and career. Each of these aspects is influenced by the five elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Metal and Wood.

Many schools of thought have emerged as Feng Shui has evolved from its origins. There was a time when Feng Shui and Taoism were inseparable. Although Taoist philosophies continue to resonate within the modern practice of Feng Shui, today it has become synonymous with a form of interior decorating. But more than a decorating style; Feng Shui is a philosophy. The ancient goal of Feng Shui - to encourage the flow of vital energy so we can live in harmony in our environment - remains unchanged.

Home is a place where we should be able to relax and rejuvenate, free of the pressures the outside worlds often presents. Feng Shui helps us to become acutely aware of how we can activate the right energy in our environment. When home is a calm and nurturing place, we can quiet our minds and see more clearly the issues that are disruptive to success and happiness. And free of distractions, we have greater ability to determine creative solutions to problems. So, how do we create harmony in our homes?

Space clearing is a way to dispel negative chi (Sha) and give free reign to the flow of positive energy. If you’ve ever experienced a full ‘spring clean’, where the house was scrubbed from top to bottom, you know how refreshing it is to clear away the dust and clutter that disrupts calm and traps negative energy. Our home is not only a reflection of our personality and experience; it is also a mirror of our current state of being. Simply put, when our home is cluttered, our mind is cluttered.

While practicing Feng Shui is more than tossing out old newspapers, clearing the clutter is a good starting point toward positive change. Items we accumulate over the years tell a story of our personal and family history and because we often tend to define ourselves based on our experience, we preserve these relics as a way of saying something about ourselves. But space clearing doesn’t necessarily mean tossing out your family photo display or that favourite vase you received as a wedding gift, especially when these things give you a sense of peace and accomplishment. Applying the principles of Feng Shui means getting rid of excess or unnecessary items leaving room to arrange the items you cherish in the right space.

The art of arrangement involves determining life stations and auditing the energy in your environment. If your prosperity corner is empty, you can alter the energy and improve your finances by placing a plant to stimulate the flow of chi and symbolize growth. If your relationship corner is where you have your current recycling centre, the positive energy from this station is interrupted. Instead, make sure your relationship corner has items that reflect positive chi, such as a vase with fresh flowers or artwork that depicts a loving relationship.

So what if in evaluating your life stations, you find multiple problems and determine the energy in your home is mostly negative (sha). It doesn’t mean you have to move or go through extensive renovations. Feng Shui uses a number of devices or enhancements to counter the effects of negative chi. Sound from wind chimes and bells attracts benevolent chi and can interrupt the outward flow of positive energy when located inside a front entrance. When you are dealing with problems that can not be easily altered, such as a staircase located too close to the front door, you can offset the outward flow of chi by placing a plant or wind chime in the path. Appropriately placed mirrors are another way to activate, redirect and enhance chi.

Color can also stimulate positive change. When used in harmony, colors restore balance by uniting the correct forces of yin and yang. Used in combination with colour, living things uplift an area (red flowers in a red vase enhance fame). Objects of nature, such as rocks, pine cones, shells and so on, are inexpensive and require little maintenance. These items are considered to store natural energy and enhance chi in any Ba gua area. When placed appropriately, healthy plants, aquarium life and water fountains encourage healthy chi.

The resurgence of the ancient art of Feng Shui is of great benefit as we use the practice to beautify our homes and create harmony in our environments. On the other hand, the increased popularity has resulted in a greater number of so-called Feng Shui masters who are jumping on the band wagon and offering their services for substantial sums only to leave the unsuspecting standing in despair over their ill-placed thresholds. Ultimately, it is individual perspective and acceptance of the principles of Feng Shui that determines if the subject should be explored further.