Feng Shui Essentials

Qi (Chi)

To put it simply, the concept of Qi (Chi) is more nuanced than the Western concept of 'energy'. The movement and quality of air, the earth's magnetic field, the moon's gravitational pull, cosmic radiation, sunshine, colour vibrations, all physical objects, and our thoughts and emotions are all sources of qi, the Chinese term for the intangible vital energy force that permeates the universe. How we react to a given environment is affected by its qi. Because of its nourishing effect, the area around a source of Sheng Qi is more likely to be stable, harmonious, abundant, and successful. If it shifts too quickly or stays still, it becomes Sha Qi, which is unpleasant and can be harmful to one's health and wealth. As a result, precautions are taken to dampen the harmful Qi and maximise the beneficial flow.

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Yin and Yang

The concept of Yin and Yang is the fundamental principle of natural existence throughout the universe. It represents the dynamic interplay between complementary opposites and the ongoing process of development. Yin is the female life force that pulls and absorbs. Yang is the male life force that exerts, pushes and projects. There are no absolutes, and no phenomena can be considered independent of their surrounding context. Female and male, calm and noisy, dull and bright, slow and fast, wet and dry, passive and active, dark and light, the moon and the sun are all examples of yin and yang. The goal of designing a pleasant environment is to strike a balance between the complementary qualities of yin and yang.

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The Five Elements

The interactions between the Five natural elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal are fundamental to Feng Shui analysis. Each element is related with a certain compass direction, colour, shape, and time; they are also known as the five transformations or five phases. Often, elements are introduced or realigned to balance, enhance, or soothe a given space, as well as to support or manage one another.

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San Cai

Feng Shui is based on an understanding of the interaction between heaven, earth, and human. Known as San Cai, it embraces form and formlessness, tangible and intangible influences. It means that we are inextricably linked to the natural forces of the earth and the universe, and that our environment influences our existence. The interaction of all three factors has a direct impact on the quality of our lives in each location. Feng Shui seeks to harmonise your relationship with these seen and unseen energies, maximising their benefits and protecting you from what is unfavourable.

Direction and Location

The key to good Feng Shui practise is the use of a Chinese compass, or Luo Pan, to take an exact reading of a building's alignment. The location of the primary entrance door and the direction it faces are essential considerations when analysing energy flow, strong or weak areas, and the influence of time. Your birth year determines whether you are energetically inclined to the East group (N E SE and S) or the West group (SW W NW and NE) of compass directions, which indicates your personal preference rather than limiting compatibility.

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The Time Dimension

The recurrent alignments of the Sun, Moon, Earth, planets, and constellations, as well as their influence on the environment, were observed by ancient Chinese scholars. They discovered repeated changes in energy patterns in 20-year time cycles, with tiny but significant adjustments occurring annually: the present period began in 2004. Depending on the orientation of the property, these time patterns have a predictable influence on the Feng Shui of a building and its residents. The Xuan Kong Fei Xing Flying Stars formulas can be used to compute them. They are mapped in our practise at each consultation to understand why and where specific scenarios may develop and to maximise new opportunities.

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