 Among a multitude
of stylistic and technological choices in recent years, Feng Shui or the
Chinese Art of Placement, has become today the most fashionable trend
among home and business owners. But what really hides behind this popular,
yet mysterious practice?Properly applied, Feng
Shui helps to balance the energy flow in our environment, enabling us to
take advantage of energetic, healthy and harmonious houses. It identifies
people's energy types and matches them to their living and working
environments. From landscape design to architectural and interior design
features such as color, lighting and furniture layout, homeowners can use
this ancient secret for perfect architecture to create a new house or
transform an old one.
The goal is to turn a house in a dreamhouse.
Feng Shui Origins and Goals
The roots of classical Yang Sang Feng Shui are very ancient and its basic
principles are the same as those of Traditional Chinese Medicine and
Acupuncture. It is a natural science which treats the environment as an
integral element of the art of living.
Because of its power and effectiveness, Feng Shui knowledge was
traditionally a guarded secret, not accessible to the general population,
and the teachings were transmitted orally from Master to a limited number
of students. Confidentiality was strictly required.
These ancient scholars were the equivalent of today's scientists. They saw
the world as a uniqum in which 'life energy,' or Chi, was the main
component. By ensuring a proper flow of Chi in the environment, through
Feng Shui, as well as in the body, through Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Shiatsu
Massage and ultimately through Acupuncture, they believed any form of
illness could be prevented and the well-being preserved and reinforced.
Understanding the pattern of this energy flow was called chasing the
dragon and it was understood that any living creature could benefit from
it, most of all humankind.
Seasonal cycles, locations, orientations and weather conditions can,
however, create imbalances. So the ancient scholars created formulas to
understand forces of nature by analyzing Chi components and individuating
missing elements, which they acted upon to counteract these imbalances.
The Masters acknowledged every element in the physical world as being
constituted of this 'life force,' each with its unique energy type. The
energy types in turn, they said, corresponded to materials existing in
nature, such as earth, fire, metal, water and wood. They also saw color
schemes as corresponding to these energy types. Human beings, too, were
analyzed in terms of elemental energy groups which determined their
compatibility with the surrounding environment. The results of this
human-environment interaction can be subtle or very obvious, direct or
indirect.
In this century, the discovery of Quantum Physics validated the ancient
idea of a global energetic connection between every element of the
physical world. According to this theory, all matter is made out of energy
vibrating to a different frequency, giving us the illusion of a material
world perceivable through the five senses. The variety of intensity of
these vibrations is expressed through the different colors of the
electromagnetic spectrum. Never created and never destroyed, but
constantly transforming, the energy connection between an atom's
components, though seemingly invisible and weak, is very strong. Breaking
the connection of a uranium atom, for example, gives rise to an atomic
explosion. Imagine its effect on human physiology.
More recently, studies conducted on geopatich stress (illness due to
exposure to adverse earth 'emissions' such as radon or gamma rays) have
shown evidence of the relationship between well-being and natural
energies. While a negative situation can affect the nervous system, the
genetic code and the immunological system, positive energy can also
sustain our well-being, our ability to counteract stressful situations and
increase our potential to succeed.
What are the main steps of a Feng Shui Architecture evaluation?
In medical practice, a good diagnosis of the symptoms is fundamental for a
successful cure. Similarly, in Feng Shui a correct analysis, or
evaluation, is the starting point for a proper upgrading.
During the analysis, we first observe the landscape surrounding the
property, also defined as the 'Big Environment.' In so doing we observe
the flow of Chi in the landscape and, whether it is a beautiful garden or
a hectic city, make sure the building receives the most beneficial energy.
Landscape design features are then used to eliminate disturbances from
inauspicious sources.
Secondly, the interior is analyzed to ensure a proper flow of Chi in every
room of the house, avoiding stagnation and depletion. This process is
similar to the regulation of Chi flow in the body during an acupuncture
session, except that no needles are used. At this stage, the furniture
layout is important and appropriate design features are recommended for
better results.
The third phase is the most critical. The Chi components are analyzed in
detail: like white light through a prism divided into the electromagnetic
spectrum's colors, so the flow of Chi is divided into branches of energy
vibrating to different frequencies. This process of analysis shows whether
a site's energetic field is balanced or unbalanced by using the geomancer
compass to find the magnetic pole and establish the building's
orientation.
Then, natural material objects and colors belonging to any missing energy
frequency can be introduced to recreate the harmony.
This analysis is applied to every room of the house to ensure total
balance.
The fourth phase involves the compatibility of the building with its
inhabitants. More detailed attention is paid to space and color, as well
as bed and desk orientation, favoring the options most beneficial to the
inhabitants.
The results of such an evaluation will create detailed guidelines
involving furniture layout and interior design in the case of an existing
building, and space planning, design development advice and job site
visits during construction for new projects or remodelings.
A common idea is that Feng Shui is divided into several schools. The most
well known are Form school and Compass school. This is a division created
in modern days, but, in fact, Traditional Yang Sang Feng Shui includes
them all. When you observe the big and the small environment you apply the
teaching of the 'Form,' while when you study the magnetic field you apply
the 'Compass' formulae.
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