Feng Shui and Your Surroundings

Chi travels on the wind; is scattered by the wind; gains speed with the wind

Chi meets water and is slowed; it moves with the flow of the water; it brings harmony

Chi (Energy) is dependent on harnessing both wind and water to create an auspicious environment 

In the early days of this practical approach to living in harmony with the environment; with Heaven and Earth; with Yin and Yang; Feng Shui was concerned primarily with the external landscape and locating auspicious sites for homes.  This was to protect homes from extreme conditions and at the same time find a spot that would allow crops to grow well.

In our modern lives we haven’t got the luxury of large swathes of open land.  This makes it an interesting challenge when seeking a new home, or making the most of what we have while still benefitting from the power of Feng Shui.  Now that we have looked at what to do this Spring season in the garden, should the sun ever shine, let us take a couple of steps back and investigate the quality of Chi in your immediate environment, both at the front and back of your home.

Where do you live?  Not where in the world, but do you live in an urban, semi-rural or rural area?  Do you live at the top of a hill, or the bottom of a hill; in a cul-de-sac or somewhere in between?

Many new developments today have an unstructured layout, seeming to fit different sized properties into the available space rather than creating an harmonious plan; this causes Chi to zigzag around in an erratic pattern not knowing which way to go.  Some older properties stand side-by-side on either side of a main road or back-to-back in an estate; this creates fast-moving Chi between the houses especially when the road outside, or the gardens behind, are straight and flat.  There are also houses built in a cul-de-sac roughly resembling a horseshoe.  This will bring Chi in but once there it has nowhere to go, so it stagnates; it becomes stagnant unwelcoming energy. 

All of these layouts, as well as their locations, will have a different feel.  No two properties has the same Chi; no two properties will feel the same.

How is the quality of the Chi flowing around your home?  Sheng Chi, is auspicious gently flowing energy which will always create a positive feel.  You will know it is there because your entrance will look and feel welcoming.    

Sha Chi, fast-moving straight line energy will create a poison arrow, especially if it is heading directly for your home; or it will result in a lack of positive Chi around you if it is moving past your home in a straight line.  You can get a sense of how this feels when you stand at the side of the road and a car passes.  Even at 30mph/48kph you can feel the force of energy passing by.

Is there a solution to a less than auspicious situation?  Not always, especially if it is a major negative form in the environment however there may be something you can do to improve things.  Planting trees (where you have the space), bushes, flowers, displaying earth-element structures and water features will all help to harness auspicious Chi.  Lights are an excellent way of attracting positive energy.

So what can you do if you don’t have a garden?  Hanging baskets on either side of your front door, lights, wind chimes can all be used to capture passing Chi and slow it down enough to bring positive energy into your home.

Remember also that the ‘kerb appeal’ of your property for visitors, and for the all important Chi, is about keeping it clear, clean, bright and cared for to maximise the positive energy you capture from your external environment.  

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Feng Shui and the Season of Spring

Well, Spring has sprung – at least in terms of the date on the calendar in the Northern Hemisphere!  You might be living somewhere that hasn’t quite got the memo yet.  

I have yet to see spring blossom in all its glory and beauty however I have seen daffodils in full bloom.  Definitely work in progress, I think.

All this being said this time of transition makes it a great time to do some planning, to look outside your four walls and decide how things are looking in the great outdoors.

Whether you have a garden at the front of your home with your very own ‘bright hall’ or not, there is always something you can do to welcome positive Chi into your home; to bring some vibrant natural energy into your space.

So how can you influence the quality of the energy entering your home or office?  How can you bring new, young and vibrant Chi indoors?

One important thing is to know the direction your home faces, as each direction has an influence on the type of Chi flowing. 

The North is influenced by Water first and Metal second; the Northeast and Southwest is influenced by Earth first and Fire second; the East and Southeast I influenced by Wood first and Water second; the South is influenced by Fire first and Wood second and the West and Northwest is influenced by Metal first and Earth second.

A north-facing front doors is probably one of the more challenging scenarios as it has a lack of direct sunlight reaching your door.  Having its main Chi influences in Water and Metal associates it immediately with winter, with cold and dark; and that is how it can look and feel if steps are not taken to brighten and lighten the space making it inviting and welcoming.

Despite the fact that Water and Fire are in conflict, light is essential in a north-facing garden.  The great thing is there are so many modern lighting options available.  Create a welcoming path towards your front door with metal and white lights.  A winding path slows down the movement of Chi and will convert it from fast and inauspicious Shar Chi into slow and auspicious Sheng Chi.  White, blue or purple flowers will inject positive Yang energy.  It is important to brighten your north-facing garden to inject some much needed warmth and ensure you are inviting the most auspicious Chi possible into your home.

Remember its all about harmony and balance and gardens are all about the Five Elements.  Its impossible to create an outdoor space without Earth as the starting point.  Trees, bushes and flowers all represent the element of Wood; Metal is naturally buried deep in the Earth and can be introduced in its own right with Metal lighting or Metal Water features. 

Fire and Water?  Well, even in a darker North-facing garden the brightness of the sun will have its influence.  To further brighten the area introducing lights both in the garden and on either side of your front door will invite a welcoming glow.  That’s the Fire taken care of.  Even if you don’t introduce a Water feature into your garden, early morning mist and the influence of rain will bring forth the Water element to cleanse, refresh and sparkle.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Create Your World, Your Way, with the Five Elements

FENG SHUI – an ‘Ancient-Modern’ Living Skill


Create Your World, Your Way, with the Five Elements


The Five Elements in Feng Shui are absolutely nothing to do with science you learned at school, something you may be delighted to hear.


They are instead differing sources of Energy or ‘Qi’ each of which have individual properties allowing you to enhance your living and working life, to invite in the positive elements they provide.


They are:  

Water is the element of the North and its number is 1

Wood is the element of the East (3) and the Southeast (4)

Fire is the element of the South, its number is 9

Earth is the element of the Southwest (2), Northeast (8), Centre (5)       

Metal is the element of the West (7) and the Northwest (6)

Water signifies wealth, success and abundance; which is great news; however it must be used with care.  It is easy to be overwhelmed with excess.


Wood signifies growth; just like flowers and trees; plants and grasses; it signifies upward positive growth.


Fire is the one element that has to be created, however it also has to be controlled.  Under control it invites fame and recognition into your life, out of control it has the power to destroy.


Earth provides stability, it nurtures and cares and without it we would all be swimming.  It is our support and our protection. 


Metal is a hard and unyielding element.  It signifies power and authority.


So you know what they are and their locations – how do you use them?


There are many aspects associated with the Five Elements however for now we will introduce the three cycles associated with Feng Shui; an essential tool in the practice.


The Productive Cycle is:  

Water feeds Wood

Wood feeds Fire

Fire creates Earth

Earth creates Metal

Metal creates Water

The Exhaustive Cycle is: (the opposite of the Productive Cycle)


Water feeds Wood, therefore Wood is exhausting Water
Wood feeds Fire, therefore Fire is exhausting Wood
Fire creates Earth, therefore Earth is exhausting Fire
Earth creates Metal, therefore Metal is exhausting Earth
Metal creates Water, therefore Water is exhausting Metal

The Controlling Cycle (also known as the Destructive Cycle) is:

Water controls Fire

Fire controls Metal

Metal controls Wood

Wood controls Earth

Earth controls Water

You use the Productive Cycle to enhance, improve or strengthen an area, to create balance and harmony.


The Exhaustive Cycle is used to overcome afflictions or excesses in an area.


The Controlling Cycle is used to overcome serious afflictions in and around the home or office, afflictions that cannot be remedied any other way.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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An Ancient-Modern Living Skill

FENG SHUI – an ‘Ancient-Modern’ Living Skill

So you may or may not have heard of Feng Shui.

If you have, chances are you’ve thought ‘Oh yes, its something oriental, or eastern, or mystical or even worse, rubbish!’

‘What on earth has it got to do with me or my life, you ask?’

Surprisingly enough, it has everything to do with your life!

Ancient

Feng Shui was born and evolved over many hundreds and even thousands of years through close and constant observation of the earth and sky by scholars of the time. 

It’s based around capturing positive Chi (Energy) surrounding us to create a harmonious environment to live and work in.

Modern

It has now been scientifically proven in the West, thanks to study by quantum physicists, that the Universe and everything in it (including our thoughts and actions) are Energy.

So now we have the first common denominator – ENERGY

Ancient

Feng Shui maintains there are three kinds of Luck that govern our lives.

HEAVEN, EARTH & MANKIND LUCK:

Heaven Luck (Karma) – These are the traits (good or bad) that we are born with, traits that have been passed down from parents and ancestors. 

We have no control over this.

Earth Luck (Feng Shui) – How we enhance our living and working environment; even down to the selection of living accommodation, life partners, children and careers.

 

When used properly, this can increase the chances of a happy and fulfilled life.

Mankind Luck (Life) – This is how we live our life.

This, like Earth Luck, can be improved.

So two-thirds of the trilogy of Heaven, Earth and Mankind Luck can be positively changed by anyone.

Modern

Karma – We can all see ourselves in our parents, children and siblings.  Our speech, the way we look, the way we act can be traced back to a family member.

Earth Luck – How many times do we fall into the trap of living our lives the way our parents did whether good or not so good, because we don’t know another way?

Mankind Luck – If we’re positive and happy, chances are our homes and lives are positive and happy.  If we’re sad and miserable, chances are our homes and lives are sad and miserable.

Again, two-thirds of this trilogy of Karma, Earth and Mankind Luck can be changed, by us deciding to do things another way.

Now we have the second common denominator – OUR LIVES

Ancient

Feng Shui targets eight life aspirations important to live a long, happy and fulfilled life.  These are:

Career Luck

Education Success

Health and Longevity

Wealth

Fame and Recognition

Love and Relationships

Family

Mentor Luck

Modern

Don’t we all want exactly the same things?

A good education followed by a fulfilling job or career 

Health and wealth to enjoy everything that life has to offer

Getting recognition for the contribution we make

Having someone we respect to show us the way

A close and happy family

Finally, finding love and spending our life in a close and intimate relationship with another person

This is the third common denominator – ASPIRATIONS

So perhaps Feng Shui is not so ‘way out’ after all!

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