FENG SHUI DIY

There are many approaches to the practice of Feng Shui.  It is quite easy for the beginner or DIY-er to mix different methods and become frustrated by the lack of results, either positive or negative.

When you choose to practise your own Feng Shui which method do you feel drawn to?

Because of the pace of our modern lives most people want to see results without any time delay and as such the newer forms of Feng Shui such as Eight Aspirations or symbolic placement of objects, as well as the use of colour, plants, mirrors amongst other things, have become popular.

However, Feng Shui is not a get-rich-quick system; it will not bring you overnight riches and it was never conceived to do so.   When used correctly its purpose is to harmonise individuals with their surroundings. 

Remember there are three luck aspects to our lives Heaven (Tian), Earth (Ti) and Man (Ren) and they all play a part in determining the direction your life takes.  They each contribute 33% to your life experience.  Heaven Luck is predetermined, it is the luck we have least influence over.  Heaven Luck is that you bring into the world at birth.  Earth Luck in part is Feng Shui and Man Luck is your direct contribution, what you do to help yourself.

8 Mansions Feng Shui for the home and 8 Mansions Feng Shui for the individual are methods derived from the San Yuan School of Feng Shui and are popular DIY methods, although currently the personal 8 Mansions is more widely known and practiced.  They are however, both necessary to be effective.

 

Classical Feng Shui focuses on external forms (San He School) to determine the quality of Qi in the environment.  These forms used to be natural landforms alone however in our modern 21st century world manmade forms are also taken into consideration.  The San Yuan School of Classical Feng Shui looks at time and how it influences the flow of Qi. In Classical Feng Shui the four considerations in any consultation are Location, Direction, Time and Residents.  All are studied by a practitioner to ascertain the quality of Qi in the environment, which in turn is entering a property, and what its effects on the occupants are.  This is not an method that lends itself to a DIY approach.

Any internal Feng Shui will only ever be as good as the quality of Qi in the external environment.  If there is Sha Qi (negative Qi) outside that is what will enter the home.  Whilst it is possible for anyone to look at and determine negative structures outside they also have to know the effect they will have on the residents of a property, why, and when, whether it is business premises or a home.

While Feng Shui is a powerful and effective tool it will only ever be as good as the quality of its application.  So when you are serious about improving the quality of your life; when you are ready to move home; when you want to improve your career prospects consider whether a professional consultation or a DIY approach will bring you the desired results.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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FENG SHUI NORTH and SOUTH

Which Way is South?

Most books and information on Feng Shui will always show the direction of South at the top, the traditional place of the North on a compass.  Does this alter directions 180⁰ when applying Feng Shui?  The quick answer is of course, 'No!'  North is North and South is South wherever in the world you live and North is always based on magnetic North. 

Feng Shui practice works according to the Five Elements, Yin and Yang and the Eight Trigrams (each one representing a member of the household as well as points around the compass.)  

In the Early Heaven Arrangement of the Ba Gua the sequence is based on a state of perfection with each opposing trigram creating balance. Qian (male, power, authority and pure Yang) is placed at the top while still representing South and is directly opposite Kun (female, yielding and pure Yin) placed at the bottom and signifying North. 

So why have South at the top?

Qian represents Heaven, space, light, the sun and above while Kun represents Earth, dark, night, stillness and below, together they are in complete harmony. 

The Ba Gua of the Later Heaven Arrangement was created to reflect the constantly changing conditions on earth formed by the movement of earth around the sun.   

In the cycle of the Later Heaven Arrangement the South represents Li Trigram which in turn represents fire; mid-summer and midday; the hottest and the most Yang times.  The Fire element rises, it moves upward and outward.  In contrast Kan Trigram is water; it is mid-winter and midnight; it is cold and darkness; the time of maximum Yin.  The Water element flows downward.

Whether it is the Ba Gua of the Early Heaven or the Later Heaven Arrangement they naturally gravitate towards showing South at the top and North at the bottom.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Feng Shui-Yin and Yang-Wood and Earth

Wood is the only living element in the Five Elements of Feng Shui.  Its energy (Qi) radiates growth and expansion and brings new life.  What is it that nurtures that life?  Earth.  It is the sustaining element of life.  Its Qi expands outward to embrace all living things. 

Earth is one of the trinity of Heaven, Earth and Mankind each of which influences one-third of our life on this planet we call home.  Within Earth is the practice of Feng Shui; it is where we live in the world; how we use what is available in the natural environment to allow us to live in harmony.  Earth is a storehouse of riches; it hides crystals, minerals and metals until man finds a way to harvest and use them to improve life in a multitude of ways.

In the Controlling Cycle of the Five Elements Wood is said to control Earth.  How does the Wood element 'control' the Earth element?  How do the Yin and Yang characteristics determine the effectiveness of this control?

Yang Wood are the trees that grow straight and tall; they seek the warmth and light of the sun.  This would not be possible without a base that allows it to send roots deep down and outward.   Do these trees grow on Yang Earth?  Yang Wood sends its roots deep to give it the strength and stability to grow strong and true.  Can it do this in Yang Earth? 

Yang Earth represents mountains and large rocks; it is unyielding, unmoving and protective.  It is not without reason that the Earth is also known as Mother Earth, Gaia, who nurtures and sustains us.  In the Eight Mansions formula of Feng Shui the Southwest is an Earth element location and it is also the location of Kun, the ultimate Yin, the nurturing mother figure of the family.

Like Kun, Yin Earth is the soft and yielding soil and the sand beneath our feet.  It is the Yin Earth that gives life to our trees.  Yang Wood relies on Yin Earth to give it life.  By providing this life Yin Earth becomes weakened when the roots of the trees push their way down and out; it makes the Earth prone to sinking and movement.  Even in an urban setting the roots of trees will find a way to expand and grow.

Yin Wood is flowers, vines and plants grown to feed us.  They are flexible and will bend with the wind; they 'go with the flow.'  Like Yang Wood, does Yin Wood rely on Yin Earth?  Mostly it does, but seeds carried by the wind and by birds and animals are often dropped into the crevices between Yang Earth rocks and boulders and somehow they find the means to root and grow, bringing life and colour to a harsh environment.  This also feeds birds and animals who choose to live in such inaccessible places.  Succulents, both large and small, find a way to thrive in the heat and dryness of the Yin Earth of a desert.  Plants will always find a way of living in apparently harsh and inaccessible situations, whether it is Yang or Yin Earth.

Earth is both a support and a provider.  Without it life as we know it would not exist.  Its Qi spreads sideways  allowing the growing and expanding Qi of the Wood element to thrive, whatever the circumstances.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Feng Shui Mythical Creatures

Dragon Horse

Numerology is one of the fundamental forces in Feng Shui.  The numbers 1 to 9 play an important role in analysing personal Feng Shui; the Feng Shui of your environment; as well as your living and working spaces.  That being said, where did the numbers, and more importantly, their position in the He Tu* and Lo-Shu Grid come from?

*He Tu (River Map) is also sometimes written as Ho Tu or Hetu.

Chinese legend recalls that at a time when much of the country was under the influence of a great flood around the area of the Yellow River (or Ho River) a creature with the body of a horse, the head of a dragon and fish-like scales emerged from the flooded river.  On its back it had curly hair that created a sequence of dots laid out in a square pattern radiating outwards from five dots in a central square.  The middle square showed dots from 1 to 4 and the outer square displayed dots 6 to 9. 

The odd numbers were white and they are yang in nature, the even numbers were black and yin in nature.  Each one of the four primary sectors of the compass have two each of these numbers - a pairing of one yang and one yin number and an association with the Five Elements.  The He Tu looks like a cross with South at the top and North at the bottom with the centre housing the number 5.

1 (Water) and 6 (Metal) are located in the North creating the element of Water

2 (Earth) and 7 (Metal) are located in the South and represent the element of Fire

3 (Wood) and 8 (Earth) are located in the East with Wood as the element

4 (Wood) and 9 (Fire) are located in the West having Metal as the element

5 (Earth) is located in the Centre

Each compass location is in harmony with the element created by the combination.

The information together with the eight trigrams was used to help create the eight sided Yin Pa Kua (Pa Kua of the Early Heaven arrangement.)  This placed the trigram Chien (Qian)-the male at the top in the South signifying Heaven and Kun-the female at the bottom in the North representing Earth.

The Dragon Horse is said to be the guardian of the Gates of Heaven.

In modern symbolic Feng Shui the Dragon Horse is also known as the Chinese Unicorn, Qi Lin, Kei Loon or Chi Lin.  It is said to be particularly loyal to its owners.  Offering protection and inviting good luck as well as good health are more of the benefits this symbolic creature will afford its owners when displayed in the home; and good fortune when displayed in the workplace.  It is associated with strength, ambition, abundance and perseverance.

It can be displayed in the home or the workplace in the location relevant to the aspiration important to you.  Displayed as a pair on either side of the main door will afford protection and avoid loss.  It should be displayed facing outward and not inward towards you.

This mythical creature has the speed and endurance of the horse and the power and protection of the dragon; two of the 12 Chinese Astrological animals.  They are located at SE1 (dragon) and S2 (horse) around the compass.  Its fish-like scales were said to represent the carp, a fish associated with wealth and abundance.

To the fulfillment of your dreams                             

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Feng Shui and Yin/Yang

Lao Tse (Laozi) said to be the founder of Taoism, lived during the Zhou Dynasty.  In his works, Tao Te Ching he wrote “knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of the Way.”

The ancient beginnings of the ‘ten thousand things’, the primordial force that makes up all that is, and said to incorporate everything in Heaven and Earth was known as Wu Ji.  It was first expressed as a circle, having no beginning and no end; incorporating the limitless nature of the universe and emptiness at the same time.

 

Through an ongoing study of the heavens and earth this circle (this Wu Ji) transformed into the Tai Chi; the Yin/Yang symbol so familiar today.

 

The Tai Chi represents a delicate balance of Yin (dark) and Yang (light) each of which has the seed of its opposite within.  They are inter-dependent; one cannot exist without the other and they are constantly in motion.

When Yin is at its height, Yang is at its lowest and vice versa.  Our world is made up of this constant flow through the seasons of the year; day and night; sun and moon; heaven and earth.

Heaven is Yang energy, it is the height of summer, it is the sun and daylight. 

Yang Chi can be either young or old.  Young Yang is fresh vibrant energy, a strong and powerful attracting energy bringing with it good fortune and a positive outlook.   It is the energy you attract when you open windows and doors to invite the positive energy of the natural world into your home and workplace.

Old Yang is stale, it is exhausted and tired Chi.  Old Yang is caused by a build up of clutter, it manifests in rooms rarely used that has little new energy brought in from outdoors.  This is the Yang that can easily become Yin if it is not refreshed.

Earth is Yin energy, it is the height of the winter season, it is the moon and night.

When a home is constantly quiet and left empty for long periods of time, it becomes still and attracts what is known as ‘Yin spirit formation.’  It has a dull and lethargic feel with little power to invite anything positive.  It is lacking in the light, sound and movement necessary to attract good fortune.  To create anything positive, Chi has to be kept moving.

To attract good fortune invite an abundant supply of Yang energy into your space.  Every home will reflect the moods, attitudes and health of the occupants and if they are constantly moody, despondent and lethargic because of a lack of positive Chi, they will be prone to illness and unhappiness at every turn.

Yang Chi should be encouraged to meander and move through your home like the flow of a river.  When its path is blocked the Chi will become Yin and when it moves too quickly it creates killing Chi; a harmful Chi that will make you feel  uncomfortable in your own space.  You and your family may end up spending more time away from the home than in it.

Yin and Yang is constantly changing in the natural world and your home will sense this change and respond accordingly.  So remembering the ‘wind’ and ‘water’ that is Feng Shui make changes in your home in response to the seasons and you will achieve a sense of harmony; a balance of Yin and Yang.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Feng Shui and Missing Corners-Parents

The Eight Aspirations of Feng Shui are Career (north), Education and Study (northeast), Health and Longevity (east), Wealth (southeast), Fame and Recognition (south), Love and Relationships (southwest), Family (west) and Heaven and Mentor (northwest.)

When a location (corner) relating to an aspiration important to you is missing in the Big Tai Chi of your property the first thing to establish is whether this same location is missing in the Small Tai Chi of your living space.  When the locations are missing in both the Big and the Small Tai Chi it will prove difficult for you to achieve your desires.

Two of the most important locations in the Tai Chi is the Northwest (Heaven and Mentor) and the Southwest (Love and Relationships.)  These are the areas of the heads of the home or in a working environment the areas relating to management, either male (Northwest) or female (Southwest.)

Northwest and Southwest

In the Eight Aspirations the Southwest is the location of relationships in their many forms.  As well as intimate partnerships, it signifies the family bond, friendships with people you care about, your work colleagues, business associates and casual acquaintances.  If the Southwest of your home is missing it makes it difficult for you to activate the very important life skill of harmonious inter-personal associations.  It will make it particularly difficult for females as the Southwest is also the location of the female.  This is usually interpreted as the mother of the house however it just as likely signifies a female in a position of power and authority in the business world.  If you have a missing Southwest in the Big Tai Chi of the home it is important to locate the Southwest of the Small Tai Chi in your living area.  Even if this is not an auspicious location based on your Kua number, in the Eight Aspirations it is significant.

The Northwest is the location of Heaven and Mentor luck; it is also the location of the male.  If there is a missing corner here it will impact significantly on the success of the man of the house.  Achievement may remain just out of reach.  In the corporate world you will lack the support of your superiors and when promotions are there for the taking you will likely be overlooked.  Without the support of a mentor; which can be someone in the family, your bosses or - if you run your own business - like minded individuals who are happy to give you a helping hand, then success will remain elusive.  Again even if this is not an auspicious location based on your Kua number, if you are male and aspire to greatness, it is an area to pay attention to.  If you are an East group person the Northwest will be one of your inauspicious locations.  This means you should not be spending time in the area if you can avoid it.  The most important thing is to ensure it is not a missing corner either in the Big Tai Chi of the home or the Small Tai Chi of the living room.  

The Southwest also relates to Earth; the Northwest to Heaven.  Together they signify male and female; the ultimate Yang and Yin energies; both vital to creating harmony in the home and in a working situation. 

Regardless of your Kua number and your auspicious and inauspicious locations, they are two areas that, when present, can bring harmony and good fortune.  When they are missing, these positive energies may well remain elusive and just out of reach.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Feng Shui and the Lo-Shu Grid 4-6

Continuing on with numbers and elements around the compass from four to six.

Remember all odd numbers represent yang energies and all even numbers represent yin energies even when the area itself may be the opposite.  However, this is balanced out by the introduction of other elements into each area to create yin/yang harmony.

Number Four (4) – This is the number of the southeast.  On its own it is a number that represents work in the literary field; with education and learning.  In some Far Eastern dialects the number four sounds like ‘death’ so there are often high-rise buildings that do not have a fourth floor.  Four signifies stability and grounding created by the four sides of a square or a rectangle however it can also represent feeling trapped.

  

This is a yin number in a yang growth area signified by small wood and the area relates to the eldest daughter (Sun) of the family.  Its colours are the bright spring and mint greens; the fresh greens of the spring and early summer period.  The southeast also signifies long-term wealth and prosperity and is best enhanced with water, an aquarium, to enhance the element of wood.  In symbolic Feng Shui small wooden images and objects displayed in multiples of four are auspicious, fresh vibrant flowers and images of the horse will enhance this area for the benefit of the daughter of the house as well as protect the wealth of the family.

 

Number Five (5) – Five is the number of the central area of the home.  This area is known as the heart of the home or the Tai Chi.  Displaying each of the Five Elements in the centre will create auspicious energy for the whole household especially when you have an open-plan design to your home.  The colour of the centre is the earth colours like ochre or pale yellow.  Five is not associated with any aspiration in Feng Shui but its significance is important in the Five Element Theory.  It is a number that represents change, activity and motion.  It indicates the possibility of travel.  Because it is the central number in the Lo-Shu Grid it is a number that suggests being at the centre of things; whether these things or situations are good or bad.  The centre is an earth area that links the northeast and the southwest earth areas. 

Number Six (6) – Six is the number of Heaven and is an auspicious white star that resides in the northwest. This number represents spiritual help and especially benefits the male or the breadwinner of the family (Chien.)  This is the ultimate yang area representing as it does big metal and the colour white (which incorporates all the other colours in the spectrum.) It is a number signifying leadership and power. This is a powerful star and its location is a powerful area.  As well as Heaven, it is the place of the male of the family and the area to focus on to attract a powerful mentor figure into your life.  

Hanging a photograph of the man of the house here; and even hanging a picture of someone you look up to, a mentor, to help you in your career or the career you aspire to, will create positive vibrations.  This is one of the two most important areas to care for and activating this big metal area with sound, light and movement will keep the yang energy of the male flowing.  To achieve all three in one, locating the television in the northwest and keeping it turned on for a good length of time each day will attract auspicious vibrations.

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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