What is Feng Shui?
“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.”
- Hippocrates
Feng Shui, one of the eight branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), can be seen as sort of the acupuncture for houses. Feng means wind and shui means water. In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with good health, thus good feng shui came to mean good fortune, while bad feng shui means bad luck, or misfortune.
Feng shui evolved around five thousand years ago in China. The ancient Chinese believed that invisible life energy (called chi) flowed through everything in life. It's the same philosophy that underlies acupuncture. If the energy in your body is flowing freely and easily, you will stay fit and healthy. If, however, the energy becomes stagnant or blocked, or erratic and undisciplined (through bad diet and lifestyle or weakness in an organ) you will most likely fall ill. The needles of acupuncture simply act by removing the blockages or calming the energy flow - they regulate the chi. The principle is exactly the same in houses. The Chinese believed that the buildings we live in require quite as much attention as our bodies and so developed this highly complex science for "healing" the environment.
Centuries of observation showed that different areas of the house and different parts of each room attracted specific energies. Furthermore they discovered that certain configurations (the layout of rooms or even the position of furniture or features) could either help or hinder the free, smooth flowing of energy. If the energy was blocked or allowed to flow swiftly it would cause corresponding blockages and problems in life. Clutter can "catch" energy, stopping its free circulation and turning it dull and stagnant. Sharp corners can send energy shooting out, in too harsh a concentration. A series of open doors send energy racing through, too fast and too frenzied. A blank wall will stop the energy dead in its tracks. However, fortunately, they also realized that very small but specific changes (known as "cures" or “remedies”) such as hanging wind chimes or crystals in certain places or using certain colors would correct such disharmony and put your life back on track. Boosting particular areas with auspicious colors and objects could even create better energy and better opportunities in life. At its core, feng shui teaches that by making small shifts to your home you can affect everything in your life, from your finances to your health, from your relationships to your spirituality.
The Eight Feng Shui Remedies:
(Used to improve the flow of Chi and remove any problems.)
| Five Tastes of Chinese Herbs: | |
| Remedy Name | Description |
Light |
This remedy includes lighting, mirrors and reflective surfaces. Mirrors are the most popular. The Chinese make great use of lights in their garden area. |
Sounds |
The best here is wind chimes, bells, metal mobiles and bamboo tubes. |
Color |
Color, especially red and black can be used to stimulate the flow of Chi. |
Life |
Any living object, be it plant or animal may be used. |
Movement |
Flags, ribbons, silk banners, fountains wind chimes and weather vanes are the best here. |
Stillness |
This is for when Chi is flowing too fast. |
Mechanical and Electrical |
Traditionally this remedy meant machinery. |
Straight Lines |
It is best here to use scrolls, swords, flutes, bamboo tubes and fans. |
Dr. Michael Lipelt, founder and practitioner at Stillpoint Family Health Services has practiced Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) now for almost 20 years, and is very well acquainted with the benefits of Feng Shui. Dr. Lipelt can refer you to a qualified Feng Shui practitioner, as needed.