The Practical Application of Feng Shui
FENG SHUI means "Wind, Water" and traditionally symbolises the space between heaven and earth - the environment where we live.
The underlying philosophy recognises that we and our environment are sustained by an invisible, yet tangible, energy called chi. It moves like wind, but can eddy and become trapped like water and stagnate.
The skill of a Feng Shui consultant lies in recognising where chi is flowing freely, where it may be trapped and stagnant, or where it may be excessive. The work of an occupier is to create space for chi to flow and activate the opportunities that may be frustrated by obstacles.
These skills and work are applied together with a harmonious re-balancing of yin and yang, the dark and light of all situations. The principles may be applied geo-physically as well as superficially to placement, design and decoration. House and garden should work together relative to life, health, wealth and happiness. Every aspect of home, life, career and relationships is open to enhancement.
Feng Shui facilitates holistic development of the individual, his family or business by enhancing the immediate environment and it is natural that good fortune and increased energy should accompany proper implementation.
Recommendations for change and placement are based on nine traditional cures, adapted for modern western use, involving light, sound, life, movement, stability, electricity, symbolism, colour and transcendental solutions, all as required or appropriate.
The different activities which together make up Feng Shui are explored further in our "Strands" section, including what happens in a Feng Shui Consultation.
Feng Shui pronunciation
The pronunciation of "feng shui" will vary according to regional dialects inside China, of which there are at least 300. Feng Shui will vary considerably in its pronunciation as one moves around China.
However, the two principal pronunciations arise from the dialects known as Cantonese and Mandarin.
The softer/poetic pronunciation arises from Cantonese which is the dialect mainly used in the rural areas of the south and reflects the agricultural applications of feng shui and its astrology in its early days. This pronunciation is "fung shoy".
The harder/dry pronunciation is from Mandarin which is the dialect originally used in the palaces and in the north. This reflects the adoption of feng shui as an official practice used regularly by the emperors. This pronunciation is "foong shway".
Neither of these attempts at pronunciation by the western palette are actually precise, of course. Real Chinese pronunciation requires careful tuition and practice.
FENG SHUI STRANDS
Overview
These pages are concerned with the different aspects (or constituent parts) of Feng Shui, any or all of which might come up in a Feng Shui consultation.
In normal conversation one might talk about the "elements" which go to make up Feng Shui, but within Feng Shui "elements" has a particular meaning, so that word cannot be used.
Heaven, Man and Earth
Like many cultures, Feng Shui cosmology is based on a triple-decker view of the universe. In the Christian West, this is described as Heaven, Earth and Hell, in Shamanic cultures, the Upper, Middle and Lower Worlds.
In Feng Shui, the big picture - as set out in the I Ching - consists of the following:
Heaven
This is what comes to us "from above". Top down. Often associated with father figures as the head of the household. The situation in the sense of that which is "given". Heaven therefore includes weather, astrology and tends towards the male.
Feng Shui Strands associated with Heaven include:
Man
Our actions and their effects. The traces we leave behind us, subtle and unsubtle. What we make of our situation.
Feng Shui Strands associated with Man include:
- Clutter
- Predecessor Energy
- Space Clearing
Earth
The influence the earth has upon us, for good or ill. Geopathic stresses and their effect. Dowsing, Earth acupuncture. Geomancy. The female.
Feng Shui Strands associated with Earth include:
- Dowsing
- Earth Acupuncture
- Geopathic Stress
FENG SHUI CONSULTATIONS
Overview
Individual consultants have different methods and working practices. Most will use a combination of techniques based on the requirements of each client and their circumstances.
As with any service, you will want to choose a consultant you trust and feel comfortable with. Ultimately the success of a consultation depends on the partnership between consultant and client. Feng Shui as portrayed in the media and in books can only skim the surface of this complex subject. The Feng Shui Society holds a Register of feng shui consultants in the UK and abroad, all of whom have signed the Society's Code of Ethics.
Consultants methods and recommendations vary and it is important to be aware of this from the start. Each set of recommendations is unique and represents a whole picture of your property and its occupants from the viewpoint of the style of Feng Shui practised by each consultant.
It is not usually possible to incorporate advice from two or more different consultants as confusion may result.
Questions
The following list of questions may help you to choose a consultant :
- How did you get into Feng Shui?
- When did you start your Feng Shui training, who did you train with and for how long?
- How long have your practising, as opposed to training? How many consultants have you done?
- Can you provide me with marketing material or examples of your work?
- What type of clients do you have? For example, do you specialise in homes, businesses, hotels, retail outlets, or gardens?
- Do you have testimonials or references from your clients?
This is optional as some clients and consultants are happy providing references, and others are not.
- What type of Feng Shui do you practice? Do you consider Feng Shui to be a science, an art, a religion, or a philosophy. And why?
There are no right or wrong answers here. This answers to this question will tell you about the consultant's approach and whether their style will suit you or not.
- What services and products do you offer?
There is a long list of possibilities: Feng Shui, space clearing, astrology, the treatment of geopathic stress, etc. Some consultants may have related experience, such as acupuncture, shiatsu, architecture, or interior or landscape design.
- What format does a consultation take?
Try and find out what to expect in advance.
- How much do you charge, and on what basis - by the hour, a flat fee, according to the number of rooms in the property, or by the measurement of the floor space?
- What does the fee include - preparation, on-site work, off-site work, materials, travelling? Are there any additional of hidden costs? What kind of follow-up service do you offer. Will any charge be made for follow-up work?
- Do you provide a written report and if not, why not?
Some consultants may suggest you take your own notes or tape-record the consultation.
- Do you have public liability and professional indemnity insurance?
Methods
The following list indicates some of the likely ways in which a consultant will work:
Initial Preparation
- Telephone interview
- Questionnaire - details of client/s and building
- Preparation of astrological charts
- Request for scale plans.
- Request for information on how to find the property
During the Visit
- Survey of property and surrounding environment
- Tour of building
- On site discussion of findings
- Some consultants sell products. Clients should not be under pressure to purchase products, and should be aware that hard sell techniques do not often go hand in hand with professional integrity. There will always be alternative ways to implement recommendations.
The following are some of the methods which consultants may use:
1- The Compass Approach
- Use of an ordinary compass or a Luo Pan
- Calculations based on the orientation of the building
- Calculations pertaining to individual occupants
- Calculations based on time
2- Form School Approach
- Survey of the building
- Survey of the surrounding environment
3- Black Hat Sect Approach
- Analysis of the building in its environment
- Use of the Three Gate Bagua (overall view of building based on door location as opposed to compass direction)
- Use of transcendent cures
- Use of rituals and symbols
- Shamanism
4- Intuitive Approach *)
- Holistic approach to people within their environment
- Spatial awareness
- Modern shamanism
- Analysis of people within their space
- Investigation of lifestyle - food, exercise etc.
- Symbolism
*) Please note that "Intuitive Feng Shui" is a registered trademark of William Spear, a respected American Feng Shui practitioner and his students, and that the "intuitive approach" and "Intuitive Feng Shui" are not necessarily the same thing
5- Bau-biology
- See Earth energies (below)
- See Electromagnetic energies (below)
- Analysis of effects of building materials
- Analysis of effects of land use
6- Earth Energies
- Analysis of the environment and the land around a building
- Dowsing for Geopathic Stress
- Earth Acupuncture
- Map dowsing
7- Electromagnetic Energies
- Analysis of effects of wiring and appliances
- Analysis of energy sources in environment
8- Space Clearing
- Analysis of negative energies in a building
- Detection of spirit energy
- Clutter clearing
9- Astrology and Divination
- Four Pillars
- Nine Star Ki
- Chinese Animals
- I Ching
Reporting
- Some consultants make recommendations on site and may or may not follow them up with a written report. If there is no report, clients may be invited to take notes or record the findings electronically.
- Written report within a specified period.
Follow up
- Availability for report based queries
- Availability for follow up questions for a specified period or for a fee
- Maintenance of client records for a reasonable period
Fee Structures
Some consultants offer an all in price, others base fees on the size of the property. The following include some likely practices.
- All in fee. Travel expenses inclusive/exclusive.
- Size of property/land
- Domestic properties - number of bedrooms
- Commercial properties - number of clients
Off Site Consultations
Consultations offered by post, fax and email will not appear on the Accredited lists of the Society. A building must be seen in relation to its environment in order for a detailed Feng Shui survey to be conducted.
The above text has kindly been provided by and is © Copyright of the The Feng Shui Society.
www.fengshuisociety.org.uk
"The Feng Shui Society is the only independent, not-for-profit body in the UK accrediting the training and professional practice of consultants."
| 
