Feng Shui & the I Ching

Many think Feng Shui is a religion or merely Chinese Folk Beliefs. These misconceptions are why most are unaware that Feng Shui is actually an environmental science as complex as Acupuncture. Belief is not required for Feng Shui's elemental remedies to improve your health, relationships or finances, just like belief in the Acupuncturist's needle is not required to be healed.

Feng Shui and Acupuncture were both developed from studies of the Yi Jing (I Ching an old spelling) or Book of Change. Acupuncturists studied the Yi Jing to apply its wisdom to healing the body. Feng Shui applied the eight major trigrams (which make up the Bagua) and five elements cycles of the Yi Jing to balance energies in buildings. Hanging the Bagua over the door or laying it over a building's floorplan is not the intended use of the Bagua. The Bagua has encoded information about universal energy patterns not the precise energy pattern in every building. Just like the Yi Jing, Feng Shui and Acupuncture recognize that all energy patterns are different and constantly changing.

Classical Feng Shui was developing long before paper was invented, when knowledge was passed on through songs and rhymes that were encrypted to protect the practitioners. In those days, Feng Shui Masters would be put to death if caught helping anyone outside the royal family. One of the oldest Chinese Feng Shui books, "Eight House Mirror" refers to these eight trigrams of the Yi Jing and how by using complex calculations one can see the potential of a building as clear as if it were reflected in a mirror. The mention of mirrors in that title and the fact that ancient Feng Shui Masters used mirrors as Metal element remedies is why recent books use mirrors as Feng Shui aspirins. Unlike ancient mirrors, our modern mirrors have no more metal in them than aluminum can. A key-wind clock, metal furniture or metal pieces of art are excellent examples of modern metal remedies.

Traditional Feng Shui remedies are the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. In all cases, except with Fire, the actual element is preferred as the remedy instead of the color substitute. With Fire, because of the obvious danger, it is better to use the colors of Fire instead of an actual flame. There are no one-size-fits-all Classical Feng Shui remedies, because remedies must blend with each individual d?cor. When remedies do not blend with their surrounding; they become a "Sha" or negative effect.

Classical Feng Shui remedies are simple to implement, once the energy patterns are identified. These specific elemental remedies bring the inherent energies back into a productive cycle according to the five elements. The energy blueprint is determined by complex calculations that have been used for more tha
3,000 years. A site inspection is required where a LoPan compass reading is taken outside the structure to determine the exact orientation of the building. The date of construction must also be factored into these calculations to reveal the unique energy blueprint and the potential of each building.

When the acupuncturist needles are properly placed the energies of your body are adjusted and your health is improved. Likewise, when the proper Feng Shui remedies are in place all aspects of your life will benefit. Remember, these remedies are meant to be so subtle that no one notices them. The benefits of increased harmony, improved health and enhanced prosperity are the signs that your remedies are placed correctly and working. nnnn