Feng shui (traditional Chinese: 風水; simplified Chinese: 风水; pinyin: fēng shuǐ; pronounced /ˈfəŋˌʃueɪ/ foong-shoy in Chinese Mandarin, "fheng-schway" in American English) is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu (traditional Chinese: 堪輿; simplified Chinese: 堪舆; pinyin: kānyú; literally: Tao of heaven and earth).

The words feng shui literally translate as "wind-water" in English. This is a cultural shorthand taken from the following passage of the Zhangshu (Book of Burial) by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty:

Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.

Traditional Feng Shui practice always requires an extremely accurate Chinese compass, or Luo Pan, in order to determine the directions in finding any auspicious sector in a desired location.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Feng Shui House - Principles of Feng Shui Energies

When you study Feng Shui design in order to apply it to your living space, "chi" will be a term you see frequently. Chi is referring to universal energy. Basically this means the ancient Chinese believed that everything around you - the buildings, trees, and land - has energy of its own.

There are two sides to Feng Shui Chi, just like yin and yang, meaning that there is a good and bad Chi. Chi also exists in various shapes based on nature's elements - fire, wood, earth, water and metal. To take it a bit further, Chi can be broken down more than just to the five elements of nature to the elements corresponding Feng Shui colors.

Feng Shui House has several goals but the most important one involves Chi, and learning how to guide it in the area where you live and work. You want good Chi in your living and work space because it keeps the energy flow positive and feeds your spirit too. The positive Chi that enlivens your environment is called Sheng Chi. There is negative where there is positive as well. This negative energy is called Si Chi and it is also called Sha Chi which means depressing, attacking, and low.

Sheng Chi in detail

The word Sheng actually refers to energy with a rising movement. This means that Sheng Chi is uplifting and vibrant energy. This positive life force is is good for your entire well being.

There are many forms of Sheng Chi, most derived from nature or clean and simple indoor environment. Keep in mind, Chi is that energy contained in everything. Well nothing has more powerful energy than parts of nature that thrive such as the beach.

Si Chi and Sha Chi = Bad Chi

When you have bad, you'll have good too. Si Chi is energy that is festering and depressing. It can make you feel stifled, almost like you are going through a slow death. If you spent much time in this environment, you would start becoming ill.

Sha Chi refers more to the architectural elements or decorative elements in or out of your home that is of violent nature. Outside structures that have corners or sharp points pointing into the space for living or work are Sha Chi.

The whole purpose of understanding the good and bad Chi is so that you can use the practices of Feng Shui decorating to combat energy that is destructive and negative and turn it into a cleansing, well-balanced positive energy.

Many Feng Shui consultants, who have studied Feng Sui tradition for years, will be your Feng Shui guides to help you balance the Sheng Chi and the Sha Chi and achieve an hospicious Feng Shui House.



Autor: Clark Meyer

Clark Meyer is a Feng Shui enthusiast and is devoted to teaching the best Feng Shui practices to his readers. You can see more of his practical, to-the-point Feng Shui writing on his blog Feng Shui House. To use Feng Shui in your life and benefit your life's 4 major areas - money, health, relationships; sign up for his acclaimed and popular free Feng Shui House newsletter today.


Added: November 29, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Baby Nursery Feng Shui - Create a Space Full of Health, Harmony Happiness

Imagine creating a space within your home for your baby to grow and develop while being healthy and at peace.

I've consulted on many nurseries for existing and expecting parents. Here are 9 tips to consider when creating a nursery for the new baby.

1. Crib Position: The crib should be placed in the command position of the room. To be in the command position, the location should have a view of the door but not be in direct line with the door or on the same wall as the door. There are a total of three command positions for a room, view this recent article about the command position of a bed.

2. Flow of Chi: Make sure the door into the nursery can open a full 90 degrees. This may mean no coats or clothes hanging on the back of the door. Also, make sure that you can easily move around in the space and open dresser drawers and closet doors with no obstructions.

3. Color: Consider light colors to soothe and multiple colors to inspire the baby's development. Light blues, pinks and greens are recommended. Keep in mind that a bedroom and nursery are yin energy and should be created for relaxing and rejuvenating.

4. D�cor: Pay close attention to what you hang above or around areas where the baby spends a lot of time. Don't place shelving above the crib or changing table as this can create a downward pressure, reducing the baby's development. There's also the potential for heavy objects or shelves to fall.

5. Lighting & Ventilation: Make sure you have enough light during each part of the day and night. Nurseries often don't have enough light, especially in the middle of the night when parents want to check on the baby. I personally recommend Himalayan Salt Rock lamps for the perfect night light. It produces soft shades of pink, peach and orange, warmly lighting a room while infusing the space with negative ions to remove pollutants and adding chi or life energy.

6. Development: To help a baby develop motor skills, consider purchasing a baby-safe mirror at the two-to-three-month stage.

7. Access: Be sure all items you use frequently - diapers, wipes, blankets, first aid essentials, etc. -- are accessible. You don't want to hunt for the thermometer in the middle of the night. Keep a stock of diapers and wipes close at hand, with extras in a convenient place. Don't place these baby essentials in awkward spots, where other items fall on you when you reach for them, or where you'll have to stretch to the back of a drawer or closet for them. This just increases frustration when the most important task is to be present for your baby.

8. Electrical Overload: Dozens of tech gadgets available today help you monitor your baby around the clock. Even so, keep electro-magnetic fields around your baby's crib to a minimum. This includes heart monitors, baby monitors, video cameras and multiple plugs within an outlet; decide which devices you really need and choose products that serve multiple purposes. Also, pay attention to what is on the other side of the wall as this can have an impact on the baby's development and sleep.

9. Parent's Room: Creating a nursery for the baby is an exciting time. When the baby arrives, the nursery can easily carry over into the parent's room, especially when a baby co-sleeps. Make an effort to keep your own bedroom for relaxation, sleep and rejuvenation without permitting the nursery to take over the room. You'll be glad!



Autor: Ken D Lauher

Celebrity Feng Shui Consultant and Speaker, Ken Lauher, helps individuals and their environments enhance their quality of life through time-tested techniques. His inspiring work with celebrities and corporations has made him a sought-after speaker on Feng Shui and life enhancement. Visit his site for your free Feng Shui Tips, guide, or to hire Ken for a speaking engagement.


Added: November 28, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Friday, November 27, 2009

Feng Shui Colors and Elements - Beginners Tips

For your good Feng-Shui home, the directions in your home should be mapped out with the Feng Shui Ba-Gua. Based upon those directions from the Ba-Gua, you would then use the Lo-Pan or Feng Shui compass to find out more about which elements will go with the eight different directions. Because a color goes along with each element, then you can figure out which colors will help to promote good Chi.

Employing the different Feng Shui colors is the best way to produce positive energy types bringing prosperity, health, and other things associated with good Chi. Light is quite important when working to produce good Chi. As you learn more about Feng Shui House, you will learn more about the eight directions on the Feng Sui Ba-Gua map and how the elements are related.

The five elements

The five natural elements each have specific colors that embody them. Keep in mind that different shades or hues of these colors can also be employed in your Feng Shui decorating plan.

1. Wood element - Browns and greens

2. Water element - Shades of blue and black

3. Fire element - deep yellows, reds, dark purples, and oranges

4. Earth element - Light browns and yellows, and sandy shades

5. Metal element - Gray, white, and gold and silver can be included

There are two cycles that rule the five elements - the destructive cycle and the productive cycle. Within the productive cycle, the wood elements is nourished by the water element, going on to create a fire element. The earth element is produced by the fire element burning , from which the metal element is formed and then the metal feeds back to the element of water. This cycle continues to revolve.

How to Feng Shui your house with these element colors

The colors of these elements give a boost to certain characteristics, including wealth, health, and more. In addition, certain directions as pointed out by the Ba-Gua specially correlate to the elements. For instance, the Southeast and East are represented by the wood element.

Feng Shui room is all about creating positive energy in the work or home area that is favorable. This means that particular colors should be used that correspond with the elements of that direction. You will also discover that certain colors are naturally pleasing and can be used outside the element if they are a part of that cycle. Red is one example, the color of fire and an energizing Chi. If you are faced with an unfavorable configuration of your home, the color red may help turn around that negative Chi.

These colors and elements have a complex relationship. The information listed above is just the beginning. Feng Shui design and it's complex nature are one of the main reasons people end up spending years studying to understand the principles behind Chinese Feng Shui.



Autor: Clark Meyer

Clark Meyer is a Feng Shui enthusiast and is devoted to teaching the best Feng Shui practices to his readers. You can see more of his practical, to-the-point Feng Shui writing on his blog Feng Shui House. To use Feng Shui in your life and benefit your life's 4 major areas - money, health, relationships; sign up for his acclaimed and popular free Feng Shui House newsletter today.


Added: November 27, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/