Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system, used to improve life by encouraging positive chi. An ancient art and science that has been around for thousands of years, it reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it.

Many people apply feng shui to their homes, in order to create a balanced and harmonious environment in which to live. The system places a huge importance on the centre (quite literally) of your home, believing it is a sacred energy spot from which all over energies originate. Therefore, if followed, the centre, or Heart of the Home, should be kept clean, open and free from clutter to promote a healthy and peaceful atmosphere.

But How Else Can It Be Applied To Your Home?
Knowing your homes “bagua”, or energy map is helpful in applying feng shui successfully in the home. This is then used to determine relationships between the home and the people living in them. According to feng shui law, the areas in your home are connected to areas in your life and so placement of furniture, for example, can affect the balance and energy in your life.

The first rule to feng shui is to rid your home of clutter. This provides clarity and the perfect base for nourishing good feng shui energy.

Basic Application in Your Home
• Having happy images of your family throughout the house, especially in the living areas and in eastern positions to bring harmony into your family life.
• Apply in your bedroom, as well as the bedrooms of your children. A good feng shui bedroom should be fun and pleasurable to be in.
• Use colours to promote harmony throughout the house. The five elements describes how colour balances the environment in which you live.
• Using essential oils, crystals and candles to bring harmony, calm and balance into your space.

It should not be stressful to apply, but fun. Following the laws of feng shui is easy, once you understand the basics, and can turn your home from chaos to calm with the simple readjustment of furniture.

If you are planning to apply these laws to your home be sure to get contents insurance. Moving furniture and bringing candles into the home may create a harmonious atmosphere but should anything get broken or even catch alight, you want to be sure you’re covered!

Ashton Mapletoft writes a number of articles on homes, including contents insurance.

‘‘The lantern is present everywhere”. That might be a rash statement! Yet the obliquitous lantern is present in a stroll garden within an Imperial Villa or a courtyard garden in a private residence. I feel the lantern offers great symbolism in a Japanese garden. The lantern presents a light source and a vertical image (Yang). The lantern suggests light after dark and illumination of an object worthy of reflection. The lantern guides the way and gives the area’s emptiness something of life (Yang) and substance. It has meaning. The lantern dissociated from plants and living things, from the mosses and grasses and the Azaleas and densely clipped shrubs of Kyoto.

The lantern comes in so many shapes and sizes. No doubt each shape represents a history and legacy steeped into time. And whatever the site requires no doubt a lantern style can be found to fill that space. Some lanterns no more than 30cm in height and others noticed in Kyoto up to 1.6-1.8 metres tall. There must be lantern factories somewhere. Smaller lanterns seen closer to the pathway and larger ones set into the distance. Maybe set onto the ground within a clump of trees to accentuate change.

Lantern constructed usually of stone or marble and containing a hood. A heart for the location of the flame, a stem to elevate it from the ground and a base for attachment. It maybe 3 sided, 4 sided coned hood, pyramid hood, circular or rectangular stem, single leg or treble leg. Suggesting the lantern offers a versatile inclusion to a Japanese styled garden.

But why is it a necessary inclusion? To guide the visitor along a pathway after dusk? To view from a distance to symbolise? To radiate light onto water for reflection or a plant or pebble or stone? Is the lantern a Yang intrusion to add life after dark (and the Yin world of darkness)? Is the lantern a symbol of life or inclusion of human intervention upon a setting?

The lantern offers Yang to reduce the dominance of Yin. The white circle in the black. The fire to shield from the cold. The life to enlighten and vitalise from the dark. The lantern to me holds a symbolic place and has practicalities. Yes I’m a harmonious chi gardener and I’ll believe all that.

The lantern is perfect. It offers Yang in a Yin environment. The lantern postures. It represents timeliness. Night and day, year after year. It transcends time and its physical structure and design perfectly attune to the climate of Japan by offering a hood for the snow and ice and a roof and walls to protect the flame. The lantern can sit beside a pond, in the pond, within a corner of the garden, alongside a pathway. I wouldn’t locate it where the sha (detrimental) energy can extinguish it e.g., exposed on a hill in a gully or swamp where the constant damp will extinguish the flame or if used in a low place lifted above it on a pedestal to become a beacon similar to a light on a seashore guiding ships at sea.

I hope you enjoyed reading my article as much as I enjoyed pondering over and writing it. For more related topics and complete eBook Publications, please visit my website Feng Shui Garden – a Modern and Unique Concept to Feng Shui and Harmonious Chi Within the Garden and Our Lives. Regards, Ross.

Feng Shui was originally uneasy while using romantic relationship between buildings and their surrounding landscape. The perfect positioning of your building was explained when it comes to what land form characteristic was especially desirable in every of the four Directions, when you appear out on the structure. Essentially the most crucial element was thought to be being a higher mountain behind the building, symbolized through the Black Tortoise or Turtle.

In front with the internet site it was believed that there will need to be working water, like a stream or river, and also a lower rise, known as the Red Phoenix. Shopping away through the residence through the leading home, the left facet was meant to possess a low assortment of encircling hills-the Azure Dragon-with an even lower array on the right-the White Tiger. Feng Shui is strong on symbolism, and this is one on the critical sets of symbols. Although traditionally the constructing is believed of a facing South, every development has these four Wildlife in specifically the similar situation with regard into the top home in the building, irrespective in the direction where the creating transpires to face. Employing the shades tied in with the 4 Celestial Wildlife in decorating is very important. The Path is associated with which coloration, in turn reflecting the 5 Components.

The Celestial Wildlife are most helpful when examining the feng shui on the surrounding garden. Right here they can assist, for instance, to web site a rock garden, which might replicate the symbolic Black Tortoise mountain and help the back with the property. Definitely it would not be good feng shui to spot this at the top and even the sides of your house or office. Likewise, if there were some doubt regarding what coloration to apply to a wall around the left-hand part of the property (because you are shopping out), then you will need only verify that it can be within the location on the Azure/ Green Dragon to pick the most correct color to use. It may seem strange that the Tiger is chosen as being a yin picture. But try to remember that it is the rare White Tiger with the snowy ranges of western China, and that culturally white is thought to be the shade of death, the ultimate yin. The Dragon, on another palm, will be the azure with the seas of Eastern China, also the green of spring, and of yang development. Bearing this in thoughts, it is significant to not over emphasize the White tiger, at the least not inside of the home. In truth, in houses where the exterior right-hand section is more powerful compared to the left-hand part (hunting out from your front home) you should endeavor to reverse this configuration.

The neighboring house may perhaps be bigger on that part, or even the Dragon aspect might be missing altogether. One example is, the left-hand end (searching out) of your row of homes will continually use a weakened Dragon part and will suffer from as well much yin. The woman on the house is frequently a great deal more powerful compared to the male in houses in this placement. A weak Dragon side is usually partially rectified by, as an example, strengthening it with strong yang lighting or, conversely, by diminishing the opposite Tiger side by hiding or painting it in such a way that it loses its dominance. The observance from the four Celestial Wildlife primarily anxious with the surrounding influences, instead compared to the interior on the residence.

To find out more join Eithan’s newsletter and get FREE E-BOOK GUIDE on Feng Shui. Eithan has been studied a lot about Feng Shui and Eastern culture and practicing Feng Shui at his own home. In his articles he shares his knowledge about this beautiful way to improve one’s life

Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese system of aesthetics has really caught on in a big way, in our lives currently. Most home owners today want to abide by the principles as set forth in Feng Shui and not violate them as best as possible.

While some people may simply dismiss all Feng Shui principles as mere hear say, the truth definitely lies somewhere in between. In fact, it is common observation that homes which abide by the guidelines as set forth and specified by Feng Shui, tend to be more prosperous. In this article, we look at some of the elementary aspects as specified in Feng Shui principles, so that you could consider incorporating them in your dwelling.
Direction Of The Bed

As per Feng Shui guidelines and principles, it is important that your bed does not face the West. If you think about it, this point is actually fairly logical and straightforward; with the Earth turning eastwardly, it makes perfect sense that your bed faces the East as well. By doing so, you can be assured of positive blood flow in your system, especially to your brain, which in turn can ensure that you enjoy very peaceful and deep sleep.
Distance From Windows

Another very important aspect is the distance that you manage to maintain from windows. Yet again, this point also seems to make perfect sense. The closer you are to windows, the more likely is the possibility of external distracters having their impact. For instance, if you have your study table right next to the window, chances are good that all external distracting sounds or noises such as those of passing vehicles could come and disturb you. Similarly, having your bed very close to the window is not a good idea either; remember that windows will always allow extraneous sounds and noises to pass through with greater ease, than would walls. So, if you have your bed right next to the window, again, chances would be good that you would not be able to have deep sleep at all.

Give Importance To Your Front Door
Another very important principle of Feng Shui is that of giving utmost importance to the front door; remember that the front door is from where all the energy in your house is likely to come in. Some basic aspects that you need to keep in mind as far as the front door is concerned, is keeping it easily identifiable, as well as keeping it neat and clean. The condition of the front door should be very good, as rickety or worn out doors are considered unsuitable for the transmission of energy and prosperity.

Further, another important aspect related to the front door, as far as Feng Shui is concerned, is its frequent usage. This aspect is mentioned because there are a lot of individuals who actually do not use the front door all too often; in many cases, the back door serves as the primary entry and exit point. Also, in a lot of cases, there is a door inside the garage, which in turn is used as the primary entry and exit doorway.

In such a scenario, it makes adequate sense that you try and make the additional effort to use the front door frequently; perhaps you could even mandate certain tasks as compulsory to be done through the front door only. For instance, you could have the morning paper delivered in such a way that it lands right in front of the front door, which in turn mandates your opening it every day, just to collect the aforementioned newspaper.

Thus, as you can clearly see, there are certain basic but vital aspects related to Feng Shui that you need to implement in your property. Taking these reasonably simple steps can go a long way in ensuring long-term prosperity and success in your life.

Brett Meade is a Tacoma real estate specialist for NW Home Brokers. He sells Tacoma and Pierce County homes for sale.

BTB Feng Shui is just one of many schools practicing this discipline. BTB is an acronym for Black Sect Tantric Buddhist. This is also referred to by some as Black Hat Tantric Buddhism. The reference to Black Hat is due to the color of the hats that are worn by Tibetan Monks within the Bon Tradition.

Black Sect Tantric Buddhism was first introduced to the United States in the 1980s by its founder and supreme leader Grandmaster Professor Thomas Lin Yun. The BTB Feng Shui, Black Sect School has gained a large following and is thought to be the most popular forms practiced today.

Professor Lin Yun uses many different schools of thought in his teachings. These include but are not limited to:

*Exoteric Buddhism
*Esoteric Buddhism
*Confucianism
*Yin Yang Philosophy
*Eclecticism
*I-Ching
*Taoism
*Theory of Ch’i
*Holistic Healing
*Folkloric Studies
*Astrology

The BTB Feng Shui, Black Sect School and the traditional schools share a lot of the same philosophies and teachings. There are far more similarities than differences. There are two main differences that I will cover in this article.

The first difference is in the placement of the Bagua map. The Bagua energy map is positioned differently in the BTB Feng Shui, Black Sect School than it is in the traditional Compass School of Feng Shui. This is probably the main concern of the traditionalist Feng Shui student and what causes the most confusion.

In the BTB school the Bagua Map is positioned the same way in all homes and the direction the main door faces has no significance. In the traditional Compass School one uses the compass direction of the main door to the home to determine the placement of the Bagua energy map.

The second significant difference between the BTB Feng Shui, Black Sect School and the traditionalists from the Compass School is more of a spiritual approach taken by the BTB student.

The Traditionalist looks at the physical placement and properties of things such as windows and doors as more important in evaluating a location than the student of the BTB School. The BTB School takes into consideration these same concerns but also utilizes the perceptions of the body, speech and mind through the Three Secret Reinforcements. It therefore takes into account not only the physical universe but also the spiritual. However, the Three Secrets of Reinforcements is not a required step for the BTB student. It is an optional step for the student who chooses to accept this concept.

As this science becomes more popular we will see more schools of thought on the subject evolve. That is typical of any philosophical school of thought. There are already many different Schools established. Here is a partial list of some of the more noted schools that already exist beyond those already discussed:

*Ba Chai – Eight Mansions System
*Xuan Kong – Mysterious Subtleties or Time & Space
*San Yuan Dragon Gate 8 Foundations School
*San He Luan Tou – Environmental Appearance & Land Formations
*San He Shui Fa – Water Methods School
*Qi Men Dun Jia – Mystical Doorways & Magical Armour School

The thing to remember is that all of these schools practice the same basic principles developed over the past 4,000 years since its origin. It does not really matter if you are a student of the Compass School or a student of the BTB Feng Shui, Black Sect School. Both schools will help you gain harmony with your environment, achieve good Chi and live a healthy and fulfilled life.

Until we meet again please enjoy Sheng Chi.

I do hope you found this article informative. I have practiced Feng Shui for over 25 years. I have many other resources published on the topic of Feng Shui. Two of the articles I think might interest you are BTB Feng Shui Cures 2010 and the BTB Feng Shui Aromatherapy. Each article has links for other articles I have published as well.

The water element in Feng Shui practice is used to bring about harmony, balance and prosperity. This water element can be via a stream located on your property, a picture of a waterfall or art that represents water, colors normally associated with the water element, a reflective surface or a water fountain.

In the theory of Feng Shui, it is said that in order to protect the entrance of your home, or to prevent negative external energy from entering your home – you should place a water feature close to the front door. You can accomplish this with either an outdoor feature such as a fish bond or fountain, or a small pond or fountain feature very close to the door or entry way.

If you want to add an Asian inspired water feature to your home (let’s say you are implementing various Feng Shui enhancements) but do not have the space for a large floor fountain, choose a table top fountain instead. You will reap the positive energy benefits of adding the water element while also conserving space.

Generally speaking, the sound of water has a very calming effect on people. Because of this, Asian inspired water fountains in or outside of the homes has become a very popular trend in Western culture. The practice finds it’s roots in the Japanese theory of Feng Shui. Not only does water bring a tranquil energy, but it is also the ancient symbol of wealth and prosperity.

When using a water feature as a Feng Shui cure, there are a few things that you want to be mindful of. For starters, do not place a water feature in the south area of your home – refer to the bagua map if you to understand “where” the south area is. That part of your home is represented by the fire energy and is directly connected to fame and reputation. If you add water to that area, you are essentially “quenching” or dosing the fire energy which will have a negative impact on your reputation. You also do not want to add it to your bedroom as it will usher in the energy of worry.

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The art of Feng Shui is a philosophy that focuses on balance, harmony, and improving the quality of life. Despite being thousands of years old, it is still relevant and beneficial today. The practice make use of certain products to manage an energy known as qi, or chi using the English pronunciation, which is the essential flow of energy present within and around all objects, both animate or inanimate.

Some of the manifestations of chi according to the ancient art form, starting with the most subtle and ending with the most tangible, include:

- Vibrations

- Light

- Pressure

- Colors

- Sounds

- Temperature

- Solid matter

Tips When Shopping

When shopping for these products, some specifics to keep in mind include the image or patterns of the item, the material it is made from, the shape and the color. The color of an object greatly influences the effects it may have on the emotional and physical well being of a person. In Feng Shui, all colors are divided into either the Yin (cool) category, or the Yang (warm) category.

Many products used for Feng Shui purposes are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that are carefully handcrafted by artisans from countries all around the globe. Decorative accents and embellishments you can use are not limited to the Chinese culture or its symbols. In fact, when choosing such products, you should choose one that mesh with or enhance the area where the item will be used or displayed. Here are some popular products you may want to consider getting.

Bagua

The Feng Shui Bagua map is a tool used to enhance your environment through the placement of objects based on the four directions- north, south, east, and west, and the five main elements- water, fire, earth, wood, and metal.

The Bagua, also written ba gua, consists of separate squares and is an essential part of the ancient practice. Using this tool, literally any space, regardless of its size, can be divided or separated into the nine areas or gua, with each area corresponding to a specific aspect of life. Bagua may even be applied to certain areas of the home rather than entire rooms, and should always be aligned or oriented with your front door, even if another entrance is used more often.

Ammolities

Besides the Bagua map, prosperity stones are perhaps one of the most widely used Feng Shui products today. Also referred to as the Ammolites, these stones are believed to have healing properties and are used by those with emotional and psychological ailments, as well as by those with a desire to heal their spiritual selves in addition to their physical self.

Mirrors

Mirrors are another item often used in this to remedy different situations such as to “send back” undesirable images, reflect and redirect the path of chi, or to prevent chi from moving into another space. Mirrors are also useful for bringing a space into harmony, enlarging an area or room, and also to promote wealth, good fortune, and positive thinking.

Others

Other products may include either specially designed or regular compasses, a variety of organizational tools, and a host of books and guides written on the fascinating subject. Good luck symbols, such as a metal gourd referred to as the Calabash, are also used for promoting longevity and good health.

Other items commonly used in the practice to achieve harmony and inner peace are:

- Artwork

- Bells, gongs

- Bowls

- Boxes

- Candles

- Chimes, wind chimes

- Coins

- Crystals

- Fabrics

- Gardening items

- Incense

- Jewelry

- Fountains

- Mobiles

- Paints

- Smudge sticks

- Statues, deities

- Sun catchers

Conclusion

Whichever Feng Shui product you choose, do ensure that it matches your needs. If you are in doubt, you can always consult your consultant who can assist you in such selection.

The five element form of feng shui classifies various aspects of interior design according to their relationship to the predominant forces in nature. The Chinese five element system views wood, fire, earth, metal and water as the primary natural elements. Homes and interior decorative objects may be balanced through it with one or more of the five elements in the following ways: using the actual element for construction (i.e. wood), using something that is symbolic of the element (i.e. fountain) and using colors or shapes representing the element.

The five element system of feng shui is both a philosophical and practical approach to assessing human wellness on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. This unique classification system helps to explain patterns of behavior and how our own energy levels mirror the transformational cycles in the natural world.

By analyzing your compatibility with the five elements-wood, fire, water, earth, and metal-you can determine excesses or deficiencies in these energies in your personality and your surroundings. Understanding the five elements and balancing them through the use of this can thereby increase your vitality. Let’s examine the five basic types of energy.

Wood energy is constantly in motion, driven to grow and expand like the green shoots bursting forth in spring. A person with a predominantly “wood” personality seeks new challenges and adventures. Wood personalities tend to be competitive, bold, direct and ambitious. If you desire to strengthen the qualities of wood in your personality, the most appropriate art would include landscapes, florals, and gardens.

Fire energy is characterized by its ability to give off warmth and attract others. Predominately “fire” types place a great deal of emphasis on interpersonal relationships. According to five element feng shui, they are romantic and idealistic, enthusiastic and emotional. Fire energy is the energy of life, represented by sunshine, warm-blooded animals and people. To strengthen your fire energy, art including people and animals is appropriate. On the other hand, if you tend to be overly excited and overly dependent on relationships with others, fire energy can be balanced by emphasizing the other four elements, especially water.

Water has the ability to change effortlessly without losing its essential character. In five element feng shui, water types are resourceful and single-minded, flowing over problems like a river. Water types also have the ability to pool their resources to be in a position of strength when opportunities arises. The art that is useful for strengthening the water element depicts rivers, waterfalls or the ocean. Any design with asymmetrical, flowing shapes or curved lines is representative of water. To bring water symbolism into your environment, choose art incorporating glass, crystals, fountains or mirrors.

The earth element is able to absorb excesses of the other elements. Earth personalities are forgiving and compassionate. Earth types are wonderful friends and great listeners. Earth types have an affinity for ceramics, tile, stucco, bricks and adobe. To strengthen earth energy, use depictions of deserts, fields, and farms.

Metal is characterized by exceptional strength and endurance. According to the traditions of feng shui, people with metal as their predominant compatibility are disciplined and strong-willed. Metal types are often creative and seek to out picture the highest aspirations of life in their work and art. To strengthen metal energy, chose images that include majestic mountains that are firmly grounded but reaching towards the heavens.

Achieving balance through five element feng shui is a matter of emphasizing one or more elements for an intended purpose. Each of the five elements support or nourish each other in some way and can also limit or control each other in other ways. Creating your own personal paradise in your surroundings with an appropriate balance of the five elements will result in a strong foundation for increased happiness and success in all areas of your life.

Feng shui, a 5,000 year old art aimed at aligning buildings with the fundamental forces of nature, is a unique approach to indoor environments. Feng shui works much like acupuncture. This uses “cures” to reestablish the proper energy flow in a building by removing energy blockages and stimulating stagnant areas. In feng shui, each area of the home relates to an area in our lives. By increasing the energy, or chi, in these areas, a corresponding improvement can take place in the life of the occupant. Instead of acupuncture needles, it uses objects as diverse as wind chimes, mirrors, plants, fountains, lights and crystals.

There are three major types of feng shui. The Form School emphasizes the building site and the shape of the surrounding landscape. The Compass School is similar to western astrology and focuses on mathematical calculations related to the direction the building faces. The Black Hat School uses the building’s entrances as key elements in determining the energy flow.

The Black Hat School of feng shui evolved through geographic and historical stages in India, Tibet and China. Now the most popular form of feng shui in America, proponents of the Black Hat School claim that this approach is the most aesthetic, intuitive and spiritual.

By orienting a building around the main entrance, the Black Hat approach it quickly establishes nine power areas. This configuration, known as the bagua, divides the building into areas related to wealth, fame, marriage, children/creativity, helpful people/travel, career, knowledge and family. The ninth area is representative of health and is in the center of the home. Since health is often a combination of social, psychological and physical factors, this central position is affected by all of the other areas.

One of the most exciting aspects of feng shui is creating healthy environments by imitating the balance of the five elements that occurs in appealing outdoor settings. Adding an indoor pond to your front entrance, a large mural of a forest to the wall of your living room, or stars and constellations to the ceiling of your bedroom can give your home and your life a significant boost!

Some aspects of feng shui are common sense. For example, removing clutter from your home makes accidents less likely. Other aspects of it have been researched scientifically. In any case, an understanding it deepens our understanding of our own lives and psychology and can lead to a more energetic and vibrant life in every way.