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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.

Kathleen Karlsen, MA is an artist, writer and design consultant residing in Bozeman, Montana. Fine art and unique gifts by Kathleen and other selected artists can be found at http://www.livingartsoriginals.com Visit us today to find a wonderful addition to your home decor or a gift for someone special! For an extensive article about flower symbolism see http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm