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Saturday, December 8, 2012

Water Fountains Keep Chi Flowing

The ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui involves arranging the environment so that there is proper flow of Chi, vital life energy. Chi (pronounced chee) is the energy ascribed to the atmosphere, the earth, and human beings. It is the life force that pervades human existence. Chi is the positive energy that directs the growth of trees, plants, and humans. It sculpts the mountains, skies, and rivers. Chi is in turn created in nature by the gentle, meandering flow of water, by the contour of a mountain, or by the symmetry and balance of the elements in one's environment. Some believe that Chi is a separate force from the physical world, while others say that Chi is derived from physical matter. Still others purport that matter arises from Chi.

Chi, or Qi, is believed to circulate around the body in a progression. Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that balancing and unblocking Chi in the body is important for healing all diseases. The two fundamental forces of Chi are opposites, like black and white, active and passive, so they need balance to work. Represented visually by the Yin and the Yang, these two forces govern every situation in the universe. The imbalance of these two forces can negatively impact everything in life, from health to wealth. It is imperative that a person seek a congruous relationship with nature, people, the universe and oneself in order to have prosperity and longevity.

Chi can be enhanced in a number of ways: meditation, fostering positive human relationships, and developing a healthy environment (feng shui). One of the concepts of feng shui is that house Chi and human Chi should both flow smoothly. Good Chi flow in a home improves the Chi of the inhabitants.

You don't have to hire a feng shui expert to foster the proper flow of Chi in your home. There are some simple things you can do to begin creating positive Chi in your home. Keep energy flowing by avoiding sharp, straight edges in the design of rooms and the arrangement of furniture. Seek clean, smooth lines and open spaces, and keep your home free of clutter. Consider the relationship between light, color and mood; avoid harsh overhead lighting and dark monotone color schemes.

Proper use of fountains, lights, wind chimes and mirrors will symbolically open up the space. The sound of moving water balances and activates Chi. Moving water gets Chi moving just as stagnant ice melts into flowing water in Springtime. Since moving water both activates and balances Chi, a fountain will have both an energizing and a soothing effect. Balancing Chi with a fountain can increase prosperity in a home or business, as money is associated with flowing water. Many individuals and businesses utilize a fountain to activate the wealth sector of the office or home: the southeast or east corner. The flow of water in the fountain represents the continuous turnover of wealth-producing water. A fountain is also protective; the strength of the water disperses the negative Chi (killing Chi) of a busy road outside or a noisy neighbor. Placed in the southeast, a water fountain will favor communication, creativity and harmonious development. If situated in the east, the fountain will promote career enhancement, vitality, and fulfillment of dreams.

When deciding to purchase a water fountain, pay careful attention to the style, size and color of the fountain and make sure it fits in with your décor. Make sure it states what your goal is, for example, prosperity or longevity. Then you also can make a statement about the intention of the fountain, such as: 'We bring cascading water into this home to promote prosperity and longevity to me and my family.' After choosing where you will place the water fountain, sit near it awhile and concentrate on the smooth flow of chi that is happening to encourage the prosperity and longevity into and outside of your home.

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Water Fountains And Their Part In Feng Shui

Water fountains are incredibly popular in feng shui because they bring the energy of water, and water is an ancient feng shui sign of wealth and prosperity. Water has a very strong influence upon the feng shui of its environment and natural water has the strongest impacts of all. The other good reason to use a fountain indoors is that a working fountain will diffuse healthy negative ions in the air.

Water fountains carry the energy of water, one of the many ancient feng shui emblems. You can use feng shui fountains inside your home or out. There are lots of variations including tabletop, floor-standing, wall-mounted and outdoor fountains. When selecting your fountain, choose a high quality fountain that has a nice smooth design that's easy to clean and maintain. Many people choose ceramic or glass for the materials of their fountain but really, any material is okay so long as the water sounds and feeling of water is integrated.

Water is a Yin element. Water can be Yang at times and is one of the most damaging forces in nature under certain situations but its basic nature is more Yin or passive. Water moves naturally around obstacles so water yields and moves around and overcomes hurdles with ease. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement. The practice requires the careful arrangement of things in a space to represent elements and create a proper balance and flow of energy. Fountains are a good way to employ the practice while providing visual benefit to any kind of space.

Water fountains are frequently seen both indoors and outdoors. People who have a garden generally like to have a water fountain as a centerpiece. Indoor fountains are also popular, especially since they are said to help balance the negative and positive ions. Different materials are used to make fountains, like ceramic, metal and bamboo. A feng shui water fountain will come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Selecting the right water fountain for your house will mainly depend on your personal preference. Round is said to be the better choice as per principles, however you should also choose one that will go well in your house. According to the feng shui element productive and destructive cycles however, the ideal water fountain should be made out of metal. Metal will help water trigger 'qi' since it's the element that produces water.

Water fountains should always have a continuous stream of moving water. The cascading of the water triggers both sound and movement, which makes it one of the most valuable feng shui remedies. Moving water is said to attract wealth and good fortune and is most often used by those people who are seeking to get more wealth. Feng shui effects cannot be accomplished by putting the water fountain any place in the house or office, but by choosing the best place using a Bagua map, the effect can be quickly achieved.

The Feng Shui "Money Bags" Chain Letter

Almost every year I receive a bulk email with a Feng Shui superstition attached to it. Some clients send it to me directly to get my opinion on it and if it is for real. Well, it's not.

It is also annoying and disheartening for me, as a serious practitioner, to see these mindless number games being passed off as Feng Shui edicts, when they are not, and they only perpetuate the tarnished image this natural science has had to endure.

In 2011, there was a calendar being sent through cyber space, showing how a certain month had 5 Saturdays and Sundays in it and how this only happens every 823 years and that people should pass the email around in order to receive a surprise financial wind fall. Back in the 1970's we called this a "chain letter" and if you didn't pass it along, something awful would happen to you. Well, apparently 2011 wasn't so special because there is another recurrence of 5 Saturdays and Sundays this year in 2012 also! Completely lost on the unknowing public is why the Chinese might even have a fascination with things that total the number 5.

The reason some people are intrigued with number games is because there are actually some pretty interesting number combinations which we take note of in legitimate Feng Shui calculations. Originally, various number calculations were codifications for actual energy patterns and cosmological realities. Don't take the number just at face value, in other words. The number might actually represent a moment in time, or space, or sound or light. For example, some calculations resolve to numbers that are significant in astronomy, such as distances between planets. Not only is the math involved impressive, but stunning actually when we realize that these equations were computed thousands of years ago with no telescopes or space technology like what we have today.

If you do a web search just on the term "magic squares" you will find that mathematicians and astronomers from every ancient civilization have been trying to unlock the keys to the Universe since Time began, by observing number patterns and their possible connection and relevance to laws of physics. There was also a time in history when astronomers and astrologers could sit down at the same table and share notes. Just the Fibonacci or Solfeggio sequences alone are enough to ponder the perfection and hidden secrets of our world. Ying-Yang Theory as it is presented in the Yi Jing (I Ching) is a sophisticated binary system which can explain continuous patterns in the natural and man-made world as well.

Even the compass is filled with meaning through numbers, such as each of the 360 degrees, each representing 72 years. When we multiply 72 x 360, we arrive at 25,920. In astronomy, a Great Year is roughly 25,920 years. Numbers can often represent either time or space. One needs to be fluid in this understanding, like a person who speaks several languages.

Early Feng Shui masters were scholars. They included men who were well versed in astronomy, mathematics, engineering, geology, geography, map making, and calendar making. Many worked under the scrutiny of the Chinese emperors, with the same weight and responsibility as a cabinet member in our government's administration. Some even advised on military strategy. From some 3,000 years ago and on, the information available in classical Feng Shui was understood to be so powerful, that the emperors often juggled around the teachings and formulas (and numbers) in order to consciously disseminate misinformation.

The goal was two-fold: keep your political or territorial enemies at a disadvantage by dispensing erroneous calculations to them and also keep your own people oppressed and powerless, by tinkering with the accuracy of the information they could receive also.

Side bar: Does anyone, even in current times, trust their government to be really looking out for the individual citizen's best interests and health?

Amongst all Chinese metaphysicians and Taoists, there is a code of ethics which would prevent one from saying that if you don't pass along an email, for God's sake, that something bad or unfortunate will happen to you. This goes against the grain of all authentic spiritual practices. It perpetuates the misconception that Feng Shui is part of the occult, some kind of witch craft.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite lines from the song "I Heard It through the Grapevine." And it goes like this: "People say believe half of what you see/ Son, and none of what you hear." So if you read or hear anything that is supposed to affect all of the people, all of the time, it is probably not true.

The Annual 5-Yellow, World Disasters and the Importance of the Metal Remedy

Metals are very important to humans and their ability to create civilization. It was metals and the ability to make bronze tools and weapons that brought mankind out of the Stone Age. Gold and silver with their beauty and flexibility have always been a valuable medium of exchange and are invaluable for thousands of purposes in industry, technology and manufacturing.

Metal is used a great deal as a Feng Shui remedy in the current time period. It is used primarily to diffuse the strong negative earth energy of the Xuan Kong flying stars 2 and 5 energies, strong for illness and accidents. Neutralizing the 5-Yellow star is one of the main reasons we do annual updates for Feng Shui clients. Each year it is in a different direction.

The essence of the 5-Yellow star is somewhat mysterious. It is the center number representing the earth in the Lo shu or magic square, (the primary mathematic layout we use in Feng Shui consultation). It is considered a magic square because it is an arrangement of 9 numbers in a pattern that shows perfect balance, as all directions add up to the same number of 15. (Einstein proved that everything in the universe is some form of energy--and math is the language of universal energy.) The 5 in the center could relate to the ancient cipher of Saturn, the symbols are almost the same, and Saturn in astrology does rule the things we are concerned about in Feng Shui; the limitations of the earth, foundations, architecture, houses, doors and walls, time, karma, career, reality, harvest, responsibility, work and ambition. Feng Shui encompasses many schools of thought, and there is some astrology in a classic Feng Shui analysis of the potential energy of your home.

The affects of the 5-Yellow star are not just seen in individual homes, but also in the larger global community. Having the 5-Yellow in a critical area in your home doesn't necessarily mean you are going to have an accident, but it does increase the odds. If I could describe its effects, I would say it scrambles the brain somehow making you less alert. In 2011, the 5-Yellow was in the East and we saw more weather catastrophes in the East section of many continents including the following events:

1): Giant Tsunami and Nuclear crisis in Fukushima in East Japan (8.9 earthquake) (20,000 deaths)

2): Severe African drought in East Africa, Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya (30,000+ deaths)

3): FEMA emergency funds run low in 2011 with the following weather disasters:

a): Hurricane Irene (5.9 earthquake) in East US, the Atlantic coast (a record $7 billion in damages)

b): Record tornadoes in East/ Southeast US in the Ohio valley, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi and N. Carolina (over $10 billion in damages)

4): Rare October snowstorm in East/ Northeast US ($3 billion in damage)

5): Record rain and floods hit Australia's East/ Northeast coast and Queensland in 2011 ($30 billion in damages)

6): Deadliest natural disaster, torrential rains in Rio De Janeiro, East/Southeast Brazil (1.2 billion in damages, 13,000 homeless)

7): Typhoon Muifa batters China's East coast (600,000 people evacuated).

This is not to say that there are not problems in other areas of the world, but it seems like the most destructive influences coincide with the location of the annual 5-Yellow star.

In our homes, the 5-Yellow direction can be diffused of its intensity by applying heavy metal remedies (generally over 50 lbs. of metal). I could theorize that the 5-Yellow phenomenon is magnetic in nature--something we have yet to completely understand--and metal can diffuse its action much like having metal in your body diffusing an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image). The energy represented by the 5 is not always bad, and can be quite good in some circumstances, as all energy potentials have a positive and negative aspect that needs to be balanced.

Metal remedies can include bronze, gold, silver, iron and steel. They are good heat and electrical conductors. They actually make up over 80% of all the elements in existence--we are virtually surrounded by the stuff, inside and out. Metals are dense, structurally strong and usually shiny as they reflect light waves. They are the only substance sensitive to magnetic fields. A magnetized piece of steel will lift about 12 times its own weight and if you de-magnetize the same piece of steel, it will not even lift a feather. There are many theories that the Earth's core is metal and this is why we have a dipolar magnetic field that we can use in Feng Shui and navigation. Birds are said to be able to migrate because of the iron in their brains helping them to navigate in the right season to the right location. There is iron in every red blood cell nourishing our bodies with oxygen. The metal in our bodies (in addition to water) is the main reason we are sensitive to electrical energy fields. Even the calcium in our bones is technically a metal. It is essential to our way of life. Without metals, we would have no electricity or batteries (which need 2 metals or electricity). We would have no hemoglobin, or oxygen photosynthesis in plants (needs manganese metal from the soil) that create our food supply. Life would be very different indeed!

In Feng Shui practice, metals are very protective and help keep us safe (especially in this time period). They are a strong, versatile and beautiful material. Make sure you have the proper metal required in the Southeast of your home this year as the 5-Yellow has shifted to the Southeast in 2012. A classically trained Feng Shui consultant can advise you of other areas in your home that can also benefit from placing metal to promote your home's natural healing energy. The skillful use of metal is very important in traditional Feng Shui and can boost your life in many positive ways

Attract And Keep Wealth With An Auspiciously Positioned Water Feature - Find Out How

A water feature can be a wonderful focal point in a stylish, peaceful and inspirational outdoor space. Not only can it look wonderful, contribute a sense of calm and well being, but in fact in Feng Shui it is known to attract abundance.

Although Feng Shui on a practitioner level can be complex, the core principles of creating balance in your environment and between the five elements*, can be achieved by following some practical, easy steps.

Two Practical Steps In Attracting Abundance And Creating Balance With A Water Feature - In the case of choosing and placing a water feature outdoors, two of these practical, important steps are:

(1) Finding the optimal location for the water feature. (2) Having an understanding of the difference between yin and yang water, and applying this.

We'll look firstly at this difference.

The Difference Between Yin And Yang Water Yin water is normally dark and deep, and represents the gentle feminine, and it has no movement. It doesn't have plants or animal life residing in it and in feng shui is considered to be a very effective cure for some types of afflictions. An example of yin water would be an urn that contains water but doesn't contain plant or animal life.

Yin water like this can be used to offset what is known as the unlucky #7 star, which is a nasty star which brings loss and burglary. The reason yin water works to offset this is because the #7 star is of the metal element, and water exhausts metal. The reason not to use yang water is because it is too active and lively, which makes it capable of triggering the negative effects of the unlucky #7 star.

However yang water is much more effective in attracting wealth and abundance. Yang water is active and lively, it represents the male aspect. So in creating or choosing a beautiful water feature, known in Feng Shui as a Water Dragon, in order to be confident that it will attract wealth, the water needs to be yang water.

Examples of yang water are swimming pools and features where the water is bubbling and moving. Also once there are plants in the water it is yang. Fish will also make the water yang and are very much used by Feng Shui practitioners.

Finding The Optimal Position For The Water Feature There are a few different spots where a water feature will bring prosperity and subdue certain types of misfortune. The most beneficial spot however, is called the facing palace which is where the front door is located.

The flow of water needs to be flowing towards the door or nearby window when located outside the house, but not in a direct line as such. Also it is important to be aware that a body of water accumulates wealth, whereas a flow of water enhances wealth.

In general the water element is most beneficial in the north, east and south east. This is because of how the water element interacts with the other elements. The south east is most idyllic for wealth, however the facing palace is the most fortuitous spot, in many Feng Shui practitioners' opinions.

Does this mean that you couldn't put the Water Dragon in the south or the west? It doesn't, but it does mean that you would need to be far more careful in planning the positioning, as well as the other elements, items and shapes in the surrounding area.

A quick note so that you are aware is that in the art of feng shui there are a number of schools of thought, and therefore you will find differences of opinions.

An Important Recommendation However going back to the main principle, water accumulates qi (energy), whereas wind will disperse it. So the water feature in the outdoor area will ideally be located in the facing palace position, it will have elements of a body of water as well as a flow of water, contain life and always be kept very clean.

An important recommendation to strengthen this good fortune is to also have an indoor water feature. The basic concept here is that the outdoor Water Dragon is bringing the wealth energy towards the house, which is being captured via the front door or open windows, but in order to keep it in the house, enhance your wealth luck by having an indoor feature. This should never be dug inside, this would be very, very unlucky.

Remember that you will feel the ongoing benefits of this all year round. However you can strengthen your connection and appreciation of the water feature and the outdoor space by being able to spend more time in it, during the winter months.

*Five elements in Feng Shui and also in traditional Chinese medicine are fire, earth, metal, water and wood.

Feng Shui Interprets Qi Flow Between Doors and Windows

Feng Shui theory has some basic qi flow principles regarding the air currents which pass between doors and windows, but many consumers and novices misinterpret these principles. The shortest distance between two points may or may not be a straight line, but when there is an exterior door aligned directly with another exterior door, this can end up being a house where it is harder to save money. The concept is that the qi flow is unimpeded and will pick speed, escaping the structure before sufficiently nurturing it.

Why is that? Mysterious as it may seem, qi (pronounced "chee") can affect our health and our ability to save our monetary gains. A house with two doors directly aligned can be seen as an easy leak of the qi. If it escapes the house too quickly, the occupants can't hang onto it long enough to dwell in the incoming qi and prosper.

Where this principle gets distorted or misinterpreted includes the following: Firstly, we are referring to exterior doors and not the direct alignment of interior doors. If you have two bedroom doors that are aligned directly across the hallway, this is not the same leaking of qi. As well, if one of the exterior doors is not used much, then its direct alignment with another door or window is nearly a moot point. A common example of this is the house where the front door is aligned directly with a set of French doors leading to the backyard. But when the occupants enter through their garage 90% of the time, then this design flaw is not such a big deal.

It is the door-to-door alignment which is the worst case scenario; however, an exterior door aligned directly with a window can be a secondary problem. Even if it is a window which does not open, a window is more porous than a solid wall. The energy goes through walls, so the thicker the wall or the sealed window, the less of a problem this is. The situation with closed doors is that qi can escape through the space around the door frame as it travels along walls.

If a bed is aligned with the bedroom door and a bedroom window, this is not ideal and could contribute to sleep problems, but it is in a different category entirely from the exterior door to window alignment.

Direct door to door or window alignments are not reasons to panic or move out of the house. This is a fairly easy fix and any number of objects can be used to buffer or re-direct the flow of air currents. Live plants and water features can re-direct the qi and they do not even have to be positioned exactly in line with the doors. Hanging lighting fixtures can slow down the path of qi on the upper level of a room and most other furniture, such as couches or chairs can slow down the path of qi on the lower level.

Window treatments, such as shutters and drapes can also help halt the qi (air currents) from escaping through the windows. This is all common sense and it goes without saying that you don't want to install one solution which will cause a different problem. For example, having a standing screen between two exterior doors can be effective, as a faux wall, but should not be used if it is going to make a room look and feel awkward, make the room feel congestive or dark. It is also essential to open windows on a regular basis to bring in fresh air.