Feng Shui Guide - Quick Primer
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Feng Shui theory basics
There is a major distinction between the serious, authentic styles of Feng Shui and the fashionable but limited "pop" (popular) Feng Shui.
Serious practitioners of Feng Shui have spent years learning their craft and have taken the time to learn basic Chinese in order to decipher original source texts. Chue Feng Shui, which is the style I specialise in, is the most comprehensive and accurate of the authentic styles, successfully incorporating techniques and methodologies from all the major Feng Shui schools. Practitioners of Chue style use calendars and compasses specially designed in Hong Kong, ensuring high quality and lasting solutions. Popular Feng Shui advice found in newspapers, magazines and most books is usually founded solely upon the Bagua approach with a very simplistic and limited criteria of factors often resulting in quick fix and short-term results.
Technique names and application
Our techniques are tailored to specific types of space. For example, we would tend to use the following for certain environments:
Sang Set - Room by room calculation - a general technique dependent on the overall direction of a room - Suitable for small spaces such as studio flats
Sam Hap Double Mountain (Rescue of the Poor) - Works with the source of Chi (vital energy)and is suitable for large external areas such as housing developments and urban planning incorporating thoroughfares carrying pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Yuen Hom Flying Star - Literally translated Yuen Hom means "mystery of the void". This technique is time sensitive (hence 'flying' as in moving over time) and provides information about the current quality of chi affecting a space. It helps us decide which rooms are best to use and how we can bring elemental balance. It is used predominantly for the interiors of properties such as flats, houses and offices.
Ba Chop - 8 mansions or palaces - A technique used for both exterior and interior spaces that tells us the constitutional energy of a property, and does not change over time, unless the front door or entrance gate changes position. Good for most properties, especially those with large grounds.
Kua date selection, Ba Zi horoscope analysis and I Ching readings
These represent the timing aspects of Feng Shui and are used by
practitioners to determine the most auspicious dates and times for changes
to be made. These complex techniques are learned upon completion of the 2 yr
practitioner training course.
Yin/Yang
The Chinese call these two raw energies Yin and Yang which represent the interplay and opposition of two different poles of energy, plus/minus, positive/negative, and is acknowledged by scientists to be a basic premise for change. The feminine principle is associated with Yin and the male principle with Yang.
YIN / YANG
Female/Male
Conceptive/Creative
Still/Movement
Quiet/Noise
Rest/Action
Cooling/Warming
Dark/Light
Night/Day
Black/White
Soft/Hard
Hidden/Visible
Curved/Angular
In order for yang to express itself energetically it must be defined by its opposite yin and vice versa. There can be no day without night...
Form School
Form School theory, as the name suggests, originates from observing the interaction between landform and people and is based upon a sensitive and down to earth awareness of the impact of shape, colour and texture within the external landscape upon the energy surrounding a house, office, town, island resort: Feng Shui can be applied to any scale or landscape.
In ancient times waterways were vital for the flourishing of a town because they transported boats full of supplies and workers. Todays "waterways" are motorways, roads and rail networks and the arrangement of these routes of activity surrounding a building will impact how energy is drawn inside.
A
mountain behind a village was seen as protection from enemies and a vista
point considered advantageous in order that people could see any approaching
danger. In applying this to buildings the ideal position would be having the
back nestled against a mountainside with an unobstructed view to the front.
The mountain is known as Tortoise, the view as Phoenix, and the left and
right as Dragon and Tiger, referring to male/female balance both within and
surrounding the building.
Form School principles can tell us where it is best to place a sofa, bed or a desk within a room in order that the layout of that space is supportive and ergonomic.
Compass School
The advantage of being trained in the use of a LoPan compass is that we access a more precise and subtle reading of the energy and dynamics within a property. In addition to this we use numerous other methods such as Ba Chop, Sam Hap Double Mountain, 24 Imperial Stars and Yuen Hom Flying Stars calculations, including powerful techniques exclusive to senior Feng Shui practitioners.
My Lo-Pan compass has been specially designed in Hong Kong for practitioners and graduates of the Chue style of Feng Shui. The information contained within it is owned by Grand Master Chan Kun Wah, founder of the Chue Foundation and the Imperial School of Feng Shui. Students must have completed a year of study and be familiar with basic Cantonese before being deemed ready to work with such a precious instrument.
It is impossible and misleading to distill the teachings of our tradition into a few webpages. The Feng Shui Agency runs Introductory and Practitioner Courses. Please contact us for further information. Tel 0800 458 7267 or email
The 5 elements underpin all traditional Chinese shamanism and healing practices. Feng Shui is one of the Eight Branches of Traditional Chinese Medecine. The Five Elements sequence is an analytical tool that we use to interpret the natural energies around and within us. In observing the interplay of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal we can forecast their likely influence on us. Each element has many associations (time of day, season, taste, physiological and psychological function to name but a few) and for feng shui purposes we are mainly concerned with the colour, design shape, physiological & psychological function, bodily organ, taste and time of day.
It is the art and science of Feng Shui to balance any element that is out of control or missing in a building or external space and we do this through draining, controlling or feeding the element with one of the other four. The following diagram illustrates the creative and controlling sequence of these elements and associated colours and design shapes.
Control and Creation sequence diagram
WATER
- think of the way in which water meanders and flows either as a gentle
stream or a raging river. It is an unpredictable force and can be
dangerously destructive (Tsunami) as well as ultimately serving all life. Do
you explore unchartered waters and flow with life or do you become stuck and
stagnant? Imbalance in water energy will manifest itself as fearfulness and
insecurity. In good balance there is a sense of flow and rhythm and we
neither work nor play too hard.
Energy is attracted to the surface tension of water, which is why it is so popular as a feng shui cure and great emphasis is placed on the location of rivers, lakes and roads (virtual water) in relation to your property. Its design shape is irregular and fluid, and water colours are black, blue and turquoise.
Water can also become dirty and stagnant, and this type of water attracts sick energy such as excessive or abusive sexual energies, alcoholism, workaholism and drug abuse. When placed problematically a stagnant pond or even a swimming pool can create health problems and also cause debt and financial difficulty.
Water nourishes wood:
WOOD - from tiny acorns great oak trees grow; this energy is also known as tree energy and is associated with growth, persistence and flexibility. Whereas water represents the seed or germ of an idea, wood will help sprout and push the idea forward into manifestation. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) it is associated not only with the vision through our eyes but also with inner vision, our imagination and our sense of direction in life. Healthy wood energy is flexible enough to either circumnavigate obstacles or push through them.
Woodland needs to be managed in order for it to thrive - usually a diverse wildlife would naturally manage the habitat, but due to a decline in ecosystems the woods rely on people to keep them clear and thriving. If woodland is allowed to grow too wild and out of control it starts to invade the earth and smother new life. Regular trimming and weeding of your garden allows new life to emerge and energy to circulate.
In Feng Shui, trees are very important, especially large or obstructive ones that cast shadows over a property. It is common sense not to want a tree too close to the building so that its roots don't damage the foundations, but our analysis goes one step further than common sense to assess the impact of the tree being in a certain direction. Placed in the South for instance someone in the house might be prone to heart trouble (particularly the father or eldest male), because the South is associated with the heart.
Placed in the NW the imposing tree could be blocking Leadership energy and affecting the head of any occupant as NW is related to the head and neck area.
The colour associated with wood is green and the design shape is tall and slim.
Wood fuels fire:
FIRE
- similar to water in that this is another extreme element, one that can
either burn quietly or erupt and boil like a volcano. This beautiful element
governs the relationships between self and spirit. Healthy fire energy
emerges as spirited and warm-hearted and conveys empathy towards others and
ourselves. It also influences our self-expression.
The design shape of fire is triangular or diamond shaped, so an electricity pylon is not only fire-shaped but also has a fire action (electricity). If such a shape were to be found in the area outside associated with the Feng Shui Imperial Heaven Star "Burning Sun" we would want to shield the view of this feature from the property.
Fire colours are red, pink, purple and deep sky blue (the purpley blue similar to that of a gas flame and the colour of sky at midday - hence it's association with fire element).
Fire creates ash, which fertilises the Earth:
EARTH
- relates to reliability and being grounded. Unbalanced Earth energy is
expressed in excessive worry, hurry, physical clumsiness and food fads.
Although the Earth provides us with nourishment it is our own responsibility
to ensure our physical world is supportive and we take action to support our
creative hungers. Earth is the phase of manifestation bringing our ideas
(water) through the planning stage (wood) and active, expressive phase
(fire) through to completion (earth).
Earth represents the stomach, so when our calculations reveal earth being invaded by wood, we suspect stomach or intestine problems might be hampering the occupants. If the horoscope of the occupant also reveals earth to be a weak element in their chart and they are in a wood phase, then this is even more likely to manifest in stomach (womb, stomach, intestines) problems.
The earth shape is low, stable and square or rectangular. A good example of this shape would be Ayer's Rock (or Uluru) in Australia. Earth colours are terracotta, brown, yellow, burnt orange, slate grey and sand.
Earth ore compresses into precious metals:
METAL
- Metal energy concerns itself with boundaries, communication, business
acumen and objectivity. Metal cuts through the extraneous and encourages us
to let go of anything unhealthy or outmoded in our lives be it behaviours,
thought patterns, people or work situations. Healthy metal energy is seen in
people who have a bright countenance and who are expressive and
communicative and fully present in the here and now.
The metal shape is circular or domed, and a good example is the shape of a mosque or the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. The dome shape encourages spiritual thinking because it is harnessing heaven's chi. The round shape is reminiscent of coins (metal). Where our calculations reveal metal to be in excess, a room can feel unproductive, excessively still and cool and can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Introducing some warmth in the form of soft yin fire colours or even some warm rugs or tapestry hangings can really help soften the metal.
Metal colours are white, gold, silver and most metallic materials such as aluminium, zinc, brass and copper, but the brass and copper are also influenced by the earth element because of their colour.
In the heat of the earth, metal eventually melts to flow like water and so the cycle continues.
Feng Shui Lineage & The Chue Style
The history of all things precious and unique are protected and guarded over time, the science of Feng Shui is no exception. There are no fairytales in this story but a deep love of wisdom and the generosity to pass it on.
Great Grand Master Chue Yin grew up in China during the early 1900's. During that time he studied hard for a series of exclusive examinations that would have secured him a prestigious place in the Chinese Government. Unfortunately, the world was not in accordance with the master's plans and as World War I broke out all examinations were cancelled. He left home when he was 16 and immediately joined a monastery where one of the monks began to teach him the simpler Sam Hap Style of Feng Shui. After only a few years of study Great Grand Master Chue Yin was directed to his next master, Great Grand Master Chan, then a wandering Taoist who took his student into the mountains and taught him the more complex and powerful secrets of the Yuen Hom Style of Feng Shui.
During the Cultural Revolution, he was forced to leave China and moved to Hong Kong where over the years he developed his skills and his reputation as a successful Feng Shui master. Time passed and at the age of 63 he met a 14 year old boy called Chan, he was finally able to fulfill the requirement placed on him by his own Master that he bring the teachings back into the Chan family. As is the tradition with all Masters and students, he continuously tested the boy in his charge until he subsequently passed on all his knowledge of what is now known at the Chue Style of Feng Shui.
Great Grand Master Chan - consultant to the Chinese Royal family and Ching Government (Imperial Courts)
Great Grand Master Chue Yin - Taught Master Chan Kun Wah in Hong Kong
Grand Master Chun Kun Wah - present day
In Chinese metaphysics it is maintained that without lineage there is nothing and with each passing of a generation it is of the highest honour that we in turn be the best we can. The Great Grand Master Chan He Ye was an acknowledged expert in the powerful Yuen Hom Feng Shui. He worked at the highest levels and he was consultant to both the Chinese Royal Family and the Ching Government. It is this extraordinary learning, skill and wisdom that are now passed on through the Chue Research Foundation, where Sarah McAllister is honoured to be a member and one of three research directors.