Earth Magic The Basic Elements Of Feng Shui

Some people have all the luck is something we have all heard from many people. The Chinese believe a person creates their own luck by using the basic elements of Feng Shui. They believe that people can achieve prosperity, health and happiness by using this simple philosophy.

The words Feng Shui mean wind and water. So the principles behind the philosophy involve movement like water and wind. It includes the principle of harmonious rhythm of natural energies and that all life is interconnected. Therefore, people who practice this art attempt to live in harmony with universal energies that surround everyone.

Chi is the term used to describe this vital energy flow in the universe, and the Chinese believe that this energy is what animates life. All life has chi. The science of acupuncture is based of this flow of energy. It is believed that when the body malfunctions or is in pain that the chi is blocked. By inserting needles into certain meridians in the body the flow can be restored and the person will be healed. This energy called chi also flows through our workplaces, homes, cities and world. When the energy does not flow because of blockage, areas become ill and not longer function in a positive sense.

Feng Shui is a method that is used to balance the energies or the flow of energy around and through us. If the energy is blocked severely enough it can actually cause sickness in a person's body and sometimes death. In China, cities, palaces, parks, highways and cemeteries are designed according to the principles of this mystical art.

Most people are in agreement that life in general is dualistic. So are Feng Shui philosophies. The two basic main beliefs are called Yin and Yang. Yang is masculine and is active, assertive, outer-directed and is associated with thinking, fire and vibrant colors. Yin is the opposite. It is feminine, receptive, yielding and directed inward. Its element is water and is associated with the color green.

Western civilization recognizes four elements. They are earth, air, water and fire. In the Chinese philosophy there are five elements: earth, fire, water, wood and metal. They are considered to be the energetic forces that pervade the universe. The elements are linked to colors, organs in the human body as well as the directions of the compass, the seasons and everything that has to do with living.

Each element is also dualistic, as the saying goes a double-edged sword. Fire creates the earth but it also melts metal. Earth creates metal or minerals but destroys water. Metal creates water through condensation but can cut down wood. Water creates wood by nurturing trees but extinguishes or destroys fire. Wood creates or fuels fire but destroys earth as the tree pushes up through the soil.

An Octagonal chart named a Ba-gua is used to adjust the energies of areas in a person's home. Gua means area or a sphere of activity. Activities like marriage, family, health, career, and luck are represented in each of these guas with each having a specific color attached. Fortune or misfortune is connected to the areas that are weak and are reinforced with the proper color to make it more advantageous to good luck and prosperity as well as wellness.

Feng Shui principles have been used successfully in China and many large western corporations for centuries. Learning the basic elements of Feng Shui may be a solution to a person's run of bad luck or misfortune.