Feng Shui is the Chinese "science" of chi, or energy flow "the way of wind and water" and the "natural Energy of the Universe." It is believed that the position of objects on the earth affects chi, or "Energy" so that it is "good" chi or "bad" chi. The idea of course is to optimize all the "good" chi one can.

More than just a decorating concept, the principles of Feng Shui can be used to rearrange your life to maximize positive energy. In ancient China, Chíi is the "Universal Force" or "cosmic breath" or "energy" of all things. In traditional Western Physics matter can be neither created nor destroyed, and all matter is potential energy. Feng Shui is the art of guiding the movement of that energy, or Chíi, so that it moves in a positive fashion to enhance oneís surroundings and ultimately oneís life.

Living in harmony with nature rather than against it is beneficial to the Earth and all living creatures. Feng Shui is the recognition that our lives are profoundly affected by our physical and emotional space. Surround yourself with symbols of negativity, contempt and indifference toward life and nature -- with cacophony and disdain you can only manifest the same in the process. Surround yourself instead with beauty, music and gentleness, and both you and your environment will thrive.

Chíi flows around the Earth, and winds its way through mountains and hills until it is finally stopped by water or disspated onto flat land. It comes into your dwelling through the windows and doors, cracks in the walls, and can be generated by what exists in the room itself.
The correct placement of furniture and artóand the addition of plants and water, nature, windows, fire and mirrors can change negative Chíi to positive Chíi.

The Chinese did this with the chart called a Ba-gua. The center of the Ba-gua is the yin yang symbol. It represents the balance of all aspects of our life. The trigrams on the chart are made up of two symbols, the mail symbol ñ and the female symbol --.arranged in various combinations.

Letís take a brief look at what each of them means:

FAME: What you are known for or identified with, personally or professionally. It might also represent your dreams.
Fire is itís element, red itís color.

MARRIAGE/COMMITMENT: Your personal commitment, like your spouse. It is also the "mother" corner, devoted to nurturing. Sometimes used for a future or desired relationship or professional commitment.
The color is red, pink or white.

CHILDREN/CREATIVITY: Living children or future children, projects or creative endeavor. This is also the future area, where you may express your desires.
Metal is itís element; the LAKE is itís physical feature, and color is white.

HELPFUL PEOPLE/TRAVEL: The most yang, this is for strong people who may be helpful to you. It is also interpreted as the place to celebrate your travels. It is the "father" corner, and represents that unit of the family.
The sky is the physical feature, colors are grey, white or black.

CAREER: Your professional life.
Water is the element, the color is black.

KNOWLEDGE/SPIRITUALITY: The mystical side of the individual associated with the mountain, meditation and enlightenment.
The mountain is the physic feature, colors are black, blue or green.

FAMILY: Current family, even if parents and ancestors or close friends who are not blood.
Thunder is the element, the color is green.

WEALTH/POWER: This represents the activity that sustains you financially. It can be interpreted however, to mean things other than money and posessions.
Wind is the element, the colors are blue, purple or red.

BALANCE: The center of the Ba-gua represents the self and health. The Yin/yang symbol represents perfect balance.
The element is Earth, the color is yellow.

In order to do your own Feng Shui analysis, superimpose the Ba-gua I have provided onto the floor plan of your living space. Arrange it so that the career trigram is your front door. Each of the trigrams will then fall into place around your living space. Examine each space and contemplate what aspect of your life is represented by the corresponding trigram in your home. Is your Wealth corner dark and dusty? Does the Marriage corner look neglected? Does the overall look and feel of that space reflect what is happening in your life in that area? To most effectively change the dynamism in that area of your life, you must make that space more harmonious, and more in keeping with what you want to manifest. The simple addition of a few elements will make astounding changes in both your environment and the action you take. Look at the space with new eyes, because now you KNOW what it means. Clean out the darkness and add candles, plants, frog symbols, incense, or water. Put in a mirror to reflect good Chíi ñ add flowers and wind-chimes. Decorate that area to correspond to what you want to manifest in the corresponding area of your life. Put a pretty framed photo of a happy couple in the Marriage area, use symbols of plenty in the Wealth area.

This is a greatly simplified guide to a very complex and ancient art. Once you begin however, the changes it stimulates are immediate and outstanding.