The Real Rules of Feng Shui

Are you someone that likes rules? Chances are that you don’t. Very few people do. Most everyone appreciates a few guidelines here and there, but usually appreciates being able to have some room for free expression and latitude. This is one of the reasons that the ancient art and science of feng shui is so enjoyable for most people – while it has some very important principles, there are really no such things as rules of feng shui.

So if there aren’t any hard and fast rules of feng shui, how can one go about applying it to your life?

No Rules of Feng Shui, Just Principles

What is the difference between a rule and a principle? Simply put, a rule is very harsh and rigid, and rarely allows someone any type of freedom for their own personal choices, judgment, or expression. It’s also something that you must do, like it or not. A stop sign is a rule, not a suggestion.

On the other hand, a principle is more of a guiding thought which allows for a great deal of latitude for someone to make up their own minds about things. Principles are like a ceiling under which there is a great deal of movement.

So if someone is thinking that there are certain rules of feng shui to be followed, they need to understand that feng shui is about making things in your home and your environment work for you, and you personally. What you appreciate and enjoy and what will bring energy and vitality to your life is not something that’s going to work for someone else. Trying to dictate “rules of feng shui” is something that’s actually counterproductive to the entire art overall.

However, the principles of feng shui are much different. For example, consider the use of color. Feng shui teaches (as do many designers and decorators) that bright colors add energy and vitality to any space, and encourage you to use yellows, oranges, and shades such as these in an area of your home where you need that added energy, such as your kitchen or breakfast nook. However, the way you apply this principle and to what degree is up to you and your own individual taste. Imagine if the “rules of feng shui” demanded that you paint your kitchen orange, and it was your most hated color! Many have also found that what works for them is to introduce these elements in small doses, in accent items, artwork, and so on, rather than coloring a room completely in one particular color.

Making Up Your Own Rules of Feng Shui

How you apply feng shui in your own home is going to be up to you. Again, it needs to work for you personally. So if you are looking to work with a feng shui expert or advisor, and he or she insists that you follow so-called rules of feng shui, be wary. Remember, there is no such thing.

Feng Shui History – Separating the Fact From the Fiction

When learning about the ancient art of feng shui, many people are interested in the real story behind it, in other words, true feng shui history and not just legend or hearsay. It’s a good idea to investigate this, because unfortunately, when feng shui tradition began to be introduced to the western culture, a lot of misconception and out-and-out untruths began to be mixed in with the real practice.

Real Feng Shui History in Ancient China

The Asian cultures always seem to have placed a great deal of importance on harmony, balance, and peace. In Japan, Zen masters taught that simplicity and hard work were the key. In China, they firmly believed that one needed to respect one’s surroundings in order to be at peace.

Feng shui history includes stories of how Chinese experts believed that the earth resonated a strong energy that should be welcomed into one’s home, and that certain practices fought against this energy, bringing disruption and chaos. By arranging their buildings and even their furniture and other accessories in the best possible way to respect this energy, the Chinese believed that there could be balance in one’s life.

Feng Shui Comes to the West

Stories about feng shui history become a bit muddled when the practice was introduced to western cultures; no doubt because there were many unscrupulous persons who realized that they could make “a fast buck” on the unsuspecting westerners who were unfamiliar with this art. Additionally, there were many New Age elements that began to be introduced and confused as being part of feng shui history, when in reality they had nothing to do with true feng shui. Crystals, red front doors, star-shaped mirrors, and other elements are included in this.

Some have claimed that this practice can heal one’s physical ailments, bring wealth and prosperity, and several other fantastic claims. None of these statements are found in true feng shui history, as those who practiced it never made such outlandish statements. They do firmly believe that the right use of feng shui can add positive energy to your life, and this energy can result in good things and your own accomplishments, but it was never meant to be some type of “magic pill” that one could use to cure, heal, or work influence over these outside factors.

Understanding Real Feng Shui History

If you have a true interest in the art and science of feng shui, it’s important to really know it’s history, otherwise you too could fall prey to one of these so-called “experts” that is not telling you the truth about its real application and use. Real feng shui history is about harmony, balance, order, and positive energy. Any stories you hear that don’t include these elements are probably just folklore and should be ignored. Once you understand the real truth behind this art form, then you will be better equipped to really use and appreciate true feng shui in your own home and your own life.

Understanding the Five Elements of Feng Shui

When talking about this ancient art and science, there is usually mention of the five elements of feng shui. Just what are these, and how are they applied? This article will give you a very simple crash course on both these questions.

The Five Elements of Feng Shui Outlined

Fire, earth, metal, water, and wood are the five elements of feng shui. You will notice that these are all natural elements as well. All of these together form a circle of either construction or destruction, as follows:

Construction: Wood creates fire; energy from fire (such as the sun) is needed to feed the earth; metal is borne from the earth; water can be pulled from the elements that make up metal; water feeds the wood.

Destruction: Fire destroys metal; metal (such as an axe blade or other instrument) destroys wood; trees or wood feed from the earth; dirt from the earth absorbs water; of course, water destroys fire.

How the Five Elements of Feng Shui Harmonize

The underlying principle of feng shui is that there needs to be harmony and balance; having too much of any one element in your home or in a particular room is counterproductive and can be overwhelming. Most rooms will have one dominant quality of the five elements of feng shui and need another element to bring in some balance. For example, think of an all-white bathroom. White is clean and pure and represents water. However, when a room, even a bathroom, is completely white, it can feel cold and sterile. By introducing another one of the five elements of feng shui, such as earth, this can tone down that sterile feeling. Towels, artwork, and other items that are a warm brown can do the trick. Or, imagine a living room that is all brown, which is a strong earth tone. You can feel closed in or overwhelmed, as this is a warm color but one that easily smothers you. Another one of the five elements of feng shui, such as fire, can do the trick. Red accents such as pillows or afghans can brighten up the warm brown.

You can apply the principle of balancing the five elements of feng shui in virtually every aspect of your life. For example, maybe your personality is strong and fiery. This can be a good thing, but too much of a strong personality can easily overwhelm people. A campfire is good, but a forest fire is bad. So, consider what you can do to tone down your personality a bit. Think of the earth as being warm and nurturing; your personality can have some warm and nurturing sides to it as well to make you a more balanced and harmonious person.

There are really no right or wrong answers when it comes to applying the five elements of feng shui to any room of your home or part of your life. You simply need to remember how these elements are meant to harmonize and balance one another, and try to imitate those fine qualities as much as possible.

Some Feng Shui Tips You Can Apply Today

If you are someone that is interested in the ancient art and science that is feng shui, there is no need to feel overwhelmed. Many people can tell you that you need to hire a so-called feng shui expert to come to your home and give you a “reading” as to where the positive energy is and what should be done in each room of the house, but this is usually unnecessary. Anyone can encourage positive energy – and get rid of negative energy – with a few simple feng shui tips that you can apply right now, today.

Feng Shui Tip #1

Probably the most basic and most important feng shui tip is to start de-cluttering. There is no more potent energy drainer in your home than excessive clutter. Old clothes that you know you’ll never wear again, broken appliances that you know you’ll never fix, all of these things are just reminders of unfinished projects and unmet goals, and are a drain on you mentally and emotionally.

This feng shui tip about de-cluttering is also applicable to larger items, such as furniture, car parts, and so on. If you have more than two main seating pieces in your living room, ask yourself why that is. If you have a garage that’s strewn with car parts that you have no use for, again, ask yourself why that is. If the answer to any of those questions is, “Just in case,” then you know that these things are clutter. Get rid of them.

Feng Shui Tip #2

Be aware of the color around you, in your home and your place of employment, and understand how color affects your mood and your emotional state. For example, a good feng shui tip when you want to increase your energy is to use bright, bold colors in rooms you use before you head out for your day, such as the kitchen or breakfast nook. Darker and warmer colors are good for when you want your mood to settle down, such as the living room or bedroom. Using warm colors of brown or green is good for these areas.

However, there is need for caution when applying this particular feng shui tip. Some people are under the mistaken impression that if a little bit is a good thing, then more must be better. But too much of any bright color can overpower you and make you feel tense and anxious. Too much of a dark color can bring your mood too far down, even depressing you. Sometimes it’s good to take a step back from your room, stand at the entrance to it, and be honest about the color. Is it a bit too much? Consider toning down the shade, or using something neutral throughout with your other colors as an accent.

By applying these two very quick, very simple feng shui tips in your own home, you can begin to feel the power of positive energy as it is welcomed and ushered into your surroundings.

 

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