Practical Encyclopedia Of Feng Shui

Feng Shui is basically an environmental science and its origins are sìmple. It is based on an interpretation of the natural world which enabled the Chinese to create efficient agricultural systems, and also the study of the movement \ of heavenly bodies ìn order to determine the passage of time. Over the centuries, the interpretation grew more complex and became removed from ìts original purpose. As its exponents spread out from Chìna across the world, their beliefs altered to fit into local beliefs and customs and, inevitably, folklore and superstition grew up around them. Fortunately, the ancient Chinese preserved the information in written form. In essence, all societies retain the knowledge contained in Feng Shui, but it has become absorbed into different disciplines. In China it underlies all aspects of life, from nutrition and medicine to exercise and the arts. By understanding the basic concepts, we can choose designs, meaningful images and symbols from our own culture to support us in our lives. As practiced today, Feng Shui gives us advice on how to create environments in which we feel comfortable and supported. Some of these environments are common sense. Others may not make sense until we understand that by recognizing problem areas in our lives and taking positive steps to improve them, we can connect to the energy of the spaces around us and bring about desired changes. There is currently much discussion about which is the correct Way to practise Feng Shui in the West. Should we stick strictly to what ís now called Traditional Chinese Feng Shui or should we allow for other interpretations? Is Feng Shui Chinese, or have we in the West adopted a term which means something else for us? This book aims to set what we have come to understand as Feng Shui in…