The subject of Feng Shui is often shrouded in a mystical veil, which unfortunately obscures the understandable and down-to-earth aspects of this ancient 5000-year-old doctrine. The numerous publications in the German market do not contribute to a clearer understanding, leading to significant confusion when it comes to Feng Shui.
So what does Feng Shui really mean? In fact, this traditional Chinese doctrine is so comprehensive that it cannot be answered in a single sentence. The two Chinese words, Feng and Shui, literally translate to Wind and Water and primarily serve the purpose of preserving/creating a harmonious balance and a natural flow of energy in all areas of life. Today, the emphasis is mainly on the examination of houses, living and working spaces, and gardens.
How Feng Shui works is easy to explain: Imagine standing on a hill in nature and erecting a wall there. With this wall, you alter the energy of that place. You can now stand behind the wall for protection from the wind (changing wind energy) or use it as a source of shade (altering light and warmth energy). Depending on how a building is positioned in its surroundings, it can either support or hinder the people and the environment. Therefore, it matters where you place your house or which apartment you move into. Examples such as recurring landslides or floods that devastate entire areas clearly demonstrate the consequences of ignoring basic Feng Shui principles.
The consequences of neglecting natural conditions are not always as dramatic, of course. The natural flow of energy often subtly indicates favorable/unfavorable places for the residents of a house or an apartment. The Chinese refer to this as the flow of Qi. Qi encompasses all forms of energy that surround us, such as wind, water, or light. When this energy flows too quickly through a house, it can be destructive. However, guiding the energy purposefully and in gentle waves through the living or working space has a positive effect on the people who live or work there.
Why is this so? Imagine being by the sea, the sun is shining, and a gentle breeze is blowing. You're lying in the sand, relaxing. If the wind suddenly strengthens, this harmony is disrupted. Suddenly, you have sand in your eyes and nose, and the wind uncomfortably cools your skin. One doesn't need to be a Feng Shui expert to imagine that a living environment with such energy drafts is not comfortable. Nevertheless, such "drafts," which can be created, for example, by opposing windows and doors, can be found in almost every modern house.
In Feng Shui, it is essential to create a harmonious atmosphere in living and life spaces. It starts at the front door and extends to the correct placement of beds or the design of the front garden according to Feng Shui principles. In between, there are plenty of nuances and the incorporation of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements are not only significant in Feng Shui but also in Chinese medicine, astrology/astronomy, and nutrition. Therefore, an analysis of the elemental components through the Chinese horoscope of the residents is always part of a thorough Feng Shui consultation. Every person is different, and alongside general rules, Feng Shui techniques like color, shape, or material selection take into account this individuality in the living and working environment. By the way, in our consultations and seminars, we have often observed that many people intuitively choose supportive colors for them, even without knowing their personal horoscope.
