Introduction to Feng Shui

I bring you this information, not as an expert, but rather based on my 12 years of studying and practicing Feng Shui as it relates to my personal home and life.  For a more authoritative opinion, my favorite Feng Shui Practitioner is Karen Rauch Carter, author of “Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life.”  You can find her book on the Featured Items list or in both the Feng Shui and the Books & CD's categories at Harmony Home Goods.  I especially like Karen’s work because she takes a simple, straightforward and easy to follow approach on a subject which can otherwise, seem quite complicated.   Come back to this site often as I will post weekly updates on Feng Shui practices. So let's start by getting familiar with some Feng Shui terms.

Glossary of Feng Shui Terms

• Chi: Vital Energy or Life Force of the Universe
• 5 Elements: Water, Wood, Fire, Metal & Earth
• Bagua: 9 areas of your home known as Guas, that represent 9 aspects of your life.  Imagine your home divided into 9 areas....for simplicity you can draw a hatch sign # over the layout of your home (not leaning, but more like Tic Tac Toe).  
• Poison Arrow: Any sharp or pointed object or structure representing negative or irritated chi energy which carries ill fortune.  Also called Shar
• Yang: Active or creative energy (male), which “moves” and has aspects of warmth.  Often represented by lightness.  For balance, Yang cannot exist with out Yin.
• Yin: Passive or receptive energy (female) which is more still and is often represented by darkness. For balance, Yin cannot exist with out Yang
• Auspicious:  Desirable and fortunate