Feng Shwhat?

I have been studying, practicing & consulting feng shui for over 12 years. Get me going and sometimes you just can’t shut me up...that is, once I get past the hardest question….what IS feng shui.   

Let’s talk about what feng shui isn’t first. It's not superstition.  It’s not a religion.  It’s not even a passing fad.  It’s been around for thousands of years.  This practice has some teeth to it!  

The term feng shui literally translates as "wind-water" in English. According to the International Feng Shui Guild (the source to find a certified feng shui consultant by the way):

"Feng Shui, literally translated, means Wind and Water. It is a philosophy, practice and art that has been used for thousands of years as a method of creating balance between people and their environments.

Every culture of the world reflects awareness of the power of placement and the value of understanding the environments we inhabit. Practitioners seek to enliven, embrace, uphold and share this ancient art. At the deepest level of understanding, Feng Shui is the interplay between the seen (our surroundings) and the unseen (energy and intention), acknowledging the interconnectedness of all things."

Still confused? Are you wondering if it's really about cleaning?  Decluttering? Moving walls? Adding plants?  Hanging crystals?  Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. And Yep.  It is all of those things and much more. 

One of my favorite definitions can be found in the book “Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life” by Karen Rauch Carter. 

"Proper feng shui is purposefully arranging the stuff around you to gain positive results.  What stuff?  All stuff—your worldly possessions, your desk at work, your toothbrush, your underwear.  Just as that Chunky Monkey sundae affects your body when you eat it, each object you place in your living environment affects you as well."

The bottom line is that if your space feels good and you feel good in it – every other aspect of your life will follow.  Sometimes you’ve just gotta have some faith and look up your local (certified!) feng shui practitioner to help you feng shui your space.  Create the best life for yourself and have some fun along the way.