Description
Book SynopsisBenefit from the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui
Take a look around you. What do you see? Whether or not you''re aware of it, your environment profoundly affects your health, wealth, family life, relationship, and yes, even your destiny.
Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway), which means wind water, is the ancient Chinese study of harmony and energy flow between you and your physical surroundings. Now, Feng Shui For Dummies, 2nd Edition shows you how you can apply Feng Shui principles to your home (inside and out) and workplace (from window office to cubicle) in order to achieve a better life.
- Principles are explained in an easy-to-understand language
- Practical tips show you how to incorporate the traditions of Feng Shui to your everyday life
- Before-and-after illustrations and full-color photos of real-life Feng Shui makeovers in an all-new 8-page color insert
Free of technical jargon and brimming with prac
Table of Contents
Foreword xix
Introduction 1
About This Book 2
Conventions Used in This Book 3
What You’re Not to Read 3
Foolish Assumptions 4
How This Book is Organized 4
Part 1: Getting Started: Feng Shui Made Clear 4
Part 2: Energizing Your Home’s Exterior 5
Part 3: Feathering the Nest: Nurturing and Nourishing Indoor Spaces 5
Part 4: Going to the Next Level: Using Feng Shui for Life Change 5
Part 5: The Part of Tens 6
Icons Used in This Book 6
Where to Go from Here 7
Part 1: Getting Started: Feng Shui Made Clear 9
Chapter 1: Discovering the World of Feng Shui 11
Demystifying Feng Shui 12
The Meaning of the Term Feng Shui 13
Ancient Chinese Secrets: The Big-Picture View of Feng Shui 14
Unearthing Basic Feng Shui Principles 15
Understanding the Schools of Feng Shui 20
Looking at Feng Shui Factors That You Can Use to Your Advantage 24
Finding Life Solutions with Feng Shui 25
Getting Additional Help 30
Chapter 2: Mastering the Principles of Feng Shui 31
Chi: The Energy of Feng Shui 32
The Types of Chi 35
The Flows of Chi 36
Cultivating Chi 38
Positioning: Your Place in the Scheme of Things 39
Presenting the Three Life Pillars 42
The Psychology of Feng Shui 43
Basic Pointers for Feng Shui Success 45
Chapter 3: Unveiling the Secrets of the Octagon 47
Discovering the Magic of the Octagon 48
Orienting the Octagon 54
Troubleshooting Octagon Placement 60
Changing Your Life with the Octagon 62
Chapter 4: Picking Up Your Feng Shui Tools 63
So What is a Feng Shui Cure? 63
Using the Three Phases of Your Cures 66
Opening the Feng Shui Toolbox: Creating Your Cures 68
Making Minor Additions to Bring about Major Changes 70
Chapter 5: Harnessing the Energies of the Five Elements 87
The Energies of the Five Elements 88
Placing the Five Elements in Your Environment According to the Octagon 90
The Cycles of the Five Elements 90
Using the Five Elements in Different Cure Methods 93
Applying Five Elements Cures for Life Change 96
Chapter 6: Tapping the Inner Power of Feng Shui 97
Introducing the Outer and Inner Aspects of Feng Shui 98
Discovering the Magic of Intention 98
Applying the Power of Intention to Cures 99
Revealing the Secrets of the Three Secrets Reinforcement 103
Frequently Asked Questions about the Three Secrets Reinforcement 109
Part 2: Energizing Your Home’s Exterior 113
Chapter 7: Harnessing Nature’s Power to Enhance Your Outdoor Spaces 115
Looking around the Neighborhood 116
Investigating and Curing Potential Nearby Negatives 122
Eliminating Home and Lot Problems 125
Sitting Pretty: Ideal and Not-So-Ideal Home Positioning 128
Enlivening Your Lot with Healthy Trees and Plants 134
Using Color to Empower the Life Areas of Your Property 138
Engaging the Power of Water 138
Positioning Outbuildings 140
Chapter 8: Making the Most of Your Lot and Home Shape 143
Discovering What Shapes Mean to You 144
Enjoying Balance: The Positive Effects of Symmetrical Shapes 144
Defining Projections and Missing Areas 146
Locating Projections and Missing Areas 146
Enhancing the Benefits of Projections 151
Curing Missing Areas 151
Fixing Irregular Home and Lot Shapes 155
Chapter 9: Open Sesame! Creating a Welcoming Entry 161
Recognizing the Importance of the Front Door and Foyer 161
Dealing with Driveway Issues 163
Clearing the Way to the Front Door for Natural Chi 166
Making the Most of the Mouth of Chi 173
Moving On In: Mastering Interior Entryway Problems and Solutions 177
Being Aware of Continual First Impressions 180
Part 3: Feathering the Nest: Nurturing and Nourishing Indoor Spaces 185
Chapter 10: Reinventing Your Home’s Layout 187
Looking at Your Home: Front and Back 187
Finding the Center of Your Home 191
Addressing Neighboring Rooms 194
Curing Opposing Doors 196
Chapter 11: Maximizing Results in the Bedroom 199
Putting Your Bed in the Commanding Position with Four Important Principles 200
Exploring Additional Bed Positioning Secrets 203
Recognizing the Critical Importance of a Good Bed 207
Improving the Power of Your Bed 210
Placing Your Master Bedroom in a Powerful Position 211
Considering Your Bedroom’s Shape and Layout 213
Enlivening the Entryway into the Bedroom 221
Remembering the Purpose of the Bedroom 222
Chapter 12: Now You’re Cookin’: Feng Shui for Your Kitchen 225
Understanding the Energy of Food 226
Maximizing Kitchen Location, Layout, and Stove Placement 226
Looking at the Stove: Your Home’s Energy Generator 232
Solving Miscellaneous Kitchen Problems 236
Chapter 13: Home is Where the “Shui” is: Enhancing Your Family Areas 239
The Living Room, Family Room, and Den 239
The Dining Room 241
Kids’ Bedrooms 241
The Bathroom 245
The Garage 249
The Basement 250
Utility Rooms 252
Chapter 14: Sprucing Up the Bits and Pieces 253
Doors and Doorways 253
Windows: The Eyes of Your Home 258
Angled Walls 261
Ceilings 262
Beams 264
Hallways: A Home’s Main Energy Arteries 266
Stairs 267
Pillars, Columns, and Posts 269
Fireplaces 269
Chapter 15: Power-Boosting Your Home’s Energy 271
Lighting Up Your Life to See Positive Results 271
Adding Life with a Splash of Color 274
Keeping Things Shipshape and in Working Order 277
Chapter 16: Improving Your Apartment with Feng Shui 281
Addressing the Common Fate Principle 282
Examining Your Building’s Structure 282
Optimizing Your Living Space 284
Delving into Details That Make a Big Difference 287
Chapter 17: Using Feng Shui in Your Office to Enhance Your Career 291
Using the Feng Shui Octagon and the Five Elements in Your Office 292
Working with Your Office Layout and Floor Plan 296
Putting Yourself in the Commanding Position at Work 301
Making Sure You Have a High-Quality Desk 304
Part 4: Going to the Next Level: Using Feng Shui for Life Change 307
Chapter 18: Hitting the Ground Running: Your Fabulous Feng Shui Action Plan 309
Avoiding the Road to Confusionville 310
Gathering the Information You Need for Success 311
Honoring the Importance of Focus 312
Addressing the Three Life Pillars 313
Analyzing the Energy of Your Lot and Home 316
Chapter 19: Taking Care of the Big Three: Your Money, Honey, and Health 317
Generating Cash Flow 318
Putting Pizazz Back into Your Partnership 319
Maximizing Health and Vitality 321
Enhancing Wealth, Relationships, and Health All at Once 324
Chapter 20: Looking Before You Leap: Selecting Your Next Home with Feng Shui 327
Understanding How Feng Shui Can Help You during the Home-Selection Process 328
Starting Off the Feng Shui Home-Selection Process on the Right Foot 330
Evaluating a Home’s Feng Shui Features 332
Assessing and Addressing Predecessor Energies 334
Chapter 21: Creating New Energy with Feng Shui Blessing Ceremonies 339
Dealing with Unseen Occupants in Your Home 340
The Advantages of Feng Shui Blessing Ceremonies 340
Frequently Asked Questions about Feng Shui Blessing Ceremonies 343
Tips for Performing Feng Shui Blessing Ceremonies 344
Out with the Old, In with the New: The Rice Blessing 345
The Citrus Water Blessing 352
Chapter 22: Unleashing the Genie: Personal Feng Shui Empowerment 357
Putting Bad Luck to Bed 358
Getting Personal with Feng Shui 360
Letting the Sun Shine In 363
Feeling Clean, Clear, and Refreshed with Meditations 366
Part 5: The Part of Tens 373
Chapter 23: Ten Principles for Success with Your Feng Shui 375
Retain Your Energy 376
Pay Attention to Life’s Feedback 376
Follow Your Intuition and Act with Urgency 376
Fine-Tune Your Feng Shui 377
Keep on Keeping On 377
Work on the Mundane as Well 378
Continue to Increase Your Knowledge 378
Keep the Faith 378
Enlarge the Team 379
Employ Special Timing for Stronger Cures 379
Chapter 24: Ten Tips for Finding the Right Consultant and Sticking with the Plan 381
Gauge Your Commitment Level 382
Set a Working Budget 382
Nail Down Your Intentions 382
Find a Real (Professional) Consultant 383
Discover What’s Involved in a Consultation 384
Make Sure the Vibe is Right 384
Get Specific Action Items 384
Just Do it — All of It! 385
Track Your Cures and Keep Your Eyes Peeled: Change is A-Comin’ 385
Document Your Life Changes 386
Chapter 25: Ten Tips for Selling a Home with the Help of Feng Shui 387
First Things First: Taking Care of Business 388
Activating Your Helpful People and Money Energies 388
Enter Buyer, Stage Right 389
Sending Out Your Message with Sound 389
Enhancing the Visibility of Your Entrance 390
Removing Obstacles from Your Entryway 390
Letting the Good Times Flow with Fountains 390
Cleaning Like Your Sale Depends on it — ’Cause it Does 391
Start Moving Now 391
A Little Birdie Told Me: The Birdseed Cure 392
Chapter 26: Ten Unique Calligraphies to Bless Your Life 393
Appendix: Feng Shui Resources 405
Index 407
