Approaches To Feng Shui

APPROACHES TO FENG SHUI

In order to interpret the environment, practitioners use a number of different approaches, and very often a mixture of methods to create the effects they desire.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH

The earliest approach is the so called Form or Landform School.

In ancient times, when their needs were basic (food and shelter), people lived by the local conditions. Observing from which direction the wind were coming, they would build their homes in protective sites. They needed water to grow and transport their crop, so rivers were important.

THE COMPASS APPROACH

In ancient China, geomancers investigated earth formations and watercourses, while astronomers charted the skies. Their combined knowledge is recorded on an instrument called a luo pan, or compass.

The luo pan investigates not only direction, but the energy of each direction, depending on the landform or heavanly body to be found there. Interpreting these energies suggests suitable sites for human beings.

THE INTUITIVE APPROACH

Ancient texts, such as the Water Dragon Classic, illustrate every shape of mountain and watercourse, providing more information on the best places to build. The sensibilities of people living and working on the land were finely tuned. Their knowledge of the natural world endowed them with an instinct for suitable sites to grow crops.