The spiritual connection to the physical world is about harnessing the positive energy that surrounds us through the ancient Chinese art of placement, arrangement and connectivity known as Feng shui (pronounced “fung schwee”). Feng shui literally means “wind and water” in Chinese. The connective flux or the constant state of change between all five elements—fire, earth, water, wood, and metal—urges us to be in balance and harmonized with nature. There’s no greater pathway of least resistance to this invisible energy that is constantly circulating, or ch’i (pronounced chee) than through flowing water. To begin by incorporating water into your environment in a harmonious way, it can bring balance into your life.
The placement of water and other elemental materials attracts ch’i. While ch’i does tend to gather in certain places, the proper circulation of ch’i may become obstructed or unbalanced in the places wherever we live, or the areas of a home or office. Then we may experience the adverse effects in many ways. For example, relationships with other people may be unfulfilling, health may become impaired, or our finances may suffer. There are many different ways to improve ch’i, and one of the best and easiest ways to introduce the principles of Feng shui into your life is with the addition of water.
Generally speaking, water characteristics are used to stimulate or create wealth or prosperity. Beyond the financial representation itself, richness in the value of life itself is also considered prosperous. Water is represented by several elements in the home such as the colors of black (in the West, black symbolizes seriousness, formality, and wisdom; is also used to increase mental activity and communication) and blue-black (reminds us of nature and conveys a sense of serenity; symbolizes seriousness and dignity). Also representative of water are glass materials, wavy and irregular shapes (symbolizes flexibility, interaction, and adaptability), as well as some household objects: sinks, tubs, toilets, faucets, aquariums, pools, glass items, and plumbing. These colors, materials, and shapes all can be linked with one element or another. It’s important to stress that one element should not dominate over the others. For example, too much fire in a room can cause tension and instability.
