Many of us get up in the morning and take off for work each day and do not know what the day has in store for us. However, we know that when we return home after a hard day's work, we are safe! This "sacred space" is our refuge from the harshness of life's realities, challenges and gifts. Our home is the only place where we can lay down to rest, be with family, and be the "real" person we are. Feng Shui harnesses that energy to work in tangent with nature. It builds on our need to feel safe and comfortable. Aren't these the key factors we look for in a home?

Feng Shui is pronounced fung schway. Feng Shui is an ancient art and science that balances your environment, harmonizes it, and promotes prosperity and good fortune. Feng Shui mean literally means wind and water. Feng Shui is around 6000 years old, and has its origins in China. The Chinese people understood how their environment affected them, and as an agricultural society, they knew that the two most powerful forces were the wind and water. So by practicing Feng Shui, the Chinese could study the environment, places, people, time and how those energies interact with each other. This energy is called "Chi", which is the vital life energy. Feng Shui is a practice that understands and utilizes those forces of energy (Chi) to our benefit.

Feng Shui is not a religion, philosophy or superstition. Essentially, this time honored technique is commonly applied by all Chinese to achieve prosperity and harmony in their homes and businesses. It is called the Art of Placement because the knowledge will guide us in placing objects in an environment to retrieve the best prosperity. One of the basic principles of Feng Shui is that chi (energy) or the cosmic breath is in everything, always changing, and constantly moving. It is interconnected with all.

Therefore, if you have a lot of clutter in your home, it can stagnate the energy flow in it. Most practitioners will recommended to clients that they get rid of the clutter before implementing any remedies or enhancements to their homes. Organization is key, and removing items that have no value are important, as well. Any items that remind you negatively of something should be removed, since you should surround yourself with things that you love and bring you happiness. Feng Shui, basically, teaches how to create harmony and balance around us.

Simple Architecture Guidelines for your Sacred Space

Builders and architects are now becoming more aware of the Feng Shui principles and practices. They are starting to understand the importance of how a design and location can affect people. Using the following basic guidelines, a buyer can be more aware of how energy could be in conflict with the architecture. Basic Feng Shui principles include:

• Do not have any straight lines directly facing the main door. In nature, the paths always meander and curve. They typically do not form straight lines
• High ceilings for example are dramatic and beautiful. However, it could cause, depending on what the room is used for, difficulty in focusing or concentrating. We need to ensure there is a division between heaven and earth. You can alleviate this problem by adding a border, artwork, stenciling, etc.;
• Beams are also widely used, however, beams are called poison arrows and are particularly not good for a bedroom. They could cause health and relationships issues.
• Make sure that your main door does not open up to the stairway, another door or window. This means that as the energy that comes into your main door, will go right out the window or door. The stairs may also send the energy right out the door. The spiral staircases in the "heart" of the home are also not recommended.
• Square and rectangular shapes are highly recommended for homes. The odd shapes may cause health problems and the energy to bounce around. It also cuts off certain areas of the home within the eight aspirations. Make sure the lot is level and water views are very auspicious.
• Avoid large or overgrown bushes in your front yard by keeping them trimmed. Make sure there is nothing that is obstructing the view and the chi from entering your front door. If there are any dead bushes, trees, or flowers, please remove them immediately.
• Listen closely to your intuition upon entering the home. Does it feel right? Does it have an odor? Does it provide you with well-lit rooms? Does it have wide corridors or is the floor plan cramped?

Feng Shui Guarantees?
While Feng Shui does not offer a 100% guarantee and there are some things that even Feng Shui can't overcome, you now have the ability to look at your present or new home with Feng Shui eyes. With the use of your intent and the movement that occurs with change, you are generating auspicious Feng Shui. Remember, Feng Shui is an art and science that keeps things in harmony by keeping your home simple, elegant, safe, comfortable and balanced.

About Sara Schroerlucke: Sara Schroerlucke offers a traditional, intuitive and holistic approach to Classical Feng Shui. She is certified with the Master's Diploma from Raymond- Lo's School of Feng Shui and Destiny. She is also certified by Feng Shui Master Dr. Paul Yan and continues to study with Feng Shui Master Peter Leung from the School of Chinese Metaphysics. She is the Director for the International Feng Shui Guild, Washington DC Metro Chapter. Ms. Schroerlucke's western education includes a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resource Management and a MS in Information Systems. She currently manages a multi-million program for the federal government. She is also fluent in Spanish.

Washington Post April 12, 2002