Feng Shui Universal Topics

The International Feng Shui Guild offers these Universal Topics to our members, and the community at large with the hope that they become an instrument for unification and learning.

For a community to exist, solidify and evolve, acceptance of a common baseline of knowledge is necessary. Because our community is so diverse in orientation, education and experience, there are many instances of divergence in viewpoint and beliefs. And while we welcome this diversity and the many opportunities it offers for growth and learning, we feel the Universal Topics focus on what we have in common. For this reason we have avoided topics or subjects that are specific or exclusive creations or vehicles of any particular school.

We intend these Universal Topics to serve as the baseline of knowledge necessary for a professional practitioner of Feng Shui. We encourage all current members, future members and practitioners to study and expand their awareness in all of these topics as they continue their education and broaden their knowledge and understanding of Feng Shui. The Universal Topics are not meant to force a prescribed definition or curriculum but to serve as a guideline for those topics that are universal to most perspectives. We encourage all schools to embrace the Universal Topics in addition to their current curriculum and focus.

The Education Committee was created to research and develop standards within our community for practitioners and schools with the intention of uniting all perspectives through inclusion of those subjects that are universal or shared by most schools and perspectives. While there are many additional topics and subjects in the field of Feng Shui, they are not included in the Universal Topics because they are not universal to most perspectives. This does not diminish the viability, validity or significance of those topics. We encourage the public to embrace all perspectives as valid and effective.

All definitions provided below are found in greater detail in the International Feng Shui Guild - Feng Shui Glossary.

Universal Topics Summary

History and Origins of Feng Shui
Form School
Chi
Core Concepts
Practitioner Guidelines 

History and Origins of Feng Shui

* Form School – The original school of Feng Shui based on the observation of topographical features.
* I Ching - Also known as the Book of Changes, describing all movements and developments of every event or phenomenon in the universe. It consists of sixty- four hexagrams based on combinations of the eight trigrams.
* Lo Shu and Trigrams - Lo Shu is the foundation of all Feng Shui numerology. It is a three by three grid with a sequence of numbers. It is also called the magic square because any three sectors add up to fifteen along any diagonal, vertical, or horizontal line. Trigrams are symbols consisting of three horizontally drawn straight and broken lines, each above the other, denoting yin/yang relationships originating from the I Ching
* Compass School - (An historical perspective) An early school of Feng Shui that developed after Form School. A Lo Pan or compass is used for diagnosing the energies within a space.
* Feng Shui in Modern Times - a broad array of contemporary Feng Shui practices reflecting the evolution of Feng Shui in Modern Times. (historical perspective)
* Adjustments and Remedies (from an historical, informative perspective) ¬- An object, talisman ritual, prayer, action or intention used to achieve the greatest balance, harmony, and the most beneficial qi in a space. Can also be used to suppress, neutralize or dissipate negative or stagnant energies or qi.
      * Transcendental - a spiritual or ritualistic solution used to complement and  reinforce the mundane, common sense solutions.
      * Elemental – A remedy or solution based on the Five Elements.
* Shapes and Symbols - an object or shape that has historical association with traditional Feng Shui.
* Space Clearing - Refers to any method used to dissipate negative, stagnant, or inauspicious energy in a space, whether residual or current. It is also used to impart positive intention to benefit all within the environment, to raise the vibratory level, or qi.

Form School - The original school of Feng Shui based on the observation of topographical features.

* Exterior Placement – Finding auspicious or inauspicious locations for buildings based on the influences of the exterior environment.
* Locating Building Site
* Study of Landforms – Shapes and contours in the environment and their respective effects on the energetics of any particular site.  
* Lot and Building Shapes - Specific shapes of building and lots that are auspicious or inauspicious  
* Interior Layout & Furniture Placement - application of the principles of Form School as it applies to the interior layout and placement of furniture.     

Chi - refers to all forms of vital energy and it's flow

* Flow -characteristic of the natural movement of energy
* Clutter and Blockages - impediment of the natural flow of energy
* Sheng Chi – Positive, beneficial life energy.
* Sha Chi – Negative or harmful energy.

Core Concepts

* Bagua - diagram consisting of eight areas or houses. Each house is named after a specific IChing trigram representing a particular aspect of life.
* Yin/Yang - A concept from the I Ching denoting the opposite polarities that came into being when the universe came into manifestation; the Daoist idea that unites all opposites as complimentary inseparable forces.
* 5 Elements - The Five Elements consist of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Interaction between these elements and qi form the foundation theory for achieving Feng Shui balance. 

Practitioner Guidelines

* IFSG Code of Ethics for Practicing Feng Shui Consultants

 

 

 All definitions provided above are found in greater detail in the International Feng Shui Guild - Feng Shui Glossary.

          

The International Feng Shui Guild would like to thank the Education Committee:
Laurie Bornstein - Committee Chair, Harrah Brown,  Terah Collins, James Jay, Katina Lemay, Johnathan Ng,  Gisela Stehr and Sylvia Watson.

Past committee members involved in the development of the Universal Topics include: Anne Mansfield, Rosalie Prinzivalli, Lynne Ashdown, Martine Bloquiaux, Mary Shurtleff, Yasha Jampolsky, Michelle Sayres and Diana Garber.
  

Feng Shui Universal Topics The International Feng Shui Guild offers these Universal Topics to our members, and the community at large with the hope that they become an instrument for unification and learning. For a community to exist, solidify and evolve, acceptance of a common baseline of knowledge is necessary. Because our community is so diverse in orientation, education and experience, there are many instances of divergence in viewpoint and beliefs. And while we welcome this diversity and the many opportunities it offers for growth and learning, we feel the Universal Topics focus on what we have in common. For this reason we have avoided topics or subjects that are specific or exclusive creations or vehicles of any particular school. We intend these Universal Topics to serve as the baseline of knowledge necessary for a professional practitioner of Feng Shui. We encourage all current members, future members and practitioners to study and expand their awareness in all of these topics as they continue their education and broaden their knowledge and understanding of Feng Shui. The Universal Topics are not meant to force a prescribed definition or curriculum but to serve as a guideline for those topics that are universal to most perspectives. We encourage all schools to embrace the Universal Topics in addition to their current curriculum and focus. The Education Committee was created to research and develop standards within our community for practitioners and schools with the intention of uniting all perspectives through inclusion of those subjects that are universal or shared by most schools and perspectives. While there are many additional topics and subjects in the field of Feng Shui, they are not included in the Universal Topics because they are not universal to most perspectives. This does not diminish the viability, validity or significance of those topics. We encourage the public to embrace all perspectives as valid and effective. All definitions provided below are found in greater detail in the International Feng Shui Guild - Feng Shui Glossary. Universal Topics Summary History and Origins of Feng ShuiForm SchoolChiCore ConceptsPractitioner Guidelines  History and Origins of Feng Shui * Form School – The original school of Feng Shui based on the observation of topographical features.* I Ching - Also known as the Book of Changes, describing all movements and developments of every event or phenomenon in the universe. It consists of sixty- four hexagrams based on combinations of the eight trigrams.* Lo Shu and Trigrams - Lo Shu is the foundation of all Feng Shui numerology. It is a three by three grid with a sequence of numbers. It is also called the magic square because any three sectors add up to fifteen along any diagonal, vertical, or horizontal line. Trigrams are symbols consisting of three horizontally drawn straight and broken lines, each above the other, denoting yin/yang relationships originating from the I Ching* Compass School - (An historical perspective) An early school of Feng Shui that developed after Form School. A Lo Pan or compass is used for diagnosing the energies within a space. * Feng Shui in Modern Times - a broad array of contemporary Feng Shui practices reflecting the evolution of Feng Shui in Modern Times. (historical perspective)* Adjustments and Remedies (from an historical, informative perspective) ¬- An object, talisman ritual, prayer, action or intention used to achieve the greatest balance, harmony, and the most beneficial qi in a space. Can also be used to suppress, neutralize or dissipate negative or stagnant energies or qi.      * Transcendental - a spiritual or ritualistic solution used to complement and  reinforce the mundane, common sense solutions.      * Elemental – A remedy or solution based on the Five Elements.* Shapes and Symbols - an object or shape that has historical association with traditional Feng Shui.* Space Clearing - Refers to any method used to dissipate negative, stagnant, or inauspicious energy in a space, whether residual or current. It is also used to impart positive intention to benefit all within the environment, to raise the vibratory level, or qi. Form School - The original school of Feng Shui based on the observation of topographical features. * Exterior Placement – Finding auspicious or inauspicious locations for buildings based on the influences of the exterior environment.* Locating Building Site * Study of Landforms – Shapes and contours in the environment and their respective effects on the energetics of any particular site.  * Lot and Building Shapes - Specific shapes of building and lots that are auspicious or inauspicious  * Interior Layout & Furniture Placement - application of the principles of Form School as it applies to the interior layout and placement of furniture.      Chi - refers to all forms of vital energy and it's flow * Flow -characteristic of the natural movement of energy* Clutter and Blockages - impediment of the natural flow of energy* Sheng Chi – Positive, beneficial life energy.* Sha Chi – Negative or harmful energy. Core Concepts * Bagua - diagram consisting of eight areas or houses. Each house is named after a specific IChing trigram representing a particular aspect of life. * Yin/Yang - A concept from the I Ching denoting the opposite polarities that came into being when the universe came into manifestation; the Daoist idea that unites all opposites as complimentary inseparable forces.* 5 Elements - The Five Elements consist of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Interaction between these elements and qi form the foundation theory for achieving Feng Shui balance.  Practitioner Guidelines * IFSG Code of Ethics for Practicing Feng Shui Consultants      All definitions provided above are found in greater detail in the International Feng Shui Guild - Feng Shui Glossary.            The International Feng Shui Guild would like to thank the Education Committee:Laurie Bornstein - Committee Chair, Harrah Brown,  Terah Collins, James Jay, Katina Lemay, Johnathan Ng,  Gisela Stehr and Sylvia Watson. Past committee members involved in the development of the Universal Topics include: Anne Mansfield, Rosalie Prinzivalli, Lynne Ashdown, Martine Bloquiaux, Mary Shurtleff, Yasha Jampolsky, Michelle Sayres and Diana Garber.