Feng Shui for Dummies

Benefit 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 practical tips and advice, Feng Shui For Dummies shows you how to feel and access the energy of your environment and create harmony and happiness in your life.

P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you're probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Feng Shui For Dummies (9780470769324). The book you see here shouldn't be considered a new or updated product. But if you're in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We're always writing about new topics!

David Daniel Kennedy is one of America's best-known experts on the subject of Feng Shui. He is the author of Feng Shui Tips for a Better Life, Feng Shui for Abundance, and the Feng Shui Home Study Course. A direct student of the late Feng Shui Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun, Kennedy is a true expert at translating the art of Feng Shui into simple, practical methods you can use to transform your life.

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

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