Feng Shui is basically an environmental science and its origins are sìmple. It is based on an interpretation of the natural world which enabled the Chinese to create efficient agricultural systems, and also the study of the movement \ of heavenly bodies ìn order to determine the passage of time. Over the centuries, the interpretation grew more complex and became removed from ìts original purpose. As its exponents spread out from Chìna across the world, their beliefs altered to fit into local beliefs and customs and, inevitably, folklore and superstition grew up around them. Fortunately, the ancient Chinese preserved the information in written form. In essence, all societies retain the knowledge contained in Feng Shui, but it has become absorbed into different disciplines. In China it underlies all aspects of life, from nutrition and medicine to exercise and the arts. By understanding the basic concepts, we can choose designs, meaningful images and symbols from our own culture to support us in our lives. As practiced today, Feng Shui gives us advice on how to create environments in which we feel comfortable and supported. Some of these environments are common sense. Others may not make sense until we understand that by recognizing problem areas in our lives and taking positive steps to improve them, we can connect to the energy of the spaces around us and bring about desired changes. There is currently much discussion about which is the correct Way to practise Feng Shui in the West. Should we stick strictly to what ís now called Traditional Chinese Feng Shui or should we allow for other interpretations? Is Feng Shui Chinese, or have we in the West adopted a term which means something else for us? This book aims to set what we have come to understand as Feng Shui in context and, by using modern examples alongside ancient ones, explore what the basic principles are. Modern lifestyles leave us little time to stop and consider our surroundings have on us. There is increasing awareness that some aspects of modern technology, the materials we use and the substances we release into the atmosphere can create lasting damage to our health and to the planet. Although this is not Feng Shui in its purest form, Concern for our environment and an awareness of the damage we inflict on it must form part of Feng Shui for the present age. We have reached a stage where the human race has become capable of the most amazing feats on the one hand and the most amazing follies on the other. We have the capacity to cure hereditary diseases but also to let genetically engineered organisms loose into the environment in the most dangerous form of warfare humankind has ever known. We send people into space to collect information never dreamed of half a century ago, yet at the same time we allow the planet we inhabit to become increasingly polluted and less able to sustain the life forms on which we depend for our survival. These anomalies of modern living are becoming increasingly destructive and more and more people are turning to different approaches to living, in order to attempt to redress the balance. Feng Shui offers us the opportunity to achieve health, happiness and well-being through living in harmony with our environment. The intention of this book is to interpret Feng Shui for modern hd times without straying from the underlying principles. While ic cannot teach the interpretive skills and understanding which come with many years of study and practice, it is possible to give an insight into how we can interpret the principles to create nurturing and life-enhancing supportive spaces in our homes, gardens and offices. demen This knowledge will enable us to make an impact on the wider environment so that we can preserve it for future generations,