Aion, Chronos, and Kairos

Understanding Time in Feng Shui through the Lens of Greek Mythology

Understanding Time in Feng Shui through the Lens of Greek Mythology

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of harmonising with one’s environment, often intertwines with various aspects of time. The concept of time in feng shui is multifaceted, integrating cyclical patterns, the flow of energy, and auspicious moments for actions. To deepen our understanding, it is insightful to compare these notions with the Greek mythological concepts of time: Aion, Chronos, and Kairos. These three deities embody different aspects of time, offering a rich framework for understanding how time functions in feng shui.

Aion: The Eternal and Cyclical

In Greek mythology, Aion represents unbounded, eternal time. Aion is depicted as a serpent biting its tail, symbolising the cyclical and endless nature of time. This mirrors the feng shui perspective where time is seen as a continuous cycle, influencing energy flows and environmental harmony. For instance, the Chinese zodiac operates on a twelve-year cycle, each year associated with a specific animal that influences that year’s energy.

In feng shui, Aion’s influence is evident in the use of the Chinese lunar calendar, which guides the timing of activities such as renovations, relocations, and even daily routines. The Bagua model, a central feng shui tool, also reflects cyclical patterns, with each section corresponding to different life aspects that must be harmonised cyclically.

Continue reading

Reflections on the 30-Year Legacy and Evolution of the Feng Shui Society by Jan Cisek

A personal account of Jan Cisek*

Let’s go back to a cosy Tuesday evening on cold November 9th, 1993, at Gina Lazenby’s flat in London. Gina, me, Mark Beakhouse, Graham Gun, and a cuppa or two, chatting about the charming wisdom and promise of feng shui. It’s here that Gina (with her genius of marketing) threw in the idea of starting the Feng Shui Society (FSS) – an easy-going gang to spread the cool vibes of feng shui. And, just like that, the rest, as they say, is history!

Zooming 30 years forward (blimey, how time flies!), I find myself pondering about the grand old times of the FSS. This society has turned into a beacon of knowledge and wisdom, spreading the essence of feng shui far and wide.

The FSS has grown into a treasure trove of ancient know-how, connecting age-old wisdom with our bustling, modern lives, making sure that the magic of feng shui is a piece of cake for everyone to grasp. It’s brought a wave of harmony and spark to numerous homes, offices, and lovely little corners of the world, optimising the flow of energy and rejuvenating spaces with happy vibes.

“feng shui is a physical affirmation, a ritual”

The FSS has been the heart of a vibrant community of feng shui buffs, offering a mix of workshops, friendly chats, and reads to anyone eager to learn and grow personally and spiritually. It’s woven a tapestry of people who are keen on living a balanced life filled with good vibes and prosperity.

The commitment of our society to uphold the real-deal principles of feng shui has made it a trusted brand name. It’s stood strong against the watered-down and commercialised versions, ensuring that the profound teachings of feng shui are passed down with respect and true spirit to the future chaps.

Continue reading

Hoarding – the Ultimate Cluttering. Summary of Conquer the Clutter: Strategies to Identify, Manage, and Overcome Hoarding by Elaine Birchall, Suzanne Cronkwright

Conquer the Clutter- Strategies to Identify, Manage, and Overcome Hoarding

Conquer the Clutter- Strategies to Identify, Manage, and Overcome Hoarding

Conquer the Clutter: Strategies to Identify, Manage, and Overcome Hoarding by Elaine Birchall, Suzanne Cronkwright offers hope to anyone affected by hoarding. Real-life vignettes, combined with easy-to-use assessment and intervention tools, support those who hoard―and those who care about them. Written by Elaine Birchall, a social worker dedicated to helping people declutter and achieve long-term control over their belongings, the book

• provides an overview of hoarding, defining what it is―and is not
• explains the difference between clutter and hoarding
• describes different types of hoarding in detail, including impulse shopping, “closet” hoarding, and animal hoarding
• debunks myths about hoarding and hoarders
• explores the effects that hoarding has on relationships, on work, and on physical and financial health
• presents a practical, step-by-step plan of action for decluttering
• contains dedicated advice from individuals who have successfully overcome their hoarding disorder

 

 

Continue reading

Top Books on Electrosmog, Electromagnetic Pollution, EMFs and What to Do about It with Practical Solutions

There are many books on electromagnetic pollution, EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies) and solutions to the problem of electrosmog. I suggest starting with these three books that cover most of the subject and offer simple solutions and preventive measures.

Overpowered: The Dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMF) and What You Can Do about It by Martin Blank, PhD

Overpowered The Dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation What You Can Do about It by Martin Blank

Overpowered The Dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation What You Can Do about It by Martin Blank

Keys, wallet, cell phone . . . ready to go! Cell phones have become ubiquitous fixtures of twenty-first-century life—suctioned to our ears and stuck in our pockets. Yet, we’ve all heard whispers that these essential little devices give you brain cancer. Many of us are left wondering, as Maureen Dowd recently asked in the New York Times, “Are cells the new cigarettes?”

Overpowered brings readers, in accessible and fascinating prose, through the science, indicating biological effects resulting from low, non-thermal levels of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (levels considered safe by regulatory agencies), coming not only from cell phones but many other devices we use in our homes and offices every day.

Dr. Blank arms us with the information we need to lobby the government and industry to keep ourselves and our families safe.

Order it on Amazon: Overpowered: The Dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation (EMF) and What You Can Do about It by Martin Blank, PhD

Continue reading

Mold – Debunking Myths And Disinformation – Mold Money by Dan Stih

 Excerpted from Mold Money: How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Mold Remediation and Make Sure the Mold Is Gone by Dan Stih. The book is available both in print and in the Kindle format

PART 1: MOLD 101

DEBUNKING MYTHS AND DISINFORMATION

CHAPTER 1 MOLD BASICS

What Mold Remediators Don’t Want You to Know
First I want to give my regards to the good mold remediators out there. You know who you are. You earn your money honestly by doing quality work.

Now that I’ve cleared the air, here’s what those doing mold remediation the wrong way, don’t want you to know. What they are doing is not that difficult. They make lots of money charging you what a good mold remediator does (remove mold) and they don’t remove the mold or all of it. Many charge for equipment they do not know how to use, equipment that might as well not be used, and equipment that could be contaminating your house with mold from the last job it was used it on.

The average remediator does not want you to know this – they are doing the same thing a general contractor can do: tear out drywall and make a big mess. A good mold remediator ALSO does an impeccable job of cleaning. It’s time consuming. That’s not the norm. The norm is, let’s charge a lot of money because it’s “mold”, then get in there and tear things out while the owner thinks we are doing some kind of specialized, technical work.

Some remediators scare you to the point you can’t pause to ask yourself, “Is it that bad? Do I have to do this?” You’re like a deer in the headlights panicking for the safety of your family. You may feel like just writing them a check. The trouble is, “Just getting it done,” doesn’t mean it will be done right. Sometimes remediators make things worse.

I’ve worked in various states across the country and it’s the same wherever I go – good intentions by mold remediators that do not understand how mold is supposed to be removed. I find companies that complain about how difficult (more expensive) it will be to remove mold after I explain how it’s supposed to be done.

Most states do not have mold laws. Laws aren’t the answer. All the remediator has to do is pay a fee and they get certified.

Continue reading

Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Is Doing to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family by Dr Devra Davis

Watch Dr Devra Davis, the founding director for the Center for Environmental Oncology, author of two important books Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Is Doing to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family and The Secret History of the War on Cancer

Summary for personal action
• Use a headset or a wireless headphone with a low-power Bluetooth emitter. Using a wired headset with a microphone reduces the amount of radiation to the brain, as does using a speakerphone with the phone held a hand’s distance away. If you use a wireless headset, turn it off when you’re not using it.

Continue reading

Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment Theories and Applications (Enhanced New Edition) by Michael Y. Mak, Albert T. So (2015)

Summary of Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment: Theories and Applications (Enhanced New Edition) by Michael Y. Mak, Albert T. So (2015)

Michael Y. Mak’s and Albert T. So’s study explores integrating traditional feng shui principles into the preliminary building design process using a knowledge-based expert systems approach. This interdisciplinary research combines ancient Chinese geomantic techniques with modern technological methods to enhance the design and evaluation of building environments.

Michael Y. Mak is a lecturer at the School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle, Australia. He has co-authored a book titled Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment: Theories and Applications with Albert T. So. This book aims to integrate historical feng shui theories with scientific data and practical applications. The book offers an in-depth view of feng shui by combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, likely covering:

  • Fundamentals of scientific feng shui
  • Case studies demonstrating practical applications
  • Integration of historical theories with scientific data

For the full content list, go to Google books: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Scientific_Feng_Shui_for_the_Built_Envir/TX_tBgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Scientific+Feng+Shui+for+the+Built+Environment+-+Fundamentals+and+Case+Studies+by+Michael+Y.+Mak+and+Albert+T.+So&printsec=frontcover

Objectives

The primary objective of Mak’s and So’s research is to evaluate the application of feng shui knowledge within the context of building design through an expert systems approach. The study aims to develop a systematic framework that leverages feng shui principles to improve the quality and performance of architectural designs.

Continue reading

The Luck Factor according to Dr Richard Wiseman – Four Scientific and Practical Principles for Increasing Your Luck

LUCK FACTOR – Are You Feeling Lucky? If you want to increase your luck, there is a scientific way to do that. Read on if you want to know how to get luckier…

Luck in Chinese

Luck in Chinese

You are lucky. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve demonstrated to yourself that you are already lucky and you’ve made the first step to becoming more lucky in any area of your life, personal and professional. Keep reading…

The Luck Project was originally conceived to scientifically explore psychological differences between people who considered themselves exceptionally lucky and unlucky. This initial work was funded by The Leverhulme Trust and undertaken by Dr. Richard Wiseman in collaboration with Dr. Matthew Smith and Dr. Peter Harris. To explore the subject more read ‘The Luck Factor’ by Dr. Richard Wiseman. Through the Luck School, unlucky people become lucky and lucky people become even luckier.

“Fortune favours the prepared mind.” Louis Pasteur

Continue reading

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” Winston Churchill’s thinking and meaning behind it

 “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” Winston Churchill

"We shape our buildings thereafter they shape us." Winston Churchill

“We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.”
Winston Churchill

The context behind this quote

Winston Churchill’s aphorism “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” was made during 1943 (28 October) debate about replacing the bombed-out House of Commons chamber. He was adamant about constructing it on the same spot as the old one, despite being much too small for the members of parliament. Churchill was against “giving each member a desk to sit at and a lid to bang” because he argued that overcrowding fostered a much stronger sense of atmosphere and political debate, i.e. and confrontational design helps to keep debates lively and robust but also intimate keeping a “sense of crowd and urgency.” and the House would be empty most of the time. Since then politicians regretted following his advice. Crowded atmosphere works very well for parties but not necessary for confrontational political debates. Feng shui advises against confrontational designs which keep people in fixed mindsets about things.

Continue reading

Divination: A Window into the Unseen World and Its Role in Feng Shui

Divination: A Window into the Unseen World and Its Role in Feng Shui

Introduction: Divination, at its core, represents the art of seeking knowledge about the unknown—whether concerning the future, hidden truths, or present circumstances. Rooted deeply in the human psyche, divination has been practised across civilisations, from ancient Mesopotamia and China to Egypt and the Celtic tribes of Europe. It serves as a bridge between the material world and metaphysical realms, providing glimpses into the mysterious currents believed to shape our lives (Cornelius, 2003).

Throughout history, the allure of knowing the unknown has captivated people from all walks of life. Whether used to guide rulers in times of war, determine auspicious times for sowing crops, or bring clarity in times of uncertainty, divination has maintained an essential role in cultural narratives (Raphals, 2013). It is not merely an attempt to predict the future but rather a means of engaging with profound forces at work, seeking to harmonise human intention with the cosmic order.

Divination, derived from the Latin word “divinatio,” meaning “to foresee” or “to be inspired by a god,” refers to the practice of seeking knowledge about the future or uncovering hidden truths through various interpretive methods. The root “divinus” relates to “divine” or that which comes from the gods, reflecting the belief that divination is a way to connect with higher, supernatural insights. Historically, divination has been seen as a means of gaining access to divine wisdom, allowing humans to align their actions with the will of the gods or the forces that govern the universe (Cornelius, 2003).

Part 1: The Essence of Divination

Historical Overview: The origins of divination can be traced back to some of the earliest known human societies. In ancient Mesopotamia, priests, known as baru, examined the entrails of sacrificed animals or observed celestial patterns to predict future events, interpreting these signs as revelations of divine will (Bottéro, 1992). In Egypt, priests communicated with the gods through oracular consultations, using sacred rituals to receive divine wisdom. In ancient China, divination was deeply integrated into societal functions, notably through the practice of oracle bone divination, in which the cracks produced by heating bones were read to discern cosmic insights (Keightley, 1978).

Continue reading

Creating Supportive Environments for People with Disabilities (ASD, ADHD, neurodiversity) through Feng Shui

Creating Supportive Environments for People with Disabilities (ASD, ADHD, neurodiversity) through Feng Shui

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of arranging living spaces to create balance and harmony, can be a powerful tool in supporting individuals with disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), neurodiversity and similar conditions. By applying feng shui principles, we can enhance both physical and psychological well-being, creating environments that are not only more comfortable but also empowering for individuals who face unique challenges. Environmental psychology, occupational therapy, and design for accessibility provide the evidence-based backbone to this approach, ensuring that it is as effective as it is holistic.

The Importance of Environmental Design for Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face difficulties navigating environments that are not designed with their specific needs in mind. Unfriendly environments can lead to symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to acute pain, ultimately impacting the individual’s ability to engage in social, health, education, and leisure activities. Ensuring that an environment is adapted to the unique needs of each person is essential in creating autism-friendly spaces that are comfortable and accessible. The idea that our surroundings impact our mental and emotional state is at the core of environmental psychology. People are deeply influenced by the spaces they inhabit, and for individuals with disabilities, this influence can be particularly significant. Individuals with autism, for instance, can be highly sensitive to sensory stimuli such as bright lights, loud sounds, and cluttered spaces, which may lead to discomfort or distress (Scott, 2019). Research has shown that supportive environments—those that are visually clear, low in sensory overload, and easy to navigate—can play an essential role in improving quality of life and reducing stress (Evans & McCoy, 1998).

Continue reading

A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder-How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place By Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman

Clutter is good for you...

Clutter is good for you…

A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder-How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and On-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place
By Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman
Weidenfeld & Nelson 2006; ISBN 978-0-297-85204-

A clutter-free environment can cost you
The inefficiency of tidiness. In praise of mess. Why keeping tidy can be bad feng shui. Tidiness and order are so ordinary. The new maximalism means messy home.

This book may not change people’s lives unless they tend towards being messy. Clutter, untidiness and hoarding, are not bad habits, the authors argue, but often more sensible than meticulous planning, storage and purging of possessions.

Continue reading

Summary of The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard

Summary of The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard

Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard

Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard

Bachelard takes us on a journey, from cellar to attic, to show how our perceptions of houses and other shelters shape our thoughts, memories and dreams. One of the best books on feng shui, environmental psychology, interior design and architecture and one of the best books that changed and transformed my life. A classic book – not suitable for speed reading.

“I should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace.”
Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space

The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard was written in the last stages of Bachelard’s philosophical career and if focuses on the subjective perceptions of the house, its interior places and outdoor context. Bachelard’s reasons for writing this book is his philosophy on poetry. Poetry and metaphor are used to explain our relationship to space. The poetic imagery emerges into our consciousness as a direct result of the heart, soul and Being. Poets help us to discover the joy in looking, Bachelard suggests that image comes before thought. In this book, he expands his phenomenology of the soul, not the mind. In earlier work, he had tried to stay objective, true to science but he concluded that this approach was incomplete to explain the metaphysics of the subjectivity of imagination.

The house
Bachelard proposes that any inhabited space that has a notion of a ‘home’, has a function of a shelter to comforts us and protect. He sees the house as a maternal figure or container in which we contain our memories. Bachelard explores psychologically different aspects and feature of houses. For example, he makes a distinction between a doorknob and a key. Although a doorknob is used to close and open doors, the key is perceived more often to close and the doorknob more often used to open.

Continue reading

Feng shui means wind-water, NOT wind AND water. Here’s why.

Feng shui

The term feng shui means, literally, “windwater”. Not “wind AND water” as many feng shui consultants, teachers and even authors of books translate. (This raises the question: if reputable book authors can’t translate just two words accurately, what else can be inaccurate in their books?) There are several problems with such incorrect and misleading translations.

Feng shui, often referred to as “wind-water,” is a fascinating and ancient Chinese practice that delves into the harmonious relationship between our environment and our well-being. The term “wind-water” encapsulates the essence of this practice, emphasizing the interconnectedness and oneness of these two fundamental elements of nature. Contrary to the commonly used translation of “wind AND water,” this distinction is far from arbitrary and holds profound significance within the realm of feng shui.

1. Deep Understanding of Feng Shui
The first issue with the incorrect translation of feng shui as “wind and water” is that it betrays a lack of true comprehension of the concept. Feng shui is not merely about acknowledging the presence of wind and water; it’s about recognizing their dynamic interaction and influence on the energy, or “qi,” of a space. In feng shui, wind represents the movement of energy, while water symbolizes its accumulation and retention. Understanding feng shui as “wind-water” underscores the importance of these elements working in harmony to shape the quality of energy within a given environment.

Continue reading

Key Feng Shui Principles and Concepts

Key Feng Shui Principles and Concepts 

Feng shui is a discipline that studies the relationship between people and environments (similar to environmental psychology) with the aim of optimising working environments to boost focus and performance as well as job satisfaction and reduce stress and staff turnover among other things.

“Our day-to-day concepts do not capture what a concept is because they do not allow the full force of what a concept can do.”
Dr. Claire Colebrook, Cultural theorist

Energy and energy flow
Qi or chi or energy and energy flow is the key concept in feng shui. Human attention and focus is attracted and moderated by physical elements such as paths, focal points, shapes, colours, plants, lighting and so on.

Yin & Yang
Yin and yang is about balancing complimentary elements on every level and avoiding too much of anything. For example, angularity should be balanced with curvilinearity, warm colours with cooling colours, natural daylight with artificial lighting, etc.

Continue reading