I love Amsterdam for all kinds of reasons. Feng shui is one of them, with the most amazing architecture and rhizomatic canals that make this city so vibrant and friendly. Let’s explore why Amsterdam is a model feng shui city.

Eurostar to Amsterdam Central Station made Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, a very popular place to visit with 14 million tourists a year. What’s the attraction?

A very short history of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is named after a 13the century dam on the river Amstel. Amsterdam has more museum per square meter than any other city with the Rijksmuseum being the biggest which houses 800 years of Dutch history. Micropia, a zoo and a museum, a winner of European Museum Awards for the ‘Most innovative museum’ is an interesting place to visit.

The energy flow of Amsterdam – the city of cycles
Over 800 000 bikes make Amsterdam a very cycle-friendly city (only 263 000 cars) which makes 53% of traffic is cycling and comfortable to get around by bike.

Canals and bridges make Amsterdam a very much connected place itself to live as well as internationally (327 international destinations from Schiphol Airport).

The water element of Amsterdam and why there are so many canals?
There are 60 miles of canals (which outstrip those of Venice and Birmingham combined) which make Amsterdam a very rhizomatic city. In short, there were marshes before and to make good use of the land, they’ve dug out all the mud and made the levees on the sides of the canals from that dug-out mud.

Water the element of wealth in feng shui makes Amsterdam a growing business metropolis and a hub with many companies moving here as a result of Brexit.

A French philosopher Gilles Deleuze (who was a great fan of Spinoza), at the beginning of his book A Thousand Plateaus calls Amsterdam the “rhizome city.” What does he mean by that? He says, “Amsterdam, a city entirely without roots, a rhizome-city with its stem-canals, where utility connects with the greatest folly in relation to a commercial war machine.” Anyone who enters Amsterdam finds it difficult to leave.

Arial views of Amsterdam
To appreciate the panoramic views of Amsterdam, go to Over The Edge at A’DAM LOOKOUT.

Spiritual feng shui of Amsterdam
Saint Nicholas Church was founded c. 1213AD. The Westerkerk Church, Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk (the New Church) are interesting churches to visit.

Famous Amsterdammers and Dutch mentality
Famous Amsterdammers include Anne Frank, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, Spinoza (one of my favourite philosophers) and Daniel Farenheight.

Dutch are very practical and business-minded with a healthy work-life balance.

Why the Dutch have the secret to happiness? Niksen
It’s ‘niksen’, a Dutch concept for ‘doing nothing’ which means taking time to be unproductive that makes them happier and healthier (Dutch are listed on the 5th place on the UN’s World Happiness Report as opposed to the UK ranked at 15th) . Niksen is not like mindfulness. It has no purpose whatsoever. As WHO (World Health Organisation) recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon caused by chronic workplace stress and drive to achieve more – being aimless might be a ‘cure’. How do you do niksen then? Do what you like BUT not something that might be useful, for example, stare out of the window, listen to music, sunbathe, daydream, let your mind wander without switching to action… do zilch, be idle is the spirit of niksen.

Food energetics
Jenever, the Dutch prequel to gin is one drink to try. And the first thing I always do when coming to Amsterdam is to visit Confectionery Lanskroon for cinnamon croissants that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world.

Metrics
Population: 863 000 in the city, 2.4 million in the metropolitan area
Murders: 14
Unemployment: 5%
Media: 8 national papers based in the city, 1 dedicated to Amsterdam
Culture: 180 art galleries, 26 libraries, 21 cinemas
Bookshops: my favourite one is The American Book Center

Feng shui consultants in Amsterdam

A quick Google search revealed that there are not many feng shui consultants in Amsterdam. So if you live in Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands and are looking for a feng shui consultant feel free to call/text/Whatsapp me on +44 7956 288574 for a quote for feng shui consultation for your home or workplace. I’d be happy to travel to Amsterdam or do a remote feng shui consultation via Skype / FaceTime or Whatsapp. Email me
I’d be happy to come to Amsterdam and teach feng shui class or workshop if you’re willing to organise it.