What Feng Shui is not

Some things are hard to define succinctly. When somebody asks me what I do and I reply "I'm a Feng Shui consultant" people will understand it in a different way. If they then ask me what it's all about do I tell them it's about how the environment affects their lives, or how their home fits into the landscape or how they can find love or good health or wealth

The thing is that Feng Shui is many things to many people, which is what makes it so fascinating. However, there are some common thoughts of Feng Shui and what it is so I thought I'd start defining it by explaining what it is no

Zen is a form of Buddhism where meditation is practised to achieve enlightenment

Feng Shui can help create a calm, relaxing place in which to meditate and, an understanding of Feng Shui will help you look at the world in a different way which is very enlightening.

Minimalism strips something down to its most fundamental features. In terms of design or placement this can be seen as having little furniture and ornamentation in our homes and work places and ‘displaying' what we do have.

Where this suits some people, many of us prefer our environment to be expressive of our lives which often means anything but the bare essentials

Feng Shui supports this and advises on how to express your life in successful and positive ways through your decoration, ornamentation, artwork, images etc.

Three legged toads,just like four leaf clovers, are hard to find. There's nothing wrong with symbolising luck but Feng Shui doesn't rely on superstition.

Feng Shui analyses the types of energy in your home or workplace and advises on how you can make the most of the good stuff. Feng Shui believes that you find positive energy. It's not about crossing your fingers and hoping.

Disruptive. Being told that the best place for you to sleep in is the broom cupboard or you shouldn't share a room with your partner is not realistic.

A Feng Shui consultant takes account of your personal situation and works with you to find realistic solutions. A Feng Shui consultant also understands that, sometimes, subtle is best

Expensive. Re-position the front door or your life will be doomed – and knock down this wall while you're at it. Who's got the money to do that

Well, some people have but expensive renovations are not necessary.

A Feng Shui consultant can provide a range of solutions to a problem. There are always options.

Mumbo-jumbo. "It's not scientific" we cry.

Actually, there is a lot of data from studies of our environment and its effect on us: colour, lighting, noise, electromagnetic frequencies. Before such studies we relied on anecdotal evidence and beliefs. Who knows what we will prove ‘scientifically' a hundred years from now.

By the way, do you believe in electricity? Well, we don't know how electricity actually works so that's not scientific. Maybe you should switch the kettle on for a cuppa and think about it.