Cactus
Cactus are
bad Feng Shui when placed inside the home or at the front door as thorns capture and contain sha within the home. However, its an effective plant in the garden as it protects your home. Thorns or needles counter sha chi
(negative energy) headed in your direction.
Candle
Candles only count as fire when they are burning. Use them for attracting vital energy, to energize an area, and for reducing harsh light. I place a
mirror under candles to direct their energy up and raise the energy of the room.
Cardinal Points
The four primary compass directions; North, South, East, West.
Cat
Cats symbolize protection
against evil spirits since they see in the dark and frighten away bad spirits. Some refer to the Chinese astrology symbol of rabbit as cat.
CBCP
Certified Business Continuity Professional is an
international designation awarded by the Disaster Recovery Institute. One must be recommended for the certification, complete a rigorous exam, have two years of verifiable experience. Recertification is required every
two years.
Celestial Animals
The four celestial animals are the red phoenix, green dragon, white tiger and black tortoise. The front of a building (typically the smallest area of a premises) is symbolized
by the phoenix. In the rear (typically the largest area) is governed by the tortoise. Standing inside the building facing the front the dragon needs to be to the left (and takes up the second largest area of the
premises). This leaves the tiger on the right (second smallest area of the premises). If any of the celestial animals are missing or not in their respective areas, there are negative consequences. Consult a qualified
Feng Shui professional.
Center
The middle of the bagua surrounded by eight trigrams. Symbolizes earth, overall health, balance (being centered), late summer, and square or flat shapes on the flying-star
bagua.
Certified Business Continuity Professional
See CBCP.
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
A Feng Shui practitioner having achieved a certain level of expertise and/or received a certificate
of achievement or completion from a Feng Shui school (see Feng Shui practitioner). Please note: While there are exceptional schools, there aren't national standards as to what qualifies a practitioner and validates
their level of expertise. A code of conduct, validation process, continuing education, etc., are all best practices under development for Feng Shui professionals. Diana Garber was former Director of Education for The
International Feng Shui Guild's Education Committee and championed this process.
CFSC
Certified Feng Shui Consultant, a designation awarded by individual Feng Shui schools after a student completes
specified requirements. Criteria varies from school to school. The International Feng Shui Guild is working toward a set of standards to provide consistency in this realm.
Chai
House.
Chandeliers
Are considered good Feng Shui when placed just inside or outside the home as they encourage chi to enter. They can also be hung in a corridor between facing doors to eliminate the 'confrontational effect.'
Charter
A statement of agreement of responsibilities. A formal written strategy that a person or group has undertaken.
Chen, Thunder, "the Arousing"
One of the eight trigrams (guas or quadrants) of the
bagua, associated with the East, Spring, the number three, hard wood element, the color green, the eldest son, family, health, and other life aspects. Chen is denoted by two yin (dashed) lines over one solid line (yang).
Chen or Ch'en, also Dragon
The fifth early branch in the cycle of 12 life energies represents strong and active energy. It is used in Chinese Astrology and Four Pillars and is denoted by IV. One of the
mythical, celestial animals of From School lore, the dragon is the guardian and inspiration of the East. A member of the Asian Zodiac, the dragon is highly revered in Asian societies and is represents good fortune,
great strength, and leadership. It is not uncommon for Asian families to plan births of their children in the year of the dragon.
Chi, also Qi; or Ki (Japanese)
The motivating life-force also called "cosmic
breath," "prana" or "dragon's breath." It is vital energy, primordial breath, air, breath, or energy. Existing everywhere, it's the term that refers to all forms of energy and its flow. Feng Shui concerns itself with
the movement and utilization of chi to create the most beneficial support for people in their environment.
Chi Cultivation
Techniques (such as meditation, qi-gong, tai chi or other rituals) such as
acupuncture and Feng Shui are used to enhance or adjust personal chi, allowing it to flow smoothly throughout the body.
Chien, also Qian, Ch'ien, Chyan, Heaven, "The Creative"
See Qian.
Chinese Almanac, also called Tung T'su
This annual Chinese publication has advice about the best, worst, and appropriate activities, locations and more, for each day of the year. It has been widely used in China
to predict everything from the size of the yearly harvest to the electoral success of public officials. In its almanac form it is used for the selection of auspicious and inauspicious dates for all types of activities.
Chinese Astrology
Refers to a group of divination techniques first used in China, based on astrological (or cosmological) assessments. The most common form assigns a person a zodiac animal based on
their natal year as determined by the Chinese lunar calendar. This term also refers to several other methods commonly used in Feng Shui, including Four Pillars of Destiny, Nine Star Ki, Ming Gua, Ba Zhai, Zhi Ping,
Purple Star and flying stars.
Chinese Calendar
A daily calendar with the same information as the Tung T'su contained in 365 pages, one for each day of the year.
Chinese New Year
When the solar
calendar is used, this event happens during the first week of February (typically the 4th or 5th). When the lunar calendar is used, this event happens during January or February and coincides with
moon cycles. Determining the start of the New Year is essential in the calculation of several divination techniques used in Feng Shui.
Ch'ou or chou, the Ox
The second earthly branch in the cycle of
12 life energies. It represents nourishing energy. It is used in Chinese Astrology and four pillars, and is denoted by II.
Chueh Ming
The severed fate or total loss location. The most inauspicious location
in Eight House Feng Shui.
Clashing Doors
Doors that hit each other when opening.
Classic Feng Shui, also called Traditional Feng Shui
The most widely practiced category of Feng Shui worldwide.
Based on the two original types first used in China, classic Feng Shui consists of Form School and Compass School principles. Contemporary classic Feng Shui is related to, and utilizes, a variety of modalities that
include the directional use of the bagua, Ming Gua method, Ba Zhai method, Four Pillars, flying stars and more.
Clothing
What we wear affects our personal Feng Shui. Tattered and torn clothing attracts
poverty energy, which often brings about bad luck. Unflattering clothing does this too and lowers our self-confidence and yang energy (causing lethargy and vulnerability. The colors we choose can attract good or bad
luck. As part of your personal report, we evaluate your Feng Shui balance (or imbalance) and provide guidance.
Clouds
Symbolize heavenly blessings.
Columns
Square columns produce poison arrows
which can affect the health of occupants. Round them off for better Feng Shui.
Commanding Position
1) The best Form School location for the interior placement of the bed or desk placement in a room. This
position is usually farthest from the door and facing the door, with one's back to a solid wall or mountain-like feature. This position is considered the safest and most powerful, providing the widest view of the room
with the ability to see the door without being directly in line with it. 2) The best Form School location of a building on its site creating the classic armchair with the black turtle in the rear, red phoenix in front,
azure dragon and white tiger to the sides.
Compass School, also Fukien School
One of the two original schools of Feng Shui, it developed after Form School. At first a simple needle-and-bowl compass were
utilized to determine the best direction and solar orientation of a structure. Eventually Compass School incorporated principals of the I Ching and other Taoist modalities. The compass evolved into the Loupan compass
which reveals many layers of information in its complex ring system. Currently Western versions of the Lopan exist that are color coded and translated to simplify usage. In Compass School Feng Shui, the bagua is a
diagrammatic representation of the Lopan compass and is oriented using the actual directions; example, North sits on North of the floor plan.
Confucius
The legendary philosopher lived 479 BC. He is China's
greatest sage, known throughout the world as a revered teacher and philosopher. Charity and duty towards our neighbors were his daily text, while justice and truth were highlighted as most virtuous.
Contemporary Western Feng Shui
Also see Black Sect.
Controlling Cycle
Also known as five-elements controlling cycle, dominating cycle, or some refer to it as the destructive cycle (but we don't
destroy energy, it just transforms). Metal pierces wood. Water diminishes fire.
Copyright
The legal right of creative artists or publishers to control the use of and reproduction of their original works. To
secure the copyright on a creative work.
Corners
Straight lines are foreign to nature, so when two straight lines intersect, this is a powerful manipulation of nature energy. Corners are considered bad
Feng Shui as they disrupt healthy chi flow by sending negative energy. If corners 'cut' at people in front of them, this energy needs to be remedied or deflected.
Corporation
A legal entity monitored by the local, state, and national governments.
Corridors
Long, straight corridors act as arrows projecting sha chi and can symbolize harm or relationships (healthy chi has nowhere to
accumulate). Creating flow is the remedy (insert distractions or lights).
Crystals
Semi-precious and/or geological stones (such as amethyst or jade) that attract and amplify energy through diffusion of
light.
Cure, see Remedy
I don't use this term as it assumes we (man) have the answers. Others believe cures are objects, talisman rituals, prayers, actions or intentions used to achieve balance, harmony, and
beneficial chi in a space. Classic Feng Shui only uses the five elements to support, suppress, neutralize or dissipate negative energies (or chi).
Curry Lines
A global grid-network of naturally occurring,
electrically-charged lines in the earth. These run diagonally to the poles (NE-SW AND NW-SE) and were first discovered by Dr. Manfred Curry and Dr. Wittmann. The lines themselves are not necessarily problematic. The
places where they intersect with other (North-South, East-West) grid lines, faults, or underwater streams are thought to be possible sources for certain health problems. They can be located by dowsing.
Cutting Chi
See poison arrow.
Cycles
There are three cycles used in Feng Shui. 1) The productive cycle works clockwise on the element chart. It represents order and balance. Fire produces earth, earth produces
metal, metal produces water, water produces wood, wood produces fire. 2) The reductive cycle reduces the power of the dominant phase and is used to minimize negative or dominant chi. Fire burns wood, wood absorbs water,
water corrodes metal, metal moves earth and earth reduces fire. 3) The dominating cycle is exactly that, the phases dominate each other. Fire melts metal, metal pierces wood, wood burdens earth, earth blocks water, and
water diminishes fire.
Daoism
See Taoism.
Day Master
In Four Pillars, the self element residing in the Heavenly Stem of the day pillar.
Ding, also Ting (yin fire)
The third heavenly
stem in the cycle of 10 based on the productive cycle of the five elements as they go through their yin and yang phases. It refers to the more inward and recessive aspects of the fire element. It is used in Four Pillars
and denoted by the number III.
Divination
The art or practice that seeks to see or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge or information by means of intuitive powers, reading omens, and/or use
of a tool or interpretation of external objects. Divination is a universal cultural phenomenon that anthropologists have observed as being present in every religion and culture throughout history to the present day.
Divining Rod or Dowsing Device
Any devices of various configuration and material used for dowsing. Some of the most commonly used are the L-rod, the Y-rod, the bobber or tensor, and the pendulum.
DO
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dog
See Hsu or Zodiac Asian.
Doors
The size, position and number of doors of a house are important factors in Feng Shui. The front door is especially
significant as if it is the main point of entry for chi. It should not be obstructed or too small and should not be positioned to face hostile structures such as crosses or arrows. Bathroom and toilet doors should
remain closed and doors should not face each other if possible.
Dominating Cycle
See cycles.
Double-Facing, also Xing Dao Xiang
In a flying-star chart, double stars meet in the facing palace.
Example, for a cycle-eight structure both the water eight and mountain eight reside in the facing palace. The energies for this structure are said to be good for wealth but not for health or relationships.
Double-Sitting, also Xing Dao Zuo
In a flying-star chart, double stars meet in the sitting palace. Example, for cycle-eight structure both the water eight and mountain eight reside in the sitting palace. The
energies for this structure are said to be good for people and health, but not good for money.
Dowsing – Geomantic Divination
Geo means earth, and mancy means the study of lines. Also see diving rods.
Dowsing involves methods of locating and diagnosing unseen energies (especially those located underground) and has been used to locate underground water for thousands of years. It can also be used to locate other
influences at a site or on a plan or map, and can also discover other concealed information.
Dragon
Dragons bring power and influence wherever you so choose to place them. The dragon supports the water
element; best placing it facing water, clean water such as an ocean, river, stream or a fountain. The dragon brings the power of rain showers for abundant harvests, the principle of heaven and male yang power. Some
believe if you place a dragon inside the front entrance door, it brings protection to the premises and occupants. See ch'en azure dragon, green dragon, Zodiac Asian
Dragon's Lair
In Form School Feng
Shui, the location that attracts and retains the most benevolent chi. The most auspicious site to build a home or to bury the dead.
Dragon Vein
Just as the human body incorporates channels whereby
life-force energy (chi) flows, so the earth contains similar channels called by the ancient Chinese, "veins of the dragon." These channels of energy, or chi, run through the earth.
Driveway
A
circular driveway is best for Feng Shui as the round shape signifies abundance and progress. Straight driveways form poison arrows and can direct sha chi. Never have a driveway that points directly at your door. Where
possible make the driveway curve or meander. Break up its edges with overflowing flowerbeds to remove the hard angles.
Du Shu
Education with effort, one of the five aspects of destiny. Even with the best
luck, we will miss out if we do not participate in life. We must do the work required.
Dui, also Tui, Lake, "the Joyous"
One of the eight trigrams (guas or quadrants) of the bagua, associated with the
West; the number six; soft metal element; the colors white, silver or gold; the youngest daughter; children or descendants; creativity and other life aspects. Tui is denoted by one dashed-line (yin) over two solid lines
(yang).
