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Feng Shui, literally translated to "Wind, Water," is an ancient Chinese art based in Taoist Philosophy. It seeks to arrange our living space in the most auspicious manner to encourage health and prosperity. This feature on Asian-Richmond.com talks about Richmond's Feng Shui, and is brought to us by Feng Shui expert Carol Louie. Please write to: webmaster@asian-richmond.com to share your thoughts!
Richmond's Feng Shuiby Carol LouieThe most striking thing about Richmond's placement in the land is the meandering path of the James River. It is unfortunate that the founders of Richmond did not know of and practice Feng Shui. If they had, the three cemeteries -- the Hollywood, Riverview and the Mt. Calvary Cemeteries -- would not have been placed where they are, since their auspicious placement at the bends of the River would be better used for the living. Maymont, however, takes the best advantage of its auspicious placement. Interestingly, a beautiful Gingko tree on the Maymont property is one of the oldest trees in the world. It comes from China and seems to fare very well in Maymont. The point is: healthy vegetation is indicative of good energy. On the contrary, Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom are located in an inauspicious area where river flow threatens whatever inhabits that part of the land. The infamous "canal wall" is an ineffective attempt of humans to "control" nature rather than learn to live in harmony with it. The Shockoe area concerns me even more from another aspect of Feng Shui that is not talked about a lot: the wandering spirits/ghosts. It is typical of Westerners to lack a connection with the land and the spirits of the land -- something that I think about regarding the proposed baseball stadium. The mountain range to the West of Richmond benefits the city by protecting her from most of the winter storms. The flow of the James River is another benefit -- if we humans take care of it. Pollution is something that ancient Feng Shui practitioners did not have to deal with, but pollution is a sign of NOT being in harmony with Tao, which is the essence of Feng Shui. Richmond would do well to learn from China -- particularly the Chinese who thought they could manipulate the land's energies for their own ends. What people think they are able to get away with in the short run does come back around to meet them -- if not in their lifetime, in another. As for the future energies of Richmond, I believe that it will take enlightened focus to undo the negative karma that has been created. As each person addresses his/her own karma, it will have an effect on the collective consciousness.
Carole Louie is a 1st generation Amer-Asian -- born in San Francisco. Like her ancestors, she was born with a gift to be sensitive to energies (particularly that of past lives and ghosts). This guided her to incorporate Feng Shui into her Interior Design practice. Louie received a degree in Interior Design at Florida State University and studied Feng Shui way on her own to better understand energies as well as her Chinese heritage. Louie practices Shamanic/Taoist Feng Shui and received three awards, including the Design of Distinction Award, for her Windward Model which incorporates Feng Shui principles into its interior design. Pictures of the model can be seen at http://www.designsbycarolelouie.com 60 |