SHENG and SHA Qi 

Qi can be described as Sheng Qi (Positive) and Sha Qi (Negative). Note however, that the positive and negative connotations are only to illustrate the concept. Examples of Sheng Qi are ;

• • Beautiful sights, landscapes, views, people
• • Soothing sounds, music, melodious tunes
• • Silky touch, lovely sensations,
• • Perfume, fragrance
• • Delicious food, drinks

The opposite of those would be Sha Qi. However, a note of caution. As with many things in life, these are subjective demarcations as One Man’s Meat is Another’s Poison. However, in general, the concept of Sheng (which means Life or Live) and Sha (Kill) can be mapped to the five senses of the human body. So, is there a sixth form of Qi ? Yes indeed. Remember the vibe discussed above ? Well, that then is the sixth form of Sheng or Sha Qi. A good vibe or feeling about someone, someplace or something is Sheng Qi, whereas a bad vibe is Sha Qi. In a nutshell, we humans act as the gel that brings together the Heaven Qi and Earth Qi with our Human Qi. With the constantly changing forces of Heaven that corresponds to time, whilst the Earth remains stable with the Earth’s magnetic influence, man can harness the Sheng Qi and live harmoniously and prosperously with nature.

YIN / YANG 

In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep…………and there was light. The first three verses of Genesis. In the East, a similar idea is firmly adopted in the sciences, philosophy and medicine through the Taiji.  Recent publications are shedding more light on the ultimate questions “Where did it all begin ? Why are we here ?” An omnipresent being may be the ultimate Creator, and if so, then it really is moot to consider ourselves individuals, as the source of it all is from the one infinite being. We could call this Infinite Qi, to further the concept.  Nevertheless, this presence where it must have began, is known as the Wuji, in Chinese. The void where infinite possibilities exist, waiting to be manifested into the physical (manifest) realm. The basic division of dark and light forms the basis of Yin and Yang. Where Yin is female, intrinsic, black, dark, soft, weak, quiet, resting, blue, earth…..Yang is male, white, life, summer, hot, motion, extrinsic, speed, aggression, yellow, red, heaven….and so on. That is not to say that if one is male, then he has only Yang energy….that is far from the truth. A person is made up of both Yin and Yang attributes. 

Yin and Yang is typically symbolized by a circle of black and white. Imagine if you will a sphere where black represents Yin whereas white is Yang. Within Yin, there is Yang, and within Yang there is Yin, thus putting forth that in darkness, we find light, and in light we also find darkness. It is after all, never entirely Yin nor is it entirely Yang. This symbol also suggests that there must be balance between the two, for the sphere is not all black nor is it all white. Thus, Yin is balanced by Yang, male balanced with female. 

In modern times, this concept is furthered through the invention of the computer. At the very basic level, how a computer functions is based on the concept of 1s and 0s…..positive and negative charges in the electronic switches. When the switch is ON, then it is Yang, when it is OFF (0), then it is Yin. How apt then that with that advent of computers, we are moving towards a more integrated world blending the philosophies, sciences and medicine from conceivably opposite ends of the world ? The chasm of East and West is now coming closer together to be integrated into world-wide knowledge. 

Where the West was traditionally more Yang oriented (action focused) versus the East (thought focused), these days there is indeed Yin (holistic teachings, reflection, ‘smell the roses’) growing in the West, and Yang (skylines, rising economies of the East) developing in the East. The recent economic troubles facing the world is nothing more than nature’s forces, primarily Human Qi balancing itself out. 

CYCLE OF THE ELEMENTS 

Qi can be further viewed as energies vibrating in different phases. The specific vibrational frequencies with which Qi resonate at are grouped into manifestations we call EARTH, METAL, WATER, WOOD and FIRE. These are known as the Five basic elements in Feng Shui. Their properties, movement, interaction and transformation are the key considerations. We are not referring to the particular element that is being manifested, although, for example, the properties of water and how it interacts with wood would be the focus.

The table at left shows the correlation of the elements with various things in human life.  Among these elements, the relationships are of prime considerations. A fundamental understanding of these concepts is required for continued development of one’s interest in these subjects. There are three cycles of relationships, namely the generating cycle, the weakening cycle and the controlling cycle. 

Generating Cycle 
This is the basic cycle and is also known as the Productive or Creative cycle. Each of the elements in turn generates the next element in succession, in a continuous cycle. It is a harmonious cycle and balanced. Qi is transferred from one to the next smoothly. 

Weakening Cycle 
This is the opposite or reverse of the Generating Cycle. It is also known as the Destructive or Drawing cycle. Here, the Qi from each phase or element is being ‘weakened’ or absorbed by the next phase. Qi, here is also being transferred from one to the next smoothly. 

Controlling Cycle 
In this cycle, imbalance prevails. Each of the elements ‘controls’ the other element, ie. Qi is being ‘forced’ from one to the next. This causes Qi to be weakened and depleted, leading to environmental ills. From a positive point of view, the controlling element is in charge, whereas the ‘controlled’ element is being dominated. It is a never ending battle, that needs to be addressed or ‘cured’, in order to regain or maintain balance and harmony. 

GUA

What's that ? Formally known as the Ming Gua, it is the energies associated with guiding one through life.  One may call it a guardian angel, guide star .....or just Gua.  One's Gua can be very telling about a person's characteristics and behaviors, likes and dislikes.

To determine one's Gua, all you need is the year of birth.  For example, a male born in 1975.  We add up all the numbers in the year, so....

1 + 9 + 7 + 5  = 22

Reduce the resulting number to a single digit, so  2 + 2 = 4

Subtracting this number from 11, you will get 11 - 4 = 7.  
If the number is 10, we also reduce that to a single digit, so, in this case, it will be 1.

For females, we also add the numbers in the year as above.  So, if the baby was a female in the same year, we get 

1 + 9 + 7 + 5 = 22

Reducing to a single digit, we get 4.  
For female, we add 4 to the above, therefore

4 + 4 = 8 which is the Ming Gua.  Again, if the end number is two digits, add them up to reduce to a single digit to get the Ming Gua.

Note though, if a baby is born between Jan 1 and Feb 4 of the year, use the previous year for calculation.  This is because the actual start of the Solar Year is Feb 4th (sometimes Feb 5th).  

There are 9 basic Gua types, from 1 to 9, with different personalities associated with each.  

Gua 1 : WATER.  Smooth, go with flow, flexible. Charming, courageous, liberal, quiet, pensive "still waters run deep" 
Gua 2 : EARTH. Traditional, stable, loyal, strong-willed,
Gua 3 : WOOD. Determined, fearless, impulsive, stubborn, going forth, 
Gua 4 : WOOD. Compromising, flexible, hesitant, cautious, romantic, academic, emotional
Gua 5 : EARTH.  Same as 2
Gua 6 : METAL. Hard, rigid, calm, leader, headstrong, disciplinarian, goal oriented, focused, proud
Gua 7 : METAL. Softer demeanor, but stern, egoistic, argumentative, cunning, private
Gua 8 : EARTH. Nurturers, down-to-earth, practical, reliable, good natured, hands-on, confident, sensitive
Gua 9 : FIRE. Warm, energetic, affectionate, spontaneous, passionate, spiritual, quick thinker, hot-headed

Thus, people with different Guas will have interesting relationships in their life.  Of special interest will be the interactions of spouses, siblings, family members ...etc.  Remember the cycles ? Well, the interaction of the energies of Gua are similar.