In a future article, I'll discuss the influences between objects. This article will focus on the nature and manipulation of free flowing chi. A gentle flow of chi brings spiritual, psychological and physical refreshment, good health, good fortune, harmonious relationships. Turbulent chi is spiritually, psychologically and physically unsettling, bringing a sense of confusion, discomfort, even physical nausea. Strong, directed chi can be battering, bringing ill health, bad luck and discord.
Stagnant chi brings a sense of malaise, a stagnation of the soul.
A major component of feng shui is designing our surroundings with the intent of smoothing or blunting the flow of chi, bringing chi into and through stagnant areas and fending off or diverting forceful flows. Chi is a natural force quite similar to wind and water. Its movement follows the same patterns, although what chi uses as channels may be somewhat different from river beds. Chi tends to flow downhill, following paths of least resistance. It tends to flow along borders and lines on the landscape.