The Art of Sacred Architecture

All peoples and civilizations have developed architectural forms to channel the sacred.

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Even cultures like the Celts, who used Nature itself as their temple, did not choose just any spot for their ceremonies. They sought out places where the lines of the land suggested special energy. Most of us can feel these energies make us feel good or uncomfortable in certain locations.

Among those who wrote the most on this subject were the Chinese. They called it Feng Shui—the art of understanding the energies of a place by studying the shape of its landscape.

Feng Shui

In Chinese, Feng (or Fong) means “wind,” and Shui means “water.” This science teaches us how important nature is, and how its shapes can reveal the energies present in a location. The shape of the landscape matters, but so do winds, directions, and certain astrological influences. These are measured with a special, complex instrument called the geomantic compass.

In the past, the Chinese would never build a structure—especially a temple—without first consulting a geomancer to choose the most suitable spot or to suggest design elements to counteract negative influences in the area.

Even today, in places like the United States, it's not unusual for business owners to seek a Chinese geomancer’s advice. Sometimes, a few small changes in the décor are enough to improve business. Whether this is simply fashion or genuine effectiveness, it often works.