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The Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest serves the broader community of practitioners, friends, and students of Feng Shui, but we welcome everyone to explore this beautiful art and science of space and place. Here are answers to some of the more frequently asked questions. Feel free to contact FSIM with more specific inquiries.
What is Feng Shui?
How do I know if I need a Feng Shui appointment?
How much does an appointment cost and how long will it last?
How do I prepare for an appointment? Do I have to clean my house?
What if I don't have a blueprint?
After a Feng Shui consultation, will I expect to see results right away?
How long do I have to wait before somethng would happen?
How often do I need a Feng Shui consultation?
How do I find a Feng Shui practitioner?
Is Feng Shui a religion?
What are the different Feng Shui schools? They don't seem to agree with each other.
Feng Shui is the art of balancing inner environment (person) and outer environment (space). Feng Shui tools and techniques are designed to create individualized home, work, and even outdoor and architectural spaces. When well aligned and effectively designed, these spaces better support people with their daily lives and life goals. Feng Shui involves practical techniques, such as clearing clutter and furniture placement, as well as symbolic and energy-based techniques that include mapping out your individual space and combining intention with Feng Shui adjustments. Feng Shui adjustments can work with what you have, can be affordable or no cost at all, and may not even be visible to others. Visit the What is Feng Shui page.
Sometimes you might want a Feng Shui appointment for no other reason than because you believe it will make you feel better in your space. You might move into an office or a home and realize it just doesn’t feel right. There are times when you can identify unfortunate circumstances that began right after a move. It might begin with the thought, “Ever since I moved in here…” This observation would validate having a Feng Shui appointment.
Many people benefit from making changes based on taking a class or reading a book about Feng Shui, but sometimes you want or need the support of a qualified professional. Your Feng Shui consultant can serve as your “coach” to aid in interpreting priorities and choosing adjustments that will have the most impact for your needs.
The cost and length of appointments varies with every practitioner. Practitioners at all schools have a variety appointment lengths, types, and fees. Contact a Practitioner directly for their information.
It is not necessary to clean or change anything before your appointment. In fact, it would be helpful to let a practitioner see your lifestyle. The main preparation is obtaining a blueprint or creating a scaled drawing of your space. Most practitioners request this drawing or plan in advance of the appointment and others won’t need it until they meet with you in your space. Check with your practitioner for any other preparation requirements.
Prepare a scaled drawing on your own to save the consultant’s time during the appointment. Most Feng Shui practitioners are willing to do the measurements for an extra fee; you can reduce costs by having the drawing prepared ahead of time. If you don’t know how or don’t care to do this part, find a practitioner who will give you instructions on how to measure (it is easy with graph paper and a little patience!) or who will measure and draw out your space for you.
Results vary. Sometimes the energy needed for the change you desire just needs a boost and your Feng Shui adjustments may work quickly. Other times it could take longer, depending on the changes you ask for. For example, a house might sell within the first hour after a Feng Shui consultation, but getting that new job might take months before all the right things fall into place. You may not always recognize the change–having a car insurance premium drop in cost may not look like what you had in mind when you specified that you wanted more money. A Feng Shui appointment is a personal and powerful experience; it is important to be open to what may come your way and to watch for subtle changes. Likewise, it is important to trust that it will unfold in the right and proper time.
There are no set parameters for how often a Feng Shui consultation is warranted. Whenever there are major changes in your life would be a good time to consult with a Feng Shui practitioner. Because our lives change from year to year, some people schedule an annual “check-up.” Others feel like they have a lot to implement after the initial consultation and want a follow-up within a few months. The choice is individual and can be made in collaboration with your consultant.
We highly recommend hiring a qualified person who has been formally trained. Check our Directory for a practitioner. All the practitioner members of the Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest are qualified and meet specific standards of ongoing education related to the study of Feng Shui. It is appropriate and should be cost-free to interview a prospective practitioner by phone or email to inquire about their credentials and determine if you think they are a good fit to assist you.
Feng Shui is not a religion, it is a practice. Similar to many martial arts, its principles have roots in ancient philosophy, and in the case of Feng Shui this includes Taoism and Buddhism. Practitioners of different Feng Shui disciplines may use images and practices gathered from many cultures around the world. The beauty of Feng Shui is that it is compatible with any religion or spiritual practice you keep. Feng Shui employs both metaphor and intention - so the more meaningful your adjustments are to you, the more powerful they will be in your life.
Feng Shui schools may have different approaches, but they all work toward the same objectives. They are each based on different but equally valid concepts or tools. There are primarily three schools: 1) BTB or “Black Hat” School, which uses a tool called a bagua for adjustments and placement (simplistically, a map based off of the entrance or doorway to an overall space). 2) Compass School, which uses compass directions (North, South, East, West) for adjustments and placement. 3) Form School, which works with architectural or landscape shapes. We recommend that you investigate different schools of thought to find the system or practitioner that resonates with you and your environment’s needs, and focus on that practice.
FSIM is consciously an inclusive Feng Shui community. We do not designate one school of thought or actual school of Feng Shui to be better or the only correct one. Many of our practitioner members have been trained in more than one school of Feng Shui.