With all the focus on Feng Shui these past few years, it seems that every other individual knows at least something about the subject, even if the information may be slightly skewed. My line of work coupled with my penchant for meeting new people often bring me to unavoidable situations when you meet so and so, and ultimately divulge your job to be met with cries of delight followed by a stream of questions. The first would almost always be,
"How's my Feng Shui?"
(If I had a dollar for every time a new acquaintance asks me that question, believe me, I'd be very happy from being very rich!)
After assuring them that I could not tell them their house Feng Shui without any reference, it would be off to other questions. I am sure you would have encountered these questions sometime or the other,
"I read somewhere that placing this and that here and there would bring me good luck. Is that true?"
"Someone told me to buy something to avert incoming disaster."
"I am a Christian/Buddhist/Muslim and it is against my religion to believe in other religions."
"How do I increase my wealth luck?"
"Isn't Feng Shui some new age phooey?"
"Why don't you come by my house to look at it for a bit?"
"What colours should I wear?"
"How do I strike the lottery? Any tips?"
"So there's this guy..."
I can't tell you everything at one go, but if you are a beginner in Feng Shui, there are some things you need to know. Let's start with 5, and here we go.
Feng Shui is for Everybody!
There is no age limit nor gender discrimination as to who can or cannot practise Feng Shui. I once encountered a man in very colourful robes who informed me that Feng Shui is only for men for they are the higher elevated beings... or something. What utter rubbish; Fred Flintstone makes a much better company than him.
If you have the interest and desire to pursue the knowledge, then Feng Shui is definitely for you, no matter whom you are.
Feng Shui is NOT based on any religions
We learnt that as religion spreads throughout the world, it is infused with local culture as to make a certain religion more appealing and acceptable to the people in that particular country. Though there may be slight variations, the basic tenets almost always remain the same.
Feng Shui did originate from China and may have picked up certain Chinese cultural-sy traits throughout the years. However it must be noted that you do not need to deviate from your own religion in order to learn Feng Shui, for it has absolutely nothing to do with ANY religions.
Having said that, you may encounter fractions of Feng Shui practises. It is the same with the culture of religions -- as mentioned, as religions travel the seas they take on local flavour. Hence you have for example, Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism, and Catholics and Protestants which is more of a question of different beliefs but the same belief that there is only one God).
Likewise there are different Feng Shui sects, and some methods one sect used may not be used or even approved by another sect. The good news is, classical Feng Shui does not require the burning of incense nor muttered chants.
Feng Shui does NOT cost an arm and a leg
Contrary to popular belief, Feng Shui need not be expensive. Of course if your desire to study it leads you to the next step, you may have to spend some money on educational material -- ie books and courses. All these are not expensive and can be taken at one step at a time, however it is imperative not to fall for costly quick fixes that promise the world yet deliver little, leaving only your wallet a lot lighter. Why, in advanced Feng Shui, all you need is a good compass!
So the next time someone asks you to buy a disfigured frog in the name of Feng Shui, you'd know better.
Feng Shui is organic
You do not need to fill your home or office with decors relating to Chinese culture, unless you really like them and understand that they have nothing to do with Feng Shui. Often the best Feng Shui-ed places were done so conspicuously that you wouldn't notice a thing! True Feng Shui workings do not have to stand out so much nor look out of place. You just need a nudge towards real Feng Shui.
Ultimately it is still the study of qi and we want it to be balanced and in harmony as much as possible, benefitting you and your family members and bring in good fortune. It does not take lucky cats to do that.
Feng Shui works!
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Feng Shui does work, provided you practise classical Feng Shui and make an effort to understand more about it. Do not go for quick but expensive fixes, do not believe someone when they say they could perform a 'water dragon' audit for you in 10 minutes, run for your life if you hear 'ohm' and smell sweet incense. It is not wrong to do that, but they are not Feng Shui and you deserve more than superstitious trickery. | 
