Lately, Feng Shui has become more and more a common term in everyday life. Almost everyone has heard of about Feng Shui or knows someone who has applied Feng Shui for their property. Needless to say, a lack of education coupled with this meteoric rise in interest has led to lots of misleading information and a great sense of fear in many people who are unsure what to do.

I get a flurry of e-mails from many such people, all in a state of panic or constant worry over something they have heard or have been told by a well-meaning friend or family member regarding the Feng Shui of their house.

One lady wrote in about a painting she liked that she had in her house, only to be told by a friend that the water in the picture was 'rushing away' too fast out the door. Another young gentleman was told his collection of antiques had 'expired' Qi and was ruining his relationships.

They were literally, terrorised by Feng Shui.

Many of these mis-truths and superstitions are often passed off as Feng Shui when in reality; they are nothing more than old wives tales. And people start fearing everything and anything around them, paranoia sets in - eventually making their lives more complicated.

I've heard more than one person say they were completely put off by Feng Shui because it made it impossible to do anything; even buying furniture or painting the house would keep them up for nights as various people had differing advice on what colour, design or even building material would bring them the 'best Feng Shui'.

A Madam Ong who wrote in told me she wanted to paint the Southwest corner of her house (the Love Corner as she described it) a red color to ensure her daughter would get married soon - but was then told that this color would then 'burn up' the romance in her daughter's life and that of hers too! She was in a quandary and wrote to me asking me what could be done in this situation. Of course she had nothing to worry about and could go ahead and paint the Southwest any colour she wanted. It was not the 'love corner' as she thought it was and unless the room caught fire anytime soon, there was no 'burning up' of any relationships to be worried about.

People are just so misinformed when it comes to Feng Shui. A large number of people tend to think almost every item they have in their house that looks 'Oriental' have a Feng Shui meaning. And they fear that they've placed them in the wrong sector of their home!

Why then do people feel 'negative' vibes when they have placed a certain item in their home? Simply put, it's all psychological. It is not Feng Shui.

The item in question may have been sitting on the coffee table or hanging on the wall for years, but all it takes is one person to say it has 'bad Feng Shui' and very soon, each time you pass by, you are going to worry about it. It's no different to the chain mail you receive, the one urging you to send it to 7 people in 20 minutes, failing which your love life is doomed forever. Naturally, some people will fall for it and continue the chain. Feng Shui, a respected science has fallen victim to a similar treatment, with fallacies passed around as the truth and those not adhering to them destined for a horrible life.

This negative perception that people have about Feng Shui stems more from a lack of education than anything else. By merging 'housewives superstition' into the practice of Feng Shui, they have created an unnecessary terror about Feng Shui and for themselves. My article is aimed at creating a greater awareness about classical Feng Shui and why you do not need to spend your life being afraid of the so-called Feng Shui taboos.

As I have mentioned many, many times before, classical Feng Shui has nothing to do with items or pictures or any other decor you may have in the house. It has to do with direction and location - the two most crucial factors in determining the quality of Feng Shui of your property.

This means, you must first inspect where your house is located in your housing estate area. What type of Qi it is receiving from the environment. Then focus on the Main Door of your property, on the Kitchen location, the Stove, your Bedroom and the location of your Bed. To a lesser extent, you might also want to consider the other areas in your home in which you spend a lot of time. If these factors are correctly aligned or positioned, then your Feng Shui is already good.

But where decorations, colors and other decor in your house are concerned, don't be overly worried. Go ahead and do what you would like to without being constricted by all these superstitious beliefs and myths. If you like a certain type of decor, be it Oriental or European, go ahead with it. Should you like a particular painting or sculpture, place it anywhere you like or feel comfortable with. The items will not hurt you nor will they bring you any 'magical' Feng Shui good luck. It's like buying a new pair of Nike shoes - they may not make you jump higher but if they feel comfortable in them, then go ahead.

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