In Chinese feng means wind and shui means water. Water is the sustainer of all life, and the winds move the water around in continuing cycles of evaporation and rainfall and as such these two elements are essential to our very survival.
Ch'i
In addition, these elements carry the invisible life energy force ch’i (Cosmic breath). The movement and manipulation of these ch’i flows is the main principle of feng-shui. Sometimes it is necessary to guide the flow, and the placement of a small mirror or wind-chime in exactly the right place can make and enormous difference to your life.
So, if you feel that you are constantly swimming against the tide, you might well be doing just that! - Take a look at your house and see if you can give things a helping hand. The true feng-shui masters are be able to sense the flows of ch’i, but even without the experience and the knowledge of the masters, there are still signs that the less experienced and intuitive can look for. Like water itself, a gentle, meandering flow is restful, comforting and calming, whereas a raging torrent is destructive, agitating and full of conflict.
Sha Ch’i
Sha Ch’i (killing breath) occurs when the ch’i is either stagnant, or travels in long straight lines and gathers momentum until it becomes a destructive force. ‘Secret arrows’ are an example of the destructive side - straight lines which pierce the good ch’i and reduce their benefits.
For example, ‘secret arrows’ can be long straight roads, rows of telegraph poles, rows of roof-tops or even a long straight path leading straight to the front door. They should be either blocked (by using a line of trees, a small wall etc), or deflected using mirrors. Paths leading to front doors would be better curved, not direct.
Pronunciation
There are two basic pronunciation for Feng Shui. From the Mandarin dialect it is pronounced 'Foong Shway' and in the Cantonese dialect the pronuciation is 'Fung Shoy'. Either is generally accepted.