For many people Feng Shui is thought to be a mixture of Eastern superstition, religion and hocus-pocus.  In fact, it is none of the three.  It is not a religion as it does not honor any specific God or Deity.  In reality, Feng Shui works wonderfully with whatever religion, or belief system a person may have.  It can not be described as hocus-pocus or superstition because its basic theories are based on human nature as described below.

The principles of Feng Shui can be very well described as "Environmental Psychology".  All the energy around us, particularly those in our physical spaces, affect our self image, our behavior and how we are viewed by others.  This "environmental psychology" is visible in every culture, in every time period, and in every corner of the world.  When you think of the architecture of ancient cultures, the pyramids of Egypt, the Parthenon in Greece, all the major Cathedrals in Europe, even Stonehenge in England, they all have something in common; they were all built on the principles of sacred geometry, best direction and utilizing the natural flow of the surrounding energies.  Even cultures we describe as "primitive" display these characteristics in their dwellings.  They are all designed to make the individuals feel a certain way when there.

Many of the basic principles of Feng Shui are the natural, physical properties of human nature.  For instance:

1. There are no straight lines or angles in nature.  Energy (this includes people) wants to flow in free form, wavy patterns.  In Feng Shui, we try to avoid sharp corners or long rushing walkways (hallways).
2. Along the same vane as lines and angles, mathematics is a very important part of how people feel in a space.  Irregular shapes can have a negative impact because of our natural tendency to want order.
3. Placement of objects and furniture impacts a person's relationship with a space.  Have you ever seen a CEO of a company with his/her back to the door?  No, this is not a command or dominant position.  In Feng Shui, command position is a very important element to ensure the occupants of the space are adequately nourished.
4. Sound has been shown to release endorphins and cause positive hormonal and neurological changes in the human brain.  It can also have negative effects and become stressful when irritating.  In Feng Shui, sound is used to positively enhance the energy of a dwelling and raise the positive vibrations.
5. Color, as in sound, can have major implications on a person both physiologically and psychologically.  The colors that naturally occur in nature are not a coincidence.  In Feng Shui color is used intentionally to obtain a desired effect.
6. Artwork is reflective of how we feel about ourselves and how others view us.  One very common theme in Feng Shui is loneliness being represented in pictures depicting single individuals or no people at all.  Violent or depressing artwork can cause the subconscious to become negative just as positive and uplifting artwork can make one feel great.  Pay close attention to what you hang on your walls.

Although Feng Shui is a 5,000-year-old tradition, its principles are based on being in harmony and balance with the natural flow of energy.  Because everything is inter-related, Feng Shui enables us to use the concepts of the flow of energy (Chi), the five elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water & Wood) and Yin/Yang to create an auspicious dwelling.  This inter-related notion is described in "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Dwellings":

"The terrain is the body, the spring is the blood, the soil is the skin, the grasses are the hairs, the house is the clothing and the doors are the accessories.  If they are properly related to each other in a dignified way, then it is considered most auspicious."

These ideas are not limited to the Chinese culture.  As stated earlier, they are visible in every corner of the earth.  Buildings mindfully built in locations that nurture and support with fresh, invigorating energy, as well as with thought to the inhabitant, better sustain those living there.  A quote from "Research in Scientific Feng  Shui and the Built Environment" states:

"If architecture cannot get entangled with human feelings and affections, then it loses its life force, its enchantment and its meaning, as well as its reason for being; it becomes just an empty space of pure physics and geometry."

Of course Feng Shui is much, much more complicated and diverse than what I have touched upon here, however, the major point is that the principles of Feng Shui are not superstitious hocus-pocus but based on the rational, natural and emotional tendencies of people.