Every building in an urban environment can be classified into one of the Five Phases, based on its shape. Thus, there are five basic shapes to consider when classifying buildings in the external environment.
Fire Buildings have pointed, triangular shapes, like a flame. Church spires are a common example of a Fire building shape.
Metal Buildings have round, domed shapes.
Wood Buildings are tall and slender.
Water Buildings have irregular shapes.
Finally, Earth Buildings are broad and flat-topped.
Remember, man-made objects do not generate Qi. In the case of buildings, the shapes can cause them to attract certain types of Qi over time, however.
The following criteria should be evaluated when analyzing the forms surrounding a property:
Remember, Qi always flows from the outside of a property to the inside. Based on the criteria listed above, an area must have good Qi present before the residents should even attempt to tap into the Qi of the area. If good Qi is not present in the external environment of a building, it certainly won't be present inside!
Generally, mountains are considered positive if they support lush, green growth. Barren, rocky mountains are considered to produce negative Qi.
Water is considered positive if its flow is slow and meandering, with a curvy shape and not a lot of noise. Straight, gushing or rapidly flowing water produces Sha Qi.
Manmade forms are also capable of channeling Qi in a positive or negative way, even though they don't emit Qi themselves. For example, an electrical pylon tends to emit negative Qi. The same is true for T-Junctions or busy highways too close to the property. On the other hand, areas like parks and playgrounds allow Qi to gather and accumulate, so they are potentially positive, as long as the Qi that accumulates is positive!
