Feng shui

     Historically, feng shui was widely used to orient buildings—often spiritually 

significant structures such as tombs, but also dwellings and other structures—in an 

auspicious manner. Depending on the particular style of feng shui being used, an 

auspicious site could be determined by reference to local features such as bodies of 

water, stars, or a compass. Feng shui was suppressed in China during the cultural 

revolution in the 1960s, but since then has increased in popularity.

    Modern reactions to feng shui are mixed. The Skeptic encyclopedia of pseudoscience 

states that some principles of feng shui are "quite rational", while noting that "folk 

remedies and superstitions... [have been] incorporated into feng shui's eclectic mix....

    Today, feng shui is practiced not only by the Chinese, but also by Westerners. 

However, with the passage of time and feng shui's popularization in the West, much of 

the theory behind it has been lost in translation, not paid proper attention to, frowned 

upon, or scorned.

... feng shui has become an aspect of interior decorating in the Western world and 

alleged masters of feng shui now hire themselves out for hefty sums to tell people 

such as Donald Trump which way his doors and other things should hang. Feng shui 

has also become another New Age "energy" scam with arrays of metaphysical 

products ... offered for sale to help you improve your health, maximize your potential, 

and guarantee fulfillment of some fortune cookie philosophy.

    

Others have noted how, when feng shui is not applied properly, or rather, without 

common sense, it can even harm the environment, such as was the case of people 

planting "lucky bamboo" in ecosystems that could not handle them

   

    The practice of Feng Shui is diverse and multi-faceted. There are many different 

schools and perspectives. The International Feng Shui Guild (IFSG) is a non-profit 

professional organization that presents the full diversity of Feng Shui.

Recent developments

A growing body of research exists on the traditional forms of feng shui used and taught in Asia

Environmental scientists and landscape architects have researched traditional feng shui and its methodologies 

Architects study feng shui as an ancient and uniquely Asian architectural tradition

Geographers have analyzed the techniques and methods to help locate historical sites 

in Victoria, Canada and archaeological sites in the American Southwest, concluding 

that ancient Native Americans considered  astronomy and landscape features.