Sha Qi (Negative Energy)

Sha Qi (煞气) combines two characters: "sha" (煞), meaning to kill or harm, and "qi" (气), meaning energy or breath. In feng shui, it refers to any form of energy that is detrimental to the occupants of a space.

Unlike the smooth, meandering flow of beneficial Qi, Sha Qi typically moves in straight lines, carries aggressive qualities, or creates stagnation. It can originate from natural landforms, man-made structures, or environmental conditions.

• Physical sources: Sharp corners, straight roads pointing at buildings, T-junctions
• Environmental sources: Strong winds, stagnant water, excessive noise or pollution
• Structural sources: Exposed beams, pillars creating cutting energy, misaligned doors
• Symbolic sources: Objects or imagery associated with negativity or aggression

The concept of Sha Qi has ancient origins in Chinese metaphysics. Classical texts describe various forms of harmful energy and methods to address them:

This passage explains that Qi disperses with wind—when this dispersal is violent or chaotic, it creates Sha Qi. The principle underlying Sha Qi identification is observing how energy behaves: aggressive, sharp, or stagnant patterns indicate harmful influences.

Feng shui identifies numerous specific types of Sha Qi, each with distinct characteristics:

• Road Rush (路冲): Direct road or pathway pointing at the building
• Sky Cutting Sha (天斩煞): Gap between two tall buildings creating a "cutting" effect
• Bow Back Sha (反弓煞): Curved road with the building on the outer arc
• Sharp Corner Sha (尖角煞): Pointed corners of nearby buildings directed at the space
• Beam Sha (横梁煞): Exposed ceiling beams pressing down on occupants

Traditional feng shui offers several approaches to neutralize or deflect Sha Qi:

1. Blocking: Use walls, screens, or plantings to intercept the harmful energy
2. Deflecting: Mirrors or reflective surfaces can redirect aggressive Qi
3. Transforming: Five Element cures can convert harmful energy into beneficial forms
4. Dissipating: Wind chimes or moving water can break up concentrated negative energy
5. Avoiding: When possible, simply avoid positioning important areas in the path of Sha Qi

In FateFolio's Feng Shui tool, Sha Qi analysis includes:

• Identification of potential Sha Qi sources based on your environment description
• Assessment of severity and impact on different areas of your space
• Specific remedies tailored to the type and location of the harmful energy
• Prioritization of which Sha Qi issues to address first

References include classical feng shui texts. Different schools may have varying interpretations of specific Sha Qi types and remedies.