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While stating that fung shu has its arcane aspects, Webb went on to state its basic principle was 'living in harmony and balance with one's environment.' He continued:
Historically, fung shui has practical roots. It is a 'pattern Language' for the development of well-nice farming villages in ancient China. Its sensible application produces a functional, beautiful and productive landscape which has lessons for the present day world with the increasing urgency of its ecological crisis. It behoves all of us to take responsibility for our own impact on the environment.
In some cases fung shui is linked to practices such as soothsaying, ancestor worship and animism, with, for example, spirits residing in rocks and trees. Fung shui can also be linked to run fu (EA), a spirit-placating ceremony (Hayes, 1979: 214). This consists of a series of complicated and what can be expensive rites to alleviate misfortune which can be brought about by bad fung shui. Deities are beseeched to counteract malignancy and ensure peace (Hayes, 1965:122).
Varying views
Certainly many Westerners resident in Hong Kong do take an interest in the pseudo-science of fung shui (Au Yeung:23).
As one English woman explained to the author:
'There are seven of us in our real estate office, including five Europeans. The fung shui chap has instructed us to keep the curtains drawn. As soon as someone inadvertently opens them, one of us rushes over to draw them. We are all terribly superstitious.'
In another example, where a European was asked for her views, she replied:
'I'm fascinated by fung shui. My husband is in charge of a fast food chain. He makes detailed plans and then finds he cannot implement them because of fung shui.'