What is Feng Shui ( Chinese Geomancy )
Good Feng Shui generally denotes good compatibility with a given situation. Right mix of factors, conditions, layout, landscape, direction, etcetera for a specific purpose(s). Bad Feng Shui results or forewarns conflict(s) and the risks to one's wellness/well-being while living, working, etcetera in a given situation. This ancient wisdom is a complex body of knowledge and experiences about balancing the Chi or Qi ( energy ) of any given situation to seek good health, relationships, fortune, ecetera. It is based on the understanding of nature, particularly on the concept that the environment is alive, and filled with both positive and negative energies.
Feng Shui literally means "wind and water" in Mandarin as the fundamentals of Feng Shui lie in the Qi ( also written as Chi ) or energy that begins from the wind and ends in the water. Wind represents direction while Water represents wealth. It is this energy that one has to be mindful of as it can be positive or negative in affecting one's health, prosperity, descendants, fame, success in any endeavour, etcetera.
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It is not astrology per se, philosophy, religion, or superstition. Rather, it harnesses the wisdom of astrology, geography, ecology, architecture, psychology and aesthetics. It is regarded as both an ancient Chinese art and science of study about metaphysics; and how the pervading invisible energy, Chi or Qi affects a person.
Believers and practitioners are mindful about orientation/placement of house/office, doors, windows, kitchen/stove, bed, table, etcetera so as to harness the best impact of the inflowing positive energy while averting the damaging effects of negative energy.
Feng shui is part of China's traditional studies of 五术 (Wu Shu) namely, 山 ( Mountain )、医 ( Medicine )、命 (Destiny )、相( Physiognomy )、and卜( Divination ).
Believers and practitioners are mindful about orientation/placement of house/office, doors, windows, kitchen/stove, bed, table, etcetera so as to harness the best impact of the inflowing positive energy while averting the damaging effects of negative energy.
Feng shui is part of China's traditional studies of 五术 (Wu Shu) namely, 山 ( Mountain )、医 ( Medicine )、命 (Destiny )、相( Physiognomy )、and卜( Divination ).
Scope and Limitations of Feng Shui
Feng Shui can ease or improve how one goes about living on this earth. But, it cannot change one's destiny. It cannot avert what is destined to happen or occur. It cannot change an ill-fate. It cannot prevent what is to befall at a given time and given place.
Three Principles of Feng Shui
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Heavenly Factors or Tie’n Chai’Irrespective of one's mainstream religious inclination, there is a common underlying belief that one is born with a predestined journey on planet earth. Taoists/Buddhists accept it as their Fate, some Christians believe in living and acting out God's Will for them, whilst laymen term it as their spells of Good Luck or Bad Luck. There are major and minor junctures in one's life-journey.
By and large, the options available to an individual at major junctures are beyond the discretion of the individual. An individual may have choices at a minor decision point, and the decision made will lead him or her to some detour, be it more arduous or otherwise, before the individual reaches the next juncture. Some may have more than one minor juncture between two major junctures. |
Planets, stars and constellations are constantly interacting, and the chi or energy created, whether in one's favour or otherwise does impact on one's well-being and/or wellness periodically.
Normally, an individual is infused with the energy of each of the five elements: Wood, Earth, Fire, Water and Metal. But, the extent of infusion is based on the configuration of the ruling five Planets at the precise time of one's birth. The ruling five planets are Mercury ( Water ), Venus ( Metal ), Mars ( Fire ), Jupiter ( Wood ) and Saturn ( Earth ). The dominance of each element in the universe at the moment of birth is represented in one's so-called Four Pillars of Destiny or Ba Zi ( 8 Characters). Whether one is destined to live a life full of pleasure or pain depends on the equilibrium of the five elements in one's natal chart. Proper analysis and understanding of the forces at work on one's destiny will help to alleviate one's unnecessary hardships and/or calamities. |
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Earthly Factors ( Ti Chai’ )These include energy that exists both inside and on the surface of planet Earth.
Planet Earth receives and generates living Qi or Chi. It protects mankind and environment from killing Qi or Chi. Both living Qi and killing Qi come from the universe which includes our earth, the solar system, and all the galaxies. Qi is cyclical, and it is wise to regularly anticipate the impact of the changes upon individuals and the environment to enhance one's situation, and avoid or minimise the impact of adversities. Anticipation is not necessarily through divination, fortune-telling, and/or other supernatural means. Song Dynasty Feng Shui expert, Cai Yuan-Ding 蔡元定 wrote, inter alia, about Man and Nature in his book, ”Fawei Lun” 发微论 : The co-existence of mountains and valleys is the work of Heaven, but transformation of the landscape is done by Man. Cai Yuan-Ding added that Nature does not set out to disadvantage human beings, nor should human beings set out deliberately to go against the Will of Heaven. Instead, we should invoke our knowledge and skills to enhance our inheritance. In the process of enhancement, the natural environment should be respected at all times. If we take out more than what the situation requires, and destroy nature in the process then whatever improvement made will not benefit us in the long-run. UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hongcun in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China is a renowned example. |
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The Hong Village in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China improved its Feng Shui by re-arranging the houses, re-directed the water course, repaired and built new roads, and plant trees and shrubs after engaging a Feng Shui expert called He Hede for the analysis and suggestions.
The village has since prospered, and been popular with many tourists visiting the village every year. |
Implication: Expert guidance and one's active participation to improve and maintain one's surroundings are necessary to enhance different aspects of one's life.
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Human Factors ( Ren Chai’ )Human factors refer to actions that one can take to tweak destiny in one's favour.
These actions should impact on one's personality, drive, passions, skills, knowledge, education, diligence, charitable disposition, and others to improve one's karma, popularity and chances of success in life. One can make choices, time one's actions to positively influence an outcome, and avoid misfortune due to bad decision and timing. Personal efforts can greatly affect one’s quality of life. One must be ready to avail oneself of the prevailing or forthcoming good fortune, opportunity, relationship, etc otherwise one has only oneself to blame for missing out. Conversely, one must take precautionary measures to avert or minimise the impact of any foreseeable or controllable adversity. Implication: One has to take charge of one's well-being and wellness through self-motivation, self-improvement, self-discipline, determination to make changes; and stick to a strict regime of balanced diet, exercises, rest, ecetera. |
Disclaimer
Details provided on this website are for academic purposes, and not intended as part of any professional advices. Opinions, methodologies, and practices differ according to individual geomancer's beliefs, experiences, training and cultivation. You are advised to make an appointment with a qualified and experienced practitioner for a case-by-case analysis based on your unique situation. We will not be responsible to you or any third party for any direct or indirect, consequential, special or punitive damages and/or losses that you or any third party may incur in connection with the contents, exhortations, suggestions, and the likes of this website. You interpret and/or act on the details provided at your own risks, and proper guidance is advised.