Have you ever wondered what a compass reveals? At first glance, it maps the directions of the earth’s magnetic fields, helping us find out bearings. While this is true, the ancients who developed the Luopan, the magnetic geomancer’s compass over 4,000 years ago included rings to read astronomical, astrological, and mathematical data. This information interprets the relationships between people and their environment, enabling them to positively transform their lives. The ancients understood, as modern medicine now accepts, that acupuncture directs the flow of energy in the body. Similarly, Feng Shui directs the energy of the environment.

What is Authentic Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is the art of living in balance and harmony with one’s environment. Feng Shui, meaning  “wind” and “water” are two of the most powerful forces of nature. Being able to harness the positive energies of our environment creates success and transformation, as the energy surrounding you supports and nourishes your activities.

The Way it Works

Feng Shui requires in-depth observations of the environment, people, locations and time. How these factors interact with one another reveal what’s happening on an invisible, energetic level. These assessments are made using astronomical, astrological, and mathematical systems, including the birth data of all occupants.  Once an assessment of these patterns is formulated, recommendations can be made on a case by case basis, describing how to  advantageously tap auspicious energy and minimize the negative. Any changes made should harmonize with your own personal taste and style.

History 101

Around 2200BCE in Neolithic China, Feng Shui was developed. The art was refined over many centuries, and produced many learned scholars. Many emperors forbid the dispensing of Feng Shui to their subjects, thereby securing their power. Violation of this law lead many masters to their death.

Until the recent revolution, Feng Shui was an integral part of daily life. It is said that Mao Tse T’ung was a master practitioner, and used Feng Shui in his rise to power. Afterwards, he outlawed its practice and destroyed many ancient texts. This had been foreseen, and the most valuable texts had already been removed to Taiwan. No longer exclusive to the realm of the Chinese, thus began Feng Shui’s journey to the West.

Feng Shui enters American Mainstream

An increasing number of people who would never have considered using Feng Shui in the past are now applying its principles. A varsity coach at a prestigious university asked me to perform an audit on his home and offices on campus. Skeptically, he made the recommended changes and has since enjoyed tremendous benefits at home with family and finances. His biggest triumph has been a breakthrough for his team, winning every match. This had not been predicted by their previous seasons’ records. 

Major corporations such as Merrill Lynch, Charles Schwab, Citibank and TD Waterhouse have been reported to incorporate Feng Shui design principles. British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Trump Towers add to a growing list.

Questions about Feng Shui

Worldwide fascination with Feng Shui has bred acceptance within the mainstream, but do most people know what real Feng Shui is all about?  What is the difference between traditional Feng Shui and the numerous “new” schools that have arrived on the scene?  There is some misunderstanding, and the need exists for clarity in defining authentic Feng Shui from the more modern “pop” versions. 

People are beginning to realize that in order to obtain lasting results, superficial skimming won’t stand up to scrutiny. Anyone seeking information faces a deluge of hundreds of books, articles and programs, many with confusing and contradictory premises, as well as self-proclaimed practitioners that have used a few of these contradictory books as their sole form of training.

What guidelines should we use to distinguish Feng Shui advice?  First, discard superstition. Traditional disciplines such as Taoism, Chinese medicine or Feng Shui require time and diligent commitment for understanding and mastery.

New Feng Shui

“New” Feng Shui originated in America roughly 20 years ago. Its novelty and promise of “cures” created a sensational wave rich with Chinese cultural symbolism and products.

Feng Shui jewelry, candles, air fresheners, charms and other items linked questionably to superstition and the bottom line are sometimes combined with intentionality and symbolism.

Symbolism is an unrelated philosophy. Spiritual, emotional or cultural bonds energetically embossed on certain objects can be healing and transformative. As Albert Einstein succinctly stated, “Symbols have the capacity to touch us not just on an intellectual level, but on behavioral and emotional levels as well.” As such, bringing attention to a problem and giving it presence in your surroundings can help at any level, but remains separate from Classical Feng Shui.

Traditional Feng Shui relies on time-tested mathematical formulas that work regardless of a person’s belief. However, it was the introduction of this “new” American movement that earned Feng Shui a misunderstood, misrepresented place in the mainstream, albeit a very popular one!

In Asia—where I have lived and also received my training–several of the oldest, most respected masters became concerned that real Feng Shui was in danger of being lost to an American marketing trend. As a result, Classical Feng Shui was introduced to the West around five years ago, and is now becoming more widely accepted as the industry standard. 

Case Study

A ‘new’ Feng Shui consultant recommends to a man going through a contentious divorce, that he place a couple of pink or red candles in his “relationship corner” to pull in new relationship energy and quell the angst of his departing spouse, along with other symbolic “cures.” Psychologically, he felt better having shifted his environment around a bit, and felt boosted by having made the effort and enlisting support, but things continued to decline.

A traditional Feng Shui practitioner was called in, who took an accurate compass reading of the external land forms, and the house. He was asked for the move-in and construction date, as well as his birth date. Charts were created, combined and assessed for compatibility. It was discovered that he has a great house, but he entered through a door in his “loss” direction, his bed was in one of his “arguments and lawsuits” directions and a water fountain was activating “financial drain.”  This man was miserable, and open to change. The fountain was turned off, the bed was moved into his best sector, the side door became his main entrance as it was in his “wealth and success” direction. Other changes were made based on the internal layout, his four best directions, and harmonious flow of energy throughout the house. This is an actual case, and after implementing the recommendations, he achieved an amicable, out-of-court settlement that both parties were pleased with, as well as improved health and career gains.

As you can see, traditional Feng Shui becomes fun and rewarding once the basics are down. The process is easier when you work with your own timing and what you already have. 

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