Understanding the Essence of Feng Shui

Before delving into mastering Feng Shui, it's crucial to grasp the essence of what Feng Shui studies and its historical significance.

What Does Feng Shui Study?

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that explores how the earth's terrain, known as "qi," influences human life. In essence, it's about harnessing the energy of the environment for optimal well-being and prosperity.

Exploring the Concept of "Qi"

To comprehend Feng Shui, one must understand "qi." Traditional Chinese medicine extensively explores this concept, considering it the vital force that sustains life. "Qi" flows through everything, connecting heaven and earth. It's often described as the life force or energy that animates all living things.

Two famous sayings in traditional Chinese medicine are particularly relevant: "The interplay of heaven and earth's qi gives rise to all living beings," and "When qi accumulates, form thrives; when qi disperses, form diminishes."

Feng Shui and the "Burial Classic"

Feng Shui's roots can be traced back to ancient Chinese wisdom. The "Burial Classic," sometimes dubbed the "Feng Shui Bible," emphasizes that the vital "qi" resides beneath the earth's surface, hidden from view but accessible through an understanding of the earth's principles.

Feng Shui Schools: Form and Compass

Feng Shui practice can be categorized into two main schools: Form School and Compass School.

  1. Form School (形势派): Also known as the Luantou School (峦头派), this school believes that the terrain determines the earth's energy. They categorize the topography of mountains and rivers into "Geographical Five Essentials" such as Dragon (mountain ranges), Hole (gathering points of mountain qi), Sand (the mountains around the hole), Water (the water around the hole), and Orientation (the direction of the hole) to determine Feng Shui auspiciousness.

The Form School requires practitioners to memorize numerous definitions and patterns like "dragon passing through a gorge, bee waist and crane knee" and accurately identify them in "real-world" situations. Therefore, it demands a strong memory and keen insight from learners.

  1. Compass School (理气派): This school believes that the movement of celestial bodies determines the earth's energy. It uses theories like Yin-Yang, Five Elements, Nine Palaces, and Eight Trigrams to deduce the movement of celestial bodies and predict Feng Shui auspiciousness. Due to the use of different numerical theories, Compass School has various sub-schools:
  • Eight Mansions School (八宅派): It divides residences into "West Four Mansions 西四命" and "East Four Mansions东四命" based on the orientation of the house and the individual's birth year.

West Four Mansions (乾坤艮兑): These residences face the cardinal directions of Qian (乾), Kun (坤), Gen (艮), or Dui (兑).

East Four Mansions (坎离震巽): These residences face the cardinal directions of Kan (坎), Li (离), Zhen (震), or Xun (巽).

The Eight Mansions and Wandering Stars theory considers eight "Wandering Stars" or "Eight Youxing" 八宅游星attributes: Vitality 生气, Longevity 延年, Heavenly Doctor 天医, Hidden Position 伏位, Dire Calamity 绝命, Five Ghosts 五鬼, Misfortune 祸害, and Six Killings 六煞. These attributes are associated with the Five Elements and are linked to the birth year, month, and the Eight Trigrams of the Bagua.

  • Qian-Kun National Treasure Three Elements Water Method" (乾坤国宝三元水法): It calculates auspiciousness based on the direction of water flow, that focuses on the arrangement and flow of water in relation to the orientation and layout of a building or property.
  • Sanhe School (三合派): It assesses Feng Shui based on the combination of the "Three Elements" - the Gua (trigram) of the house, the "Celestial Stem" and "Earthly Branch" of the year, and the "Eight Mansion Gua."
  • Xuan Kong Flying Stars Feng Shui (玄空飞星风水): It analyzes auspiciousness based on the positions of nine stars and their interactions within a house.
  • Xuan Kong Tai Yi Feng Shui (玄空太易风水): It uses the "Tai Yi Sixty-Four Gua" theory to judge auspiciousness based on the qi of the dragon vein, water mouth, etc.

Incorporating Feng Shui principles into your surroundings can bring about positive changes, enhancing your overall well-being and prosperity. Feng Shui's primary goal is to enhance the quality of life by creating a harmonious environment, which can positively impact anyone who resides in it.