Change log:

• 15 July 2024 - Added method to locate the Wealth Sector.
• 06 August 2024 - Added method to locate the studying sector (Star of Excellence).

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui at its core is a divinatory practice based on geomantic principles that aim to improve different aspects of our lives through the harness of Qi in the environment. It's a method that utilizes precise formulaic calculations involving our immediate spatial and temporal circumstances, and from them deriving ways to achieve optimal prosperity, success, and personal well-being through the aforementioned means. Furniture arrangement, interior decor, and the act of de-cluttering are generally of little concern in Feng Shui and any procedures that draw from these ideas usually stem from collateral impact of Feng Shui's geomantic principles in application.

Yin and Yang

At the root of Feng Shui is the Taiji aka the Yin/Yang symbol. The Taiji splits into the 2 synergetic opposites Yin and Yang, which further expand into the Greater Yin, Lesser Yang, Lesser Yin, and Greater Yang. These 4 variants become the Bagua aka the 8 Trigrams that we know. See diagram below:

The Eight Trigrams from left to right are Qian, Dui, Li, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen, and Kun.

The 8 Trigrams do not end here, as they can be further expanded into the 64 Hexagrams by combining all of the 8 Trigrams together in every possible arrangement (8 x 8 = 64). An example would be: Trigram 2 (☱) named "Lake/Marsh", and Trigram 1 (☰) named "Heaven", both would combine to form Hexagram 43 (䷪) named "Displacement". Every possible combination of the 64 Hexagrams have their own unique names and order of Yin/Yang lines, and a competent Feng Shui consultant would have them memorized well for ease of application when needed. This is particularly true for the 64 Hexagrams method of Feng Shui, which is quite different from Eight Mansions Feng Shui, and Flying Stars Feng Shui.

The Five Elements/Phases

Beyond the Eight Trigrams, Feng Shui also has a system of Phases, or sometimes known as the Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Their reactive properties go as below:

1. Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood
2. Metal controls Wood, Wood controls Earth, Earth controls Water, Water controls Fire, Fire controls Metal.

Generative reactions and Controlling/Overcoming reactions between the Five Elements

The 5 Elements form an important concept in Feng Shui, and especially so for the Flying Stars method. Unlike the 64 Hexagrams and Eight Mansions, within a Flying Stars chart the main objective often involves finding the "stars" in your home, and then deducing their various elemental combinations and the effects that they bring, which can be further influenced by the annual Flying Stars, monthly Flying Stars, down to the daily variant (although not used as much), all of which can be further induced by the geographic landscape of your home (aka landform).

8 Directions, 24 Mountains

Feng Shui being a form of geomancy, the cardinal directions make up an essential aspect in practice. Of the 8 directions, each direction of 45 degrees is divided into 3 directional sections of 15 degrees each, making a total of 24 directions which are called the 24 Mountains. Example, the direction North is divided into N1, N2, N3, and as we approach eastward, it becomes North-east, which divides into NE1, NE2, NE3, and so on.

Notice some directions have a grey background, these indicate their Yin (grey) or Yang (white) quality.

3 Ages and 9 Periods

With the cardinal directions and landform aspects representing space, now comes the part that represents the 4th dimension of time. In Feng Shui, time is divided into the 3 ages (60 years per age), and 9 Periods (20 years per period). This is to say that every 3 period of 20 years each will complete one cycle of an age (1 age = 3 periods). The temporal factor in Feng Shui is generally influenced by (but not limited to) their Yin/Yang qualities, their associated Trigrams, and the 5 Elements. More precise temporal components are observed in some advanced formulas.

1. Age 1 (Upper age) consists of Periods 1, 2, and 3
2. Age 2 (Middle age) consists of Periods 4, 5, and 6
3. Age 3 (Lower age) consists of Periodds 7, 8, 9

After Period 9 (2024-2043), it starts again from period 1 (2044 - 2063).

Basic Interior Advice

1. Unobstructed front of the house (or living room for apartments)
2. Keep the living room spacious
3. Living rooms should be well lit
4. Avoid overhead beams above beds, desks, dining area, and resting places
5. Beds should have a headboard
6. Avoid having the bed too close to the door
7. Avoid clutter around doors
8. Have light source in corridors and/or an entry hall
9. Avoid visible bathrooms upon entering the front door (keep bathroom closed slightly or use curtains)
10. Keep mirrors to a minimum, especially not in front of a door, bathroom, or directly by the stove.
11. Command position for a bed: Find a solid wall and place the bed's headboard against it. Have a direct line of sight to the room's entry door while not being directly in front of it.

The Qi Generating Sector

The Qi Generating sector is a beginner friendly, entry-level procedure that only requires knowledge of three things: the numbers 1-9 associated with the 5 Phases/Elements, the cardinal directions, and the Luoshu formula. The Luoshu formula is a 9 section grid filled with the numbers 1 through 9, starting with 5 in the middle, and progressing in a specific pattern around the grid. To understand it better, study the diagram below:

The formula starts from 5 in the center, and progresses in ascending order to 6 in the NW, 7 in the West, 8 in the NE, and so on.

Next, familiarize yourself with the numbers 1 through 9 and their associated elements:

1. Number 1 = Water
2. Number 2 = Earth
3. Number 3 = Wood
4. Number 4 = Wood
5. Number 5 = Earth
6. Number 6 = Metal
7. Number 7 = Metal
8. Number 8 = Earth
9. Number 9 = Fire

Using a compass, stand inside your living room facing out the direction of the front door. Take note of the direction your main door faces, and then use the opposite direction behind you as the number associated with your home based on the Luoshu diagram above. Example, if your home's main door faces East (number 3 on the Luoshu diagram), then your home is a number 7 (West) home. With the number associated with your home, place the number in the center of the 9 section grid in the Luoshu diagram/formula. In my example, the number 7 will now be in the center. Proceed to go in the same order as before, starting from 7 in the middle.

https://preview.redd.it/u1y8j47yh01d1.png?width=400&format=png&auto=webp&s=96ea5d91ed48ce05dee2cd1711dc14103d59a006

Going by the generative and controlling properties of the elements, this Metal (7) home is generated by the element of Earth which is in the South (2) and North-west (8). These two sectors in the living room are the Qi Generating sectors, which we can now locate by standing in the center of the room with a compass in hand. This is the sector of the living room where we can place an aquarium or a water feature to provide the home's occupants with a small boost of generative Qi. Otherwise, more activities in said sectors may also help.

Above is the simplest formula to making a small difference, and it's only a small fraction of what Feng Shui can offer. Feng Shui in its entirety is a pretty complex system that requires a level of expertise and care, and a misstep can result in ineffective set ups at best, or disastrous consequences at worst. Make sure to consult a trusted practitioner before attempting anything complicated.

Update - 15 July 2024

Important note: To locate your authentic wealth sector, you'll need to have read and have understood the method to find the Qi generating sector first. Things you may need for reference:

1. The 5 elements chart
2. The Luoshu diagram
3. The 3 ages and 9 periods chart (optional)
4. The elements associated with each numbers 1 though 9.

The wealth sector

If you've read and fully understood the method to find the Qi generating sector, then this should now be a rather easy process. When finding the Qi generating sector, what we're doing is basically finding the sector element that generates the element of our house. Below is an example with a house number 7:

A number 7 house, which belongs to the element of Metal.

As a metal 7 house, it is generated by the Earth element, which are sectors 2 in the South and 8 in the NW. Using the same chart, we can now also find our home's wealth sector using only 2 steps:

1. Locate the sector that the house generates.
2. The sector must be the number 1, 6, 8, or 9.

Using the Metal 7 house as example, the element that the house generates is Water. Here, the only Water element is the number 1, which is in the NE. So this fulfills the 2 conditions mentioned above. This can be done in your workplace, an office room, or anywhere that is an enclosed space with people in it. In such examples, having your desk be in said sector would be immensely beneficial.

To activate the wealth sector, the area must be made distinct from the rest of the house/office, either through means of renovation, or placing specific objects that would easily capture the attention of passersby. Basically, make the area standout and eye-catching.

There is however one important and specific requirement for the wealth sector to be effective, and that is it the sector itself must correlate with the timeliness of the current period and age. It is also important to note that the sector number is based on the original Luoshu chart's arrangement, meaning 5 goes in the middle, which would result in NE sector being the number 8. With this information, we can use a few methods to determine whether it will be effective.

1. Current period is period 8 (2004-2023).
2. Current period number is an element that generates (or same as) 8.
3. Current year's Kua number is Kua number 8.

If any of these 3 requirements are met, the sector would be an effective wealth sector. Please remember that the above method is performed with a number 7 Metal house as an example. While the method remains the same, the numbers used may differ slightly based on your property's facing direction.

Update - 06 August 2024

The Star of Excellence sector

By now if you've read and fully understood the method to find the Qi Generating and Wealth sectors, then this should begin to feel like a familiar process. For the Qi Generating sector, we locate the sector element that generates the element of our house. For the Wealth sector, it is the sector that the house generates. Now, to locate your Star of Excellence:

1. It must be the sector that the house controls.
2. The sector must be the number 1, 6, 8, or 9.

Below is an example of a number 4 house of the Wood element.

A number 4 house, which belongs to the element of Wood.

As a Wood 4 house, it controls the element of Earth, which are sectors 2 in the East, and 8 in the South. The sector with 8 in the South fulfills the two requirements mentioned above. This sector can then be used for any manner of studying, but like the Wealth sector, it has one more requirement of timeliness. Similarly, the sector number is based on the original Luoshu chart's arrangement, meaning 5 goes in the middle, which would result in the South sector being the number 9. With this information, we can use a few methods to determine whether it will be effective.

1. Current period is period 9 (2024-2043).
2. Current period number is an element that generates (or same as) 9.
3. Current year's Kua number is Kua number 9.

If any of these 3 requirements are met, the sector would be an effective study sector. This method can be used in the entirety of a house, or within the boundaries of a room, using the door as the room's facing direction (although the smaller the context, the weaker it gets). Please remember that the above method is performed with a number 4 Wood house as an example. While the method remains the same, the numbers used may differ slightly based on your property's facing direction.