FENG SHUI (風水)

51. FENG SHUI (風水)

I. Inner Mode

Method's Worldview Living energy Qi permeates space, moving along specific routes determined by landscape forms, the placement of objects, and temporal cycles. The space in which a person lives and works actively influences the quality of their Qi — and thus their health, relationships, prosperity, and fortune. The universe is organised as a dynamic field of interaction between Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, where each level transmits and transforms Qi.

What Is Considered Reality Qi is a real flow, measured by directions (compass orientations), forms (mountains, water, buildings), and temporal cycles (Flying Stars). The Five Elements (Wu Xing) are five phases of the transformation of Qi in space. The Eight Trigrams (Ba Gua) are eight sectors of space, each associated with a specific life aspect. The Gua number is a person's personal numerical code derived from their birth year.

What Is an Event Within the Method An event is a consequence of the state of Qi in a person's environment. Illness, conflict, or success are connected to the activation of specific spatial sectors in combination with temporal stars. Transition into a new 20-year Period (Period Change) is a global shift in energetic patterns.

Role of the Subject An inhabitant of space who actively interacts with its Qi. Through the skilful organisation of the environment, the subject manages the quality of incoming Qi. The Gua number determines favourable and unfavourable directions for a specific person.

Role of Time 20-year Periods (Yun): the current active Period is Period 9 (2024–2043). Annual Flying Stars (flying star method) — a grid of 9 numbers that shifts annually and monthly across the cells of the Lo Shu square. The moment of construction or move-in for a building is the fixed natal "chart of the building."

Purpose of the Method Diagnosis of spatial Qi, calculation of the Gua number to determine personal favourable directions, analysis of the natal chart of a building (Flying Stars method), balancing elements in sectors, and forecasting the influence of annual and periodic changes.

Language and Key Concepts Qi (氣), Feng Shui (wind and water), Sha Qi (killing energy), Ba Gua (8 trigrams), Luo Pan (geomantic compass), Lo Shu (3×3 magic square), Flying Stars (Xuan Kong Fei Xing, 玄空飛星), Period (Yun), Gua number, Wu Xing (5 elements), Shan (mountain) and Shui (water).

Principles Governing the Transmission of Knowledge [Principles of knowledge transmission in this tradition are being documented together with method masters]

II. Analytical Mode

Origin Traditional Chinese system with roots in the Han era (2nd century BCE – 2nd century CE); systematised during the Tang and Song periods. Two principal schools: the School of Forms (Luan Tou Pai) and the School of Compass (Li Qi Pai). The Flying Stars method (Xuan Kong) is a development of the School of Compass, disseminated through Hong Kong masters in the 20th century. Western popularisation: Joey Yap, Lillian Too, Steven Feruchio and others (1980s–2000s).

Functional Type F1 — diagnosis of spatial Qi and the personal Gua number; F2 — interpretation of the interaction of sectors, stars, and elements; F3 — forecast of annual changes through the Flying Stars; F4 — navigation through environmental optimisation.

Data Type D2 — spatial data (building orientation, room layout, plot shape); D1 — date of birth for calculating the Gua number; D0 — year of construction/move-in for the natal chart of the building.

Interpretation Mechanism C1 — structural (dominant): Ba Gua and Lo Shu as spatial-numerical structures; C2 — cyclical: 20-year Periods and annual Flying Stars; C3 — archetypal: Wu Xing and trigrams as symbolic principles.

Temporal Granularity T0 (date of construction/move-in — "birth" of the building; birth year → Gua); T1 (annual and monthly shifts of the Flying Stars); T2 (20-year Period Changes); T3 (the building chart is active for the full duration of residence).

Level of Determinism Moderate. The building chart and Flying Stars create patterns, but their correction through the environment is a real instrument. Emphasis on managing the environment, not on immutable fate.

Scale of Applicability Individual (personal Gua, bedroom); family (whole home); commercial (office, enterprise); urban planning (historical application).

Limitations High variability between schools (School of Forms vs. Xuan Kong vs. Ba Zhai and others): they frequently yield contradictory recommendations. Dependence on precise measurements (compass, floor plan). Difficulties of application in apartment buildings with non-standard orientation. Risk of mechanical rule-following without understanding the underlying principles.

Ethical Risks Creation of panic through descriptions of "killing energies" and dangerous sectors. Manipulation through the sale of expensive "correctors" (figurines, crystals). Cultural appropriation without respect for the traditional context.

Degree of Verifiability Low in strict science. The principles of Form (Shi) partially overlap with environmental psychology (the influence of the environment on wellbeing). The astrological component (Flying Stars) has not been empirically verified.

III. Comparative Mode

Intersections by Data Type D2 (spatial data) is unique in the Atlas — this is the first system with a dominant spatial data source. D1 (birth year → Gua) relates to Ba-Zi (#10) and numerological systems. Wu Xing (#24, #25) — shared foundational ontology.

Intersections by Mechanism C1 (Ba Gua, Lo Shu) — shared structural basis with the I Ching (#6), Nine Star Ki (#40), Ba-Zi (#10); C2 (Periods and Flying Stars) — analogous to transits in Western Astrology (#1); C3 (Wu Xing) — with Wu Xing (#24, #25).

Differences in Ontology The only system in the Atlas with a focus on space (D2) as the primary object of analysis. Unlike Wu Xing (#24), which is applied to the interpretation of time and the body, Feng Shui applies the same principles to the physical living environment. Closer to "architectural astrology" than to personal diagnostics.

Differences in Level of Determinism Low determinism: space is manageable and can be changed. Emphasis on navigation (F4) and optimisation, not on fixed prognosis.

Areas of Partial Compatibility With Ba-Zi (#10) — frequently applied together in Chinese consultancy: Ba-Zi provides the personal prognosis, Feng Shui provides environmental correction. With Wu Xing (#24) — shared ontological foundation; different spheres of application (time vs. space).