How do you know you’re getting a real Feng Shui practitioner and not a phoney?
One of the experts on the subject, Joseph Yu, passes along these thoughts:
“Pseudo-Feng Shui, or fast food Feng Shui, is the most popular psychological gimmick in North America. It pretends to be linked to the ancient Chinese study of environment. To add to its mysterious outlook it also claims to be of Tibetan origin. “Pseudo-Feng Shui practitioners are addicted to the use of mirrors, flutes, wind chimes, the red packet and a lot of other useless things to ‘improve’ the flow of chi in a house. They never know the improper use of wuxing (five elements) can be harmful.”
He says that authentic Feng Shui has the following characteristics:
• A compass is used to determine the direction of the facing of a house. This compass does not have to be the traditional Feng Shui Master’s Compass or “Lo Pan.” As long as the accurate reading can be taken, the instrument is acceptable. A surveyor’s compass is fine. A “Lo Pan” is just more convenient.
• The charting of chi in the form of “star allocation” is used to determine the chi structure of a house.
• The time element is also considered. The date of “completion” — i.e. the day the house is ready for use — is considered the birthday of the house. We actually only have to know the cycle and period the birthday falls into.
• The life-gua for each individual living in a house is calculated. Reference is made to the adaptability of the individual to the bedroom.
• Recommendations can be explained in terms of Wu Xing.
• Site study from the Form School of View is explained and recommendations that goes well with the surroundings are prescribed. In other words, no weird objects like a Bagua mirror, a sword or a flute will be used.
• Nothing is not explainable by logic.
• Payment can be made in cash or check whether or not in a “red packet”.