Feng Shui Second Edition Feng Shui Second Edition Elizabeth Moran, Master Joseph Yu, and Master Val Biktashev A Pearson Education Company Copyright © 2002 by Elizabeth Moran, Joseph Yu, and Val Biktashev All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, re- cording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the pub- lisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 201 West 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46290. THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Pearson Education, Inc. International Standard Book Number: 0-02-864339-9 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2002101641 04 03 02 87654321 Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of the first series of numbers is the year of the book’s printing; the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number of the book’s printing. For example, a printing code of 02-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 2002. Printed in the United States of America Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its authors. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the authors and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted. The authors and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Publisher: Marie Butler-Knight Product Manager: Phil Kitchel Managing Editor: Jennifer Chisholm Acquisitions Editor: Mike Sanders Development Editor: Amy Gordon Production Editor: Katherin Bidwell Copy Editor: Cari Luna Illustrator: Tim Neil Cartoonist: Jody Schaeffer Cover/Book Designer: Trina Wurst Indexer: Julie Bess Layout/Proofreading: Mark Walchle Contents at a Glance Part 1: Let’s Get Into Feng Shui 1 1What Is Feng Shui? 3 Understand the difference between authentic and faux schools of feng shui. Learn how this ancient art and science can help you improve your health, wealth, and relation- ships. 2Western Intellectual Heritage and the Holy Grail 17 How we have become a culture of separatist thinkers and how we are becoming a culture of unified reformers. 3 The Great Wall of Knowledge and the Rise of Feng Shui 29 China’s reverence for nature gives rise to feng shui. 4Qi Wiz! It’s Life’s Force! 41 Identifying and understanding the underlying essence of all things. Part 2: The Fundamental Principles of Feng Shui 53 5 The Principle of Yin and Yang 55 Separate, but together, yin and yang express the movement and transformation of all things. 6 The Principle of the Five Phases 63 The qi expressions of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood enhance favorable qi and remedy unfavorable qi. 7 The Principle of the Eight Trigrams 75 The yin and yang lines combine to produce eight trigrams associated with the eight directions of the compass, the five phases, familial relations, and parts of the body. Part 3: Understanding Your Environment 85 8Turtles, Tigers, and Dragons, Oh My: Evaluating Your Environment 87 How celestial deities became terrestrial landforms that influence your health and livelihood. Roadways and river courses are evaluated. 9Home Sweet Home: Evaluating Your House and Its Surroundings 97 Recognize internal and external factors that may influence how you sleep, think, and feel. Bed and desk positions are evaluated. Part 4: Feng Shui Mechanics 101 111 10 The Eight Houses, Part 1 113 Determining your ming gua—your personal trigram. 11 The Eight Houses, Part 2 129 Determining your home’s trigram by taking a compass reading. 12 The Eight Houses, Part 3 141 Understanding the qi distribution of your dwelling. Learn to remedy bad qi and enhance good qi. Part 5: Feng Shui Mechanics 201 151 13 The Flying Stars, Part 1 153 The history behind the number-based system: The Hetu (Before Heaven) and Luoshu (After Heaven) maps and their significance to feng shui. 14 The Flying Stars, Part 2 165 Learn about the Chinese concept of time. Determine to which of the 24 mountains (directions) your dwelling corresponds. 15 The Flying Stars, Part 3 177 Create a numeric qi map of your dwelling by flying the stars (numbers). 16 The Flying Stars, Part 4 215 The numeric qi distribution determines if your house may belong to four special types. 17 The Flying Stars, Part 5 223 Analyze a Flying Star chart. Learn how the position of the stars (numbers), their inherent nature, timeliness, and the number it’s combined with influences your well-being. 18 The Flying Stars, Part 6 235 Fly the annual star. Learn how the yearly influence affects your health and financial outlook. Part 6: Practical Application 243 19 A House Hunting We Will Go 245 Follow a couple as they select an auspicious home. 20 Does Your Office Measure Up? 257 Will harmony replace discord? Part 7: Fate or Free Will: What’s Your Destiny? 265 21 Introducing the Twelve Animals of the Chinese Zodiac 267 Learn your animal sign! Learn how to determine who’s your friend and who’s your foe. 22 The Four Pillars of Destiny, Part 1 281 Construct your life chart comprising the year, month, day, and hour pillars. 23 The Four Pillars of Destiny, Part 2 307 Discover the strength of your chart. What are your lucky colors or suitable careers and environments? 24 The Four Pillars of Destiny, Part 3 319 Calculate your 10-year luck period. 25 The Four Pillars of Destiny, Part 4 331 Determine your most favorable months and days. Appendixes A Glossary 345 B Common Questions and Practical Answers 353 C Learn More About Feng Shui 357 D Chinese Periods and Dynasties 363 E Learn More About Taking a Proper Compass Reading Using the 24 Mountains 367 Index 371 Contents Part 1: Let’s Get Into Feng Shui 1 1 What Is Feng Shui? 3 The Feng Shui IQ Test..................................................................4 What Feng Shui Is Not..................................................................5 What Feng Shui Is..........................................................................7 Who Practices Feng Shui? ............................................................9 Feng Shui’s Beginnings in the East..............................................10 Feng Shui Moves West................................................................10 Feng Shui and You........................................................................11 What Do I Need to Practice Feng Shui? ....................................11 Twenty Ways to Benefit from Feng Shui ....................................13 Pinyin and Wade-Giles: Chinese Romanization ........................14 2Western Intellectual Heritage and the Holy Grail 17 Mind Power 101 ..........................................................................18 Twelve Percent of the Whole........................................................18 Faux Feng Shui and the Western Mind ......................................20 In Search of the Holy Grail ........................................................20 United We Stand ..........................................................................22 Scientific Holistic Theories ..........................................................23 Holistic Theories..........................................................................23 Nature Speaks Mathematics, Too................................................24 Fascinating Fibonacci and the Golden Ratio ................................25 Other Profound Patterns ............................................................26 A New World Vision for the Millennium ..................................27 3 The Great Wall of Knowledge and the Rise of Feng Shui 29 Made in China ..............................................................................30 China’s Greater Nature ................................................................30 Skywatcher for Hire ....................................................................31 The Art of Astrology....................................................................31 The Science of Astronomy ............................................................32 Confucianism and Daoism: ..........................................................33 Experience vs. Experiment ..........................................................34 Reversal Is the Movement of the Dao ..........................................34 Change Is in the Wind ................................................................35 The Masked Origin of the Yijing ................................................35 Changing Patterns ......................................................................36 How Does Feng Shui Fit In? ......................................................36 Neolithic Feng Shui ....................................................................37 The Form School of Feng Shui ....................................................37 The Compass School of Feng Shui................................................38 Feng Shui Today