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Frequently Asked Questions
- I'm new to Feng Shui. Does it really work?
- Many home and business owners find that, with even a few modifications, excellent results are achieved.
- How did Feng Shui originate?
- Feng Shui can be traced back thousands of years to ancient China. It is partly based on information found in ancient texts that still exist, including the I Ching (Book of Changes), and partly based on texts known to have been lost. There are numerous legends related to the origin of some of the formulas used in classical Feng Shui. These include stories about markings observed on the back of a large turtle, and theories about extraterrestrial sources bringing this powerful knowledge to earth. However, the origins of these formulas are largely unknown.
- What is the difference between a Feng Shui practitioner and an interior designer?
A Feng Shui practitioner and an interior designer have different main goals. The main goals of an interior designer are to produce an environment that is esthetically pleasing and that functions efficiently. The main goals of a Feng Shui practitioner are to insure that the occupants of a building benefit from good aspects of that building's energy, and to minimize the impact of bad energy. Good Feng Shui will usually produce an environment that is both esthetically pleasing and efficient, but only as side benefits. Some of the recommendations made by a Feng Shui practitioner may relate to the decor of a room, and therefore Feng Shui is sometimes confused with interior decorating. However, authentic Feng Shui is actually energy work, and is more closely related to reiki or acupuncture than it is to interior design.
- What can Feng Shui do for me, my family, my employees and co-workers?
- Feng Shui can produce an environment which is more comfortable, and more conducive to prosperity, health, creativity, romance, education, productivity, and interpersonal harmony.
- I would like help locating my "career area" ("romance area", etc.) Is it in the north or in the area of the main door?
- The actual answer is neither. Simplistic and generalized forms of Feng Shui may use a template called the "pa kua" to locate various luck "corners" or "areas" in a house. An authentic analysis of the unseen influences in your home will determine precisely where the strongest prosperity, health and relationship influences are located. These may be found ANYWHERE in the house. On rare occasion, they are not found at all.
- My life is a mess! Is Feng Shui the answer?
- While bad Feng Shui can create havoc, other factors may also be at play. There are 3 types of forces or "luck" which influence our lives. "Heavenly luck", or Tien Chai, is the predetermination of the circumstances under which we were born including such factors as birthplace, family, individual weaknesses and strength. "Man's luck", or Ti Chai, results from our actions and character during our lifetime. "Earth luck", or Ren Chai, results from the forces of the earth and the degree to which we are living in harmony with our environment. It is with "earth luck" that Feng Shui can be of great help.
What is chi?
How can I know that a Feng Shui practitioner or consultant is truly qualified?
- Most American practitioners or consultants practice "new age" or "western" interpretations of Feng Shui. I have no interest in denigrating these practices. However, I would prefer that they use a different term rather then "Feng Shui". The authentic and traditional practice of Feng Shui is always based on compass directions and includes an analysis of the powerful unseen influences ("flying stars").
- To select a qualified practitioner of authentic Feng Shui, make sure that the individual bases their work on compass directions and that a flying star analysis is performed. A practitioner or consultant who has been certified in Asia or by a school of classical Feng Shui, such as The American School of Classical Feng Shui, will most likely meet these requirements.
- Do you do phone or mail consultations?
- I feel that I can best serve my clients by an actual visit to their location. However, I understand that there are extenuating circumstances that may make this impossible (such as the fact that I limit my work to North America only). Remote, or "Silver Level" consultations (see Services) require that data such as floor plans, compass directions, and photographs be provided by the client.
- What methods do you use?
- While the methods that I employ for a project are specifically selected in accordance with that project's requirements, the methodologies and formulae that I call upon include:
- Landform Analysis - examination of the natural and artificial exterior features which impact a property
- Form School Feng Shui - examination of the impact of visible features (i.e. architectural features, room design, furniture placement) on the flow of chi
- Eight Mansions Formula - determination of auspicious and inauspicious directions and locations for each occupant
- Flying Star Feng Shui - casting of a property's natal chart to determine the nature of the powerful unseen influences in the building, how those influences move over time and how their impact on the structure's occupants changes over time
- Man Plate Formula - determination of the impact of outbuildings and other exterior features on a property
- Water Dragon Formula - assessment of the impact of water features on a property
- 24 Mountains Formula - fine-tuning the impact of auspicious energies
- 120 Bags of Gold Formula - tapping of auspicious earth energies with extreme precision
What types of recommendations are made?
Recommended modifications can include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Best location and position for a building on a construction site (for new construction).
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Floor plan modifications.
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Best room usage for each individual and/or activity.
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Types of furniture.
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Furniture placement.
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Best sitting and sleeping directions.
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Lighting.
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Décor to optimize the flow of energy, including wall treatments, floor coverings, and window treatments.
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Cures for negative architectural features.
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“Five element” cures to mitigate possible problems due to areas of negative energy, and to strengthen areas of positive energy.
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Symbolism or other specific enhancements to support occupant life goals.
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Best moving-in or business opening dates.
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Use of aromatherapy.
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Use of crystal energy.
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“Inner Feng Shui” work (personal metaphysical exercises or practices).
Every attempt is made to accommodate each client’s budget, personal preferences, and other requirements.
I am interested in a Feng Shui consultation. However, due to my career and my position in the public eye, I require confidentiality. Can I count on you to respect this?
Client information is never sold or shared for any reason. Furthermore, information provided by individuals inquiring about consultation services, is held in strict confidence.
I am interested in a consultation but what will I do if you just tell me to move?
Extreme circumstances do exist where the energy of a home or business is so negatively afflicted that nothing can be done to help the situation and the only recommendation would be to move. An example of this might be a home constructed on an old burial site. On a positive note, such "hopeless" situations are extraordinarily rare and are something that I do not normally encounter. While some buildings offer greater potential than others, I take the approach that virtually every home or business can be improved upon and my experience strongly bears this out.
The symbolic objects that I purchased from you have brought me a great deal of success. I would like to give these items as gifts, however I cannot find them anywhere in Chinatown. What is your secret?
Due to my excellent contacts in China, Malaysia, Singapore and elsewhere, I am able to offer my clients a selection of Feng Shui symbols and energy enhancers that are not readily available in North America, and at very favorable prices. In fact, my upstate New York warehouse contains the largest inventory of Feng Shui merchandise to be found anywhere between New York City and Toronto. A small and growing selection of Feng Shui-related merchandise can be ordered directly through the Marketplace.
What are your fees? How do they compare with those of other practitioners?
My consultations fees are reasonable and are based on the complexity of the project. Please call or e-mail for an exact quote with no obligation whatsoever.
Only a small number of practitioners in North America perform the type of comprehensive and thorough energy analysis that I offer, using the authentic principles of classical Feng Shui, and fewer still have my level of experience in working with this energy to create a home or workplace that supports optimal prosperity, health and good relationships. Among this select group, my fees compare very favorably.
There are those practitioners whose concept of Feng Shui is a quick walk through while making "off the cuff" suggestions to "create harmony", and a service of this type may cost very little. It is important to know who you are dealing with and to understand the service you will receive before determining the value for your dollar.
How should payment of consultation fees be made?
The consultation fee may be paid at the first site visit, or half at the first visit and half at the second, whichever you prefer. Payment may be made by check, cash, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). There is no need to present payment in a red envelope or in any other special way.
- Should I expect to see results immediately?
- It is common for clients to report immediate results in one or more areas. However, gradual results are more the norm. The energy shifts brought about by Feng Shui changes are powerful. It is therefore recommended that Feng Shui enhancements be implemented incrementally, allowing time for the occupants to assimilate each change in energy flow. This usually produces gradual improvements in the lives of the occupants, and that is the most desirable result. If many changes are made at once, a "healing crisis" may occur and upheaval can be experienced. While this settles down in time, it can produce a period of confusion and discomfort.