#FamilySunday: Feng shui follies

by Michael G Yu Posted on 02/10/2013 11:27 AM |Updated 02/10/2013 1:42 PM

HANDLE WITH CARE. The traditional feng shui compass or luo pan can be used for a lot of good. But when put in the wrong hands, you will probably get dreadful advice like the ones below. Photo by Borghal taken from Wikipedia

HONG KONG - I chanced upon a television interview a few weeks ago that featured a feng shui expert. In his white, short-sleeved shirt and black pants, he looked like one of those nondescript uncles who gatecrash wedding receptions yet blend in so well that everyone assumes he is an obscure 4th-degree relative. His wispy beard was a tangle of stringy black and white hair which, for some reason, added a certain degree of credibility.

The geomancers client base is broad. Families approach him. Businesses approach him. Even the Church sees me, he exclaimed, (because) feng shui transcends religion. Wow. I guess something that is even mightier than an almighty God should be taken really seriously.

The famous interviewer sprayed him with questions tweeted in by a home audience that was apparently just as curious as I was. The geomancer handled each question confidently while referring to the animals of the Chinese zodiac or to the basic feng shui elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water).

Just by knowing your birth year, he could predict how your love life or business investments would fare in the new year. It was very fascinating.

It is widely known that there is serious money involved in the art of feng shui. Which made me wonder: how do I get in on some of that action during this Year of the Snake? Aside from growing a goatee that looks like it could use a good rebonding, I should probably learn how to give credible advice

On home layout

Master Yu,

I was told that having new things to usher in the New Year is good luck. So we bought a brand new 42-inch Smart LED TV. Where should I position it in the living room of our 50 sqm condo unit to reap the greatest luck? - Mark

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#FamilySunday: Feng shui follies