Some practitioners can walk into a property, take a look at it, accurately tell its history, and predict what will happen to its occupants in the future - without a luo pan (Chinese magnetic compass) in sight.
You may ask, "How do they do it?"
In Feng Shui, there are two numerological formations which most enthusiasts would refer to as "house judgements". Seasoned practitioners appreciate the practicality of these models - He Tu and Luo Shu - as it enables them to perform a quick, yet comprehensive glance-through audit for any property.
For Feng Shui practitioners and students, these two models strengthen your foundation and fortify your journey towards more skilful applications in the future.
Can property owners - with no prior grasp of Chinese metaphysics - perform the same property analysis and reap similar benefit?
Before we go further, it is important to bear in mind that Feng Shui is a science, as well as an art. Anybody looking into practising Feng Shui - regardless of the scale - needs to get to the bottom of it, or at least learn to grasp the basics. Otherwise, it would be difficult to implement and derive positive results from the efforts made.
These two formations are important because they serve as the perfect base models in Feng Shui as well as for applications such as Flying Stars and Eight Mansions. Potential or current homeowners need to recognise this before they can craft their first step. In other words, you need to study the theory. Practise it.
Given the simplicity of He Tu and Luo Shu, do they have a wide range of applications?
Yes, because they are not exactly as simple as they seem. In a typical Feng Shui audit, practitioners normally have to consider the direction, dynamic movement of the five elements, the natural changes of the four seasons as well as the flow of qi within a building. The beauty of Luo Shu is that it incorporates all these into one model, which in other words, encompasses most of the things you need to derive an accurate reading.
The He Tu model, being the perfect counterpart to the Luo Shu, contrasts the latter's view of constant and cyclical nature with a state of perfect and ideal condition - meaning, no movement, no evolution and time does not exist.
Five elements: Friend or foe?
Earlier, we have pointed out that Luo Shu is used to gauge the Five Elements locations in a property. But, what if these Five Elements are aggravated by the presence of external factors in your house? The table below states the base locations for the Five Elements and the family members who would be affected if things go amiss:
| Direction |
Five Elements |
Occupants be affected |
| North |
Water |
Second son |
| Southwest |
Earth |
Mother/ elder woman |
| East |
Wood |
Eldest son |
| Southeast |
Wood |
Eldest daughter |
| Northwest |
Metal |
Father/ elder man |
| West |
Metal |
Youngest daughter |
| Northeast |
Earth |
Youngest son |
| South |
Fire |
Middle daughter |
From the table, you might notice that the southern sector is represented by the fire element. So what happens if sharp building or mountain is spotted to the south of the building? As sharp forms are considered fire elements, this means that the fire element would be too strong in the property.
How about the presence of a building with a flat roof (i.e. earth) to the north? North represents water and earth and water are not in harmony with each other. So the afflicted north sector would affect the second son of the family or reduce values like intelligence or creativity, which are normally associated with the water element.
So the next time you're thinking of snagging that piece of property, assess it on its internal and external sectors. You'd be surprised at what you'll find!
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