| Feng Shui |
Mark
Shackelford's User Guide Introduction Feng Shui Professional is designed to be your interactive Feng Shui Expert, helping you with the many calculations and diagrams needed to interpret the Feng Shui energies and Chinese Astrological aspects for people, houses and rooms. This document describes how to use the product, and what the various displays are telling you. NOTE: Remember that Chinese Astrology is based on thousands of years of use, and although many of the readings may appear vague, obscure or irrelevant, this is because they are designed to let you get into your subconscious. They are valuable because You need to interpret the readings to match your current situation. You need not take any of the readings too seriously, and you should apply common sense to any actions you take as a result. Feng Shui Professional : User Guide Contents 1. Starting the Program Feng Shui Professional is a Microsoft Windows program, running on Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000 or XP. It is installed using a standard Microsoft Installation Wizard, and this will add the 'Feng Shui' program to your Start menu. To start the program, click on the "Start" menu and then select the "Programs" item. Look for the "Feng Shui" name in the program list and click on it. The Feng Shui Professional "splash" screen will appear as you load the program. 2. Getting Started The first time you start the program, you will be prompted to enter your name and birth details, or to select a name from the stored list on subsequent runs of the program. The product allows you to store the details of up to 1000 different people (family, friends etc.) who you can then recall to view their Horoscopes or Feng Shui aspects. When you enter a name, you must set the Female/Male options and enter the Year, Month and Day of Birth. If you do not know the Time of Birth, this does not matter and you should just select the defaults (13:00 - 14:59). 3. The Main Screen The main screen lets you access the various features of the program through coloured icon buttons down the left hand edge of the screen. Further options are available as small icons in the top toolbar, or through the Menu system at the top of the screen. The first time you start up the program you will find a "Hints" panel displayed, and you can get rid of it by clicking on the "Hide" button. To prevent it reappearing you should unset the X in the "Always Show this Panel on Start Up" option. The main screen displays a Lo Pan Compass, and if you "Right Click" on this image you will see a pop-up menu which gives access to all the useful Feng Shui topics. You can also select the Elements, Compass directions and Pa Kua Trigrams to be displayed on the screen. 4. The Main Features The features of the product include:
This dialog consists of the main Lo Pan diagram, which you use to indicate the selected direction which you wish to interpret. Move your Mouse over the picture and you will see the angle displayed at the top left. When you have aligned the mouse to the required direction, click directly on the picture and the Red cross-hairs will line up with the Mouse. Click on the "Lo Pan Reading" button at the bottom of the picture, and the Readings display is shown. This gives details of over 18 different Lo Pan rings, in terms of the Elements, Trigrams, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches (Animals). You can interpret these readings using your own experience and ideas - the program helps by giving pop-up captions when you hold the mouse over any of the icons. The Readings are divided into three main sections: the Earth Plate, the Man Plate and the Heaven Plate. Different readings appear for the rings in different plates (each one is offset by 7.5 degrees from the others), so for example, you can check the readings for the 12 Branches (Animals) in each of the plates to see how they will affect the luck for the Earth, for You, or for Heaven. To help you understand the History and Theory of the Lo Pan compass we recommend Stephen Skinner's book "The Living Earth Manual". You can also access the Flying Star diagram from the Lo Pan window by clicking on the "Flying Stars" button. The main purpose behind the Flying Stars (Geomantic Chart) display is to let you find out the auspicious and inauspicious locations in your home, office or other building. The Flying Stars are based on the Nine Stars of Feng Shui Astrology, and their positions in the "Magic Square". On the main screen are shown the 9 locations, each of which has three stars. The large number is the Earth Base star, which is determined from the date that the building was built - use the pick list labelled "Building Date" to select the year. The star at the top right is the Facing star and is determined from the direction of the Front of the building. The third star, at the top left, is the Mountain star and is determined from the opposite direction to the Facing star. The background of the screen is a grey Lo Pan compass which you use to indicate the Facing direction - just click on the Lo Pan and the Red compass needle will move to register the chosen direction. The combinations of the three stars at each of the nine locations is used to determine the luck (good or bad) to be found there. Each star is related to one of the five Chinese elements, and it is the cycle of elements and their interactions that is used to calculate the auspiciousness of the location. To check any given location, click on the appropriate star which will then be highlighted, and readings for that location will be displayed in the right hand panel. Flying Star Feng Shui can also be used to check the relationship between anyone living in the house, and each location using the persons Nine Star Ki star in combination with the stars at each location. Use the pick list in the panel labelled "Match Family Member" to chose a person and then click on each of the locations to see the reading displayed below the pick list. The final option is to use the Flying Stars to check how suitable each room's location is within the house. Select the room type from the pick list and then click on its location in the Flying Star diagram to get a reading of the luck for that room in that location. The Energy Cycle shows how the Earth Energy rises and falls for each cycle of 20 years for your house. This will show you when is a good time to live in a house or when there might be problems if you do not use some of the Feng Shui remedies or cures. There are nine cycles which last for a total of 180 years, which makes up an Era, and there are three eras - Lower, Middle and Upper. After this the cycles and eras repeat. To check you house, bring up the Energy Cycle window and make sure that the building date is entered in the top pick list. Then look at the row of dates and coloured boxes which indicate the energy levels. Red, Yellow and Green are positive energy - a good time to be in the house. Grey and Black are bad luck with negative energy - you will need to use Feng Shui remedies to avoid problems. Mah Jong Divination can be found under the "View" menu or accessed using the Ctrl+J key combination. The screen shows the divination grid - the four compass points and the centre. Around the edge of the screen are the tiles - with only their backs shown, each of which has a coloured Yin/Yang symbol. First you need to shuffle the tiles - so click on the "Shuffle Tiles" button at the top left. You will see the tiles move around the edge of the window. You then need to choose 13 tiles for the reading - select them by clicking on the Yin/Yang symbol on the back of each card you wish to choose. As you do this the program lays out the tiles in the correct sequence for the divination. When you have selected 13 tiles the program will determine the reading and display it in the column to the right of the tile layout. As with all Chinese divination (I Ching etc) the reading is for you to interpret based on your understanding of the question you are trying to resolve, your environment and your inner thoughts. The reading is based on five areas:
The Daily Almanac can be found under the "Show" menu or by pressing the F7 key. It displays a pop-up window which allows you to find out the auspicious or inauspicious days for a wide range of activities. Click on a day in the calendar and the red and blue lists will show those activities that are OK or not for that day. You can also select a particular activity from the pick list below the calendar, and this will highlight each day in the selected month showing whether they are good or bad for that activity. This dialog is divided into three different panels: 1. The Four Pillars - This panels shows four sections each of which displays the Heavenly Stem (Element) and Earthly Branch (Animal) in Chinese characters and in English, relating to each part of your Birth date. Note: If you hold your mouse over any of the pictures a caption is displayed of the characteristics of the Element or Animal. The captions show the Element or Animal, its Archetype (type of person) and the associated personality aspects. Each section relates to one aspect of your life:
2. Your Horoscope - This displays the various readings of your character based on the Animals and Elements of your Horoscope. Use these readings as hints to the way you may think you are, or how other people might see you. Positive and negative readings are based on the Animal of the Year of your birth. The Dominant element is derived from the most common element in all the Four Pillars sections. Your Likes and Dislikes are based on your Horoscope Animal characteristics. 3. Element Balance - each Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch (Animal) is linked to an Element, as well as being either Yin or Yang. These are then used to check the balance of Elements and Yin Yang. If you have too much, or too little of any aspect, the system provides pop-up windows with hints and suggestions on how to improve or decrease the aspects. These use Feng Shui Remedies such as Colours, Objects, Furniture, Materials and Ornaments. This screen is accessed from the Chinese Horoscope dialog, using a button at the bottom of the screen labelled 'Chinese Horoscope Life Cycle'. The Chinese believe that your Life is divided into 12 stages, rather like the 7 stages of life specified by Shakespeare. These stages include the time between conception and birth (Pregnancy), and the time after death (After Life). Although the screen shows your Life Cycle as a Line, it is actually a Circle, with the After Life joining back onto the Pregnancy stage. The Chinese Taoism theory is that when you are conceived a small amount of the Tao is taken for your soul, and when you die this is returned so that it can be taken up by a new life. Use this screen to see how the 12 stages of your life map to the Five Forces, or Aspects of Destiny. These five aspects overlap the various stages and show how your life is likely to proceed and how you are affected by external forces. The Five Aspects are:
These are also linked to the five Elements that have shown up in your Horoscope, and these provide readings relating to your character during each stage. Place your Mouse pointer over the Aspects, Elements and Symbols to see readings for any of the stages of your life. The screen displays the Readings based on your current Age. This dialog shows your personal Feng Shui auspicious locations. It is based on your Lucky Number which is calculated by the program. The Lucky Number (1 to 9) then determines which of the 8 different Pa Kua diagrams relates to your home and life style. The Pa Kua is an octagon (eight sided) based on the four major compass directions (North, South, East and West) and the four minor directions (North-East, North-West, South-East and South-West). These directions are then mapped onto your Auspicious and Inauspicious locations. Use this information to enhance the aspects of your life to bring benefit, and to prevent or decrease any bad fortune. Note: Make sure you use a compass to correctly determine the orientation of your house with South, shown at the top of the Pa Kua diagram. This is the traditional Chinese orientation of the compass, and can sometimes cause confusion for Westerners who are used to having North at the top. The Auspicious locations are:
The Inauspicious locations are:
If you click on the small 'magnifying glass' icon next to the location legend, a dialog is displayed which shows you the location in detail, and the enhancements that you can use to improve the auspicious aspects, or to decrease the bad fortune. Hold your Mouse pointer over any of the items on the Pa Kua diagram, and a pop up caption will show you information about it. You can also use the Printer button to output a Pa Kua diagram to your printer which can then be used to draw the layout of your house, orientated to the appropriate direction. The I Ching reading can be taken of each of the 8 compass directions compared with your own Pa Kua Trigram, which lets you interpret your life style aspects in each location. This dialog displays the Black Hat School 'Ba Gua', which shows the eight different Enrichment locations in your House. These Enrichments are used to enhance various aspects of your Life, and that of your Family. You need to orientate the Ba Gua with the direction of your Front Door, so that the "Career Prospects" location faces the Door. You then use the program to determine which are the best Enhancers to improve any selected aspect of your life. The Enrichments are the eight areas of your life that can be enriched using Feng Shui remedies, their locations are:
Click on the option button labelled '...Enhancers for selected area', or Double Click on the Enrichment Diagram to see the appropriate Enrichments for the selected area. These include suggestions for the use of Colours and Objects to enrich your Life, as well as specific suggestions for individual Rooms and the entire House.. This dialog allows you to see how well (or badly) you should get on with the other people stored in the system. Choose the people to be compared from the pick lists at the top of the screen. You can also select a Famous Person from the list of famous names stored in the program by clicking on the small 'camera' button located between the pick lists. The dialog has three main items which show how the relationship might work:
Each section shows a picture of the items being compared, and their Chinese and English names. If you hold the Mouse pointer over the pictures, a pop up caption details the characteristics relating to the item. Three types of arrow also indicate the direction of energy within the relationship, and its success (or otherwise). Use the I Ching button (Yin Yang symbol) to see how your Pa Kua Trigrams relate, giving you further readings to interpret. The dialog then displays a Reading for the two individuals selected, and combined Readings about the relationship. The readings include a 'Tongue In Cheek' percentage score and a cryptic message. This screen simulates a Feng Shui Ruler and allows you to check the auspicious sizes for objects in your house, or objects that you intend to purchase. These include Beds, Chairs, Tables, Pictures, Doors etc etc. There are two ways of using the Feng Shui Ruler:
You will need to specify the units of measurement (Inches or Centimetres) in the option box at the top of the screen, and also whether the object is Indoors or Outdoors, as this affects the readings. The Measurements cover various aspects of your life such as:
There are also inauspicious measurements (such as Harm, Distress and Parting) which should be avoided. Use this screen to measure existing items, and also to determine the most auspicious dimensions for new purchases. An on-screen I Ching casting system, using the PCs random number or your own Dice throws. The I Ching reading includes the Chinese characters, the Keywords, Judgement and Image. It also shows the two Trigrams that make up the Hexagram. The Trigrams are symbols made up from 3 lines of Yin (broken) and Yang (solid). There are 8 possible Trigrams, and these are paired together to form the 64 different Hexagrams of the I Ching. Each Hexagram provides a different reading. There are three ways to determine the Hexagram
You must have a question in mind when you are throwing the I Ching. This must be to do with Change, or the effect of Change, in your Life, and should not require a simple Yes/No answer. The I Ching provides readings for you to interpret, rather than direct answers. It allows you to review coming changes, and to see whether your subconscious can interpret what you really think or believe from the readings. Once you have selected the method to be used, click on the appropriate button, and the I Ching reading will be displayed. The reading consists of the following items:
A wide range of simple Hints and Tips to improve your Home and Life style using Feng Shui remedies. These are selected and displayed in a panel at the bottom of the main screen every minute or so, and can also be selected using the Tip of the Day dialog box. This includes a 'Find' button, so that you can look up specific topics. Enter a word to be searched for (such as Kitchen or Plant) and then click on the Find or Next buttons. Based on the Lo Shu 'Magic Square', this gives an alternative view of your Horoscope. It also includes a relationship comparison for both your friends and family, and also the Famous Names included with the system. The Nine Star Ki uses the Lo Shu Magic Square to determine your Horoscope. The Nine Numbers are linked to Nine Stars in the constellation of Ursa Major, plus the Pole Star and Vega. The Readings are determined from 3 numbers:
Also shown on the dialog are the Nine Star Ki Element and Trigram, which provide further clues as to the aspect of the reading. The Relationships panel allows you to compare two people, including those from the Famous Names list. Comparisons are made by matching the three numbers (Principal, Character and Energetic) and also checking the relationships between the Elements represented by the Numbers. It uses the Element Cycles (Productive and Destructive) to determine whether the relationship is likely to be Good or Bad. Hold your Mouse pointer over any of the numbers to see the Star and Element that it relates to. A month by month review of the auspicious and inauspicious days. Each person has a different monthly view, and the screen also shows the Fortune of the current Day and Hour. The calendar screen displays small icons relating to the fortune for each day, and these include Romance, Travel, Health and Prosperity. There are icons for Very Auspicious Days, but also for Obstacles and Inauspicious Days. If you hold the Mouse pointer over any day, then the Daily fortune is also displayed in a panel at the bottom of the screen. Holidays, Saint's Days and Birthdays of the people held in the system are also displayed. A pop up dialog showing the Fortune 'Cookie' for the current Day, Time, Year and your Age. The readings range from Bad to Good, and are colour coded. The readings are based on each individuals Horoscope and the Lucky Stars present at the time of their birth. A selection of traditional Oriental games can be played either solo or against the computer. These include:
A wide range of Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui topics for you to browse through. The topics are also available from most of the dialog screens, by clicking on the Yellow 'Help' button. This section provides a glossary of some of the more unfamiliar terms used in Feng Shui. Ba Gua - Alternative name for the Pa Kua octagon, commonly used in Black Hat School Feng Shui Black Hat School - style of Feng Shui based on the location of the Front Door, and eight Enrichment locations Ch'i - the vital energy of the Universe, or the "Cosmic Breath" Compass School - style of Feng Shui based on the compass directions. Early Heaven Sequence - Original layout of the Trigrams in the Pa Kua, used traditionally for Burial Sites. Earthly Branches - the 12 animals of the Chinese Astrology. Elements - the Five Chinese Elements : Water, Fire, Wood, Earth and Metal Feng Shui - Wind and Water, the traditional Chinese Art of Living Harmoniously with Nature. Heavenly Stems - part of the Four Pillars readings, based on the 5 elements. These are paired as Yin and Yang versions to give 10 Heavenly Stems. Hexagrams - two Trigrams linked to form 6 Yin/Yang rows. I Ching - a method of divination using 64 Hexagrams based on pairs of Trigrams Later Heaven Sequence - the arrangements of the Trigrams in the Pa Kua, used in Feng Shui for Homes and Rooms. Life Cycle - the 12 stages of life as seen by the Chinese, from Pregnancy, though Childhood and Adult to the Final Years and the After Life. Lo Shu - the 'Magic Square' of the numbers 1 to 9. Pa Kua - the octagonal compass showing your Auspicious and Inauspicious locations The Tao - 'The Way', the essential force behind everything in Heaven and Earth. Trigrams - a group of three Yin (broken) and Yang (solid) lines. Yin and Yang - the basis of much Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui, which aim to create a balance of opposites, such as Dark/Light, Night/Day, Cold/Heat, Quiet/Noise, Female/Male. A list of suggested further readings: "The Living Earth Manual of Feng Shui", Stephen Skinner, Penguin Arcana, 1982 "Feng Shui", Stephen Skinner, Dempsey Parr, 1997 "The Feng Shui Handbook", Lam Kam Chuen, Gaia Books, 1995 "Feng Shui, or the Rudiment of Natural Science in China", Ernest Eitel, Cokaygne, 1973 "Chinese Geomancy", Evelyn Lip, Times Books International, 1979 "Interior Design with Feng Shui", Sarah Rossbach, Rider, 1987 "Applied Pa Kua and Lo Shu Feng Shui", Lillian Too, Konsep, 1993 "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Feng Shui", Lillian Too, Element, 1996 "Feng Shui Handbook : A Practical Guide to Chinese Geomancy and Environmental Harmony", Derek Walters, Aquarian Press, 1991 "Feng Shui: The Ancient Wisdom of Harmonious Living for Modern Times", Eva Wong, Shambhala, 1996 "Feng Shui for Modern Living Magazine", Centennial Publishing, 1-5 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5PA (c) 1999-2020 Feng Shui for Modern Living, Email mark@fengshui-magazine.com |