From: Baird Stafford <bstafford@bstafford.ess.harris.com>
Subject: Re: material on Chinese geomancy...
X-Xxdate: Thu, 9 Sep 93 21:00:50 GMT
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1993 20:36:59 GMT


From: nephilim@otik.solace.hsh.se (Thomas Eriksson)
> "Looking for any and all sources on Chinese geomancy.  Text files or
>  bibliographies are good. Authors to look up also appreciated!"
>  Thanks.

Feng Shui (I believe the older transliteration is Fung Shui) is a
fascinating study, especially when one notes how it differs from
anything we in the West call "geomancy".  Feng Shui masters do not
divine the future, but rather seek to discern the flows of ch'i
through the natural forms of the earth; those flows have been likened
at least once in my recollection to dragons.  Once the flow of ch'i
has been discovered, natural or artificial means may be used to alter
it: the placement of a tree in one's front yard or a pond in one's
garden may change the energies pervading one's home in a substantial
manner -- one hopes, for the better.  I once heard a pair of respected
(and frequently published) Wiccans liken Feng Shui to "ley lines,"
either forgetting, ignoring, or not knowing that straight lines, by
and large, are anathema in Feng Shui since they are regarded as being
more apt to conduct negative energies.  Nor is the "geomancy" of
Ceremonial Magick anything like Feng Shui: a Feng Shui master would
regard potting at plots of dirt with a stick in order to divine the
future as (at best) a practice indulged in solely by superstitious
barbarians.

The first and probably still the most detailed study of Feng Shui was
probably included in _The_Religious_System_of_China_ by Dr. J.J.M. de
Groot, a Belgian missionary who wrote nearly a century ago.  I know of
no modern edition.  _Chinese_Geomancy_ (Copyright 1989 by Derek
Walters, Element Books Limited, Longmead, Shaftesbury, Dorset, ISBN
1-85230-058-2) uses de Groot extensively as a source, however.  I also
like _The_Elements_of_Feng_Shui_ (Copyright 1991 by Joanne O'Brien
with Kwok Man Ho, Element, Inc., Rockport MA, ISBN 1-85230-220-8).
Kwok Man Ho is touted as "the foremost Feng Shui master working in
Europe today."

General studies of Chinese religion and philosophy usually include at
least one chapter of Feng Shui, also.

Sorry to be so long-winded about it, but I like the stuff.

Blessed be,
Baird
__
Baird Stafford  (bstafford@bstafford.ess.harris.com)