Showing posts with label Musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Musings. Show all posts

On Restraint and Reverence in Times of Tragedy


On 26 November 2025, Hong Kong was struck by the tragic fire in Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, a calamity that has left many dead, injured, or still unaccounted for, while families remain in anguish as they wait for news of their loved ones. 

Even as rescue efforts continue and grief has scarcely begun to settle, social media across various platforms has already filled with commentaries, some appearing within hours or the very next day, that set forth metaphysical interpretations, offering Feng Shui or astrological reasoning as though the event were already distant and concluded, presenting these explanations in a lesson-giving manner even while the tragedy is still unfolding. Many speak with an air of authority, delivering their analyses with a detachment that overlooks the immediate grief surrounding them, as though the suffering of the present moment were merely the backdrop for a demonstration of skill. This is not to suggest that such insights lack value within the context of esoteric or metaphysical knowledge; rather, the concern lies in the timing and the manner in which they are offered.

It must be said that Feng Shui, divination, and astrology are all arts situated within the broader field of metaphysics. From an astrological perspective, these disciplines fall chiefly under the Twelfth House and, secondarily, under the Ninth. Yet anyone advancing in the metaphysical field of the Twelfth House must remember its fuller meanings, among them compassion and empathy. Likewise, those devoted to the Ninth House in their pursuit of higher understanding must take care not to become so fixated on intellectual certainty or the rational search for meaning that they forget the moral obligations that accompany such knowledge. The Twelfth and the Ninth form a square in their traditional relationship, which serves as a reminder that one should be mindful not to allow the quest for esoteric insight to obscure ethical responsibilities, nor permit the pursuit of supposed truth to suppress compassion. There are boundaries that should not be crossed, even in the pursuit of knowledge or attention, for those who engage in these arts also assume the obligations inherent in the Twelfth and Ninth Houses.

In times such as these, one ought to reflect with care upon what may rightly be spoken, when it may be spoken, and in what setting. It is worth recalling why the Sun resonates with the Ninth House and Saturn with the Twelfth, for these associations point toward moral clarity, spiritual discipline, and the sobriety of inward reflection.

In the Learning Process, Be Like One-Punch Man


Ba Zhai/ Eight Mansions (八宅), Xuan Kong (玄空), Landform (形家), San Yuan/ Three Periods (三元), Tian Xing/ Heavenly Stars (天星) Fengshui etc. These are just some of the more commonly known Fengshui techniques. You may have heard one or more of the above Fengshui techniques, or even know some of their basic concepts, although you may not be a Fengshui practitioner.

With the aid of the numerous media available and active promotion nowadays, public awareness and interest in Fengshui have increased significantly over the years. This will even be more pronounced in Li Fire Period 9 (离火九运), a 20 years period beginning 2024. 

But such situation creates a predicament, not only for those who wish to learn Fengshui, but also for those who wish to apply Fengshui techniques on his or her house based on self learning or from Fengshui books. 

That book guides us on using Eight Mansions Fengshui, but I have heard one should use Xuan Kong Fengshui instead, as it is supposedly more comprehensive?

Some said techniques or systems that dates further back in history are more 'authentic'?

Should I study Heavenly Stars or Xuan Kong Fengshui? But it seems San Yuan Fengshui is more popular? Which should I use if different techniques contradict each other? Which is correct? 

Such dilemma is not much different from another metaphysics field such as Astrology. The usual familiar Whole Sign House system versus Quadrant House System. Modern, Medieval or Hellenistic system.

I have always said this, do not waver and wander around the outskirts of the knowledge because of this seemingly dilemma. For example, both Whole Sign House and Quadrant House definitely works. I have seen students repeatedly going back and forth from one system to another in their learning journey, due to either the lack of confidence or because of the trends and influence of other practitioners. Hence, lacking proficient in that particular field.

Before you ask about the differences of the various techniques or systems in practice, first dive deeper and engage with one system rather than right-away doubting at the first sign of unfamiliarity. If you do that, you will most often find yourself merely scratching the surface and neither proficient in either. 

Whatever Fengshui techniques you wish to explore, be thorough with it and use it consistently. Eight Mansions Fengshui, whether in its simple or complex derivations, works. Xuan Kong, San Yuan etc. works. They may, and most often, will contradict when assessing auspiciousness, but remember we are looking from different perspectives, but 'Dao' 道 is the same, they are correct. 


Whether which Fengshui technique is better suited for a particular situation, which should be given a greater consideration, how contradicting outcomes from different techniques manifest etc., again, my advice for starters who merely wish to do some Fengshui DIY or those Fengshui learners who faces the confusing situation of different Fengshui techniques, first do not waver or hesitate. Be well learned in one first.

Be like One-Punch Man.  
杂不如精，精不如简。

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Image Credit:
AI-generated artwork of Saitama (One Punch Man), created using ChatGPT with DALL·E by OpenAI. Character © ONE, Yusuke Murata, and Shueisha.