(207) Destructive feng shui

By Janet Shin

In practicing feng shui, people consider different aspects depending on the country and culture. While feng shui-orientated interior design, to make money or lead to a successful life, is becoming more popular nowadays, traditional Korean feng shui masters have read more into natural landscapes, such as mountains, rivers and the shapes and direction of the land. Selecting an auspicious place for ancestors’ tombs and locating homes at prosperous sites has been an important ritual. It is common to read in history books that Korean kings of many generations tried to pick burial grounds with good feng shui for their ancestors. And this has also been respected by recent national leaders in order to try and maintain power.

Seoul was cleverly chosen as the capital of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) after taking feng shui into consideration. Mountains to the north, west, east and south, with regards to geographical position of rivers were cautiously considered for the glory of the royal family, welfare of the people and prosperity of the nation. Various criteria, such as national defense, protection from natural disasters, commercial and economical conditions were taken into account. On top of these public criteria, ancient sages regarded vital energy emitting from geographical settings as the most important factor for the ultimate national destiny. Although there was some malicious intent to diminish opposing factions by abusing feng shui, Seoul was generally well-designed to lead the city to political and cultural affluence for 500 years and its energy as a capital has continued after the kingdom’s fall.

When people picked a site for their ancestors’ tombs, it was believed that mountain “qi” or energy, reaches down from the top of mountains to gently rolling hills. As vital qi comes from the mountains, it is dreadful that their feet are being cut by road construction under the guise of modernization or development. It is as if people artificially cease the flow of qi so it can no longer emanate to vitalize people’s lives.

In the modern era, traditional feng shui still has an influence by reading physical environments. Large buildings, straight roads, highways, junctions and even vapors from the earth radiate various energy forces. Many people claim sudden ailments, such as headaches, sleepless nights or diseases upon moving to a new home. At that point, they realize something is wrong with the feng shui and seek a cure. For example, a landlord may become entangled with lawsuits pertaining to rent after a large, sharp-edged building is constructed next to his Those who lease an office in that building also experience a sudden financial slump.

The new Seoul City Hall building was revealed recently. However, there was controversy over the architectural design as it looks like a tsunami heading for the old City Hall and Seoul Plaza. This is a famous place where many people have gathered, sometimes to cheer for the Korean football team during World Cups or at other times for to see performances, such as “Gangnam Style” singer Psy earlier this month.

There is no reason to criticize artistic design aspects of individual buildings. However, City Hall houses various government offices and should have a certain stable formality for comfort, security, tranquility and sustainability. Not only Seoul City Hall but many other public buildings built recently have feng shui problems. Many of them have pointed and slanted edges, although they may be certain aesthetic reasons. Some find that artistic but they naturally emit killer energy toward their surroundings. This destructive environment provides harmful energy that could affect the destiny of a whole city. The continuing construction of significant buildings with destructive feng shui is alarming.

Information: Are you interested in learning more about the ancient Chinese teaching about the “Four Pillars of Destiny?” For further information, visit Janet’s website at www.fourpillarskorea.com, contact her at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin@hotmail.com.

The writer is the president of the Heavenly Garden, a saju research center in Korea, and the author of “Learning Four Pillars.”