When unwrapped of superstition, ancient knowledge such as Feng Shui and other forms of Chinese astrology can provide helpful pointers – even in this increasingly technological reality.
Long before the advent of satellites and global positioning systems, various societies separated by vast oceans managed to independently determine the shape of the world to be a sphere – and some observant individuals (such as Eratosthenes, the ancient Greek mathematician) managed to accurately calculate the Earth’s circumference using little more than the midday sun, a stick, and some spare time. Unfortunately, most of these early discoveries were lost to the winds of change as civilisations rose and fell – with some of the most accomplished societies fading out of existence before the first recorded circumnavigation of the globe even occurred.
In this age of micro-lasers and bio-enhanced plastics, physicists attempt to discern the nature of the universe by colliding particles and capturing immeasurable energies, but many of them – eminent theorists and humble lab technicians alike – are finding it increasingly difficult to disregard the surprising connections between ancient mystical beliefs and the current body of findings arising from modern scientific discovery. To many headliners in the realm of physics, such as Niels Bohr and Erwin Schrödinger, a combination of ancient mysticism and modern science is still required in order to truly appreciate the subtle ebbs and flows of the universe.
With the world at large having turned its back on mysticism before the turn of the millennium, and most people throughout the past half-century preferring to rely on practical perspectives and measurable evidence in the name of progress, we are now faced with natural environments ravaged by industrialisation and worldviews shaped by embattled world leaders trading barbs with television personalities. It should then be painfully clear to us modern humans, as it probably was for thinkers in the past, that abandoning the spiritual heritage of our forebears would undermine our collective ability to thrive in the modern world.
Whether you consider it to be an art, science, pseudoscience – or even sorcery – the school of mysticism that includes Feng Shui arose from a period of development spanning over 3,500 years and has served as a set of highly revered principles throughout the rule of many successive dynasties. While each new dynasty may have sought to paint over the works of the previous – and despite sustained efforts to eradicate Feng Shui during the Cultural Revolution in China – the traditional knowledge of Feng Shui and other forms of mysticism such as BaZi and Yi Jing have endured into the modern era with few modifications.
In contemporary practice, even those who bear no connection to ancient China subscribe to Feng Shui and other schools of Chinese astrology – albeit often in modern flavours and more symbolic forms. If not in homage to the culture of ancient China, many people and global corporations at least view the sanctity of their material worth through a lens coloured with some degree of mysticism. Celebrated metaphysical consultants such as Jessie Lee are still sought out by companies and individuals of high net-worth – even global giants consider their advice invaluable when forging paths into new territories.
“We live by choice, not by chance.” - Jessie Lee
Find out if Chinese astrology can help to turn your fortunes around in 2019 by attending Jessie Lee’s upcoming appearances at the Bentley Music Academy on 12th January (in English) and 13th January (in Cantonese). Tickets are available at a subsidised price here.
