Feng Shui should shed its mysterious veil and go under scientific scrutiny. The origin of Feng Shui (more correctly named "Kan Yue") is a combination of town-planning, environmental improvement, architecture and interior decoration. Ancient Chinese lived alongside the Yellow River. Their primary concern was to shield against ill winds and untamed waters. As society grew in size and complexity, Feng Shui had to deal with fertility, fame and fortune as well. The philosophies of the Ruist and Taoist dominated China for thousands of years. Feng Shui theory had sprung from these ideas without the slightest doubt. It is unfortunate that ancient Feng Shui masters were taught to be selfish and they were not to teach all they knew to their disciples. In this way, the knowledge of Feng Shui deteriorated quickly and pseudo-Feng Shui sprouted like weeds in spring.

The Ruists consider man as part of the Universe he lives in. Man should respect what Mother Nature bestows on him and not to act against Heaven. This in fact is what man should do to protect environment. Furthermore, a man's path of life is influenced by Heaven luck, Earth luck and Man luck. A modern way of saying this is that a man's path of life is described by three elements: time, space, and action. The time element is the luck function of a man in terms of time with his birth moment as initial condition. The space element is the place of birth of a man and the place where he lives. The element of action is what a man does. If a man does the right thing at the right time and right place, he will be fortunate. Otherwise, he will encounter hardship. To pursue Earth luck is simply to find a place in harmony with Nature to live in and to work. Can you say this is superstition?

What Feng Shui talks about is "Chi". Since mass and energy are interchangeable, chi can be in the form of matter or energy or a combination of the two. Therefore, chi can be visible, invisible, or partially visible and partially invisible. Ancient Chinese classified all things in Nature into five types: metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. In fact, all things are a combination of these primary bases. Different combinations have different influences, some are fortunate and some are evil. Feng Shui is in fact the study of the distribution of "chi" in a location. Such a distribution also varies with time. It has, in fact, a solid scientific foundation laid upon the concrete stone of Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy and Geography.

Feng Shui is well received by folks in North America. It has developed quickly in the past two decades. Unfortunately, the kind of Feng Shui practiced can only be termed Pseudo-Feng Shui. The reason why it is so popular is because of its simplicity and ease to follow. It will not be surprising to find this School of "Feng Shui" to dominate the Feng Shui world. If you want to know how to tell the difference between authentic and pseudo Feng Shui, go to Feng Shui and Pseudo- Feng Shui.

The distribution of Chi is affected by the "form" and the "formula". Since the form of the surroundings of a location is visible and can be felt, it is easy to understand the Feng Shui implications. The formula, on the other hand, is difficult for the average man on the street to understand. A real Feng Shui Master must take into consideration both the form and the formula. It is a logical deduction that the so called "Form School" and the so called "Formula School" are both half-filled bottles only.

To study the Feng Shui of a residence or a business location, four steps are taken.

• Study the surroundings, see that the mountains and rivers are suitably located. In cities, buildings and roads are considered fictitious mountains and rivers.
• Measure how the house is sitting and facing. Use formula to locate stars on the floor plan and survey.
• Plan the color scheme and decorations so as to enhance the fortunate chi and suppress the evil chi.
• Calculate the Life-Gua of each member of the family and make sure the bedrooms and living areas are in harmony with everyone.

The above are only guidelines that a knowledgeable Feng Shui master follows. It cannot be explained in a few words how each step is to be taken.

In general the motive of a Feng Shui audit is for the ease of mind. The use of an aquarium is to employ the water element to promote fortune. It is a wrong concept that the fish can sacrifice for the master of the house when evil chi attacks. If a fish tank is placed suitably, it can bring wealth to the house. If it is placed in the wrong corner, it can also bring misfortune. The use of a chime is to employ the metal element to dissolve and absorb the evil chi which causes sickness. Placed inappropriately, the chime can also be harmful. The Ba Gua mirror is the most useless Feng Shui utensil. If such a mirror is hung on the door, it simple tells people that the house owner is ignorant and superstitious.

There is a story widespread in Toronto. Two Feng Shui masters happen to be neighbors. One designed a "Star strategic scheme" to capture the fame and fortune from his neighbor. The other counteracted by using an "Evergreen strategic scheme". This is a typical case of misusing Feng Shui as a weapon. Since harmony is disturbed, no one will be a winner.