Feng Shui Master Charlie Chao

ANOTHER popular Feng Shui Master that I got to feature on the About Weddings section of the Manila Bulletin in 2007.

With a little tweak, this story becomes less dated and more relevant again. Read on.

FOR BETTER AND NOT FOR WORSE

By EDWIN P. SALLAN

“God helps good people and those who help themselves while Feng Shui acts as a catalyst for self-improvements.”

So says renowned Feng Shui master, Professor Charles Chao. For those who think that their good fortune is dictated by this ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment, Professor Chao says that it is only part of a bigger picture.

A more complete definition of Feng Shui, according to its Wikipedia entry, is that it is a discrete Chinese belief system involving a mix of geographical, psychological, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic, and astrological ideas. Yes, astrological ideas. Astrology does play an important role in determining a favorable Feng Shui orientation.

That is why those who consult the Professor are first required to give their entire birth dates including year, month, day and time of birth. “Because according to ancient Chinese belief, our fates are not all the same,” he says.

As the author of books like “Practical Feng-Shui,” “Practical Geomancy” and the “Yi-Jing Divination” or “I-Ching Cards,” the professor stresses that there is a co-relation between these Chinese beliefs and how they pretty much shape our lives and our future.

It is important for instance to determine not just your Chinese Zodiac sign but also the which of the five elements (fire, metal, wood, earth and water) of its Yin and Yang cycle that you belong to. These elements are modifiers and afflict the characteristics of each of the 12 animal signs and each has features that apply to both years and the animals. Each of the 12 animals are governed by an element plus a Yin Yang Direction. The balance of yin and yang and the five elements in a person's make-up has a major bearing on what is beneficial and effective for them in terms of feng shui.

So does this mean that this is a good year for engaged couples to tie the knot? “Actually, every year is always a good year to get married,” the professor smiles. “What’s important is for soon-to-weds to know the lucky date by which to stage their wedding. And the best way to know your lucky date is not by consulting books on Feng Shui, which are often not as accurate as people think but by personally consulting a Feng Shui master or the right person for the right day and time of your wedding day. I have already prepared lucky dates that stretches all the way to 2010. ”

Professor Chao says that by correctly selecting the lucky day and time of their wedding, “a couple can end up being together and happy for a long time.” But before determining the lucky date, the professor will also tell the couple if they’re actually compatible by checking at their respective signs. “Based on Chinese beliefs, couples with an age difference of six years are not compatible. That may mean an Ox and a Goat, a Tiger and a Monkey, a Rabbit and a Rooster, a Dragon and a Dog and a Snake and Pig. Couples who have a three and nine year difference in age may also be incompatble and even if happily married may still end up going their separate ways. ”

“In general, couples born in the years of the Ox, the Snake and the Rooster are compatible,” he continues. “The same goes with any combination of a Tiger, a Horse and a Dog; a Rat, a Monkey and a Dragon; and a Rabbit, a Goat and a Pig.”

For newly-weds and soon-to-weds who are about to start a new life and build a new home, the professor says that the lucky Feng Shui orientations are the North and the South. “When constructing a new house, replacing the altar and transferring the main entrance door or gate, it should be facing the North and South orientations to be auspicious and favorable.”

Professor Chao says his pronouncements are backed up by years of careful study of various disciplines. An Engineer by profession who majored in Metallurgy and Mathematics, he is also considered a master of Chinese literature and history. He has extensively researched on Oriental Esoteric Sciences and Geomancy Sciences. His Institute of Chinese Esoteric Sciences Studies is the only one in the country recognized by the Department of Education to teach authentic Chinese Feng-Shui, Physiognomy, Palmistry, Chinese Astrology and Yi-Jing Divination.

You would think that with all these credentials as well as spot-on predictions on the start and end of the Gulf War as well as the abridged term of former president Erap Estrada and People Power 2, Professor Chao will easily lay claim to what he’s saying as gospel truth. On the contrary, the genial man is quick to point out that what he tells people, especially the many soon-to-weds that come to him for consultation are “all based on Chinese beliefs and are only 70 percent accurate.”

“There will always be exceptions,” he notes. “My analysis are just for your references only. If everyone wants to have a better life and a peaceful world, then it’s equally important to learn how to change one’s bad attitudes. Greed and pride are still two of the worst things that a person could have. Don’t be controlled by these things, learn how to manage your temper and with proper behavior and self-discipline, then everyone will definitely succeed.”