The Ancient Art of Theoretical Physics?

Explaining Flying Star Feng Shui and why it sounds a lot like numerology

To tackle “feng shui” from a knowledgeable, but skeptical perspective, I thought it would be fun to dig into one of its applications discussed in recent weeks (specifically the Lemp Mansion Haunting, Part 2.) Flying Star Feng Shui is a sophisticated branch of traditional Chinese Feng Shui that focuses on the analysis of the energy patterns present in a space over time. Energy, space, and time sound a lot like an element of a theoretical physics paper.

Unlike some other Feng Shui schools that emphasize fixed directions and forms, Flying Star Feng Shui considers the dynamic interaction of energy influenced by time factors.

Flying Stars Feng Shui is actually not named after any star. However, the Big Dipper played a role in ancient agriculture and tracking celestial movements which is the root of many ancient “energy” sciences.

Here's an overview of how Flying Star Feng Shui works and how it is applied:

1. Concept of Flying Stars: Flying Stars refer to the nine different types of energy, represented by numbers 1 to 9, that shift and interact within a space over time. Each Flying Star possesses unique characteristics and influences related to aspects of life such as health, wealth, relationships, and career.

2. Annual and Periodic Influences: Flying Stars are not static; they change annually and are influenced by longer-term cycles known as Periods, which typically last 20 years. The interaction between the Flying Stars and their positions within the property determines the overall energy dynamics and influences the occupants' experiences and outcomes.

3. Flying Star Chart: A Flying Star chart is constructed based on the layout and orientation of the property, as well as its construction date. This chart reveals the specific combination of Flying Stars present in different sectors of the property during a particular period. Each period usually contains different combinations of numbers. The numbers represent specific characteristics and influences.

4. Analysis and Enhancement: Flying Star Feng Shui practitioners analyze the interactions between the Flying Stars to identify auspicious and inauspicious sectors within the property. By understanding the energetic qualities associated with each Flying Star and their interactions, practitioners can recommend appropriate enhancements and remedies to activate positive energies and mitigate negative influences.

5. Activation and Remediation: Remedies and enhancements in Flying Star Feng Shui may involve the placement of symbolic objects, adjustments to the layout or décor, use of colors, and activation of specific sectors through the strategic use of elements and symbols. These remedies are designed to harmonize the flow of energy and maximize the potential for success, health, and well-being for the occupants.

6. Periodic Adjustments: Since the energy patterns change annually and over longer cycles, Flying Star Feng Shui requires periodic adjustments and assessments to ensure continued harmony and balance within the space.

The roots of feng shui date back thousands of years (4000 BCE) based on feng shui markings on graves. But the various schools, including Compass School (where Flying Stars began), have been dated as far back as 722 BCE, but as late as 900 CE. Though it is not considered numerology, it does share some of the characteristics. The “nine” flying stars is a fancy name for nine different energies that move through the space of a building over time. Its roots are in astronomical movement as are many systems including astrology and numerology.

Often, skeptics compare feng shui to numerology, though some feng shui practitioners claim the systems are nothing alike. Regardless, they both were ancient sciences that have long been replaced in the modern world, and some of us are still fascinated with the ancient interpretations of energy.

In early China, particularly during the time of the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE), a form of numerology known as "Nine Star Ki" or "Nine Star Astrology" was practiced. This system is also referred to as "Ki Men Dun Jia," which incorporates elements of astrology, cosmology, and divination.

Nine Star Ki is based on the belief that cosmic energy manifests in nine different forms, represented by numbers 1 through 9. Each number corresponds to specific characteristics, influences, and attributes, similar to the principles of numerology found in other cultures. The Nine Star Ki system is believed to have originated from Taoist and cosmological traditions and was used for various purposes, including divination, fortune-telling, and character analysis. It involves analyzing the interactions between the cosmic energies represented by the nine stars to gain insights into individuals' personalities, life paths, and potential outcomes.

In Nine Star Ki, practitioners use a person's birth date to calculate their "personal trigram," which consists of three numbers corresponding to the year, month, and day of birth. These numbers are then interpreted to reveal personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, and potential life challenges.

While Nine Star Ki shares similarities with other forms of numerology found in different cultures, it has its own unique principles, interpretations, and applications rooted in ancient Chinese cosmology and metaphysical beliefs. So it is the closest comparison to Feng Shui, but totally different than what is considered the most popular form of numerology, the Pythagorean method. The Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, considered to be the father of numerology, lived between 570 and 475 BCE.

As you can see these “number” systems are ancient practices and come from different corners of the world. Even the Holy Bible repeats numbers with divine symbology. The number 777 is considered a symbol of the Holy Trinity, whereas 666 is the number of evil. Some theologians interpret the Bible’s Book of Revelation's reference to 666 as the Hebrew numerological symbol used to secretly speak against Nero Caesar. Basically, 666 was a numerological code name for Nero to protect Christians from death for speaking out against the cruel ruler.

Numbers are a universal language which may explain the powerful meaning given to them. Apparently, this idea and notion of a relationship between numbers and events have been present for thousands of years and not limited to feng shui or numerology. According to Pythagoras, numbers play an important role in identifying the nature of anything. But it is fascinating that so many different cultures developed similar relationships with numbers.

Numerology has its place in Chinese metaphysics and Nine Star Ki is the closest comparison to any other numerology system. But, what makes flying star feng shui different is it focuses on the nature of the fluid interaction between earth, mankind, and the heavens. And in terms of its influence over life, it ranks third behind Destiny (1) and Luck (2). In other words, if you're not destined to be a lawyer, no amount of Feng Shui will help you become a lawyer. It might assist with providing the most optimum environment for studying to become a lawyer, but it still would be like swimming upstream.

What differentiates the two systems is really in the details of how they are used.

1. Numerical Analysis: Both Flying Stars Feng Shui and Numerology involve the analysis of numerical patterns and combinations to gain insights into various aspects of life. In Flying Stars Feng Shui, numerical calculations determine the energy patterns associated with different sectors of a property, while Numerology uses numbers derived from a person's birth date, name, or other significant dates to reveal personality traits, life paths, and potential outcomes.

2. Symbolism of Numbers: Numerology defines each number as a vibration. Flying star defines each type of natural energy first and labels it with a number that represents the state of energy which is either yin (passive/even numbers) or yang (active, odd numbers). Both practices assign symbolic meanings to numbers one to nine based on cultural, philosophical, and metaphysical beliefs. In Numerology, each number is associated with specific qualities, characteristics, and vibrations that influence personal or cosmic energies. Similarly, Flying Stars Feng Shui ascribes distinct qualities and influences the forces of heaven and earth (represented by the number) have on humans living in a specific space.

3. Interpretation of Energy Patterns: In Flying Stars Feng Shui, practitioners analyze the interactions between energies to identify auspicious and inauspicious spaces within a property and recommend adding or removing an element (water, wood, fire, earth, metal) to enhance positive influences and mitigate negative ones. Numerology interprets numerical patterns to uncover insights into personality traits, relationships, and life events, offering guidance for personal growth and decision-making.

4. Holistic Approach to Harmony: Both Flying Stars Feng Shui and Numerology emphasize the importance of achieving balance, harmony, and alignment with cosmic or universal energies. They encourage individuals to understand and work with the natural flow of energy to create environments or lifestyles that support well-being, prosperity, and personal fulfillment.

Both systems use empirical data collected over an extended period as evidence of legitimacy. The data is not something that can be scientifically measured and tested in a controlled lab. It is fair to say both are very theoretical applications, sort of like theoretical physics without the giant particle accelerator used to study energy.

While Flying Stars Feng Shui and Numerology share similarities in their use of numbers, calculations, and interpretation of energy patterns, it's important to note that they originate from different cultural and philosophical traditions and with distinct methods, principles, and applications. For example, Feng shui uses the solar calendar to track energy changes. A new solar year begins in early February, and since I was born in January, my feng shui birth year is actually the previous year of the calendar. Numerology uses the standard twelve-month calendar birth year.

Ancient systems are often based on astronomy because that was the scientific standard thousands of years ago. Feng Shui uses a sixty-year cycle (i.e. low, mid, or high cycles of a 180-year Great Cycle). Within each sixty-year cycle, there are three, twenty-year periods. The 60 years is roughly based on 59 1/2 years of Jupiter and Saturn convergence. Incorporating the modern calendar in feng shui may have created a fundamental flaw in the system. We just started Period Nine of the upper cycle in Feng Shui on February 4, 2024, and it will last until February 3, 2043.

However, the last real convergence of Saturn and Jupiter occurred on December 21, 2020. Does this mean the energy for cycle nine really started back then? Considering the latest feng shui cycle is fire energy and this cycle is associated with eyes, circulatory system, fever, inflammation, extremes, dependency, volatility, prudence, superficial thought, politics, pharmacists, and emergency services, then maybe 2020 was the real beginning of cycle nine. That year certainly brought in significant change, though the fire descriptors I chose to share were the most relative attributes connecting the cycle to 2020. This is called confirmation bias and the very reason skeptics discard ancient sciences.

Feng shui and numerology may be lumped together since they are rooted in the universal language of numbers and lack the scientific rigor modern science has come to expect. Both systems can be strangely accurate, but a broken clock is right twice a day too, so whether it is by chance or design is really up to the individual to investigate. I just try to keep an open mind since ancient systems like feng shui and numerology have roots in astronomy, a distant relative to modern science. Maybe what we consider to be ancient foolery will turn out to be a universal principle proven in a physics lab. Only time will tell.

Next week we’ll take a deeper dive into the vibration of numbers and what connection they may (or may not have) to modern theories about the universe. Ancient scientists may have known more about the universe than previously thought, or at least were on to something but lacked the tools to define it.