Conflicting view and changing times of Astrology and Feng Shui

When one begins to approach Astrology or Feng Shui, it's easy to be intimidated by the conflicting schools of thought in these fields. There is a diverse history in Astrology and Feng Shui alike, which has led to diverging thoughts on the practice of each. Compare such challenges to, say, mathematics, which despite similar divergence of theories in the past (" 'Zero' you say? Poppycock!") now seeks to pursue the most objectively accurate methods (except maybe stuff like theoretical physics). Astrology and Feng Shui are not based on objective proofs, but rather subjective proof. It's about what works for individuals.

In Astrology, there are two main "zodiacs"- the orientation of the 12 constellations that we use in chart interpretation. They are the "Tropical Zodiac" of Western tradition, based on the position of the constellations 2000 years ago and their synchronization with the seasons (Aries begins at the spring equinox, Libra at the fall equinox). The other zodiac is called the "Sidereal Zodiac" and is based on the precession of the equinoxes (the slow, rotating-top motion of the Earth over time that leads to a gradual movement of the constellations in space), rotating the position of the zodiac signs backward approximately one sign. This system is used extensively in India.

In Feng Shui, there are similarly two "styles": Classical or Traditional (Compass-oriented) Feng Shui, and Western Feng Shui. Classical Feng Shui incorporates one of the oldest and still fundamental tenets- "form school", or the symbolic and elemental orientation of the physical environment in relation to your residence. In addition, Classical Feng Shui makes use of the Luopan (geomancer's compass) to orient the bagua (octoganally shaped map of the significance of each section of a dwelling). The Flying Stars school of Feng Shui is based in the Compass school and incorporates a more time-sensitive analysis based on the date of construction of the building. A numerical map of the area is made, with cyclical changes over time that are analyzed for individuals. Western Feng Shui, on the other hand, covers BTB (Black Hat Sect) Feng Shui (pioneered by Thomas Lin Yun and incorporating a more Buddhist heritage than traditional Feng Shui), and traditional "form school" principles, as well as a general amalgamation of techniques from throughout the history of Feng Shui that carry weight and meaning to Western Audiences. The most immediate difference between the Classical compass-based and Western Feng Shui is that the classical method orients the bagua of elements and life experience based on the magnetic directions, while the western approach always orients the bagua based on the location of the front door.
So which of all these should people use? The good news is: there's no right or wrong answer. The bad news is (you guessed it): there's no right or wrong answer. This frustrating ambiguity can be discouraging, leading many to question the validity of the entire system. I have had my doubts on more than one occasion, and have had my share of hiatuses caused, in part, by inability to decide what the heck I was actually studying. By odd chance, for one of the first times since obtaining it, my anthropology degree came to the rescue. Anthropology as an academic science has changed perspective countless times over the years, and while different traditions will always compete, one undeniable consequence is that culture and thought are subjective. Anthropologists have studied why different cultures and people do such and such thing. Some have said that it's a reflection of common thought processes we all share, others have said that culture arises from particular environmental needs. None of these convinced me entirely when I was getting my degree, but the variety did show me that our culture, our history, our individual experience and thoughts we share in our society are all variable.

This leads us to the question of: Which kind of Feng Shui or Astrology is right? Ultimately, my belief is that it depends on the individual and the culture and time period to which they belong. This individual viewpoint tempers our reality, our relationships, our perspectives. It also, I believe, affects the field of forces around us in which we consciously or unconsciously participate. That is, myself and most of the "Western World" don't just practice Tropical zodiac Astrology- we participate in it. It reflects our heritage, and consciously or subconsciously, it works. India, meanwhile, participates in Sidereal zodiac Astrology- and it works, too. The two aren't mutually exclusive, either. They share common traits and dialogue, especially as our global world gets more and more connected.

In similar fashion, both Classical and Western Feng Shui are reflections of the heritage, culture and mentality of different times and places. Both share common traits, ideas and goals (such as the importance of balance and the creative and destructive cycles of the elements). Admittedly, Feng Shui is more specifically endemic to China. However, it has undergone development over thousands of years, as any school of thought would do. It has now achieved a universality that can be applied, with some cultural translation, all over the world. Traditional Feng Shui and the developments of the Compass school are meaningful and applicable to anyone, but in many cases, residents and their places of work and living in the Western world work well with "Western" Feng Shui- that is, we can participate in it with a more immediate conscious and subconscious sense of meaning.

As I mentioned, everyone has a unique and culturally relative perspective, and as such these different schools of Astrology and Feng Shui will resonate differently from person to person, while continuing to share these common traits and goals. I've read articles and correspondence about these issues, Feng Shui in particular, that have such vitriol, such dogmatic certainty. In the problems that face our modern society, dialogue like this is the last thing anybody needs. We should be aware of how our culture and outlook affects our different approaches to Astrology and Feng Shui.

The issue of precession in the Sidereal vs. Tropical is nothing new in Astrology. However, Indian Astrology places greater emphasis on prediction and houses then on the significance of the signs of the Zodiac. Western Astrology, on the other hand, comes from a long heritage of psychoanalysis and self-exploration, and in astrological counsel the Tropical zodiac is accurate and indispensable. Two different schools of thought, tailored, in a way, for different cultural perspectives.

In Feng Shui, consider the cultural differences in our homes. Feng Shui developed thousands of years ago in part to help locate the best place to actually build one's home, which direction it should face, and (in the case of Flying Star Feng Shui in particular) incorporating when the house was built and the placement of occupants within the home. This compass-based orientation is quite common in Asian countries, and speaks to a common cultural concern. In the "Western" countries and cities (of Europe or North America), we seldom have concern for the exact time that our building was constructed. Especially with the burst of the housing market bubble, few people have the luxury of choosing what direction their home should face. The western version of the bagua in Feng Shui is based on the location of the front door, providing easier orientation. The cyclical, elemental importance of the bagua remains intact, but reflects our modern limitations in building choices and information, as well as the importance that we place on our careers (for both men and women), and the individuality that is highly prized by young and old (since each individual room or office can be oriented based on this western bagua). These different schools share many important traits beyond differences such as bagua orientation, and simply reflect different cultural perspectives and realities.

We should share in the commonalities between these diverging schools, for the positive benefit of all those who seek the counsel of these ancient healing arts. It is fruitless to prove which of the various schools of thought in Astrology and Feng Shui are right or wrong. Both of these arts wouldn't be increasing so drastically in popularity and demand unless they were needed by an increasing number of people. Instead of choosing the right or wrong school, we should support each other in choosing the most applicable, in respect to individual and cultural perspective. The diversity of the world is open now as it has never been. Don't fight about it! Let's learn from it and work together to find what is significant and meaningful for individuals!

Here is a list of further articles, some quite short, that touch on this subject matter:
http://www.fastfengshui.com/articles_westernfengshui.htm
http://www.onereed.com/articles/sidereal-tropical.html
http://www.fengshui-santopietro.com/about.fengshui.html
http://www.soulspace.info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Star_Feng_Shui

And check out my introductory article on the significance of space:
http://drunkenastrology.blogspot.com/2011/05/geomancy-signficance-of-space.html

Readers, what do you think about the diverging schools of Feng Shui and Astrology? Do modern lifestyles require a new perspective or not? Let's discuss!