By WONG LI ZA
wongliza@thestar.com.my
FENG SHUI’S growing popularity can be attributed to people’s curiosity, according to Master Wong Keen Ming, president of the Malaysian Feng Shui Association.
“I guess people have this urge to want to know about their future,” he said.
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Wong Keen Ming: ‘Now more people see feng shui as a science and not superstition.’ |
“They all want to know when they can strike it rich!” he said with a smile.
The second reason, he said, is love. “People come as couples to check out marriage possibilities or as singles to find out why their ba zi (date and time of birth) seem to go against them,” explained Wong, who is based in Petaling Jaya.
Inquiring about the best profession to go into or whether they can have children are other common reasons people seek out geomancers.
“Generally, people come because they are dissatisfied about something in their lives or want to improve their businesses,” he said.
The busiest time for Wong is between the ninth and 12th month in the Chinese calendar because many people will move house for the New Year or renovate their houses then.
In the last two years, Wong, 42, also noticed that his client profile has become younger, ranging in the 20s and 30s. “I would say about seven out of 10 are aged below 40. I’m surprised at that,” he admitted.
Many of them, he said, are unhappy about work and career.
“Some feel that even though they work really hard, only their bosses become richer. And when they venture out to do business on their own, it doesn’t work out,” he shared.
According to Wong, actual feng shui is based on landscape, natural surroundings and also common sense, and does not use things like the eight trigram or talisman, and thus does not contradict religion. “Now more people see feng shui as a science and not superstition,” he explained.
Wong stressed that feng shui is only a form of support. “Even though good feng shui helps you, one still needs to work hard and evaluate his own character and behaviour towards other people,” he maintained.
Astrologer K. Shanmugavel, better known as Thuravi, said the majority of those who seek his services did not believe in astrology initially.
“But people come when they have problems that cannot be solved,” said Thuravi, an astrologer for 19 years.
Mostly, he said, people come to seek advice on finance, health and love. “Some even come to ask for empat ekor predictions but I do not give such advice,” shared Thuravi, 62, adding that the beginning of the year is the busiest period for him.
Thuravi believes that one’s life is like a graph, with many ups and downs. “Before they enter these ups and downs, people want to know. They want to prepare and work towards those times,” he said.
Thuravi first studied astrology to debunk it, ironically. But upon researching it, he soon became a believer.
“However, astrology is only a guide to a good and prosperous life. I still encourage people to pray to their god.”
Despite the fact that the educated and modern world may pooh-pooh astrology and predictions, he said that people still want to know about their future.
“In fact, with more people being educated, they really study astrology and realise that it is a science.”
However, he maintained that one’s future cannot be changed through astrology although one can reduce the impact of its “damage”.
“Astrology is about guidance, advice and predictions. One’s destiny cannot be changed but it can be altered by God and (through) prayer. Beyond astrology, God’s grace is greater,” he said.
In his experience, medium and feng shui master Lee Chai Yen said the younger generation is more into feng shui and fortune-telling.
“The youngsters are more modern and believe that things like going into a trance is a superstition,” said Lee, 54, adding that bogus and insincere mediums give a bad name to the belief.
Lee, who goes into a trance once a week, said those in their 20s or 30s usually want to know about their future, mainly regarding jobs, career and business. “They want to know which job or industry is best suited for them to venture into,” said Lee, who is based in Subang, Selangor.
He said a decade ago, young people regarded feng shui as something mysterious. However, now, they are the ones who appreciate it and develop a great interest in it.
Older people come to him when they are ill and want to know if they have “disturbed” any spirits.
“Parents also worry for their children and come to inquire about their career or marriage prospects,” he added.
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