By Darren McKellin and Michiaki Tanaka

By Darren McKellin and Michiaki Tanaka

By Darren McKellin and Michiaki Tanaka

These days, modern forecasting systems typically involve a super computer with big data in the cloud. Feng shui, on the other hand, requires no such technology and was developed thousands of years ago.

In 2013, from a feng shui perspective, women will tend to experience complaints affecting the stomach, tummy and womb.

According to the ancient Chinese lunar calendar, 2013—the year of the water snake—starts on 10 February.

Since the beginning of 2012, we have seen the word Libor in newspaper headlines almost every day. The scandal surrounding the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)—the inter-bank lending rate—involved a series of fraudulent actions that resulted in numerous investigations. It will lead to a substantial change in the financial system, and has been one of the biggest issues so far this year. I am very sure that there is a feng shui connection.

Year of the Water Dragon
According to the Chinese horoscope, every year has five elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. In addition, each year has an animal zodiac symbol, for a cycle of 12 animals: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar.

This year is the year of the water dragon.

Each animal and element has different characteristics, and it is said that the year of the dragon always brings most change.

The dragon is the celestial creature of the spring season. A year ruled by the dragon is always a time when the world experiences new beginnings.

The water element symbolises money, so it is no wonder we are facing a big financial scandal.

I revealed this in my talk on New Year predictions (given in Tokyo on 17 December, 2011), and what I said has come true.

Just the Same as Before
The year 1988 was that of the fire dragon and, since fire symbolises power, we saw a major change in the balance of political power in the world.

This year, former Soviet statesman Mikhail Gorbachev launched a radical reform strategy for the Soviet Union at the Communist Party conference. In Japan, restructuring (or perestroika, the term introduced by Gorbachev in the context of the Soviet Union’s foreign economic sector) was selected as the top buzzword of the year and received the U-Can Ryukogo Taisho prize from U-can Inc., an education and support firm.

The year 2000 was that of the metal dragon, and with it came the IT revolution. High specification–low price computers, routers and broadband internet access rapidly grew in popularity, bringing change and new economic growth. IT revolution was Japan’s top buzzword that year.

Leaders in Danger
We are currently in a year of change. Many national leaders and firms in various countries are changing. This is an election year in many First-World countries and, from a feng shui perspective, leaders are in danger.

North-west, the compass direction of the leader, is affected by the number seven star and indicates loss, robbery and betrayal. Not only presidents, but also managers and fathers are at high risk of being cheated, betrayed or experiencing loss.

In a worst-case scenario, a leader should resign and so not lose their reputation, as was the case at Barclays Bank PLC., Yahoo! Inc. and Best Buy.

BCCJ ACUMEN readers do not have to worry about this. There is something that can be done to prevent the distress caused by the number seven star:

• Place a bowl of water in the north-west part of your office.
• Or place a figurine of a blue rhinoceros in the north-west and leave it there until 3 February 2013.

As the number seven star is a metal element, water can suppress the problematic energy. Also please ensure that the water is still and not flowing, as it does in an aquarium or fountain.

As the north-west is also the direction of metal, the effect of the distress is very strong in 2012. We need to protect ourselves so we can enjoy our careers by riding the water dragon.

From BCCJ ACUMEN Magazine

Can you feel the feng shui?

Born and raised in Tokyo, I have seen many changes made to this high-tech city over the past 40 years. I remember, at the age of five, being surprised on my first visit to the Tokyo Tower observatory, and looking down on the sprawling metropolis; the people below looked like ants and the cars like grains of rice. But Tokyo Tower—for many years a popular spot for visitors and residents alike—is now dwarfed by Tokyo’s newest landmark, the 634m Sky Tree, that was officially opened on 22 May.

In terms of feng shui, practitioners usually consider a high building to be equal to a mountain, but the Sky Tree is more similar to a thin stick. Creating a shadow on the ground, the Sky Tree affects feng shui and the natural environment in Tokyo more than we might imagine.

About 400 years ago, Tokyo was planned and built according to bagua—the basic formula of feng shui—the effects of which are still felt today:

Landscape
Located in downtown Tokyo, the Sky Tree overwhelms this lowland area—that lacks tall buildings, mountains and hills—creating a shadow on the ground, strong winds and changes both in the movement of clouds at heights above 500m and wind flow, although the latter is not often felt on the ground.

Shape
A narrow triangular shape with sides that reach to a height of 70m, the Sky Tree resembles a thin metal nail. Such “sharp” buildings are known to generate bad energy, termed poison arrows, which they radiate to surrounding areas. If the Tree can be seen from your home or office, plants should be placed in front of the window to cover the view, or a multi-faceted crystal should be hung to reflect the bad energy.

Direction
Located in Tokyo’s north-east, the area represents—according to bagua—luck in education as well as good fortune in media and communications. The tower thus enjoys favourable conditions in terms of digital broadcasting.

Not by coincidence, Yushima Seido—Japan’s first educational institution, built in 1690—also stands in the north-east of the city.

Time
Flying star feng shui—an advanced feng shui discipline—suggests a 180-year time cycle of nine periods. From 4 February 2004 to 3 February 2024, we are in period eight, with a central direction of exactly north-east.

Were the new tower to activate the energy of this area through its many visitors, it would be most auspicious. Prior to 2004, Akihabara, in north-east Tokyo, was solely known for its electric appliance stores. But since 2004, culture from Akihabara—otaku, anime and the J-pop idol group AKB48—has been sweeping across the entire country, clearly demonstrating the power of period eight.

Colour
The main colour of the Sky Tree is white, with just the barest hint of blue, that is officially called Sky Tree white. The elevator shaft is grey, the observatory metallic, and the top section vivid white.

These colours, an expression of the feng shui element metal, release earth energy in a north-easterly direction. At night, when the tower lights are switched on, the element expressed is fire. Since fire produces earth, this brings good fortune and happiness.

The many visitors to Tokyo Sky Tree from around the world will bring refreshing, active energy to the area that will counter any negative activity. I believe that Tokyo’s new tower will help Japan overcome the damage caused by the March 2011 triple disaster, thereby helping the country grow.

From BCCJ ACUMEN Magazine

Believe it or not, this ancient Chinese art is practical for business

Whether people believe feng shui actually influences events or is superstitious nonsense, even cynics cannot deny its real benefits in the office, especially if you have Asian staff or clients who visit.

After all, Donald Trump, the property developer, consults masters of the traditional Chinese practice to make major structural and design decisions—if only for potential tenants and valuable Asian business.

Feng shui is too complex to explain in full detail here, but I wanted to share with you a recent consultation I gave during a visit to Custom Media, publishers of BCCJ ACUMEN. My first impression was that it looked and felt good. Located on a quiet road, the redbrick building with gold-coloured letters suggested solid and successful.

The tall and wide ground floor windows were filled with green trees from the sprawling grounds of Akasaka Palace opposite and the office glowed in warm natural light. Inside, the soothing view and gentle flow of energy fully compensated for the irregular shape of the office—feng shui followers prefer square or oblong—which creates practical and pleasing spaces for different departments such as editorial, design, business, reception and boardroom, etc.

But there was a nasty corner: the 45-degree edge of a wall jutting towards a desk was soon fixed by moving a pot plant a few inches. I also suggested for this relatively remote spot more light and an aquarium or other water feature, and maybe some music to boost energy flow.

After learning the birthdate of the desk’s occupant, I consulted my compass and moved his computer slightly to face the large window at south-west, rather than a dull corner with a cupboard facing his unlucky east. This meant slightly moving his chair and a few things on his desk, but he soon saw the light. The occupier later revealed he was born in the south-west of his country. Coincidence? You decide.

From BCCJ ACUMEN Magazine