Throughout China's five-thousand-year civilization, Feng Shui has always been a deeply ingrained wisdom for human habitation. It draws upon astronomical phenomena, geographical features, and human life, representing a practical discipline used by the ancients to explore the harmonious coexistence of heaven, earth, and humanity . From the selection of ancient capital sites to village layouts, from the construction of residences to the selection of burial sites, Feng Shui culture has long been integrated into every aspect of Chinese life. However, many Feng Shui texts on the market are either obscure and difficult to understand, with cryptic formulas, or they contain a mix of schools of thought and are difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake, deterring countless enthusiasts and practitioners.

A groundbreaking work that integrates the essence of thousands of years of Feng Shui and the essence of practical divination has been published: "Geographical Portrait: Feng Shui Selection: The Divination of Extraordinary Situations in the Three Cycles and Nine Periods". With the Three Cycles and Nine Periods as its core framework, it connects the two major systems of Luan Tou (landform) and Li Qi (energy flow), and includes a large number of real extraordinary situation cases. It has become a milestone classic for contemporary Feng Shui study and practical application.

The principles of Feng Shui have always been based on the core principle of "Luan Tou as the foundation, Li Qi as the application," which is the unchanging method passed down by generations of Feng Shui masters. Luan Tou refers to the external forms of mountains and rivers, dragon veins, caves, sand, and water, which are the physical foundation of the geographical environment; Li Qi refers to the internal laws of the flow of the Yuan Yun (cyclical movement of the elements), the interaction of stars, and the Yin-Yang and Five Elements, which are the dynamic laws governing the space-time field.

The two complement each other and are indispensable. Focusing only on the physical features without considering the principles of Qi is like having form but no function; discussing only the principles of Qi without considering the physical features is like water without a source. "Geographical Sketch: Feng Shui Selection Based on the Three Cycles and Nine Periods - Verification of Extraordinary Situations" completely breaks through the limitations of traditional Feng Shui books that either "emphasize principles over form" or "emphasize form over principles." It uses the Three Cycles and Nine Periods as the main time axis and the Twenty-Four Mountains and Directions as the spatial framework, perfectly integrating the five elements of dragon, cave, sand, water, and direction with the principles of Qi in the star chart. It constructs a complete Feng Shui system that unifies "momentum, form, and situation," truly achieving a balance between form and function, and a comprehensive understanding of both form and principles.

The Three Cycles and Nine Periods (三元九运) is the core essence of Feng Shui principles, originating from the Hetu and Luoshu diagrams and the numerology of the I Ching. It operates on a 180-year cycle, divided into the Upper Cycle (上元), Middle Cycle (中元), and Lower Cycle (下元), each lasting 60 years. Each Cycle is further divided into three Periods (运), each lasting 20 years, corresponding to the movement of the nine stars: Tanlang (贪狼), Jumen (巨门), Lucun (禄存), Wenqu (文曲), Lianzhen (廉贞), Wuqu (武曲), Pojun (破军), Zuofu (左辅), and Youbi (右弼). It precisely reveals the rise and fall of the Qi of Heaven and Earth, and the changing patterns of fortune and misfortune in human affairs. This book does not merely offer a superficial interpretation of the Three Cycles and Nine Periods; instead, it deeply analyzes the Qi principles of each Period, especially providing a systematic explanation of the prosperity and decline patterns and the auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of the stars in the Eighth Period.

The book clearly states that during the Eighth Period, the Eight White Left Auxiliary Star represents the current prosperous energy, governing the construction industry, real estate, and prosperity of the population; the Nine Purple Right Auxiliary Star represents vitality, governing celebrations, literary achievements, and career advancement; and the One White Greedy Wolf Star represents future support, governing academic success, interpersonal relationships, and wealth. It also clarifies that the Seven Red and Six White Stars represent declining energy, the Five Yellow, Four Green, and Three Jade Stars represent inauspicious energy, and the Two Black Star represents death energy, allowing readers to clearly grasp the waxing, waning, and death of each star and accurately determine the auspiciousness and inauspiciousness of residences, construction, and burials.

The most valuable and practical aspect of the book lies in its vast collection of verifiable and verifiable feng shui case studies . The author, with decades of experience in feng shui practice, has traveled extensively throughout China, visiting famous mountains and rivers, former residences of celebrities, and ancient houses and tombs. The book includes thousands of real-life cases, ranging from imperial capitals, ancestral homes of powerful officials, and ancestral tombs of famous figures, to ordinary residences, shops, and tombs. It covers all twenty-four directions and details the verification techniques for classic feng shui formations such as auspicious mountain and auspicious direction, ascending and descending mountains and water, double star sitting position, double star facing direction, the "murderous Yellow Spring," the "Five Ghosts Transporting Wealth," the "Leaving Palace Robbery," and the "City Gate Formula."

The book not only analyzes the feng shui patterns of ancient capitals such as Beijing and Nanjing, but also provides in-depth feng shui analysis of the ancestral homes and former residences of famous figures such as Jack Ma, Wang Jianlin, Yan Xishan, and Lin Biao. Combining the Eighth Period Chen Mountain Xu Direction Substitute Gua Qi Formation, Zi Wu Direction He Shi Formation, Gui Mountain Ding Direction Prosperous Ding and Wealth Formation, it analyzes the root causes of good and bad fortune, the timing of events, and the rise and fall of family members one by one. The case studies are vivid and the verification is accurate. It abandons empty theoretical teachings and directly hits the core of feng shui practice.

At the same time, this book aims to clarify the origins and dispel misconceptions that have been passed down in traditional Feng Shui for thousands of years. The book clearly clarifies the origin and development relationship between Sanhe Feng Shui and Sanyuan Feng Shui, restores the true essence of Yang Gong Feng Shui, Guo Pu's Burial Book, and Jiang Dahong Xuan Kong Feng Shui, criticizes the theoretical fallacies of the Eight Mansions School's "Extermination of Barbarians Classic", and corrects common errors in the market such as "incorrect orientation and incorrect direction setting".

From the twenty-four directions and compass usage tips, to the auxiliary star water method, the reversal and repetition, the use of the substitute hexagram, the dragon vein location, and the practical techniques of eliminating evil and attracting good fortune, the book explains everything in detail in plain language and with illustrations. The accompanying formulas and charts are easy to understand, so even feng shui enthusiasts with no prior knowledge can learn step by step and quickly master the techniques.

As a comprehensive work on feng shui that combines academic rigor with practical application, "Geographical Sketches: Feng Shui Selection and the Verification of Extraordinary Situations in the Three Cycles and Nine Periods" completely breaks free from the shackles of feudal superstition. It interprets the essence of feng shui from an objective and scientific perspective, deeply integrating ancient geomancy wisdom with modern living needs. Whether it is residential site selection, office layout, shop operation, or site selection for construction and burial, or warding off evil and praying for blessings, practical solutions can be found in it.

The core concepts proposed in the book, such as "The most valuable is a true dragon vein and a proper burial site; a prosperous mountain and a prosperous direction are the true foundation" and "The three words 'momentum, form, and layout' are not only a summary of the essence of thousands of years of Feng Shui culture, but also practical guidelines for optimizing the contemporary living environment.

Inheriting a thousand-year-old secret art, and deciphering the mysteries of heaven and earth, "Geographical Sketches: Feng Shui Selection and the Verification of Extraordinary Situations in the Three Cycles and Nine Periods" uses a rigorous academic approach, rich practical cases, and popular language to bring the profound and obscure secrets of Feng Shui out of the ancient books and into the lives of the general public.

It not only fully inherits the true secrets of Feng Shui masters of all dynasties such as Yang Yunsong, Jiang Dahong, Zhang Zhongshan, and Zhang Jiuyi, but also innovates and develops in combination with contemporary practice, making a significant contribution to the rectification, inheritance and promotion of Feng Shui culture.

For Feng Shui practitioners, this is a readily accessible and practical reference book; for traditional culture enthusiasts, it is an authoritative guide for systematic introduction and in-depth study; for the general public, it is a life guide for optimizing living spaces and avoiding misfortune.

Understanding the Three Cycles and Nine Periods, mastering the methods of divination, aligning with the Qi of Heaven and Earth, and unlocking the wisdom of human habitation—this timeless work of Feng Shui, a culmination of decades of practical experience, is a treasure to be cherished and studied by every reader who loves traditional Chinese culture and pursues harmonious living, and will benefit them throughout their lives.

About the Author

Luo Jie, courtesy name Ziruo, pen name Tianchi Linren, was a native of Cangxi, Guangyuan, Sichuan. He had a college diploma and worked for a local township government before passing away peacefully. He was known for his unconventional and unrestrained lifestyle, finding joy solely in nature.