(Photo: Getty Images)
Cover (Photo: Getty Images)

Which businesses are likely to flourish this year? In a dialogue with Tatler, feng shui expert Patrick Lim Fernandez gives his take on luck, money, and more

Centuries-old feng shui has influenced the Filipino-Chinese community in many ways. The custom enables them to achieve specific life improvements by understanding the energies that surround the world through the help of stars and their placements. In the modern world, even start-up CEOs and business tycoons learnt to forge their paths whilst leaning on the art of feng shui.

Patrick Lim Fernandez, a principal at the Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony, says he will never get tired of explaining the principles of feng shui. In a dialogue with Tatler, he discloses relevant business, wealth, and health predictions for 2022, the Year of the Water Tiger.

"So feng shui, when translated from Chinese literally means 'wind and water'," he explains. "The practise is really understanding the flows of energy around us. It is very similar to let's say, scientists, charting out light energy or sound energy. Feng shui is just targetting energy, both in the person and how it affects his or her personal luck; in a greater sense, it shows how we can live in harmony with nature and with the environment, how do we make sure that the lives we live go with the flows of Earth's energy."

In case you missed it: Chinese New Year 2022: Spring Cleaning Tips From a KonMari Consultant

Tatler Asia
A principal at the Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony, Patrick combines classical Feng Shui concepts and traditions with a background in Business, Finance and Real Estate to produce fundamentally sound Feng Shui recommendations that are analytically driven while promoting success in money and business luck.
Above A principal at the Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony, Patrick combines classical feng shui concepts and traditions with a background in business, finance and real estate to produce fundamentally sound feng shui recommendations that are analytically driven while promoting success in money and business luck.

Fernandez adds that feng shui heavily depends on astronomical bodies that appear on Earth. He debunks claims that the age-old practise is a religion and a mere cult. "Some myths about it is that it's a religion or some sort of fortune-telling system. It's really none of those. Here, there is no god or deity being prayed to; it's more of like a weather forecast based on the planets and how it affects different energies here on Earth," he says.

The feng shui expert explains how inclusive the practice is. Contrary to popular belief, this system of understanding energies can be observed by people of any colour or nationality. "For me, feng shui really relates to all energies present on Earth and if you're inhabiting the Earth, if you're alive, then you are an energy and this is relevant to you," he shares. "This practice goes beyond borders, religion, race, genders, ages, and so on; going back to the definition, it's really about knowing the movement of life and how it affects all of us, it's all about living in harmony with nature."

Related: Tatler Deep Dive:A Glimpse Into Marian Devotion in the Philippines

Tatler Asia
Feng Shui Expert Patrick Lim Fernandez explains how Feng Shui observes all energies here on Earth (Photo: NASA/Unsplash)
Above Feng shui expert Patrick Lim Fernandez explains how feng shui observes all energies here on Earth (Photo: NASA/Unsplash)

Where should entrepreneurs spend their luck?

Fernandez, who combines classical feng shui concepts and traditions with his business background, has successfully given sound predictions in finance through the years. The year of the Water Tiger, he says, is a great year for people to invest in businesses related to the water, metal, and oil industries.

According to Fernandez, these businesses are more likely to prosper this 2022:

  • Any business related to hygiene or cleaning supplies
  • Logistics (suppliers of hygienic/cleaning supplies)
  • Hospitality industries (hotels, resorts, etc)
  • Supermarkets 
  • Metal industries that have something to do with industrial machinery
  • Mining industries 
  • Automobiles 
  • Enterprises that offer skincare and beauty products
  • Beverages (water, alcohol, etc)

"If we understand and know where the energies coming from, then we can prepare for it. And that's what's important. I think generally, for the economy, some industries that may seem to do well this year are the water and oil industry," he advises.

More from Tatler: Business Tips: 5 Tips On Pandemic Recovery From Industry Leaders

Tatler Asia
Feng Shui expert says businesses that are somehow related to water, metal, and oil are lucky this 2022 (Photo: Unsplash)
Above Feng shui expert says businesses that are somehow related to water, metal, and oil are lucky this 2022 (Photo: Unsplash)

Which signs can prosper in terms of wealth and professional relationships? 

According to Fernandez, people born in the years of the Ox and Goat can start 2022 right with good relationships. "These are two good signs. They must maximise their energies and foster their personal and professional relationships; they can network, virtually or face to face.

When it comes to money and wealth, luck is on the side of people born in the years of the Horse, Snake, and Rooster. People born in the year of the Dog, on the other hand, can prosper in creative fields. "If they want to take on projects this year, volunteer for new efforts, this may be a good year to keep an eye out. In terms of accumulating wealth, the energies really align with people born in the year of the Snake."

Which areas of the house or office are brimming with positive energies? 

People who want to attract more wealth and success this year should consider placing themselves or their businesses in the following directions:

  • Northeast: for entrepreneurs in the oil sector. 
  • Southeast: for people who want to prosper in their respective careers and education.

Meanwhile, people who are prone to sickness or have pre-existing health concerns should refrain from staying long at the Southwest. "That's where the sickness star is. So if they can avoid staying in the Southwest. Avoid putting anything that is red, that will subdue the sickness energy," he explains. 

Fernandez adds that the centre of the house or office can be disastrous in 2022. "There's this energy called 'disaster,' it's a spot where things can really go wrong. So if you can, avoid spending time there and refrain from putting anything that is red."

Read more: Are You A Small Business Owner In The Philippines? Here Are A Few Things To Know

Attract positive energy by following the 'golden rule'

For everyone to attract positive chi (energy) this year, Fernandez advises following the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated

"Be selfless, if you are able to help other people, that will eventually provide good chi, other cultures call it karma or vibrations. In Chinese, it's giving good chi which makes you receive it as well and lessen some of the negative ones."

From Fernandez's point of view, 2022 is a year of beginnings and rebirths. "In Chinese, there's something we call as Winter Years, which we just went through. Now is the beginning of spring; expect a lot of rebirths and reinvigoration," he concludes.

NOW READ

Chinese New Year 2022: 5 Must-Have ‘Lucky’ Dishes and Their Symbolism

Whisky Business: Are Investors Setting Their Sights On Rare Whiskies?

Tatler Tips: Zoom Etiquette For Business Calls, Virtual Events, And More