The word geomancy means divination, or foresight by earth. Basically, it is the art of using various tools to access the hidden knowledge one is seeking; most often by connecting to the energy of earth.

Vastu Shastra, the most well-known and popular feng shui counterpart, is also considered a geomantic art, and so is dowsing.

Feng shui definitely started with the ancient Chinese geomancy masters studying the earth patterns in order to define best places for human dwellings; so yes, geomancy is at the very root of feng shui.

Actually, as the legend goes, feng shui as we know it started with the so-called yin feng shui which is the art of locating best places for burial sites. The ancient Chinese belief was that if the ancestors’ place of rest had auspicious energy, this will satisfy their spirit and assure their protection and help.

Can one say that feng shui and geomancy are one and the same thing, though? No, not exactly. Throughout the years, feng shui evolved into a body of knowledge that allows one to create the most harmonious places for any activities humans are involved in, be it in the home, office, garden, business, etc. A variety of practical, easy feng shui tips are available to help improve one’s life by working with the surroundings.

Feng shui does have some schools, including the Four Pillars of Destiny School, for example, that practice a form of divination, meaning predicting one’s future based on specific patterns and rhythms that are personal to each individual.

The principle in applying fengshui is sensing the energy of each area and balancing its potential for a complete energy flow. Feng shui cures and tips are implemented to create homes, gardens and business with a vibrant energy, and harmonize fell which in turns nurtures the personal energy of people who inhabit those spaces.

This power of feng shui to identify and transform any place into a high energy, harmonious place is the reason why fengshui is so popular all over the world. The right application of feng shui is definitely very healing, because one heals not only the energy of a place, but also his or her energy in the process of applying feng shui.

So, the reason feng shui and geomancy cannot be considered one and the same thing today is because feng shui evolved into a very practical body of knowledge with a variety of specific tools and tips. Yet, the roots of feng shui sure go deep into the mysteries of geomancy.

Ultimately, human life in itself is a mystery, a deep mystery that geomancers have been trying to access since ancient times. Feng shui looks into this mystery by offering specific tips and practical solutions to make one’s life better and more meaningful.

Can one say that Geomancy originated in China or in Europe? Definitely not. All cultures have a form of geomancy, or divination, many of them by using various tools to read the earth signs; so geomancy would go as far back as the first human cultures on earth.