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Chinese Astral Arts
Most people from the West know their astrological sign. A
popular feature in newspapers and magazines around the world,
many wouldn't think of starting the day before checking out
their horoscope.
These days, of course, horoscopes, like almost anything else
you might want to know, can be gleaned using the Internet.
This might be OK for computer addicts and surfer nuts, but
a personal approach is often more rewarding, and certainly
more meaningful. Here in Thailand, a visit to a fortune teller,
or mor doo in Thai, is rarely forgotten and can be an illuminating
experience. Many monks will perform this service in the confines
of their temple, and booths can also be seen in shopping centres
around the kingdom offering this service.
In the same way that Western astrology is a much deeper subject
than merely the reading of one's daily horoscope, so is it's
Chinese counterpart. Chinese astrology has been around for
about 3000 years, and as the Chinese have migrated all over
the globe, some have taken this fascinating and complex knowledge
with them.
In Phuket, with its large ethnic Chinese population, businessmen,
parents and people from all walks of life seek advice from
Chinese astrologers. This advice ranges from establishing
an auspicious day for marriage or naming a newborn baby, to
major business decisions such as the positioning of a new
hotel or shopping complex. Sin sae (meaning teacher or master)
Kim Sia is one such practitioner who has been established
in Phuket for a number of years and now operates from his
centre for Chinese astrological arts in the Ocean shopping
mall in Phuket Town, near the Robinson department store and
Paradise cinema multiplex.
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Although S. Kim Sia was born in Bangkok, he spent most of
his formative years in China before returning to Thailand
with his parents. During and after his formal education he
studied, somewhat reluctantly, under his father's tutelage.
"My father was a keen astrologer", he commented,
"and made me read up on the subject during most of my
spare time. I always wanted to be a businessman, but after
a few business ventures turned sour, I decided to persevere
with my father's wishes and continue my studies. The more
I learned, the more fascinated I became. There are so many
aspects to astrology that you never stop learning", he
enthused. Later on, he worked as a general assistant to a
master astrologer, travelling all over Thailand with him and
gaining a lot more practical knowledge.
The twelve star signs in western astrology are replaced by
animal signs in the Chinese system, and whilst there are similarities
between the two, they are very much individual systems. In
Chinese astrology, a birth chart is first drawn up once the
actual time and date of birth is known. "It is absolutely
essential that I'm given the correct birth details",
S.Kim Sia explained, "because it is from this initial
information that everything else evolves." From the information
on the birth chart, a board is then used to lay out appropriate
discs which, together, will provide information about the
subject, his life and his/her relatives. For example, information
about the amount of the five elements of wood, earth, fire,
metal and water we are composed of will tell us how to rectify
matters to bring about a more complete balance to our lives.
"My father found I was lacking in metal and earth when
I was born," he continued, "and that's why he named
me Kim Sia; Chinese words meaning gold and earth. By reinforcing
these two elements, my life is more balanced."
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Feng shui is a branch of Chinese astrology that's become
very chic over the last few years. Many Thais, and some foreigners,
wanting to build a new house or set up a business will consult
Kim Sia for advice on location of the house or building, its
and its contents' orientation, and such matters as where the
cashier should sit in relation to the reception area. An on-site
visit is necessary to achieve these goals, and Kim Sia finds
himself travelling countrywide to satisfy his clients.
One of the other services provided by S.Kim Sia is the more
obscure practice of reading the shape and characteristics
of the face, known as No Heng. "The face is the mirror
of one's destiny", he assured me. "Lines are significant,
and texture of skin and shape of features such as cheekbones
give indications of individual strengths and weaknesses, as
well as telling me of major life events."
So, if you find yourself in Phuket Town having shopped till
you've dropped, have done Phuket Fantasea, the zoo, the gold
stores and all the tours, why not pay Sin sae Kim Sia a visit
for some other-worldly information about yourself, your business,
or even your love-life? It'll cost you no more than a few
hundred baht, and the charge is the same for Thais and foreigners.
And if you discover that the shirt you're wearing is a rather
inappropriate colour - no problem! Right outside Kim Sia's
astrological arts centre you'll find all the clothes you'd
ever want to fill your wardrobe with.
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