Tradition meets technology
IN 2006, after a decade of working in the unit trust industry, boredom and uncertainty began to set in for 37year-old Josephine Phang Lai Foong.
“At that point I was 31. I didn’t see much room for growth in my career and needed a change. Without a clue as to what I would do I just tapped into my childhood interest in Chinese metaphysics. So, I signed up for classes as a hobby,” says KL-born Phang in an interview.
“The field of Chinese metaphysics is so fascinating. You can actually learn so much about a person just from the person’s date and time of birth,” she points out.
Phang, a KL-based feng shui blogger and consultant, studied under Datuk Joey Yap and his instructors at the Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics.
Her love for bazi, a subject under the metaphysics field, which is an ancient science of destiny analysis that translates the details of one’s birth date to analyse the person’s potential and sense of purpose in life led her to start a blog in 2008 as a way to record her case studies.
Through her blog, Phang started getting requests from readers and friends for bazi consulting.
So, while still working at her unit trust job, Phang started doing parttime feng shui and bazi consultation through her blog.
“Most of my readers are from overseas and when they request for a consultation I do it through Skype,” she explains.
Following the encouraging response she received from her blog readers from countries like the United States, Britain and Brazil, Phang dreamed of giving people access to Chinese metaphysics consultation, no matter where they live and especially for those who don’t live in an area where such a service is available.
She decided to create a website to allow Chinese metaphysics practi- tioners to offer their services so that anyone who has access to the internet can access this ancient wisdom to live a more fulfilling life.
In 2010 Phang registered her company, BaziChic Chinese Metaphysics Consultancy and BaziChic.com was born.
Through this hobby-turned-business Phang also taught subjects such as bazi, date selection, feng shui and tarot. She conducted correspondence courses for overseas students and also taught locally during weekends.
In 2013 Phang left her unit trust job and in November the same year she launched BaziChic Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology e-magazine, a quarterly digital magazine.
“My aim in publishing the digital magazine is to get more people acquainted with the classical studies of Chinese metaphysics so that they can use this tool to discover their talent and life purpose faster,” she says.
Phang also hopes that her digital magazine “will clear up some of the misconception that feng shui practices are tied with religion that comes with many taboos, which is not the case.”
“Currently I write all the content for this digital magazine while my friend and partner, Ooi Eu Geen, edits the magazine,” Phang says.
On her BaziChic.com website where various feng shui consultation services are listed one would find the fees quoted in Singapore dollars.
Phang explains: “When I first started my blog majority of my readers were from overseas so I quoted in Singapore dollars, but going forward this may change depending on the response and market.”
Although her “Bazi Consultation Services” in a live chat format is also listed, Phang says that the live chat with a consultant is currently unavailable but hopes to get this going next year.
What currently is available includes feng shui audit services for residential property, house selection and commercial property as well as date selection consultancy services for matters relating to relationships, career, business and health.
If you’re looking for that perfect timing where all your stars align to benefit you the most, it’s time for some feng shui counselling, which – thanks to Phang - is now conveniently available online.