For anyone interested in delving deeper into the Tao’s enigma, this is a great resource. Given its specificity, this book is likely best suited to the more experienced Chinese geomancer or practitioner of Chinese metaphysics. Benebell Wen provides modern practitioners with in-depth directions for creating their own Fu talismans or magical sigils in the Chinese Taoist tradition, illuminating the deep history and theoretical foundations underpinning this ancient practice.
Benebell Wen, the author, was born in Taiwan but currently resides in the United States. The Tao of Craft is a compilation of her extensive knowledge and one of her many impressive accomplishments. She is the author of the Holistic Tarot (2015), Tao of Craft (2016), and I Ching, the Oracle (2023).
This book is best understood by those who are familiar with the fundamentals of Chinese Feng Shui, or geomancy. Sadly, I don’t think this book will ever be translated and released in Chinese.
What makes this book so special, exactly?
1) Rich in Culture
2) Methodical Direction
3) Dispelling myth and explaining the incomprehensible
4) Exploring the mysterious roots of Chinese heritage
1) Rich in Culture
China’s cultural heritage is one of the numerous reasons the country continues to captivate the attention of the rest of the world. This could be owing to the fact that accurate documentation in written form has survived for so many generations. Even if the world has evolved rapidly, many modern youth may lack the perspective necessary to appreciate such history. Nonetheless, this is priceless information passed down from the past.
Now, please broaden your perspectives a bit if you want to get the most out of this book. It’s a lot to take in if you don’t have a background in Chinese history.
Taoism is not practiced as a religion by the vast majority of Chinese or Chinese people living abroad. Although it may be difficult to put into words, I hope to paint a clear image for you here. Taoism has an impact on everything else, and everything else has a connection to Taoism.
To give just one example, we all know that excess of anything is bad. Taoism is founded on this uncomplicated concept and philosophy. Do we, then, often engage in Taoist rituals? What rituals? It is common sense that everything in excess is bad. But we are not all Taoists, right?
Most people who know about Feng Shui are not Taoists. Taoism is, in fact, more of a core philosophical concept than a religion. But I’m not writing this article to debate whether Taoism is a true religion or not. Maybe you are a true Taoist, and you might have your own view on this, but it’s no doubt that everything can be related to Taoism. And this is the best thing that can open up your mind about this book. Now, don’t go too much in depth and start analyzing like René Descartes. Just follow the book and read it.
2) Methodical Direction
Here, I will provide a broader perspective on how Asians with Chinese ancestry perceive and practice Taoism. No one other than those who practice Taoism is permitted to question what they are doing, particularly during rituals and ceremonies. Fu talismans are ideograms and writings that are often represented on paper and energized by invocations, ceremonies, and Qi transferences. Talismans can be utilized for a variety of purposes, including enhancing or weakening personality traits, finding love, making more money, and reducing emotional tensions in the family.
If you approach them for particular purposes, such as health or financial security, they may give you a Fu talisman. No further queries will be accepted. In Asian culture, this type of behavior is akin to the norm.
For one reason, Taoism is difficult to explain, and it is likely that the students who received the knowledge from their master do not fully comprehend the concept behind it; therefore, they cannot or do not explain it.
But now we have an eye-opener. The first Tao of Craft outlines exactly what a talisman is supposed to perform. If you wanted to, you could practically make your own talisman.
Not only that, but Wen, the author of Tao of Craft, precisely explains the meaning of each talisman. Wen also noted that each talisman has its own unique meaning that only the talisman’s maker can explain in full.
For the first time in history, someone has written a book about it. Wen was the first to thoroughly document this and publish it in a book.
Despite having over 25 years of experience in the Feng Shui profession, I am not a Taoist, and I frequently travel throughout the world, where I notice many talismans hanging on the walls of foreign Chinese lineage descendants. I never bothered to inquire because no Taoist teacher could provide a satisfactory response.
Nobody could give me a satisfactory response until I came across Benebelle Wen, author of The Tao of Craft.
I also relate to her when she says that no one talks about Taoism, its significance, or the mysticism that surrounds it. They simply follow and do it. This is common in most Asian cultures. From my perspective, if you can thoroughly grasp and practice the entire Tao of Craft, you are already far superior to the majority of individuals doing it in Asia.
The Tao of Craft demonstrates how to use metaphysical energy to correct perceived imbalances on the physical plane by amplifying, strengthening, weakening, dispelling, or blocking other metaphysical energy. This book is a step-by-step guide to making your own Fu talismans for personal empowerment, complete with a plethora of informative charts and images.
She gives a strong foundation in the basic rules of Eastern spellcrafting and shows how Taoist metaphysical practices and Western approaches to magic can be blended by pointing out how different parts of other cultures and religions can work together.
3) Dispelling myth and explaining the incomprehensible
One of the most unrealistic aspects of learning Taoism from a Taoist master is that we must study and accept it as it is from the start. We’d keep any other inquiries and answers to ourselves and figure it out on our own. This is the standard teaching method in Asia for metaphysical subjects. Some even go so far as to say something like this. “I can’t reveal too much about heaven’s will, or else heaven will punish me.”
Please don’t start laughing yet, since this is the truth.
I’m thrilled to be able to acquire and read the Tao of Craft in order to refute the myth and unravel the mystery. Most people living in Asia who have Chinese ancestors but did not study Chinese as children should grab this book and read it. It will undoubtedly make greater sense of what is going on in the world around you.
At the very least, you will gain an understanding of the world around you or the world surrounding you. So what if someone offers you a talisman? At least you’ll know what it’s all about now. Don’t just blindly follow.
If you do not live in Asia, this book will pique your interest if you are interested in the rich culture of Asia, particularly Chinese culture. It gives you a better understanding of what the Chinese metaphysical world is like currently and how you can use such a method or tool in your daily life if you want to.
Historically, medieval Chinese employed Fu talismans to cure illness, ward off misfortune, magical attacks, and curses, defend against assaults, and prevent poverty. This book demonstrates to western practitioners that the ability and knowledge to develop an interactive relationship with spirit realms are still available today, and it serves as a practical handbook for accumulating Qi energy from environmental sources and channeling it in concentrated form into their own Fu talismans.
4) Exploring the mysterious roots of Chinese heritage
It’s heartbreaking to realize that most Chinese (including overseas Chinese) around the world are on the verge of losing their identity as Chinese with a rich cultural history. The world is becoming more capitalistic, and we cannot blame the Chinese for losing their legacy; in fact, most cultures are losing themselves as a result of the cost of progress and development in a more contemporary world.
However, I must emphasize that Chinese heritage is one of the most fascinating to study. If you want to delve deeper into the metaphysical worlds of Tao and Chinese metaphysics, or Feng Shui, this is the book for you. Even though it’s as thick as a dictionary, I still want more from this book. Maybe a sequel will be good.
Summary
The Tao of Craft may not be translated into many languages in the future, or it may just be available in English. I strongly suggest this book to anyone interested in Chinese philosophies, Feng Shui, or Taoism.
And I thank Benebelle Wen for writing the Tao of Craft and contributing to the world of Chinese metaphysics, Feng Shui, and Taoism, even though I’ve been looking for this kind of information for years.
