Cecil Lee

Dear Hoa Luong, Structural engineers or foundation experts are similar to doctors. In fact, many of them are certified in their profession. And given their professional accrediations, it is best to rely on their judgement. Surprisingly, sometimes, good quality wood may even lasts much longer than as mentioned the unexpected high expansion and contraction. It is best therefore to leave it to the professional competence of these people. In fact, often under building regulations, (touch wood) but should there be a structural problem in the future, these people, may be held accountable. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Deepak, Please see below:

Dear Tigger's Mom, Please see below:- However, if the plot of land is almost flat or level and if there is a view towards NE, than one can also arrange the home to become a NE facing home. Or alternatively, if the home so happens to have a double 8 at a specific sector, one can make this the busiest part of the home. What you can do is to do "zero base" Feng Shui, or work out the best placement of e.g. living room, main door, bedroom areas etc... i.e. several alternatives to see if one can further fine tune the layout to optimize on as many Feng Shui factors such as Eight House best directions (Ba Zhai) and also work on the Flying Star numbers: the purpose is to optimize on the layout plan for good measure. In addition, Shapes and Forms Feng Shui should also be taken into consideration. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Joan, To be more accurate, usually, the three components are looked at i.e. MS#, WS# and Base # to come to a better understanding of that specific sector. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Glenetta, Frankly, you can goto this url: http://www.geomancy-online.com to generate a free ba zi report. The report will provide you with a more accurate "element and strength" e.g. weak wood , strong wood etc... Here, your best colour schemes are also mentioned in the free report. This method or Eight Characters/ Ba Zi is preferred over the kua definition. Since kua or gua takes into account only the Year of birth, while the Ba Zi report used here, analyses the Year, Month, Day, Time (and two other pillars - house of life and house of conception). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Mary, Frankly, there is no major issue in the installation of finials other than that it / or a wall be built so high that it looks more like a prison. Overall, if your aim is for privacy, the common overlapping wooden / often maintenance free wooden fence is acceptable either in wood tone colours or white. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Hoa Luong, In the sample, the compass direction pointing North. Here, if the facing direction is North, then take the orientation of North as the compass marking. Since the home is orientated North -- South, determine the facing direction by checking e.g. where is usually the main entrance or drive-up area. In your sample, the facing direction can only be either North, South or also East or west. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Mansi, It is best to you consult a Feng Shui master or you may have to "work hard" to digest and understand all the various Feng Shui concepts. For a start, you can try to generate the free Eight House report(s) for your family members. There are already quite alot of resources on this concept. Equally important are the : Shapes and Forms and Flying star Feng Shui. If you want to do it on your own, please note the saying " Rome is not built in a day". So, if you really want to pursue individually or D.I.Y., please make sure that you have a true understanding of all the concepts. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Stanley, Appreciate if you can provide the location of this new building. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sullivan, Apologies; what I was talking about has more to do with "openings" in a home that e.g. allow light to filter into it. Therefore, the idea is that, for example, if one side of the home is littered with lots of windows, doors, balcony, patio or sliding doors; therefore, it implies that with so many openings, there is a higher probability that this side is the facing direction. Although, a side where there is higher intensity could SEEM to be the facing side. But, often, this is not the main consideration. For example, for a bungalow that has four sides, and if the facing direction is North-South facing (e.g North - facing and South - sitting), just because of the intensity of sunlight coming from east or west, this does not imply that East-West sides are or should be the facing direction.

Dear Anon, I can understand your concern. But, are you "buying" the business or studying in the institute. To be honest, when taking a course, most of us depend more on our "study / examination technique" than from the school in which we are considering studying in. Most of the questions that you had posed requires an on-site audit to determine e.g. the suitability of facade facilities and design(s). What is equally more important is the type of course that you are considering, which has an impact on your keeness, future earnings and a satisfactory career. Cheers! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Elena, In fact, a Feng Shui investigation takes into consideration 3 factors: 1. Shapes and Forms Feng Shui 2. Flying Star Feng Shui 3. The trigram associations. Para 1 and 2, is pretty much documented or mentioned in many of the messages. Under Para 3, the trigram associations or commonly known as life associations, NW for some Feng Shui practitioners is believed to be the most important trigram in a home. This is because, it is suppose to be the Heaven trigram or the father or the head of the home. Let me give you an example: Many Feng Shui practitioners do not like the kitchen or stove situated here because, to them NW is the "Heaven's gate". And, a stove is equivalent of = a fire element. Here, the common term applies: " Fire at the Heaven's gate" which is very inauspicious. Looking at the issue of water. it is also similar i.e. " Water at the Heaven's gate". Imagine, water "flooding the heaven's gate". *JOKE* No one can become angels anymore! Therefore, if one can see, Feng Shui is quite complex, having to grasp so many concepts and considerations. But, there is hope. Besides Shapes and Forms Feng Shui, if all else gets too confusing, then, one could actually apply Flying Star Feng Shui. For example, what are the stars at the NW sector? If one has metal stars such as WS#8 at this sector or WS#6 or WS#7 or WS#1, we can use water at the position to increase wealth. But, if there are mountain stars such as MS #8 or #9 at that sector, then water can drown our wealth. Since MS #8 belongs to the earth element while #9 belongs to the fire element. Water will extinguish the fire! Under Flying Star Feng Shui, in this Period 8, it is best to pay special attention to: #7 past prosperity - if possible, down it with water #8 current prosperity - if it is a mountain star, depending on the location, it canbe activated with a solid object with mass. If it is a water star #8, then water can be activated, here #9 future prosperity -it belongs to the fire element and if it is a MS#9 can be enhanced with wood (also depends on the interaction of the base number with the water star number). For example, if there is a mix of #9 with #5 (misfortune and sickness), wood element can be applied in this situation. Since a #9 with #5 is not particuarly good since fire (9) can further inflame (5). #1 water star is equally important under Period 8, since this is the future, future wealth sector. In my opinion, it is still best to investigate whether to place a water position, by first using the Flying Star Feng Shui. This is better than the generalised statements "given" as to whether it is good or bad to place such a water position. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Actually, in my opinion, it depends. This is because, in Feng Shui, we often see homes on a hill. The advise here is that homes should not be on extremely steep hill side. Often a gentler slop is preferred. In such a situation, we can imagine your question. Here, for some homes on a slope, we do notice that the opposite is true! The back of the house is higher than the front. Usually, in my opinion, it has more to do with the "design" of the home. The reason why it is very important under Flying Star Feng Shui to find out where is the facing and sitting direction, has to do with : How best we can tap beneificial qi into the home. In a few of my recent write-ups in the forum, I mentioned that facing direction is often considered as the "mouth" of the home. So it does not really matter - general or not. For example, if the basement is at the back (visible) or not, then, often, this area is not an area of activity. Thus, most likely, is the sitting position. But say, if one, has a lovely patio, and perhaps, the configuration of the entire house is geared to make full use of this "sloping" side for especially living / activity area / bedroom balcony, windows over looking this area i.e. we spent more at this part of the home (overlooking the view there) then, most likely, this side (the current basement) side may thus become our facing direction. Therefore, what I feel is that, we humans with planning or if we had already purchased a home planned in such a manner, we may have to determine the "mouth" of the home, based on some of these considerations. It is like the saying that the facing direction could be the location where "most light" i..e. most windows or openings are. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Florence, Usually for relationships, Chinese astrology or horoscope is the equivalent of the Western zodiac signs. Feel free to check out : http://www.lovesigns.net Here, you can compare and check out the characteristics of a person's Chinese zodiac (horoscope). Like : He is a "PIG" ! He is a real "RAT".... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Please see below:- I can say that you are a "privilge" group because, for most part, many people are unable to sleep in the living room because they have a large family. And, often sleeping in the living room has less privacy for these people. As well as if one has large sized family members. Imagine, being trampled by them, also. In the case of sleeping on a flat bed, or on the floor, there are lots of people around the world who often sleep on such a surface. Even in Singapore, many (many) parents for fear of their young ones, falling off a bed, often, simply lay mattress on the floor. And sometimes, the entire family sleep together (cosy). So far, no ill effects. In many countries, such as Japan, they sleep on tatami mat and have slept for many generations. The only "issue" is that preferably, bedrooms could use parquet flooring or wood based flooring in the bedroom. This is because of the excellent insulation properties of wood. Often, when we wake up, stepping onto wood / wood floor does not feel cold. But if we step on ceramic, marble, homgenous or granite tiles, they feel cold to the feet. The idea is that life is short, so, why do we want to make ourselves more miserable? If one feel good, just do it! Who cares about what others say! For example, again it is ridiculous to hear people say do not place a tv set in the bedroom. Who cares! What others say! You do it, I do it, they do it! So, go on doing it! Cheers! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Often, this mix of element analysis has more to do with name selection. For example, a grand father or father of a new born often will visit a Geomancer to select a name for the child. The geomancer will look at the mix of the new born's 5 elements. For example, in a similar case such as yours, you have excessive fire i.e. 55% fire in your "mix-of-chart". In such a senario, often, the geomancer will firstly, avoid selecting one of the characters say, in your name with an "earth" element. And for example, in your chart, wood is your wealth or if you have 0 percent wood in your chart; the geomancy could perhaps, add "wood" into your name. Therefore, hope you can understand that this area has more to do with name selection for a Chinese name. Since all Chinese / Mandarin characters can be each classified as under : Metal, Water, Wood, Fire or Earth element. If you are a Chinese, then, this is one means of looking at a name. Some people, seek a Geomancer, after birth to change their name. And later, they obtain a deed poll to effect such a name. If one is a Westerner or Indian, then, this type of name change has often few precedence in Geomancy. Sometimes, is it is done by first interpreting the equivalent Chinese/mandarin name. then checking to see if it is balanced or harmonised to the person. To look at your ba zi vs wife, then, you should look at your element e.g. Weak Metal person vs your wife's true element e.g. if her element is Strong Earth, this is good for you, since earth produces or helps metal grow. Hopefully, no one uses this argument e.g. for the rationale for a "split" or separation! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, In my opinion, what you had mentioned has more to do with perception / symbolic gesture of "dignity" accorded to the statues be it alive or "dead". Where possible, often, it is placed in the living room facing the seat/sofa. Thus, it is best to place the figurines on a proper display area e.g. on the shelf or display table etc.. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sharon, One thing for sure, many of us are "getting old". And our body parts are "wearing out" or most likely, the weather is indeed getting colder. Sorry for the side-track, thou. Usually, on the medical side, often, prolonged sleeping in such a situation plus the age, could affect our body. Alternatively, it is also the food we take or lack of vitamins. Anyway, from a Feng Shui point of view, if you are able to chart out the sector Flying Star, most likely, the #5 sickness or misfortune or #2 sickness star could most likely have flown into your bedroom. To be certain, or reduce the incidence, check to see if you can try to avoid colours such as : Yellow (bright yellow, yellow or cream) and Fire (Red, pink or purple) within this room. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Yes, a toilet that can be seen from the main door is asthetically not appealing - whether it is based on Feng Shui or not. It would be good to close the toilet door when not in use. But if it always opened, then the shower curtain is a fabulous idea! Alternatively, closing the master bedroom door is another alternative. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Emily, Actually, it has more to do with "visual" sight or appearance than Feng Shui. For example, we can draw a parallel to the dining table. In Feng Shui, it is often mentioned by practitioners (including myself) avoid placing the dinning table facing the main door. The rationale is that while some of us are very tidy, but for practical reasons, for a family, we have the father, mother and children; often, the family members come back at different times. And for practical reasons, often, food is left on the table for the last person to eat. And if one often sees a dining table, it is usually (for many people) to have articles / food etc.. placed on it. What is "worse" symbollically is to have fork, knives on this table, facing the main door. It is symbolic of disharmony. For the shoe cabinet, so long as it is closed-up - not seen as in a transparent glass cabinet. To me, it is not a major issue - like do or die type of situation. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Cheng Teong, Personally, this looks like a non-issue Often, a home has to be lived in and not govern via "remote-control". Since, he did not even sign the purchase agreement, the house is simply not his Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, We often hear or read books on Feng Shui giving advice on grave concerns of shoe cabinets or shoes outside a main door. But frankly, in my opinion, this is considered "peanuts" Feng Shui or not a major issue. This is because, for practical reasons, many (many) people, rich or poor, have at least a shoe cabinet or shoes outside their main door. The only uncomfortable thing is to have a shoe cabinet built into a partition facing the main door. This is more of a personal feeling. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Ideally, it is common to place the Fu Lu Shou in the living room. Often, it is placed on the display shelf or display table facing one's sofa in the living room. Here, the idea is that we can "look at it". Please take note that for the Chinese, placement of the figurine is based on the way we (Chinese) read a sentence in a Mandarin book. Thus, imagine that you are now facing the figurines: -the tallest figurine should be in the middle. - search for the old man usually in yellow robes holding a red peach. He should be on the left side of the tallest figurine. And the one that looks like holding a "fan" should be on the extreme right of the tallest figurine. For figurines, tryto AVOID: -Place them sharing the same wall as the toilet -Placing them facing the dining table - we do not want to eat while the "gods" droodle in saliva looking at the food. - Try not to face the main entrance door - we do not want to "employ" them to guard our door! The figurines can be placed facing or looking out of a window e.g. in the living room. For the smiling Buddha, many Chinese face the main door i.e. when one opens the main entrance door, one is "greeted" by the smiling Buddha as it "in no way seems to look like a guardian of the door. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Manu, Frankly, there are many other considerations. This includes the Flying Star numbers in each location of the home. As a precaution, it is best not to have too much water position, or fish tank(s) in the new home unless proper investigations is done e.g. using Flying Star to determine whether such a water position can create furtherimbalance. In a home, a major consideration is also the external shapes and forms of the home. Please refer to a recent forum message - posted today, on what to look out for a home or landed property e.g. the drainage of the home, etc...often, such factors have a higher weightage in the luck of a home. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In my opinion, seems like we are just entering into Period 8, and often, any changes or trying to fly into the new period, may be slow going for now, given that, Period 8 is just "climbing" or starting and Period 7 influence is just waning. More likely, the effects (trying to change to a new period) often may take sometime i.e. two or more years to be effective. Frankly, I do not have a good feel of the tree in-front of your shophouse and if N2 or bright hall is facing the tree, then, it would be good to consider W2 since, it will kill three birds with just one stone i.e. not facing the tree, facing a yang pedestrian traffic and under Period 8, double 8's. Yes, I would think that W2, may be a good choice, provided, there is no lone lamp post or any sha qi at that direction. Because of your extensive renovation, plus other actions such as open ceremony, yang traffic, can change it to a new period - no problem to do so even if the roof is not removed. Good luck in your business! Warmest Regards, Cecil