Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, Under `modern' living with `compact homes' is considered acceptable to see the dining room when walking in. I understand your concern as some FS practioners believe that this is not `auspicious'. We have to face reality and many apartments do have such a configuration. In Singapore, in some of the older estates, this is usually not the case as the dinning room is further inside the house or next to the kitchen. Many new Housing Board Mansionnettes and private condominum buildings usually have such a configuration. Here we have to understand that more importantly there are higher priorities such as `worse' things like a toilet next to the main entrance, a toilet at the centre of the home etc.. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, To properly analyse whether a red sofa is good or bad would depend on the following:- 1. If one uses the Pillars of Destiny to find out a person's element and strength, it would certainly help to find out if the red sofa is good or bad. For example, if a person is of the `weak Water' or `strong Fire element', this is an inauspicious situation. A weak water person will have his weak water extinguished. While a strong Fire element person with the added Fire (Red) futher `burn' him or create problems such as heatiness, competition. 2. In a home, since South is of the fire element, it would be advisable to avoid having the red sofa at this location as South is also of the fire element. Too much fire may cause e.g. frequent quarrels at home. It is also advisable to avoid having the red sofa at the North (Water element) as these two are considered like hot and cold and there is a clash of elements. 3. As Red is the most Yang of all colours, if one intends to make the living room e.g. more Yang, but consider para 1 and 2, it can still be used. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, It is not necessarily true. Yellow represents the earth element. The only way to find out whether a specific location is bad or avoidable is to do a Flying Star Chart. The two bad stars are 2 (sickness) and 5 (misfortune). If there are these two stars in a specific sector in your home, it would be best not to use yellow as yellow is the earth element and it will further `enhance' the earth elements of 2 and 5. Based on the YEAR - Flying Star chart for this year, the South is considered having " 5 yellow ". Number Five represents `Big Earth' and in turn, it's colour is Yellow and Earth element. Number Five is considered inauspicious under the Flying Star Chart which signifies " Misfortune ". From here, you will understand that since you mentioned that yellow is good for you, it would mean that most likely you are of the Earth element. So happens that Earth also represents a bad star = 5. One good news is that Flying Star can be used to analyse a time frame of a 21 years, Yearly, monthly, daily and hourly. I understand one book author raised fears early this year to say that everyone must take precautions at the South no matter what the direction of the house facing. Generally, books usually can be written generally for the massess but it does not mean that such general theories work all the time for all people. Where it concerns books, in my opinion, books written on Shapes and Form are more relevant. Books written to teach methods are equally relevant. Books that `dictate' general cures are best avoided. One reason here is that as human beings, some of us tend to overdo e.g. buy not one but two or more wind chimes; add one or a few water positions etc... This term is referred too frequently as `Fast Food' Feng Shui. Like over eating, it may become very unhealthy. ---------------------------------------------------------- There is also a newsgroup available at alt.chinese.fengshui which you can join through your Internet Service provider's news server. I occassionally read some of the messages but do not participate especially the widespread `flame'. This message was posted (the exact headers and origin of the email account is shown below) to the newsgroup on 15 October. I hope it will help new users to understand what Feng Shui can " do to you " if used wrongly:- --------------------------------------------------------- From: Keith Marshall (k_a_marshall@lineone.net) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 22:54:55 +0100 Subject: Re: Authors of Feng Shui books (Message 5 of 6) --------------------------------------------------------- "I live with someone who has been practising --SNIP--suggestions religiously for the last five years. Her life is a mess, her family detest her and I, despite the fact that I love her dearly, am at the end of my tether with this "feng shui" obsession Frogs in the bedroom must point north??? " Keith" ----------- End of message -------- P.S. The only thing I changed was to remove the name of the book author and replaced it with --SNIP-- The `morale' of the story is that one should not be overly obsessed with Feng Shui to the point as making it as "religious" rituals/rites. Feng Shui is never a religion.

Under the Flying Star theory, it is considered very auspicious if one has a double 7 under this period where it is also the period 7. In period 8 which starts in the Chinese new year in 2004, a new house/construction that has double 8's If one is new to the Flying Star, it looks like this:- 7 7 B --- Base star If the main door has double 7's above it, this is considered an extremely auspicious number. In addition, it can be even more auspicious depending on whether the base star `assists' the two stars above. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, It is still acceptable for the kitchen to face the bedroom door. The reason it may be considered inauspicious is that the kitchen do have utensils and metal objects such as forks, knifes etc... If one can manage to keep this properly and not in full view of the bedroom/bedroom door this is acceptable. Some Professional FS Masters even consider items such as a fork, which they consider `poision arrows'. If all these items are properly kept in cabinets or drawers, there should not be a problem. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Firstly, it is good to understand the meaning of `facing star'. It is the same meaning as the `water star'. Here, one can visualise that when we face a position, it is best to have an unobstructed view. If we understand this, than a `water star' or if we have a water position e.g. a pond or pool infront of us, it is `relatively' flat and is equivalent of the Four Symbolic Animals concept's `Bird or Phoneix' flying infront of us as there is a clear space. In the living room or centre, it is best that there is clear space. Unlike the `mountain star' where it can be represented by a wall, this provides a `solid backing'. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Currently users can post attachments to the Conference under the heading: Conference for Attaching Layout. To find out how to use the features on the forum, one can click the HELP icon on the top frame of the forum and select a topic. For those who are not sure how to attach a file, please click on this url: http://forum.geomancy.net/help?particip1#attachfiles Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Lien, If you want to place a Fu Fu dog, you should place it on top of each pillar of the main gate. They should be facing outwards and not facing each other. It has more to do with `frequent' Chinese practises than Feng Shui i.e. it serves to `guard' the house rather than the concept of Feng Shui i.e. to improve Qi. In my opinion, if one wants to place a pair of Fu Fu dogs closer to the home e.g. outside the main entrance door, it is best that you should do some "homework" or review the location in relation to the Flying Star theory. This will depend on the material used for the Fu Fu dog. Usually they are made of `earth' or alternatively `metal' element. Make sure that there is a `balance' of elements here. Too much earth element may cause an imbalance. Similiarly if it is made of `metal', too much metal element (based on the Flying Star) again may cause an imbalance. If the Fu Fu dogs are made of `wood' again this has to be analysed. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Trini, Do try to check the influences especially at the bedroom. Where possible this is an auspicious location. There is not much that can be analysed using the Eight House Theory other than if the death or disaster line falls at the main entrance, keep the location `bright' and avoid leaving the door open unless you are using it. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, From my personal experience, this would depend also depend on the qualities of the advise given. If one uses a combination of the best `tools' of analysis such as knowing a person's true element and strength, Flying Star and Eight house and for the home a high level of Shapes and Form School, the results are nearly `immediate'. For example, there are many cases where at one glance of the Flying Star Chart of the house, one can tell whether the house is auspicious or not. Sometimes we do compare the house under e.g. Period 6 and Period 7. I know of a few cases where the owners did a major renovation in Period 7. The original birth chart e.g. in Period 6 was excellent but due to the reno, it pushes to Period 7. Here proper cures relating to the `five elements' when used properly can help in such a situation. Unfortunately, there are a few instances where, although the birth chart of the house is `acceptable', but under the Shapes and Form School e.g. the toilet is located at the centre, at the front of the house. As most readers are aware, it is very difficult or nearly impossible to `neutralise' these... I have to be frank with you. Alternatively, at the particular period, one's Luck Pillar is in an inauspcious period. So one can understand that no two situations are alike. A good FS practioner is one who is able to digest as much `relevant' information on the person, his home and use the information to provide a `solution'. There is a growing trend of `Fast Food' Feng Shui, where I know of quite alot of cases where either the FS practioner "over do" such as asking the poor person to purchase wind chimes, fountains etc... Some I believe only want to push such products without care or concern. This will usually do more harm than good (not adding to the fact that one has spent so much money...) In these cases, one not only has to try to reverse the situation but try to neutralise these added `problems'. These are the more difficult cases. Usually if done properly, `recovery' can be from 3 months to 6 months. There are cases where one offends the Grand Duke, and `he' is very unforgiving even after a few years. So, how to improve in such situations. We have to be realistic not to over do Feng Shui. If one is not sure, ask a FS professional. Many Feng Shui Masters or Grand Masters will provide this advice: Go to someone who geniunely wants to do a good job and honest about trying to help. Rather than approach one where his/her sole interests is making money. This makes all the difference in the world. I believe the above is the best advice I can give. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, I do understand your problem. Are there any clues from visual appearance. For example, especially the type of flooring laid. Alternatively, is there a fresh coat of paint on the ceiling. One is able to change the `birth chart' of the house .. for example .. by painting the ceiling. If you had obtain a paid report, please email : robert-lee@3dmail.com privately to provide you with the credit to generate another paid credit. Here, you can find out or compare whether it is more auspicious for the house to be in period 7 or previous period. If you can find out that there was some renovation especially in period 6, we can provide u the report also for Period 6. The objective is to see whether it is `worth' changing the `birth chart' of the house under the various periods. Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. Where possible, please avoid purchasing a triangle fish tank. It is considered an inauspicious shape for a fish tank. As water is confined in a `fire' environment. 2. If you are a person who is a weak Fire or strong Water, where possible avoid having a fish tank in the home. Particularly for a weak Fire person.

Dear Anon, In a general sense, one can say that fudogs are considered `puppies' while lions are `heavy weight'. Both are considered `guardians'. It is very common for large Chinese buildings to have lion statutes rather than fudogs. Fudogs are usually used in a house and serves as a `milder' form of `guardian'. You will never find a pair of fudogs guarding a large building. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, There is quite a diverse group of users in this forum and not all are of Chinese `origin'. It is quite common for Westerners especially those celebrating Christmas to hang a " bouquet " or a round Christmas decoration on their door. In my opinion, it is very difficult to say whether this practise is `good' `bad' or neutral. What is more important is trying to understand what each Feng Shui / Divinity (Pillars of Destiny) can help us and apply them. We should then classify such objects as of `secondary' importance. The only thing I personally feel is that where possible try not to hang `dried' plants or flowers on the door. This is because it usally turns brown/black? and thus is not as auspicious as `live' or fresh plants/flowers/decoration. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Based on just the Shapes and Form School, there should not be a problem with the kitchen above the toilet. It would be inauspicious if it is the other way around i.e. the toilet (especially the toilet bowl) above i.e. the stove or cooking area. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, It is common to associate `white' with purity particularly with the west. Chinese in some ways do associate white or `straw' clothing where it is worn during funerals. So far, under Chinese customs or practises, fences are never painted white. Personally, I have yet to see a white fencing both locally or on my trips abroad. I believe this is certainly a `taboo' colour even for FS practioners. The most common colour as you have mentioned for a picket fence is green. Most fences I come across can also be in black. Hmm.. as far I can remember, I seldom see a blue fence. In my opinion, green or black is a "better" choice. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tegs, If I read your message correctly, I believe you will be placing the headrest of your bed against a wall. This is a good choice. If you have a low linen cupboard, you can actually place it at the foot of the bed. Alternatively, whether it is possible to use a privacy screen or any other cabinet e.g. a low book shelf (with the shelf) facing outwards towards the door. Taking into consideration "priorities", the legs facing the door is not as bad as the bed against a window etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Dave, Thanks for sharing with us your information. In your situation, you can consider NE as the frontage of the house although there is no `front' door. You are not alone in this situation. In my country, many Housing Development Flats (developed by the government) for more than 90 percent of the population has this `bright hall' effect (although they have a front door.) Many a times I find the front door to be `darker' similiar to the `back' door of yours. I have given quite alot of examples on why this `fixed' template format is not a reliable FS method. Overall, if Feng Shui is so easy, and if everyone do the same, imagine an entire population following this fixed principle, we ask ourselve this question: will it work? Only if other FS principles have been explored and if one have the time or the luxury, can go for this fixed template format. Even the Eight House Theory is personalised to an individual. My advise is not to take the Eight Associations/Life Associations Concept too seriously. It would be best that do not apply the cures you mentioned unless it is truly necessary such as to deflect a poision arrow or after investigations e.g. using the Flying Star to check the auspiciou/inauspciousness of a particular location. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jojo, Under the Shapes and Form School, this is inherent with the unit i.e. you cannot do much here other than to balance the `yin' aspect to make the location more bright `yang' due to the lower level housing. Other than the above, more investigations can be done using the Flying Star to analyse the birth chart of the house. This is not compulsory. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sudha, Please see below:- 1. The intangible force (auspicious or inauspicious) influencing i.e. the bedroom is more important than sleeping with the head facing a good direction. Hope that you would take the above into consideration. Where possible sleep closer/nearer to a good auspicious intangible force location. 2. Pay attention to the Four Symbolic Animals Concept (Ref: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/four.htm ) where the bed headrest should be firmly against a wall. Note other important considerations like the bed not directly in full view of the bedroom door. Try not to place the bed on the opposite wall as the toilet bowl... Only after taking into consideration the above, then, you have the `luxury' of getting your head facing a good direction. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jacqueline, Please accept my sincere apologies as I have no speciality over this subject. This is because it does not come under Feng Shui, Chinese astrology or Divinity methods. In my personal opinion, I feel that I do not have the expertise to comment on this subject. However, I will look out for any tradtional methods that hopefully does work. This is also because there are some Chinese superstitions I come across such as the bridegroom and bride get a handsome child to roll over the bed etc... I am too "embarrased" to share Chinese superstitions. Therefore, I prefer to stick to `more scientific' aspects of Chinese culture such as sharing information on traditional Feng Shui and Divinity methods. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The Chinese Animal Signs is based on Chinese Astrology. In a broad sense, it is the equivalent of say the `English' Astrology signs such as Gemini, Cancer etc... One should take note that Chinese Astrology is also called "Zi Wei Dou Shou". For those who are new and like to find out the 12 different Chinese animal signs can visit one of my earlier sites: http://www.lovesigns.net This site compares the compatibility based on a person's year of birth. One has to be cautious to use different animal signs to improve Feng Shui especially if one purchases `objects'. For example, it is in auspicious to place a picture of a hungry tiger who is on the `prowl' in the home. At www.lovesigns.net, you will find that three sets of animals are considered auspicious and based on the graphic diagram you will find that the animal facing one another is considered it's `worst enemy'. The site will also show that at a famous convent in Singapore, `Tiger' girl babies were left at the doorstep of the convent in the past. In Singapore, the birth rate per year is usally around 60,000 to 50,000 babies but during `bad' years such as the `Tiger' year, the birth rate can drop to around 48,000 or less. One good thing about this is that during such years, there is less competition for such parents to find `better' schools for their child. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, There are two types of `gourd':- 1. The first is called simply as "Gourd". The equivalent here is called the water-melon in the west. In the Chinese province of Canton or in Hong Kong, with predominantly Cantonese speaking dialect group. Never give the water-melon as a present as the word "Xi Gua" is = water melon. The word "Xi" signifies death. 2. In this message, you are most likely to refer to the bottle-gourd or in Mandarin called "hu-lu". The bottle-gourd is linked to a Toaist's object. In Chinese symbolism, it is a replica of heaven and earth joining (due to the two spherical shape.) On the Chinese Lunar calendar: 5th day of the 5th month; which is the feast of the summer solstice, a bottle-gourd made of paper is hung at the gate leading into the house. The bottle-gourd is also the `weapon' used by Tie Guai Li, one fo the eight immortals. In my opinion, a bottle-gourd is considered an auspicious item. It is acceptable to keep such an object in the home as a decorative piece only. It is not used in any particular way as an object to neutralise etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In my personal opinion, tie a "red thread" has more to do with Chinese customs than the pakua mirror has to be activated with a red thread. As red symbolisies an auspicious colour. 1. When one moves into a house, some Chinese follow the tradition of wraping charcoal with a red paper to represent black gold. Red is considered auspicious. Same goes for bringing into the house a red charcoal stove to symbolise an auspicious occassion when moving into the house. 2. Chinese wedding invitation cards are always in Red especially with the Phoenix (representing Female) and Dragon (representing Male) emblem in gold. Even the double happiness sign is usually in red. 3. I mentioned in a few recent messages that during Chinese Lunar New Year, in the past, red fire crackers were lighted and the result is a red `carpet' effect. We can then understand why red is always used such as red string even to tie the ancient coins to form the 6 coins symbolising `Big metal'. Where `big metal' is used to destroy the Wood element e.g. a wooden ceiling beam. 4. It is also recommended when one is disposing a used Ba Gua mirror, one should wrap the Ba Gua mirror in a used newspaper and tie it with a red string before disposing of it. This is more a tradition than a `MUST' to activate the Ba Gua Mirror. Hope the above helps. Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Firstly, house numbers are considered secondary to Feng Shui. There are two "camps" with regards to this thinking. Like you mentioned some FS practioners would encourage the numbering to be rising at 45 degrees to denote or symbollically represent `progress' or as you mentioned: vertical such as 8 8 8 Others, would consider numbers secondary and not as important ie. the numbers can be at the same level. 2. In my opinion, I do believe that numbers are of secondary importance but it is really no harm raising the numbers 45 degrees or at a vertical position. (Unless this is specifically not permitted in a specific country). Again, symbolism plays an important role in Feng Shui. As we can see that it is best to have even a design of a lamp that looks like:- /\ / \ || The above profile is generally considered more auspicious than other profiles such as a roof of the house slanting to one side only. 3. One other important point to note is that some highly experience Feng Shui Masters also mentioned that the main entrance door is one where you have the number of the house on it. This is a serious consideration especially for those who use another door as their main entrance. (For now, I will not discuss on this further as there are lots of mails to be answered). Warmest Regards, Cecil