These are some considerations:-

1. In my opinion; about the Art and Science of Feng Shui.

1.1. Many know the science of Feng Shui is about using the tools available e.g. Eight House Chart (4 Good/Bad directions); Flying Star and individual Ba Zi.

1.2. Of course, the weakness of the above system(s) are that some may get it wrong especially under Ba Zi. But in this case, it is less of a relevance.

2. The Art of Feng Shui is more trickly. It soley depends on one's interpretation and can vary as in from ebony to ivory (black to white or hot or cold).

2.1. Thus, as there are many cooks, there are many Indian chiefs that can give conflicting advice.

2.2. In my opinion, what matters most is the idea that of the "majority" or what one feels what the majority thinks is so or has literally applied or done so.

3. External of the House/Home

3.1. What makes an external of a house different from the interior?

3.2. Definitely there are no four walls or suppose to be a compound where most likely rain or air or light can shine. (Again it depends on neighbouring structures or no structures if any). Anyway this is not the main issue, here.

4. Shapes and Form vs Flying Star

4.1.  From a Feng Shui point of view: the key essence is " Form prevails over substance " or rather bear this in mind "THE FORMS DETERMINE THE STARS, THE STARS DETERMINE THE FATE OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN A HOME."

4.2.  The above statement implies that Shapes and Forms prevail over Flying Star.

4.3.  For example, even if you have the best Flying stars e.g. at the frontage but there is either no frontage or the frontage is taken up by huge trees that shade the compound or block the qi and does not create some space for qi. Search for "Bright Hall" effect.

5. Why is this relevant to your case?

5.1. You talked about having MS#3 WS#8 at the frontage.

5.2. With or without determing the stars (Flying Stars) do you know that as high as 60 to 70 percent of the time you will get it RIGHT then wrong; even if you do not check out the stars; placing a water feature at the frontage is based on Shapes and Forms.

5.3. And the statment under Para 4.1 suggests; Shapes and Forms comes first. Whatever stars that you had plotted come 2nd especially in an open area. WHY?

5.4. Having a water position e.g. at the frontage simply means that you are actively employing the concept of clear space.

5.5. The reason for a water position especially a pond is that nothing can built on top of it. Thus allowing for clear space. Or BRIGHT HALL effect.

5.6. Of course, if you do not want to have a water position but keep the frontage relatively clear space; this is equally acceptable.

5.7. What is worse is e.g. in Singapore especially in the 1960s to 1970s many homes have floor areas of 10,000 sq ft or smaller ones have 3,500 sq ft to 5,000 sq. ft.

5.7.1. The above allows many homes to plan such as a mango tree or rambutan tree at the frontage.

5.7.2. Especially after 8 or more years, this mango tree would grow tall and with it's huge foot print of foliage, cast a dark shadow on to the ground. Thus this is contrary to the term "BRIGHT HALL". No longer bright hall effect.

5.7.3. Thus some say between the "devil and the deep blue sea"; if one has a moving pool of water; ain't this better than what I had mentioned under Para 5.7.1 to 5.7.2.?

5.8. Furthermore, often the tree trunk of the large mango tree or rambutan tree could become a poison arrow or sha qi if it is visible from the entrance or an opening such as a window.

6. Coming back to your question: thus, even with a MS#3 and of course WS#8; most of the time; even if one places a water position = pool or pond; you will be right 60 to 70 percent of the time even if there is a miserable MS#3 at that sector (external to the home).

6.1. I am not going to debate on the concept of having a water position to the right side of the house e.g. standing inside the home looking outwards the concept of "flower of romance" (illicit affairs) etc..

7. In my opinion, but, in the interior of the home; be more careful with the stars.

8. You wrote: "I just read where changing the home (renovations) as well as change of ownership changes the house period?"

8.1. Please read up the past message threads in this forum.

8.2. I had clearly mentioned that there are two schools of thought:-

8.2.1. The conservative view ......  since foundations of the home has not been changed...

8.2.2. And recently some even say change of ownership changes the house period.

8.2.3. In my opinion, change of ownership does not change the house period (PERIOD).

8.2.4. Changing the home (renovations). Again, You have those who feel strongly under Para 8.2.1.

8. You mentiOned renovations. Again, there are lots of messages even within this forum. Major, minor etc...

On 6/29/2012 1:41:52 AM, Cindy Dailey wrote:
>On 6/29/2012 12:16:56 AM, Anon (Hidden for Privacy) wrote:
>>I'm pretty new to Feng Shui,
>>so please bear with me. I have
>>read a lot of conflicting info
>>so hopefully I have some of
>>the basic information
>>correct.Our home was built in
>>the early 1970's (so that
>>would make it a 6) with a
>>frontage of 75º EastThe living
>>room is located pretty much in
>>the North with a Mountain Star
>>3 and Water Star 8 (base of
>>2). From what I have read the
>>WS 8 is where I would want to
>>place a water feature
>>(aquarium) however I have read
>>that it should not be in a
>>sector with a MS 3.Would it be
>>better to place the aquarium
>>in the dining room which has a
>>North and an East wall (MS 1,
>>WS 6 and Base 4) .. Or is the
>>living room the preferred
>>location? (There is a wood
>>burning stove also located in
>>the dining room along the
>>Western wall of the room. I am
>>not sure just which sector it
>>falls into though.. and also
>>don't know if it matters when
>>not in use)I am planning on
>>generating a floor plan on the
>>computer later on today or
>>tomorrow if that would help
>>any.We are also considering a
>>small koi pond outside the
>>front door. But I am uncertain
>>if it would be better off
>>placed to the left of the door
>>(East frontage) or along the
>>side a bit where it would be
>>located more in the North East
>>or North. And advice you can
>>give me would be greatly
>>appreciated!And more conflicting
>info! I just read where changing the
>home (renovations) as well as change of
>ownership changes the house period?if
>that's true, the house was built in the
>early 70's (period 6)Sometime
>after that they added a new roof and an
>additional room. I believe that
>was in 1984, however I am not 100% sure.
>(Period 7)We bought the
>house in 2005, added slate tile to the
>living room in 2010 and are
>adding ceramic tile to the kitchen floor
>this summer. (Period 8)?So has the house
>changed from a Period 6 house to a
>Period 8 house?if so, would that give
>the dining room the best place for an
>aquarium (MS8, WS8, Base 6)?I'm still
>not sure of the placement for a koi pond
>and if the house period change would
>affect it or not. The period change
>would also give the bathroom in the
>South MS5, WS2, Base 3 and I have no
>idea what kind of cure to use there!