Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, 1. Like many cultures, its citizens strive to live to a long life (anyone would certainly love to live a long life). Not sure about today's culture. 2. In the past, it was the hope of many families to take care of their elderly. 3. Perhaps it is due to the strong Confucian teaching and upgrading. Plus the notion of filial piety. 4. In the past, it was certainly a happy occassion to live a ripeful old age, and to see your grand child get married and even see your great grand child! 5. Here, because of the believe of living in an extended family, where, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunties live in the same house or next door. 6. One, always feel loved and respected, because you get to see so many, your children, your grand children, calling you grand mother and paying their respect. 7. If it does not go well with one's ego, then one should not worry about money because, your family will continue to feed you. 8. It is because of this sense of belonging and the cohesiveness of a family unit. 9. Well, I believe that is in the past. Times have changed and many start a family later and have fewer children. 10. In the past, it is not uncommon to get married at e.g. 16 years, bear a child soon after. 11. I remembered, that I had the opportunity to see my great grandmother, when I was young. 12. She had bonded feet, quite a cruel thing to do. In China, in the past, it was good to look pretty with small feet. 13. So from young, these girls, had their feet bandaged so that they will not grow. So, the bone, due to their young age, became deformed. 14. They wear shoes, the size of a mere 3 inches or 7 cm. I really pity them when they walk. 15. Because of the bonded feet, and when one becomes elderly, imagine the tiny feet carrying so much weight. They must be in awful pain walking short distances. 16. In addition, Chinese used to eat healthy food and deserts are a rarity. 17. I did mention that one `secret' weapon to healthy eating habit is the use of the chop stick. Imagine, trying to gobble down your food with a pair of chopsticks. This is near impossible. Thus, tiny bits of food has to be picked up and eated. Of-course, one should not hold one end of a chopstick and try poking the food in the middle. *JOKE* The equivalent lesson is to `eat Feng Shui' moderately. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The Chinese, particularly, the Cantonese dialect group, find the phonetic sound of shoe ( " Hai or Sia "), inauspicious. It is like the Cantonese, avoiding the phonetic sound of Four as `Say' or die. Thus, if the pronounciation is inauspcious, it would mean, giving or receiving `bad luck'. Warmest Regards, Cecil -- The above is on Chinese beliefs -- P.S. One interesting thing to note on dialect groups is:- Hong Kong and Cantonese dialect group In Hong Kong, majority of the Chinese are of the Cantonese dialect group (majority came from Canton). As mentioned earlier, because of British influence, some of the Feng Shui practitioners from Hong Kong (British citizens) migrate to Canada (British sector). And thus, they bring along their culture of `recognising' 4 = "say" or Die, 8 = "fatt" or prospher. Taiwan and Hokkien dialect group In Taiwan, the majority dialect group is Hokkien or the Fujian Province of China. Thus, the Hokkien, or if the practitioner is from Taiwan and is a hokkien, they are less to find no. 4 inauspicious. Singapore & Malaysia In Singapore and Malaysia, we do not have a `prominent' Chinese dialect that influence the country. There are as many as 10 different dialect groups such as the Hakka, the Teochews, Hokkien, Cantonese etc... Thus, in my country, again, if you seek the services of a Cantonese Feng Shui practitioner, most likely, they will view no. 4 ( die ) as inauspicious due to the phonetic sound of the `word'. Hope the above helps you better understand a little about the `different' culture shock. As for myself, both my parents are `Hokkien'.

Dear Ken, I've posted two question on the attached file. From the Shapes and Form School of Feng Shui, your office table looks like `entrapped' at a `dead' end or corner. Frankly, it does not look good especially if you back is unprotected by a narrow stretch of corridor. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jack, Yes, for greater accuracy you should consider yourself a `Strong Wood' person. The ver 8 pillars, takes into consideration two more pillars (Life pillars) i.e. House of Conception and House of Life. With the two more pillars, there are 4 more variables (two more stems and two more branches). In the past, there are additional pillars both cater to Yin Feng Shui but is not added here because it no longer is relevant to us. In many cases, usually ver 7 will be similar to ver 8. But the normal pillars ( ver 7) based on Year, Month, Day and Time of birth will provide : 4 stems + 4 branches = a total of 8 variables. With only this 8 variables, the probability of `triple combination' is limited. Thus with the two additional Pillars, House of Life and House of Conception are essential bringing into play two additional (2 stems & 2 branches) = 4 additional variables. When analysed, we now have a total of ver 7's ( 8 variables ) and ver 8 ( 4 variables ) = 12 variables to analyse. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Members, 1. New page layout for Geomancy-forum.com Hope you find the new layout better! 2. Free Advice (General Topics) 2.1 I have enabled file attachments of not more than 200k so that pictures or illustrations can be added and viewed easily. (Limited to maximum of 2 attachments) per mail. 2.2 For attaching layouts, please continue to post it to the Conference for Attaching Layout which will allow larger attachments. 2.3 The attachments will also allow me to post caricatures; to be clicked rather than `pop-up' on your screen i.e. only if you want to view it, please click on it. We will continue to monitor your feedback and if necessary make further changes. Wishing all Christians, Happy Easter Holidays! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Geomancy.net's own Banner Exchange Network! URL: http://mybanner.geomancy.net Objective of this banner exchange A. To add life and color to the website. *JOKE* B. More importantly, it will help us maintain the various free resources such as this forum and other resources and continue to be strong and healthy. By doing so, we hope to progress and continue to grow from strength to strength. Information for Webmasters:- 1. We have tested our new Banner Exchange software for more than three weeks. And we have just resetted all the trial statistics a few days ago. We now officially accept new members. 2. Webmasters can join our free banner exchange network. 3. Details of advertising cost and more will be made available later. 4. Meanwhile, feel free to join our free banner exchange network, today. - 20 Apr 2000 5. The focus of this Banner Exchange is on Health, Real Estate, Chinese Culture, Feng Shui, & Astrology. However, due to the flexiblity of this program such as site targetting and banner selection feature we have also decided to open it to the general public. 6. Features & Benefits of joining our Banner Exchange:- 7. Free 1000 banner impressions upon joining. 8. Detailed Statistics tracking Year, Month, Day, Hour for all banners and counter. Impression Ratio 1:2 - Exchange 1 banner display into our network for every 2 banner displayed on your site. 9. Click Ratio 2:3 - Exchange 2 guarantee click through for every 3 clicks earned from your site. 10. Display and manage upto 6 standard banner sizes (468x60, 236x60, 125x125, 120x90, 120x60, 88x31) with one account. 11. Ability to choose banners to be displayed in your site. 12. Ability to target the banners to sites you wish to display. 13. Ability to specify how much banner to distribute in different hours of the day. Choice of exchanging Text Banner Link with members that select this feature. 14. Add a free counter to your pages. Other features (members mailing list, floating banner exchange etc) will be enabled at a later date. Warmest Regards, Robert Lee

I was inspired by Reader Digest's `Laughter is the Best Medicine' which I truly enjoyed since young to come up with Caricatures on Feng Shui and related subjects. As the heading says it all, ` Laughter is the Best Medicine'. In addition, a picture is said to paint a thousand words! The first images went up on 16 April 2000. Have a good laugh! Warmest Regards, Cecil P.S. Drawing from Glyn's personal comments that she enjoyed them; I agree with her that these illustrations can also be considered `Greater Education' series.

Dear Anon, 1. China do have libraries, especially those in schools and universities. 2. Chinese literate and books are cheap and many. Usually, the books use cheaper quality paper. Books include romance, fairly tales, literature etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. If it is the rural China, where electricity is scarce, the internet is in my opinion `non-existent' as yet. 2. Most of the internet access are found in the cities. Usually, it came more as a need rather than a `choice'. Because of global competition, access, first started with companies especially foreign ones that require internet access. 3. China is gradually wiring up for the internet. But, it also found a humble beginning at insititutions such as selected places of high learning etc... 4. China, also tries like every where else, trying to `block' access to certain sites. But I guess, this is not always possible even with proxy servers. 5. In my opinion, China has also allowed certain cites to operate, or shelter them when they were found to hack into certain overseas sites in the US, when the US wrongly bombed the Chinese embassy a while back. 6. With the market becoming globalised, in my opinion, no country can isolate or afford not to `plug' into the internet. Many Japanese, Singapore and overseas companies are starting to set up manufacturing plants in China and infrastructure for internet would give a competitive advantage. More particuarly, if China wants to be a major Financial Centre e.g. Shanghai etc.. cannot avoid, the internet, totally. But if one got caught being subversive, one may most likely be `invited' for free accomodation, food and lodging, like staying in a "hotel". Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. In my opinion, this may not be necessary true. (If we only look at the `western violin'). 2. The Chinese have many different `wind instruments' and in my opinion, the violin is more a `western' instruments. There are `Chinese violins' and need not be in the shape of the western violin or the material used. The Chinese also have a keyboard type wind instrument `Qin' with many strings and they use their fingers to play on. Much like a guitar but flat and more strings parallel to each other. Others include `Pipa' instruments. There are quite alot of CDs on music played on these instruments. Others include, instruments with snake skins and animaal hairs (strings). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. From my personal understanding, it is because of the thorns on stalk rose. 2. It would be different if there are no thorns on the rose. 3. Thus, it is more a belief that what can be worse than to give someone thorns. 4. On this same subject (Chinese belief), it is considered inauspicious to present your Chinese friend with either a CLOCK or give her a pair of shoes, also. So for those who are giving `home warming' gifts, avoid Para 4. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. During the cultural revolution or the peak of communism, most of the movies, have a story line and a `morale' of the story. Yeah, this type of shows are more to inculcate, patrotism, communism and `achievement' for the country. 2. In the late 70s, there are some good shows directed by Chinese Directors which had won an award at the Cannes festival.e.g like the Red chamber etc... which relates a story about prostitution etc... 3. In the 90s, many films are shot in China. For example, many of the `period dramas' e.g. sword fighting by Singapore broadcasting Statutory board, shot several films in scenic parts of China. Many Hong Kong directors also direct films in China. Usually, these shows are later for their local consumption. We can understand why. Firstly, labour costs is low and since China is so vast, open sword fighting, Kung fu shows are cheaper to shoot over there. Unless, the show goes against Chinese censorship, these are usually allowed as it promotes tourism and foreign revenue and employment for their locals. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. You will be surprised to learn that smoking is a universal trend and it is very common to see Chinese smoke. 2. In the past, especially with the `poorer' Chinese, smoking is particularly prevalent. 3. Surprising, to this date, I have come across, many `old Chinese' especially males who continue to smoke right up to their 80s. Usually, they die of old age. But, sorry, I cannot confirm if they did die of cancer... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The moon is important to the Chinese: 1. If we look carefully, it is the `second' half of the Yin and Yang "symbol". Where the moon represents Yin and the sun Yang. 2. Often in the past, when I was young my mum will say, the 15th day of Lunar month and out of curiosity, I would at the evening peer in the sky and true enough, it is the full moon. Thus, sometimes, when I do not `refer' to the Chinese calendar, one could easily tell when the 15th day of an " X month " roughly is. 3. Again, you are correct to say that the Chinese give a `lot of significance to the moon'. As many members have heard how often the word " Lunar Calendar " has been uttered. 4. The " Lunar Calendar " is where, all Chinese get their Chinese birthdate. E.g. 8th day of the 8th month of 1970. 5. While the Hsia or Xia Li calendar is mostly used to determine the season for agriculture and planting. Thus you will see why, at Geomancy.net, we will continue to use the Lunar Calendar and the Hsia or Xia Li to cross reference season strength. 6. Yes, there is the story of festival of seven sisters of the moon. Likewise, there is others like Celebration of Chang-e and Glazing the sky until the fourth watch etc... 7. Here, you will find that the moon is also associated with Autumn, there is the mid autumn festival and other autumn festivals mentioned under Para 6. Will try to elaborate on other festivities under 6 in the future. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Members, 1. On member was asking on a book on choosing names. 2. Dr. Evelyn Lip had written a book approximately 110 pages. 3. One intersting topic is choosing names according to the number of strokes in each character besides other significance, symbolism and traditions in Chinese numbers. 4. In my opinion, the book is a simple introduction to Chinese numbers. And if you can find it in your local library, it is certainly worth borrowing it especially, if one wants to do a `research' into this area. (I think it should cost around US$10.00 or less.) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Further to my earlier comments: 1. Activites like buying a lotto or sweepstake ticket is also interesting. Here, it also gives a person Hope or for some people, something to look forward to. 2. Contrary to popular belief, even in Taiwan, not many people or the majority of population (like the west) are equally intriqued with Feng Shui and other of such activties such as face reading, and other geomancy fields. Feng Shui Masters are far and rare. In my opinion, it can be the ratio of e.g. the ratio of doctors to the population or less. 3. In Cate Bramble's website or article, you will notice that he `duped' prominent politicians and businessmen etc... 4. This is interesting because, many politicians and businessmen are good in their specific areas and does not mean that they themselves exactly know Feng Shui. 5. Fortunately, in countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, I have yet come across a BTB practitioner. The practitioners may practise one form of Feng Shui or the other. For example, even some local FS Masters only practise the Eight House. While others practise Shapes and Form. Some others, Flying Star. A few others practise combined forms. Yet, I do not come across (as yet) BTB practitioners. This is simple because, the BTB reach is only isolated in Taiwan and from there spread to the US and some other western countries. Many practitioners in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, have not even heard of BTB. Again, the above is my personal opinion and understanding of how BTB came so popular to this day. Perhaps, many members here do have your own perception. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In my personal opinion: 1. The leader is also a Chinese and makes it even more convincing. 2. `Fast Food Feng Shui'. All over the world, people, or human beings want quick answers. As humans, we prefer fast answers. For example, where is my wealth sector etc... If I were to tell someone, inorder to use Feng Shui properly, you must use this theory, that theory etc.... 3. Thus, many of us would prefer the easy way out. 4. `Simplicity' is the key to increasing the `followers'. What could be more easier than providing everyone hope. Hope such as an easy to use `Fixed Template'. The `plus' point here (I must personally say) is taht even if the `fixed template' may not work most of the time, the key ingredient is giving people `hope'. 5. It is like some who were `troubled' and e.g. go to church or temple. 6. Plus, the `charisma' of person or leader. 7. It is also a multiplier effect that most probably he got lucky and was recommended by `big' businessmen or Taiwan officials. Thus standing along a leader (even if you have questionable) links do give one good PR advantage. 8. Furthermore, one need not be a Feng Shui Master but rather anyone who is good at Public Relations or Marketing or can market themselves well, will have an added advantage. 9. Thus, one can be a highly skilled Feng Shui Master, but cannot speak English well nor does not have good PR skills. Will never be known unless, they are very very famous. 10. I have mentioned in past messages, usually, you get to hear only Hong Kong Feng Shui practitioners or those who migrated to the West such as US or Canada, teaching Feng Shui on the internet. 11. As Hong Kong was once a British colony, FS practitioners usually from this country are conversed in English. 12. Chinese or Taiwanese Feng Shui practitioners because of their poor English, never make it to `penetrate' the internet (where the medium) is English. Thus, sometimes, some of the theories thought have a biased towards the Hsia calendar or (Xia Li) calendar system which Hong Kong uses. 13. We are aware of this and would need to tip the balance. I thus usually broadly classifly this group of Hong Kong / Canadian / US practitioners the `Western Traditional School' of Feng Shui. 14. Thus, you can now better understand that, mostly, the voice of the `Eastern School (or Taiwanese) Masters, less heard nor those from China (who usually fled directly to China). Because of this disparity, I always believe, in using the best of both schools. 15. It is like Kung Fu, the more skills you have, the better you can select and choose. Warmest Regards, Cecil

We have to thank Cate Bramble, who is the most vocal critic of this "sect". Credit: http://www.qi-whiz.com/confess.html

Dear Anon, 1. The Chinese are very particular about phonetics or `sound like.. '. 2. For example, the Chinese dialect group: Cantonese, do not like number 4 because, to them it is `die'. 3. While number 8 to that is `Fatt' or prospher. 4. Unfortunately, the Chinese phonetic meaning for butterfly implies a person in his seventies. Which means `old age' or about to die. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. I believe potatoes contain carbohyrates. 2. The staple carbohyrate of the Chinese is `instead' rice. Rice is easily cultivated and the unique thing about rice is that it `aborbs'. 3. Rice can be eaten with other ingredients or cooked with food to absorb the flavour. 4. Thus I believe, that since, `we' already have sufficient carbohyrates, it would be best not to grow too many but instead other `food' or vegetables. 5. While potatoes are `different', it does not absorb what has been added to it. 6. For tomatoes, as it is a `vegetable' or some call it fruit, it is harder to grow, depending on the climate conditions. Most common vegetables include bamboo shoots, cabbages, lettuce etc.. which can even be salted and kept during winter weather. I am not sure how, one can `salt' or pickle tomatoes. Thus, most food or vegetables, can be kept all four seasons. You will be surprised to learn that Chinese even have `waxed' ducks, salted, or preserved pork meat etc... The above are my opinion only. Warmest Regards, Cecil