Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, Generally, Chinese calligraphy usually either have auspicious words or phonetically auspicious words or words of wisdom. It is acceptable to place these calligraphy facing the bedroom door or on the hallway leading to the room. More commonly it is placed in the living room or on a wall, leading to the home from the entrance area. This is a belief that beneifical Qi can be `enhanced' when it comes into the home. (This is not Feng Shui but Chinese belief of some people). Under Chinese beliefs, plus in my opinion, one should not place the calligraphy facing the toilet door. Especially if the toilet bowl is visible. For the kitchen, it is uncommon to place it there especially if one has a small kitchen. If one cooks or deep fry foods often, grease or oil stains get on to the canvas of the calligraphy. (Not so much of whether it is auspicious or not.) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ang, 1. Last year, a few users brought up this subject of the `deadly' Five yellows or strong earth, which is still at the South until 4 Februrary 2000. 2. This calendar of Minor and Major dates which I had complied for the benefit of everyone is at: http://www.geomancy.net/calander/index.htm will show the start of the Chinese New Year on 5 February 2000. It is also useful for a first glance at the `good or bad' dates for an activity or event. 3. This determining of the Five Yellows for this year is based on the Yearly Flying Star Chart. 4. It is too generalised to be of any use to everyone as it is based on the calculation of the Base star of the Flying Star. 5. It does not take into account, the mountain and water stars. It is also not personalised to an individual. 6. Last year, a few users were `worried' about this same Five yellow at the South. But, this has not been eventful for most of us. 7. In my opinion, one should take such information with a pinch of salt as it is too generalised for many of us. It is not possible, statistically to say that everyone will be affected by the deadly Five yellow at the North. This is a `flawed' assessment of Feng Shui and simply put, playing with people's `fear'. 8. It will certainly leave a `mark' or black spot on the author of the book if each year, the author continues to play with one's fear. Furthermore, if the author provides a cure, it does not mean that it will work for everyone. Worse, if ones element is not analysed and may bring `harm' than good. Usually, I believe it is very simple to write on problems but where is the solution and if there is a solution, can we generalise for everybody. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Merklein, It is a good idea to `fill' in the `missing corner'. Where possible, top down (aerial view) it should end up as a `complete' rectangle if you can. The alternative is to have a `boundary', top down again (aerial view) one can see the outline of a rectangular plot/area of the house. You can extend the living room to the `sun-room'. But make sure: 1. You should not in anyway `chop' off the head of the house (if the house has a head shaped profile). You can do any renovations on the `body' of the house. 2. The extension should not make the `head' of the house in disproportionate or the `head' of the house becomes `heavy'. The `head' refers usually to the front or frontage of the house. 3. Otherwise, based on the information, you had provided it sounds `OK'. 4. For the extension of the living room, from what I read, it sounds OK. For the small fish tank or water fountain, without more information such as your element or it's strength, or the Flying Star analysis of the house, it is difficult for me to answer this question. If you want to place the small fish tank and do not want to go into the `hassle' of Feng Shui analysis, the advise is usually to go with your feelings. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Essentially, the wealth element does not change for a weak or strong element person. What happens is that if on is a strong element person, he/she can then be able to take advantage of the situation. One way of defining wealth under the Five elements concept is that under the Destructive cycle where Fire destroys Metal, if one is a strong Fire, then one is able to destroy Metal to create `wealth'. If one's element is weak e.g. weak fire, it is harder to create wealth unless the element of fire is strengthened in order to `destroy' the Metal element to produce `wealth'. The above is the method under the Five elements to explain how one creates wealth. If one can strength the Fire element, then one would be able to if metal is available destroy it. If one is a weak fire person, adding fire is less effective as compared to adding wood to strengthen the weak fire person. Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, Frankly, due to seasonal changes and like you had mentioned, your weather condition, if trees cannot really grow the second half, there is not much one can do here. It is difficult to find a subsitute for real trees and plants. In doors, some Feng Shui practitioners believe that artificial plants can `subsitute' live plants. But again, this is for `cosmetic' look/decoration only. I believe in the past, NASA had carried out experiments on plants in the interior of offices and found plants are `beneficial'. Recently, I read another article, saying that plants are `ineffective' inside the home or office i.e. to absorb `pollutants'. Therefore, one has to have an open mind and each of us decide for ourselves on this. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Please see below:- Actually, what is more important is not so much of the overhead beam but its effect if one sits below an overhead beam over sometime. It does not matter if the overhead beam is above e.g. the TV cabinet. For the sofa, try to place it such that an overhead beam is not above it. For the rest of your questions, will answer shortly. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, For the bedroom, depending on the level of yin (rest) or yang (play or activity) you want you can use appropriate pictures in the room. Where possible, do not purchase pictures or paintings for the sake of enhancing `wealth' but rather, buy what you feel you enjoy (without any contraints) to Feng Shui other than: 1. do not buy pics/paintings of `fierce' animals with open mouths, of swords, swordplay. Ambigious paintings of unknown figures, shapes shadows. Other than these, buy paintings that you really really like. For the Chinese, calligraphy or word(s) with meaning for the living room. For the dinning room, some FS practitioners/clients are more particular and avoid as a recent message suggests, a Rooster ... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Chuei May, Ideally, in the first place, one should avoid having sharp edges facing a bed. "One concept is that if one cannot see it it no longer becomes a threat applies." I really cannot provide a cure for this as it is very difficult to `hide' a corner. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ang, The Eight House Theory can only be used to tell whether one is located in a good or bad sector, how suitable a house to a person. For more accurate determination of the house chart, one has to use time dimensions such as the Flying Star analysis. It is common for everyone to try to enhance their good or auspicious sectors. But one has to look at it from another angle: one has first to locate or neutralise bad sectors. Only after this is done, one should consider enhacing good sectors. It is just like a house with poison arrows aimed at the main door. One can do lots of enhancements etc... but inauspicious effects are still there. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sandi, 1. Based on what you had mentioned, you should not have a problem in the situation where although the front and back door are directly opposite each other. As, there is a wall between the two front and back door. 2. In Feng Shui, it is advisable not to be under a sloping roof. However, this is much better than directly under (sitting) under a beam. The higher the ceiling the better. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Can you confirm the relative position of the fish tank i.e. 1. Is it located outside or inside the house. 2. At the west location, which room is it? 3. How large is the fish tank e.g. 6ft by 4 ft? 4. What is the colour of the stand. 5. What is the shape of the fish tank. 6. Approximately how large is this room and what is it used for. Grateful if you can `cut-paste' this message into a new message so that I do not miss the reply. Thanks. Cecil

Dear Elena, The two small windows above the bed should not be an issue as it allows ventilation or proper circulation in the rooms. The main `impact' is when it is the actual windows and where possible here, do not have the headrest lean against the window. This factor is morre important consideration. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Please see below:- Nowadays, lots of house have the main door facing their neighbours directly. So long as we try to maintain cordial relationship, do not clutter the exterior and close the door when we need privacy, it is the best way. Rather than use Feng Shui. I mentioned in a few earlier messages that there are homes where one home placed a Ba Gua mirror above their door. The neighbour had no choice but to use another different mirror to try and `bounce' back such bad influence. Here, there is a lose-lose situation instead of a win-win situation. The best method is to: Either 1. Use a screen between the main entrance door to the balcony or 2. Close the side of the balcony door that faces the main entrance. Do not allow Qi to flow into the main door and exit immediately thru the balcony window. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ange, 1. Ideally the bed should not face the door. (or the leg position) face the door). However, if there is no other choice, you really cannot help it.) An alternative, if there is space between the bed and the door is to place a low linen cabinet between the bed and the door. 2. For the window above the head, this has less to do with Feng Shui than, privacy and security considerations. (In case of a robber etc..) You can easily use oplaque film if the window is `see thru' to ensure, privacy for yourself. If it is part of your home, then, this should not be a problem. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Lingling, Please see below:- There is not much you can do to avoid a sharp corner. It is best if one avoids having a sharp corner in the first place (if one can). If it is a wooden beam, one can use 6 metal coins tied with red string and place it above the beam. Here, 6 coins representing big metal can be used to destroy wood. If it is a concrete beam, hang two bamboo flutes as follows:- ------ / \ / \ There is also another Find out what is the intangible influence for each person. If the intangible influence is inauspcious for a person, let the person sleep further away from the intangible influence. For example, if the father has the Prosperity sector while the daughter has the disaster sector, let the father sleep closer to the intangible force location. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear PB, 1. A dragon year child would have to be born on or after 5 February 2000 (As this is the offical date of start of the Dragon year). Anyway, no matter how, a child conceived now would be born in the Dragon year. 2. The most common `analysis' taking the Year of Birth e.g. a dragon baby boy born on 5 February 2000 is widely used in many Chinese Astrology books. This is the same as the Western Astrolgy of classifying a person as a Gemini, Cancer, Libra etc... 3. More `serious' or indepth analysis is based on the Pillars of Destiny. This is where not only the Year of birth, but also the Month, Day and Time of birth is taken into consideration. (Time of birth can sometimes be left out if one really does not know it). 4. From the above, you will notice that only after a detalied analysis of the Year, Month, Day and Time of birth, one can then say that the `Heaven' chart of a person has been mapped out. What this means is that not all `Dragon' child are the same. Their `fate' is based on their birthdate as defined above. However, the Pillars of Destiny (Heaven Chart) can be influenced by the education, experience etc.. that one has gained through life. 5. It is thus difficult to predict what the child's chart is like given that each day and time is different (upon their birth). Some Dragon child's Pillars `can get along' with yours while others may have some `clashes' depending on their birth date. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi Everyone, You can follow this link to My Calendar, an easy to view consolidated calendar of Major and Minor Chinese Festivals:- http://www.geomancy.net/calendar/index.htm This will be useful, if you are planning an event and would like to know what significance it has in the Chinese calendar. This is just one of the many `important' dates: The Seven Month, the most inauspicious date for the entire year is 6 August 2000. This is the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. Since ancient times, the Chinese belief that during the 7th month, the gates of hell is opened and hungry ghosts are allowed to wander on earth. This is considered a dangerous month to go out. Chinese avoid getting married, moving house, buying a car and organizing any other events during the 7th month. For 2000, this is from 31st July to 28 August 2000. There are many more dates of significance for the Chinese and invariably it is intertwined with Feng Shui such as selecting dates for pilling work on site, moving house etc.. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, You can make use of the Pillars of Comparison (for members) at www.geomancy-online.com You will be able to compare both Husband and wife. The binding element will be suggested to you. Hopefully, this matches the paint colour:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi Everyone, You will be pleased to note that I have compiled a list of Minor Chinese Festivals. Actual date for each festival/birthday is also provided for this year. Do you know the birthday of Chinese God of Wealth? Feel free to find out the various Chinese festivals or birthdays of Chinese gods and immortals celebrated by the Chinese both past and present. Follow this link: http://www.geomancy.net/calendar/festivals-minor.htm Thank you and have a nice day! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In the past, countries especially in South East Asia banned their citizens from travelling to China and other communist states. For example our passports (Singapore) were chopped with a list of countries that we were not allowed to visit. The passport that I am holding issued in August 1991 had this statement printed: "This passport is valid for all countries except the following unless otherwise endorsed: Peoples Republic of China, North Korea, Democartic Kampuchea, Laos, Socialist Republic of Vietnam ". Not long after (1992) onwards, Singaporeans no longer need `approval' to visit China. In the past, our government `feared' the influence of communism and since birth, this was `ingrained' in many of us. Therefore, because of my earlier influence usually would think of going for holidays to `western' countries such as Europe, US or down under in Australia rather than China. Currently, many of my friends who had visited China, found the toliet facilities in their opinion `a put off'. During communist rule, Feng Shui was banned in China. So, in terms of interaction with Feng Shui practitioners this is "non-exisitent" in China. With the progress made, I would certainly consider my next few holidays to places of historical Feng Shui interests. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon In my opinion, Bonsai or the art of Bonsai cultivation originated from Japan rather than in China. This would largely explain why, you do not see Chinese people displaying them. Another reason is because, many rich Chinese do not have the time to tend to these plants as some of them need lots of attention i.e. trimming of leaves and even reforming them by using metal strips to twist and turn the trunks. Many of the older Chinese, or those who have free time or love to cultivate bonsai plants would tend to them. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Again, this is a recollection and has to be verified. Last year, if I am not mistaken there was a film/movie on the three `Soong' sisters. One of the Soong sisters, (I hope I got it correctly) married Dr. Sun Yat Sen, who was credited as the founder of modern China. He also had lived in Singapore and the bungalow that he stayed had I believed turned into a `museum' or a landmark here. I believe the movie was based on a book on the three `Soong' sisters. Well, I hope I got the above correct as I am more familiar with Feng Shui rather than Chinese history. Perhaps, you can go to www.britannica.com to find out more about Sun Yat Sen and see if there is any mention of his wife. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The Chinese New Year is based on the day when there is a full moon. As the full moon lasts 15 days, Chinese New Year lasts 15 days. Traditionally, the first day of Chinese New Year should be treated as the day, Tai su changes direction. For the Chinese, it does not `really' matter because, usually, renovations are never carried out during the Chinese New Year. It is not because of tradition but rather, one cannot find workers anywhere. The reason is because most of the construction companies and their staff return back to their village or in modern situations, return to their town. So, even if one wants to do renovation work (other than if you D.I.Y), one cannot do so:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Off-hand, this is just a recollection of what I read. So do not take this as reference but just comments. In the past, the Chinese were conquered by the Mongolians or Manchus. Naturally, they were asked to cut away their `pride' which was their pony tails. I believe the pony tails as you mentioned was their `pride and ego' of being a Chinese. But again, the conquerors of China, the Manchus were not happy and thus forced these Chinese to cut away their pony tails. I believe, some Chinese skilled in Kung Fu had used their hair for self-defence e.g. as a weapon just like a knife. Pony tails can inflict a wound just like a whip. This last part is what I have seen in the movies or on TV kung fu shows so, do not take me too seriously. Although, it sounds believable rite? Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In the past, Chinese fear an eclipse. This was because, it means that the sun has been `swallowed up'. And the `world' became dark. During the eclipse, they would use musical instruments and make sounds like clangs, beat the drums in the hope that the sun would `rise' again. This was before Chinese astrologers had predicted and advised the Emperors of the forthcoming eclipse. Once, it was known that the eclipse could be calculated and predicted, this `fear' of the sun got eaten up no longer worried the people. Warmest Regards, Cecil