Cecil Lee

Dear Cheui May, 1. Thanks for sharing with us your personal information. 2. Yes, ideally your name should have `metal' or `water' element in it. The simplest form of water is `Shui' or the Feng `Shui''s water character. In fact, this is what my elder brother has in his `last' name. As there are various pronounciation e.g. in dialect, e.g. `Chwee', `Chooi' etc... what is more important is the Mandarin `Shui' used. Please see below:- For a `traditional' Chinese person especially the middle or higher income, would essentially make sure that the name matches the person's Ba Zhi or Pillars of Destiny. I know of many people who have changed names and had done well. But of course, the best is still one that is given from birth. Yes, Pillars of Destiny is the cornerstone and for example when each of us was born, my grand father would `run' to a geomancer and get our Pillars of Destiny done. As I did not lack any element, my last name has a `Tiong' or center or balance. One can also classify the number of strokes as odd or even and this comes under either Yin or Yang also. Ideally, you should not have jade or earth in your name. It would do with `Shui' in it to increase your water element. Alternatively `metal' in one of your names. I truly believe in the above. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Cheui May, It is not necessary to keep the plants. But if you want to, it is still acceptable. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Kwek Beng, 1. The reason for the two additional pillars House of Conception and House of Life is to give a more accurate analysis taking into account 4 more elements (x 2 stems and 2 branches). 2. The reading taking after analysing the House of Conception and House of Life should be considered instead of the `simpler' 4 pillar. Thus, you should take yourself as a weak metal. 3. Another rationale for this two extra `pillars' is because, only with these extra elements that combinations e.g. triple combinations may result if it occurs. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Chinese food can be classified under Yin or Yang. This can even be further classified into one of the five elements based on taste. Generally, Yin foods are `softer' such as through boiling, steaming etc... Yang foods are fried etc... Chinese food especially in the rural areas are often preserved. For example, lettuce or cabbage is preserved for winter time. As food cannot be kept for too long without spoilage. Thus Chinese do have lots of preserved food such as Chinese susage, pork etc.... But this is not much a choice as food is scarce especially in the country side. This does not mean that they eat `preserved' food all the time. Only during the cold seasons where food cannot be grown. Those who stay in cities differ from the above as food is plentiful. The best way to understand Chinese food is to go to a local Chinese food outlet or supermarket if there is one in your country. You can browse thru the canned food and usually, some of these were `canned' while such food were plentiful. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Yes, the foundation of Chinese belief is to take care of their elders. It is also due to `Confucianism' or teachings on respect for the elders. Thus `filial piety' is prevalent in Chinese society. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The most common statues of `old people' is the Fu Lu Shou Statute. Here, you can see the deity of `Longevity' holding a `peach'. Other than these, there are other Chinese `old' person's figurines. I have a collection of `old persons' with various poses will try to take photos of these and post in the forum. In my opinion, it is not `bad' nor inauspicious to display such figurines. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Thus, when one is born, he/she is already 1 year old! In olden days, even now, we still consider ourselves + 1 to our birthday. But due to government reports and Identity cards etc... we have to show our true age (western age). No, this is not true. We are proud to celebrate birthdays. Especially of the elderly. For the elderly, special dishes especially in the restaurant include: 1. "Long noodles". Noodles that are long (uncut) as long as possible to signify longevity. 2. Peach shaped loaves of bread. It is common to find this bread served for an elder's birthday. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Elena, The best cure (only cure) is to repaint the roof. The `blue roof effect' is gradual and will bring difficulty especially to the breadwinner. There will be many stumbling block. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Alex, Frankly, I am not familiar with the Feng Shui consultants in Tokyo. Are there in the yellow pages or `word of mouth.' Usually, quite alot of Feng Shui practitioners I understand in Japan uses 9-Star Ki (both popular in UK also). As mentioned, 9-Star Ki and Traditional Feng Shui (or Flying Star is identical). However, the way it is done differs and thus, it is not advisable to `mix' the two as you may get different results. Either you follow 9-Star Ki or Flying Star. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Alex, 1. Under the Eight Aspiration or Life/Eight Associations concept, the Trigram at South West signifies `romance'. Unfortunately, the implication is that it is universally aplicable to everyone i.e. for 1 person, a dozen person, 100,000 persons, 1 million, 1 billion etc... 2. Usually, it is so `universal', and considered applicable to "everyone", it becomes statistically not workable for people, the more, more of us use it. 3. Even theories based on Shapes and Form are `personalised' to a house. For example, not all houses are at a cul-de-sac. Thus not influenced by such factors. Similarly, only houses with poison arrows aimed at it, needs a `cure'. 4. Thus based on the above reasoning, not all South West sector can be considered the `romance sector'. I have mentioned in a recent forum message that under the Flying Star theory, it has also it's interpretation of `romance' sector. 5. I believe the book that recommends that the romance corner is to walk to the further right corner, (I suspect) is not a vaild Traditional Feng Shui book. 6. So where do you go from here? Feng Shui is a holistic approach involving many theories. In my opinion, many have taken the wrong approach in trying to `concentrate' hard on just a "sector". Instead, it is like health, one should instead keep an all round fitness, not just develop muscles on one arm. Here, what is the use of flabby stomach, heavy legs etc... 7. For the house, I entioned in a recent message that it is like a ship. If there are small holes in the ship, one should not instead dress up the top. Eventually, if the small hole is not plugged, the ship will sink and the captain will sink with it. It is thus always best to do a full Feng Shui audit and do it rite:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Ideally, based on Shapes and Form Feng Shui, the kitchen, door where possible should not be next to the main door. 2. In the above situation, try to have the stove face in the house `to keep the warm' in. Yes, it is not bad an idea to hang a curtain cloth here. As Qi can still move in and out but slowed down. Where possible close the toilet door when not in use. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear GoldenDragon, 1. Under the Shapes and Form School 1.1 Do not place the table on an `island'. Where best, it should have the support of a wall. 1.2 For the office, it is best to be located in a room in the house (with sufficient natural lighting where possible). Avoid a `dark room'. 2. Under the Eight House Theory 2.1 It should be a location with good intangible force for yourself. Avoid having it at an inauspicious sector. 2.2 Of secondary importance: see if you can sit facing a good direction. The above are general guidelines without taking into consideration the Flying Star theory. If the Flying Star theory is considered, one can try to locate it at one's good Eight House plus if possible a good Flying Star sector. More importantly, even if it is a good sector, there may be an imbalance of elements. Try to neutralise it. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, China is a very vast country and as many of the citizens are living in the country side, and agriculture is their stable, they are more inclinded to living a `clean' life. It is only in the cities or areas designated with factories that need more of these control. But, we seldom hear of the need for environmental protection as China is endowed with huge resources. For example, they have huge dams to generate electricity etc... In my opinion, I believe China can be considered a `peaceful' country also. It is more fearful of being exploited by foreigners. If one looks at the history of China, when the Qing Empire was ravaged with `foreigners' out to `exploit' the country etc... For example, one has never heard of the Chinese, conquering outside its teritories. But rather, in contrast, one sees, countries like Japan, making an attempt in the past. (I am not saying this because I am a Chinese myself, but if one looks closely at history, trade with the world is what China does very well). Chinese sailors have in some history books ventured to the other part of the world. The famous Silk route, between India and China is another. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In the past, arranged marriages are very common. Couples were even paired up as young as 12 years and below. From my personal opinion, I have seen many cases of arranged marriages that are successful. I have yet to see any ended in divorce (so far). Perhaps, because, divorce is a `taboo' and a `shame'. In the past, even if the wife was severely beaten or `ill' treated by (more so by their in-laws) she still patiently `waits' or attends to her husband. Nowadays, as more and more Chinese ladies enter the workforce, are pretty modernized and the divorce rate can match the statistics of any other western countries. More... For the Chinese, usually when the girl marries the man, she has to `marry in' to her husband's family. And with extended family, her life thus would also depend on the treatment of her mother-in-laws. For the Malays (who are usually muslims), it is different. When a Malay girl gets married, her husband moves in with the wife's family. Perhaps, this way, because of she lives with her own mother, she would usually not face the above. I am not saying that all Chinese girls are `ill treated' by their in-laws, but there are some who are less fortunate. Nowadays, many would rather stay on their own. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The official Chinese site is: http://english.china.com/cdc/en/travel/0,1020,0,00.html Yes, tourists are allowed to visit China. In fact, China which has a 5,000 year culture is worth the visit if one is `young'. This is because, it is more advantages to visit China on `two feet' (or legs) than on a wheel chair as walking is part of the `thrill'. The only major complaint is the toilet facilites or `lack of it'. If one is interested one can visit Guilin, the beautiful landscapes where the Shapes and Form Feng Shui was said to have originated. There are many many more cultural and historical sites available... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, You will be surprised to learn that there are equal amounts of Chinese women priests. These priests (depending on their denomination) some wear greyish or `pastel sky blue' clothings. They have their own temples and live a life of celebracy similiar to (the Catholics: Fathers and Sisters). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Elena, 1. Your observations are to the `point':) 2. If it is a Chinese restaurant, two lion white statues as those commonly seen on both sides of the main entrance door would be good. 3. More importantly, you have pointed out that the frontage (clear space has been hindered by the 25 storey building. 4. You are correct to say, that one method would be to use neon lighting here. This would certainly create a more `yang' environment. 5. Currently, Shapes and Form can in my opinion, provide a quantum leap first. 6. For the `breadwinner/owner', if you have a problem determing who, it should be the eldest `partner'. Sleeping Partners should be excluded here. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Under the Eight House Theory, to determine how suitable the house is to the breadwinner. If your mum is the breadwinner than, this house (subject to other Feng Shui theories) is said to be `suitable' for her. 2. Is the kitchen considered the back of the apartment? If it is the back of the house, it would be best for the opposite, a mound rather than a slope. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Judith, Where possible, avoid having the bed on the small wall as the toilet (especially the toilet bowl). The above is the `worst' case senario. There is not much you can really do, unless you change the position of the bed. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. In my opinion, I believe that it is more of a `coincidence'. 2. One must understand that if something although is easy to implement but get mixed results or that results do not always have the same `happy' ending, it is difficult to be used effectively or applied to everyone. While, situations like a sharp edge of a building aimed at main door of another house has been known to cause problems, we understand that this is indeed a problem and specific cures can be used and most of the time with positive results. 3. Thus, even if the wind chime is good, some of us do not know that it can certainly work at all sectors or must it be at e.g. the West, or east. Other questions like, what type of wind chime? How many rods? Must it be made of metal or wood or combinations of it or other materials. 4. Perhaps, it could be the `soothing sounds' of the wind chime that has a calming effect? If so, can we instead, play `light' music in the home to calm the nerves of the residents. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Carina, 1. There are various interpretation of `wealth corner'. 2. If one properly `practices' or if one is fortunate enough, with or without Feng Shui e.g. a good home with shapes and form and the house happens to suit the person, this far outweighs `soley' concentrating on just one corner. 3. Sometimes, doing so may do more `harm' than good. For example, if the corner is (suppose to be left alone), and if one places a plant that this sector where, there is an imbalance of a particular element. The plant may `unwittingly' be the productive help for the `rogue element' and further increase it's strength. There is indeed a possibilty here because we are talking about 8 sectors plus centre = 9 sectors. The probability is `high' if one starts to place plants just at 4 sectors. Here, 50 percent chance that if the sector is has a `rogue' element, one causes more harm than good. 4. This is why, I believe some people would have wished to `turn back the clock', if they can and would prefer never knowing or associated with `Fast Food Feng Shui'. 5. Sometimes, I have to talk `negative' about the effects of Feng Shui as traditional Feng Shui is indeed losing ground to Fast Food Feng Shui. 6. Worse still, the trend is that "Feng Shui Schools" are churning greater numbers of `Masters' whom seemingly innocent people trust with their LIFE. An equal contribution are books on this subject. It is my sincere hope that I do not want to see any readers here, fall into problems. 7. One saying goes: "Only after having tasted bitterness, we then appreciate the sweet." I hope this is not to late for many out there. 8. Many of us have gone through examinations. I believe the advise here is to maximize the marks rather than to continue working on a question. For example, if one has to anwer 4 essay questions. One should spent equal time for each question. Here, we thus maximise our marks. It is no use spending twice as much time on answering a question, in the hope of squeezing more marks out of it. Worse, we have no time answering all the questions and may result in failing the exam. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Carina, 1. This is only based on the `interpretation' of the Eight House and this is only one of the theories. It would be best also to look at other locations e.g. the bedroom (with this theory). The only `cure' in the Eight House is to avoid spending time at a specific unfavourable sector. For the main door, some resort to `tilting' it. But this has to relate to the findings done under the Flying star. As `tilting' the door, would mean changing the door direction. For changing the direction of the door, it is always best not to D.I.Y. (do it yourself). Usually, this is done in consultation with an FS consultant. 2. Usually the effects are "lessened", if the main door happens to be a good sector in Flying star analysis. For example, the main door happens to be a `very auspicious' sector or even an excellent Double 7's (the degree and rating of a Double 7 would depend on the base no.) Feng Shui should thus be seen as a `holistic' way and we need to have a `bigger' picture. Warmest Regards, Cecil 2. For the overall situation, many other theories are needed to `interlink' and create a bigger picture. For example,

Dear Kumari, I believe that, you most likely are staying in a hostel. Frankly, it is difficult to `correct' these especially if it is in a `small' room where one has difficulties moving furniture. As a consolation, many have also gone thru the same `situation' as yours and are doing very well. This is not a permanent situation and most of the time you most likely are studying. Furthermore, being young and I believe, with more Yang energy in you. Good Luck in your studies:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Please see below:- Ideally, the more accurate method is to analyse all three elements i.e. that of the base number, mountain # and water # rather than base it on a combination of 10. The analysis of the three elements will look `within' to see if there are any imbalances (if any) at that sector. If there is an imbalance and the element identified, a cure can be use appropriately. Here, again, it is better to look at the relationships of all three elements within the sector. If there is indeed an imbalance, you only need to neutralise it. But if water is in the way of this analysis, it is preferably not be there or (for the breadwinner), it is advisable also for a weak fire or strong water person not to have water element in their homes. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Maria, 1. It is very common to have partners with `exactly opposite signs':) 2. You can learn how to do a compass reading at http://www.geomancy.net/fs/cecilcompass.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil