Cecil Lee

Hi, This is a good question. What we must understand in Feng Shui is that the " frontage " of the house is very important. This is where natural light enters the house especially through the windows. The test is to stand inside the house and even with some curtains hanging at the windows (at the open position), you should have sufficient light to read in the house especially in the daytime and during normal hours and an average day. Here, you should not be unduly worried if it is a `stormy' day and you see a `dark' house. Alternatively, in the above senario, you should also be aware that this is also the side of the house where it is `presented' to the public ie. it is defintely not the side profile of the house. Therefore, if your main door is at the side of the house, the `frontage' as described above is still considered the front side of the house. What is the purpose of understanding this clearly? The reason is that if we know this basic fact, we cannot get the Four Symbolic Animal concept wrong. What would be worse is to say that where the main entrance door faces, it is the Phoenix or Bird represents a clear space. Therefore, if we know where the `frontage' of the house is, we should then say that the ideal situation is that this location is the Phoenix or Bird i.e. with a clear space. Why clear space. With clear space then most likely, light can get into the front of the house and natural light. Contrast this with a "blocked" view at this location. Here, the house is most likely dark especially the building infront casts a shadow at the front of the house. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Saywew, With regards to the type of plants or trees: 1. In a NASA study, it was found that plants are good / effective. 2. As a general rule, you can plant any plants and ideally, the plant should continue to grow. If so, this is considered auspicious. At the front of the house, you should not however plant trees that can ultimately grow very huge as huge trees are not ideal for the front of the house especially since they will eventually block the Qi into the house. In many situations, one should avoid planting a single large tree on the front compound as this will create a very yin location. A conducive environment for Yin elements. Especially if the tree `expands' and have huge branches and many leaves. Trees that grow straight e.g. coniferous trees are acceptable as they grow tall with `circular' and upward arrow pointed profile signifying (symbolic) of UP or progress. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Janice, Overall, there should not be any worry here: 1. Under the Feng Shui concept - If you cannot see it, it is not a "threat". Here, since the items are `kept' in the built in drawers, there is no cause to worry unless you start to place `dangerous' or inflammable items eg. inflammable liquids etc... 2. Some Feng Shui practioners I understand say that one must sleep on a bed with e.g. 4 legs to let Qi circulate under the bed. Here, there is really no cause for concern because: a. Many Japanese have been sleeping on floor mats for centuries. b. Many "boxed" beds with springs equally do are not "hollow" below except for four rollers. These beds for example are found in hotels and in many homes. Here, you can understand that in real life, there are millions that sleep like what you have described. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, This has to do with either `Superstitious' belief or `non-belief'. Under Feng Shui, the main thing to watch is: 1. If you are going to activate a mountain star e.g. if there is a mountain star to be activated, you can use a painting e.g. of the famous Mount Fuji of Japan or the Himalayan, Rocky mountain etc.. even if there is snow on top of the mountains. Contrast this to hanging a painting with a mountain scenery with a stream. To activate a mountain star avoid hanging a picture with stream or water at the location. 2. Avoid ferocious animals e.g. Tiger, leopard etc... with their mouths opened wide or where they symbolically looked hungry i.e. hungry enough to `eat' someone. 3. Avoid sad or war painting, pictures or of drawings with swords, cannons etc... 4. Auspicious paintings includes meaning ful calligraphy, happy paintings etc.. 5. Avoid hanging pictures of water scenery in the bedroom. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, Your concerns are equally shared by a group of teachers I met recently on an invited talk on Feng Shui. The Polytechnic has a Mass Rapid Transit train tracks running above ground outside the main entrance area a short distance away. What matters here is whether the tracks are either straight or `slicing' inwards towards the School or in your case the home. If it is slicing inwards e.g. like a sickle slicing the building, then this is inauspicious as it is like a `knife' cutting into the `flesh'. If it runs parallel to the main entrance door or runs slightly at an angle, you need not worry about it other than the noise coming from trains pass by. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, Ideally, not good for the male head career and overall luck. On the other hand, If a kitchen should usually be an auspicious sector of the spouse. This will help or even lessen the concern for the male head breadwinner. This is one reason why sometimes a kitchen at NW is bad for some but no issue for others. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, I agree that this small pocket sized book is `excellent'. I purchased it I think 4 years ago. One interesting thing I found was that when I looked up my trigram and one career option of mine as stated in the `career' section is a fortune teller. What a coincidence:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, In my country, it is common to find pianos. 1. More often the pianos are the `smaller' versions not the large concert hall ones. For the concert hall ones, as it is `low' it can represent a `water position' and is suitable for a living room. If one can remember, under the Flying Star theory, we have both the mountain and water star. A living room is usually considered as having a water star because at the `center' area, you usually cannot find high shelves etc... Here it would be auspicious to have the concert (triangle) piano to complement the visitors chairs etc.. "on the other side" of the room. 2. For the smaller pianos, which is high at one end, it should be placed against a wall. If there is a mountain star at the particular wall, you can place an immovable object with mass and display it on top of the piano. 3. For other musical instruments, you should instead apply the Yin and Yang concept. As sounds played from the musical instruments are considered Yang, it would not be appropriate to place these instruments in a bedroom. But this depends also because, you can still play the instruments in a bedroom during the day and stop playing them at night. It does not matter if it is still in the room at night. What matters is that there is no sound from it at night. We have to be practical. If one does not have many rooms in the house, like I mentioned, one can still have them in the bedroom. But if the house is large, it is usually - using the commonsense approach to have it at one end of the house e.g. in a `special' room. Here, those at the other end of the mansion for example can do their studies etc.... Warmest Regards, Cecil Warmest Regards,

Hi, I believe or in my opinion, this dwells in superstition than Feng Shui. There is no mention of this in Feng Shui. Perhaps in a `grand mother's tale:) *JOKE* Cecil

Hi, Frankly, I have never heard that such a theory existed. Perhaps, you can share with us, where did you learn or read of this. Looks more like the person who `invented' this could most likely be a Transport Official from US where you drive on your left. Perhaps, many of us in the Commonwealth e.g. UK, Singapore, Malaysia, may say that we should place the TV and other electrical stuffs where we are right hand drive *Joke* Here, one must substantiate and tell the world the reason for this. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, No, it is not necessary for the kitchen door to face a window. What is more important considerations are: 1. The water position in relation to the stove and other fire elements. 2. The stove must not be `supported' by a window. 3. Positions like the Kitchen in the South, you can have the Stove face a water element to `cool' down the kitchen. As South = Fire element. Contrast this with having a Kitchen at the North. Here, you must try to `keep warm' the stove and not let it `die out' with a water position opposite it. 4. Avoid having the water pipe "criss-cross" the stove (e.g. in the built in cabinet below it). 5. Avoid a ceiling beam above the stove. The above are important considerations. Here you should try and give priority to the above and satisfy the above conditions. Furthermore, it is good to have the stove located at the auspicoius sector of the spouse (based on her Eight House). For example, a stove at the spouse's Prosperity section is good. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, If you are mentioning that the roof above your own home has a pointed roof, in this situation, it is not a poison arrow. It then becomes a poison arrow to the opposite house if it is on the same `level' and when it points towards the main door of the neighbour's house. I hope, I got your question correctly. Warmest Regards Cecil

Hi, I can see your reason for concern. This is because although from your description, the park you mentioned most likely does not have water but most likely it is flat. Here there are a few considerations:- 1. You can always create a `solid backing' behind the house by having a fence. Good `fencing' includes materials like brick walls, fence with creepers. Fence with bushes in between or fence with privacy strips e.g. like those in army camps or wooden planked fences for privacy. 2. In addition, a few medium sized trees (usually not large trees) behind the house would be good. 3. This is not Feng Shui but ideally, the park should not be a play ground especially when ball games are played or you may end up with broken windows or smashed roofs. Warmest Regards Cecil

Hi, Apologies, I do not get the full picture so unable to really comment on it. Maybe you can elaborate further or better still a picture would be nice:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, Before one uses the " semi-circle " one must use it correctly. The correct way is to use the semi-circle facing outwards of your home or building. Never `turn' the semi-circle inwards acting like a sickle or blade slicing towards the house. This is similar to having `pointed' arrow towards you. It is also based on Symbolism in Feng Shui as the semi-circle `looks' like a Chinese butcher's knife. Do remember the above and avoid doing it wrongly. Warmest Regards Cecil

Hi, Usually, the most effective method is to use a side partition any where between the main entrance door and the study room. Alternatively, you should close one of the doors when opening the other. Some other `olden' methods include using bead curtains but this is I believe quite `outdated' in modern times. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, Yes. It is preferred that the bedroom door not to be slanted as this is considered inauspicous for the couple. It should be like normal doors. As for the smaller door; the only way is to use a proper Feng Shui ruler, could measure it to see whether the length and breath are auspicious. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, Yes. It is preferred that the bedroom door not to be slanted as this is considered inauspicous for the couple. It should be like normal doors. As for the smaller door; the only way is to use a proper Feng Shui ruler, could measure it to see whether the length and breath are auspicious. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear CT, You really cannot do much here. The only `last' resort is to try to use small dragon (four claws and below) and aim it directly at the sharp corner. It can be a decorative piece preferably made of wood. As wood destroys earth. In my home, I aimed a wooden dragon carving at the clay pointed roof (Earth element). It worked for me. When I did renovations to my home, I removed it and had several problems. But since that time, I placed it back and everything is fine. Frankly,the wooden dragon was a gift to my dad many years back. Please don't ask me where to purchase one cause I really do not know. If you are in Hong Kong; Singapore or Malaysia or any Asian country, you may be able to obtain one. Else, try any of the " Feng Shui emporiums on the Internet. Warmest Regards, Cecil

For this message, I will discuss on the Magnolia and the Peach as these two are more significant than the remaining flowers. I have touched on Peony in detail in one of the recent messages. If you have not read it, you can always use this forum's SEARCH feature and type in e.g. Peony to find out the specific reply on it. 1. The Peach or "Tao" This is one of the most important tree or fruit in Chinese culture. The Peach signifies Longeivty. In a famous Ming novel called : Journey to the West, the monkey SUN broke into the palace garden of the Kun Lun Mountains where this tree stood. He ate most of the peach fruit. In recent practises, some Chinese place the peach outside the gate of their home during Chinese New Year to drive away evil spirits. The peach represents the 3rd Month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. 2. Magnolia In ancient times. the bud of the Magnolia was used for medicine e.g. for anaemia. The bark was said to have medicinal properties and has been exported all over the world. The Chinese name for Magnolia is called Ye He Hua or the Flower of Nocturnal Togetherness. The `test' of a good direction is one where the plant continues to grow and flower. Here, you can in general say that this is an auspicious sign. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, Usually Christmas Trees are displayed for a short duration before and after 25 December. This is not a problem and the lightnings and many do place an Angel on top of the tree. The flashing lights do add to increase Yang Qi and it is a "welcome" change. Once the festivities are over, it is usually removed and not a permanent "fixture". Similarly, some Chinese homes or shops have the equivalent of placing a Red piece of cloth with auspicious wordings above their main door during Chinese Lunar New Year. Often many take them out soon after. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Yes, I have a graphic drawing under the reading materials showing that it is inauspicious to have a road behind the house. Usually, there are a few ways to neutralise this:- 1. It can be neutralised by having e.g. a bri ck wall or a fence with `privacy' screen or plants that `grow' on the fence. 2. Behind the fence if it is possible to grow some plants that one day become `bushes' that act as a screen. What we are trying to do is to symbolically use plants or if there is a brick wall to create a `solid backing' for the site. If the above is `done', this means that there is a protective backing behind the house even if you can view it at your first level, this is considered OK. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, Please read below:- If it is due to natural causes e.g. old age, this is acceptable. Overall, this is not Feng Shui but based on `rituals' or practises. If one is a Christian, some would invite the Priest to the house and offer some chants; for Catholics i.e. sprinkle " holy water ". If you are doing it yourself, you can mix unpolished rice grains with salt and throw them around the house especially the corners. As I mentioned, this is not Feng Shui. Salt is often used in such occassions. In Chinese studies, usually, well water is not well regarded as it is said that it harbours a well spirit. I can understand why because one must be careful especially if it is deep and may pose a `danger' especially to children. There is the situation or the fear of dangers of underground water particuarly if it runs under e.g. the bedroom. Independent German studies have shown that in villages where water runs under specific households, and say the bed is close to this underground water, there is a high incidence of `cancer'. The url: is http://www.geomancy.net/fs/under.htm However, even if we disregard the above, we need to remember that a water well is Yin. In certain conditions, if a location becomes too yin e.g. surrounding the well, there are many trees etc... these element will create too yin environment. You could balance the Yin e.g. the wall facing the well should be `bright' e.g. neutral white or any bright colours or yang colours. Ideally if it natural brick (red / clay colour) red is the most yang colour is ideal or `nice to have'. The cheapest remedy is to buy a length of carpet and cut a semi-circle that fits the length of the door. Place it at the door. With the semi-circle radiating outwards. This will be able to neutralise the stairs. For the colour, get a bright colour e.g.in any of the primary colours will do. Better still if it has a pattern or spikes e.g. that of the sun rays radiating outwards. This is ideal or nice to have but not compulsory. Warmest Regards,

Dear Sheila, I can understand your concern. Overall, the most reasonable thing you could do is to find out which area you spent most of your time at. For example, one area is the beam above your bed and the beam above e.g. your favourite seat e.g. facing the TV. It is not possible to `cover' all areas but what you can do here is to do selective `cures' based on the location where you spent most time at. Look up and if there is a beam, you may need to neutralise it. The alternative to hanging bamboo flutes is to use Six coins and hang it on the selective beam. Alternatively, you can use anything that is made of metal. But try to have 6 pieces at each location. But do not try to stick it as it may fall off and hurt someone. If you have the Chinese coins, you can string them at the center square hole and tie them together with red string. Hang it or tie it around the beam to make sure that it does not fall off. Otherwise, paste circular six silver foils on each of the `specific' beam. The six silver foils is symbolic of Six metal element. What is the significance of six metal coins? The six metal coins represent Six Metal and is used to destroy wood i.e. the wooden beam. Hope that helps. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi, Usually, books do mention that good locations for water positions are at the North (because it `belongs' to the water element), East and SE (Wood) which is considered in `harmony' with water position. However, another way of looking at it is that this is a " novice method " at looking into relationships i.e. water with North, East and SE. For the exterior of the home, one should seriously consider the Four Symbolic Animals concept. Avoid at any costs to place the water position behind the house. It is best for the water position to be in front of the house. Since you enjoy the water position with the unique mermaid statue in the SW garden, you should continue to leave it there. From what you had described, it sounds lovely! Hope it will bring you good beneifical Qi:) Warmest Regards Cecil