Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, Teaching can be considered as belonging to the "wood" element i.e. growth (of the mind). And much like a tree, shaping a person... thru learning or growth. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Seems like the home should be considered a Period 8 home. Since it would need to take up to next year or 2006 to be completed. Here, it would imply that when the apartment blocks reached Period 8, I believe all the floorings, facade, windows, main doors have not been completed as yet. Thus a test is equvalent of when did the home had a major renovation? If most of the skeleton of the home had been completed in 2004, but major finishings such as the flooring, toilets, kitchen etc is uncompleted, but completed under Period 8, then I personally feel that the home should be considered a Period 8 apartment. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Chris, There are two considerations under "Feng Shui" i.e. 1. Symbolism under Shapes and Forms FS 2. Commonsense approach to Feng Shui 1. Under Symbolism in Feng Shui, it is considered a disadvantage to have a knife or sword hanging or placed or displayed in the living room. As this is symbolic of quarrels or disharmony. 2. Under Commonsense approach Just like guns with live bullets lying in the home. This can be assessed wrongly by young children or a parent or family member who is quick tempered or used by intruders into a home. Generally, as you had mentioned, it is best to keep or display the sword in a specific room e.g. your study room. And if possible, it is kept in a display cabinet under lock and key. Frankly, hanging the sword, vertical or horizontal does not matter so long as guidelines such as mentioned under Para 2 - is suggested and applied. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, 1. Apprently, no, re-arranging furniture does not change the qi e.g. from Period 7 to Period 8. But, there is some truth in "space clearing" or spring cleaning. Sometimes spring cleaning does help in improving the "health" especially if the room is not so dusty or stuffy. 2. Frankly, there is often no issue with having the dining table in the kitchen area. In fact, there are lots of homes both in Singapore (e.g. HDB 3 room) and in small Hong Kong apartments where the dining table is also located in the kitchen. 3. In fact, in some instances, this is acceptable since the preparation/ eating of food is at the same place vs partially in the living room area. 4. It is also not like one is currently cooking a "storm" and eating at the same time. This is because even if one cooks oily food, all the cooking would be over by the time, one ate the food. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Yoke Yeen, 1. Frankly, from a micro perspective of a condo (the site itself) there are always good units that have excellent / good or favourable qi. But other units may have less or unfavourable qi. This is often applicable to all developments - large or small. 2. From the fact that you have brought up the prison, plus many others have brought up this "issue", would suggest that there are more people who may just don't like the idea of living close to or facing or looking at the prision (since some units have such a view). 3. Under Para 2, these are not directly Feng Shui related, but rather affect our human component ie. our "feel good or feel bad factor". If our thoughts are negative towards living or associated with living close to such a location, then, now or in the future, (resale) there are always many who would link or associate it. thus could affect the 'resale' value. 4. There are cases where even clients asked me about Ballota Park which is just next to Edelweiss park. But they associate Ballota Park with the prison is because, whenever, one needs to drive out of the condo onto a major road, the road junction is the prison's frontage etc.. Thus all these has to do with yours, mine or other's feel good or feel bad factors. In Feng Shui is also not like AIDs. Where, there can be bad prison qi to contaminate our homes. even with aids, it cannot be passed unless by fluid etc.. and not air-borne disease or something like it. thus all this good or bad is in our minds. What happens is that for some of us, having constantly reminded of the prison serves as a deterent to commit crime. While others have a harder time having to look at the IRS (inland revenue service building) and feeling guilty about not paying taxes! All these are in our minds. For most of us, so long as a property sold is resonable priced, within budget, we could or may consider it. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Actually, the gist of it is that six coins represents big metal. And under Flying star feng shui, it is often used as a "cure" to neutralise some bad #star numbers. You may have to understand Flying star numbers like #2, #3 or #5 in order to understand whether this cure is suitable or not for the situation. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear JE, A sketch would be good to better understand the situation. However, based on your description: to me it seems ok since: 1. the stairs do not face the main entrance. 2. in Feng Shui, a straight staircase is not that good. But it looks like you mentioned that there are some turns or landing. If so, this is favourable under Feng Shui. To me, your staircase, therefore, don't seem to be a major issue under Feng Shui. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Zey, For practical reasons, if one must shift house during a wife's pregnancy, it is best that:- 1. she must not see the masterbed moved over to your own home at all. 2. one possibility is if you are currently renting and if the bed belongs to the owners, then buy a new master bedroom bed. In particular, for the masterbedroom bed, your wife should not (must not) see it moved or participate in the moving of the bed. If possible, on the safe side, she should not participate at all in the move while pregnant. Only after the shif has been completed and the master bed is firmly in place, then she can "move-in" or come into the new home. Once this is done, don't move the bed at all. Only after baby's 1 month. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Elena, Yes, there is a recorded study known as something like "bubology" (sorry my spelling is wrong). This is a study in Germany where it was found that there is high correlation of cancer with beds above a sewerage pipe-line. Feng Shui is much about this invisible "qi" or water course such as a sewerage pipe which could emit harmful "vapours". It looks like it is difficult to relocate your bed. But are you sure that the sewerage pipe runs directly... or anyother better placement of the bed. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jenny, Feng Shui has several flavours:- 1. Commonsense approach to Feng Shui Much of Feng Shui has to do with commonsense. For example, it is not favourable to have a toilet bowl above the main entrance. i.e. one day, if the pipe leaks, it may flow into the home. Another typical commonsense example, is a kitchen above the bedroom. Here, there can be a higher probability of a fire from the kitchen. And since fire/smoke rises upwards, it may affect the above rooms (bedroom). 2. Scientific forms of Feng Shui Using Compass School Feng Shui such as Eight House and Flying Star 3. Shapes and Forms Feng Shui Understanding qi and poison arrows that can affect the exterior or interior of a home. These are threats to a home et.. 4. Intuitive Feng Shui or Feng Shui by "sixth" sense What you have done belongs to this category. And if it does not feel right after having place the mat, remove it as soon as possible. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Pam, 1. Actually, by definition, it is not exactly called a home at a T junction but rather a home "exposed-to-the-road-view". 2. Apologies, but it seems that you always seems to come across homes that may have a handicap in Feng Shui. 3. From a commonsense approach to Feng Shui, it is best not to buy a home facing a "straight" road running towards the home and suddenly, there is a turn. This is because, although, "accidents involving traffic is rare" but, there could be a (remote) possibility if some one's driving skill could be detoriated in some way eg. (drunk driving or if one is not familar with this road - nearly snoozing off) could unfortunately drive straight into the home. 4. In Singapore, especially, there are cases of cars "flying into homes" especially if there are no barriers. For those in Singapore, there is a well known road i.e. Mountbatten road that curves towards a home. In the early 70's a few cars ended at the front of the home. 5. Furthermore, the lamp post is not in a favourable position outside of the home. However, a "blessing in disguise here is that it could partially perhaps stop a vehicle..." Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Leonie, For a Flying star chart, it is easier to draw a "pie-chart" rather than a 9 grid type of chart. This is easier to apply, also. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Under symbolism in Feng Shui, 6 represents "Big metal". And six coins literally represent = big metal. And in Feng Shui, "big metal" is used to neutralise sha qi such as #5 misfortune, sickness or #2 sickness or #3 bad wood (disputes quarrels). Thus 6 coins = "big metal" is akin to " the mother of all general cures" afflicting a location that may or going to have #5, #2, #3 as an example. For #5, sometimes #6 metal may not be enough. that is why sometimes a wind chime is introduced or a constant chiming grand father type of clock is used. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jac, The most crucial fundamental issue would be to try to avoid direct afternoon sun coming into especially the master bedroom or other bedrooms and even the living rooms. Often, the last few units available, are not taken up because it is "facing" directly or indirectly the afternoon sun. Next, try to find a home that fits your ba zi e.g. the eight house concept. For Edelweiss, often, if one buys directly from the developer, these are "left over units". same rule applies to checking out each unit since, not all units are similar or identical. For Starville, if I am not wrong, these units literally got to see the "stars" since majority or all the units are facing other development blocks. For example, this is similar to some HDB apartments such as those in Punggol where one literally sees another "unit" from another development. In my opinion, other than location factor, I would not personally like to stay, here. Especially it is very common in Singapore for neighbours to hang their laundry out -- very unsightly. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Please see below:-

Dear Anon, When drawing a map or physically at the moment, it is not feasible to move the "qi of the centrepoint" since this is suppose to be the centre-of-gravity. Looks like you have to live with this wall. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Ideally, this is not good. But, I know of many new developments or a few developments that are already 4 to 5 years old with a toilet above the entrance e.g. Corporation Drive townhomes. But, fortunately, better Feng Shui was practised to redress any other leaks. In my opinion, a toilet above is not the best. But, it can be considered as one major leak. Therefore, if possible a home should not have more than 3 or more of such leaks else it may give riseto problems. Usually, also, it is best that the home "fits" the ba zi of the breadwinners. If so, thesewould lead to fewer leaks. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Glen, One should take it more as a decoration. More importantly, when planting a tree, avoid having it slice thru-into any of the windows of the home or the main door. A test of this is to stand inside the home i.e. at the window looking out or the main door. The lone tree should not be in direct view of either of the windows or main door. If not, it ends up as a threat to the home. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Havingred roof tilesis acceptable. As it is close to the orange or clay tiles we commonly see on a roof. When we have a red roof tiles, it does not really mean that the roof is totally considered as a fire house. This is because of other interactions e.g. the colour of the exterior walls. For example, if the colours of the exterior walls are white: Then under the destructive cycle of the Five elements concept,white = metal element. And here, fire is used to destroy fire. The end result is the production of "wealth." Thus,it is acceptable to have red roof with white exterior. In a second example, what happens if the exterior walls are cream or beige or yellow? These colours cream, beige or yellow = earth element. Here, it is equally acceptable. Since under the Five elements concept, fire helps to fuel earth. Thus a harmonious combination. If you can my point, generally, the roof tiles should interact with the exterior walls. Thus another harmonious set of colours are Green exterior walls with Red roof. = OK or acceptable. But if the exterior of the house (walls)are painted blue, then the roof should not be red. A total mismatch. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear David, Thanks for the sketch. 1. For the lamp post, since it is at the edge or perimeter of your unit, it does not seem to be a threat. 2. For the cluster of thin trees, this is OK. 3. But for the single 1 tree, it pose a threat. Fortunately, since it is at one side or overlooking one side glass panel, it is simple to "correct", since most of us use a set of curtains and often, the curtains can be drawn to just block the view of this lone tree. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Weiqi, Shapes and Forms Feng Shui:- Yes, if possible, it is best to avoid having a water position at the centrepoint of the home - as this may affect one's finance. (Shapes and Forms consideration. Flying Star Feng Shui:- This is especially so for Period 8 homes or homes born, or had a major renovation done on or after 2004. Under Flying star Feng Shui, the base star at the centre-of-the-home is #8. And since this is an auspicious mountain star "earth" element: a water position, here will inevitably drown the auspicious #8 for the period. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Pam, From your sketch: 1. The specific property is not at the "worst" end of the cul-de-sac. 2. Imagine a "knife", it's edge or blade slices more distinctly to (especially) the opposite propertyof Para 1. 3. However, at a cul-de-sac, no matter where a home is, where preferably, the main door should not be direclty facing the cul-de-sac. Where possible the main door is often at the side of the home or a car park leading into the home. And the main door is e.g. on the "left side" of the home. This is to make sure that there is no "possibility" of any threats to the main entrance. Besides the above, of-course usual things like drainage? The drainage such as a large drain behind the house is not that auspicious, is there any lamp post slicing the main door or windows.... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Pam, Yes, this is one option. But from past experience, it may not be that effective especially with regards to the Flying Star Feng Shui. Since, often, the facing direction is the frontage and the sitting is directly opposite this. It has more to do with the Eight House theory. Where, we can kill two birds with one stone. For example, if the main door is at NE. Tilting it, to the favourable direction of the breadwinner is good - chiefly if we apply Eight House theory. For Flying Star Feng Shui, often, it is the location with most light or wind activity - and this is where we should determine where the "mouth" of the house is based on where the entire plot is "facing". Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear David, Yesterday, I posted a reply to a question on house hunting i.e. a user is interested in a second floor or storey unit. From a Feng Shui point of view, one should consider if there are any "threats" if any to the unit. The threats could be simple things like a landscaped garden tall thin trees like palm tree(s),or a garden lamp post slicing into any of thebalcony, bedroom windows,bedroom balcony sliding windows. Therefore, the greatest threat would come from these and sometimes even walk-ways that has a shelter. Especially if the roofof the shelteror even a club-house roof - could sometimes slice lower floors. Therefore, the major threatscomesgenerally, from such directions. Usually in a condo i.e. facing pool, it isinevitable thatwe would have to face another block. Usually,this is quite common. Besides this, each facing directionor main door or facing or sitting direction for each unitcan be different.And thus, feng shui influences such factors. Other issues (usually non-Feng Shui) could be: 1. white ants or termites. Often, after a few years,without proper care some homes may be affected by termites especially lower floor areas. 2. In Singapore, often developers give a warrantly for1 or 2 to some 5 years on termites. But, nowadays, they do not give warrantly to "flying termites" those thatliterally fly into our homes and eat up our wood furniture etc... 3. Besides this, especially if one's home is facing a pool, often if we do not draw curtain or blinds, our home may "light up" like a christmas tree andothersiders can simply peer into our home. 4. Overall, there are few developments in Singapore that are 4 or 5 storey high. For example, Seletaris condo (freehold) is one good example where there are many ground floor units with their own Personal enclosed space or P.E.S. 5. Even, yesterday's reply i.e. many high rise apartments such as Ballota Park also do have ground floor units. 6. But, again, not from a Feng Shui perspective, in Singapore, it is common to find, upper floor neighbours throwing down cigarette butts and ashes and other "u.f.o" un-indentified-flying objects". Actually, if one chose a good development, a ground floor unit, is the next best thing to living in a landed property. This year, so far, even developments like The Sterling condo, has units that have PES, still available - because these overlook e.g.the entrance to the car park etc... In Singapore, areas to be extra careful of termites are: Pasir Ris area, St Michael's estate / whampoa, Bedok reservoir etc.... There are lots, lots more areas infested with termites especially if one lives very close-by to a canal. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ronald, Under Feng Shui, one possibility is based on symbolism i.e. especially in many instances where the door knobs "meet each other". Simply place a red dot e.g. at the key hole area on each door. Here, symbolically, when one close each door, "one could thus see "eye-to-eye" with each other. Warmest Regards, Cecil