Cecil Lee

Dear Soli, Often, we can look at it from three perspectives: 1. Yin and Yang concept 2. How thick skin are you? 3. Human or Man Luck 1. Yin and Yang concept Often, because a plant is growing, it is considered as `more yang' than yin. And since, a bedroom is meant more for sleep (yin or rest); then, it is preferred not to have a live plant in the bedroom. 2. How thick skin are you? Looking at the above: i.e. placing a plant in the bedroom; some of us have no issue living in a `jungle' with lots of plants or trees. While others are very sensitive. Therefore, it does not automatically mean that we must never have plants in the bedroom. It depends: On how sensitive one is or is not. I am sure if one is the "TARZAN" type; who grew up in the jungle; will certainly have no problem with plants or even tree(s) even in their bedroom. Again: How thick skin are you? (How sensitive or insensitve one is) 3. Human or Man Luck What you had mentioned, to place a picture has more to do with one's psychology. Or one's personal taste. If one feels comfortable, even if there is a slight hint of cactus, there is really no issue; if you feel happy looking at the two lovely red flowers. If it brings `calm' to the person, why not. 4. Often, we should not care what others think or say. If you like it, do it:) 5. More importantly, our life on this earth is short! For example, it would silly, to follow advice e..g remove your TV set from the room. So far, we do not read - Mr X moved in to a new home, placed tv infront of the bed - and died watching TV! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear All, I believe, many of us have often received such `CON' messages. It is fitting that if one cannot get a MAN to do the job, might as well, get us to sympathise with a Lady. Several months back, I had received another "Lady's appeal" out of the usual MANLY appeal. But since, I did not post it here, well, this is erh.."something" new.... Warmest Regards, Cecil 0Start of CON-PERSON's Message : From: ibrahim-kamara@freesurf.fr From:MARIAM KAMARA Dear, With great respect do I write this message of plea for your assistance and help in this proposal. As above am Mrs mariam kamara,a widow with one child ibrahim kamara.I am a Sierre Leonean by birth,but i am currently living in a refugee camp in Abidjan Cot d Ivoire. My husband a retired General was murdered, he was involved with acquisition of weapons for the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel/freedom fighters, through sales of diamonds to agents in Antwerp. Before his untimely death. He instructed me to take my son and some documents to Abidjan,Cote d' ivoire.These documents is related to a huge sum of money he deposited in a security company here in cot d ivoire.He deposited this money for a foreign partner. However,his friend assisted us on transportation to a United Nations refugee camp in Danane Cote d' Ivoire.Before his untimely death my husband told me the trunk boxes contain the total sum of $ 10 Million USD and a few diamond stones. Please i will like you to assist me with all measures to get this money released by the security company,and i and my son will come to live with you in your country,where you shall find a school for my son to continue his education,and also invest the money under you as the caretaker. I am willing to give you a generous percentage for your efforts or we can go into partnership.If you are capable to help us ,please let me know immidiately,so that i can send to you the deposit documents.It is the only legal documents i have to claim the funds.Also send me your telephone and fax numbers for further communication. I await you urgent reply, Good bye and God bless you. MRS Mariam Kamara. AKA "THE CON WOMAN"

Dear Chinnee, 1. Yes, the situation you face is considered as an external factor (out of one's control). 2. The key here is that since there is nothing much one can do based on the 4 good and 4 bad directions; we should thus avoid further `leaks' in the home. 3. This is much like human adapatability i.e. each of us have our weakness but, what matters most is to strenghten what we have left. In Feng Shui, it is the same. we should thus try to improve our OVERALL situation (perhaps) in other areas. And thus hopefully, increase our overall "examination marks". Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tricia, Yes, this is correct.

Dear Kris, Please see below:- 1. There is a difference seeing three light lamp posts. This is because, from a window, most of us could see several objects. 2. What is more important is to check to confirm whether: does it `slice' thru the window? 3. If do, the most effective method is "if it cannot be seen, it no longer becomes a threat" i.e. a simple day curtain (that allows light to come-in, yet, can screen out the view.) Or the use of a window blind. 4. THE FISH TANK 4.1 Under traditional Feng Shui, some Feng Shui practitioners advise on the placement of a fish tank at the window area. However, please note that it is best that the breadwinner or his/her spouse is not a strong water or weak fire person. 4.2 Here, the Productive cycle of the Five Elements concept is put to use. This concept is much like the Chinese martial arts of Tai Qi (Ji or Chi). 4.3 Here, instead of going head on with the `threat', we use a flow (of the five elements to neutralise the threat). 5. For example, let's say the lamp post is seen as `slicing' into our home - thus is considered as a sha qi. We cannot simply take an axe to chop it down. 6. But if it is a tree, at least, if we are that cruel, we can purchase a bottle of bleach and simply `water the tree with it'. 7. The lamp post; can be made of wood or metal - but under the Five Elements concept; it is considered as belonging to the wood element. This is because it is tall and thin - much like the trunk of a tree. 8. Given that this `threat' is the wood element; we can introduce or induce a `flow'. 9. Thus, a fish tank can have at least four of the rest of the components: 9.1. the rectangle fish tank represents = Earth element 9.2. the water in the tank = real water or water element 9.3. Gold fish, dragon fish = belongs to the Metal element 9.4. If the fish is red in colour = fire element 9.5. If the fish is black in colour = water element Thus, since the threat is WOOD ELEMENT, a fish tank can be introduced to induce this flow of the five elements concept. Frankly, not much can be done here other than to optimize the bedroom based on good Shapes and Forms. And, if possible, the room should also be harmonized to one's ba zi favourable colour(s). As for the backdoor, the most important consideration is not the backdoor itself, but; the main concern is if there is a straight path from the frontage of the home e.g.such as the main entrance door or a window facing directly the backdoor. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sanjay, 1. The main door, like the human body - is symbolic of the mouth. Since the mouth is an important organ, it is to Feng Shui, also an important area. 2. Often, from numerous past cases, if the main door is at one's death or disaster sector; this is considered as ONE leak. 3. This is akin to having a fractured arm even before moving into the home. And, if there are MORE leaks, then the probability of facing problems arise. For example, other major leaks are like: 1. toilet next to the main entrance. 2. a neighbour's pointed roof aimed at one's main door etc.... 4. As mentioned in previous messages, often, 1 leak is still mangeable. But usually, if there are more than 1 leak, then, "problems" start to stack. Here, it can range from "a fractured limb" to symbollically an amputated limb etc... 5. Before, we jump into the wrong conclusion, the best approach is do a full holistic Feng Shui audit. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Edelyn, In my opinion, it is best to ask specific questions. As it is nearly impossible to reply to a very broad question such as yours. For example, under Shapes and Forms Feng Shui, are there any `threat's to the home; things like location of toilet etc... As mentioned above, without constructive questions, there can-not be a constructive advice. Like Henry Ford had this to say: "You can have any car, so long as it is black". One has to go beyond saying that the car is black. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Under Flying Star Feng Shui, it is preferred to look at all 9 sectors or grids instead of just looking specifically at the main entrance. If there is a #3, #6 and #9 combination, at the main door, in general, #6 or big metal is able to neutralise #3. And, at this location, avoid futher fueling bad #3 (wood) by avoiding the colour green or plants at the main entrance. In addition, avoid the colour blue. (As under the Five Elements concept: water aids or fuel wood). Under Flying Star Feng Shui, each sector should be specifically looked into and balanced - based on similar facts/information. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tricia, Given your description, below. The frontage should be where your living area and bedroom area - facing outwards. Warmest Regards Cecil

Dear Step, 1. Yes, you are right. It is better to be extra cautious with a mirror facing one's main entrance. 2. In Feng Shui, it is preferred that the mirror does not face the main door. This is because a mirror is said to deflect /reflect or distort qi. 3. As the main entrance door is similar to the `mouth' of the house, we do not want a mirror inside our `mouth' facing outwards. 4. Often, if we do have a painting, it is preferred that the painting does not use highly reflective glass. Instead, if wedo hang frame glass painting, it is prefered that a `matt' glass finished is used. 5. For example, if we do have a `mountain-water' scenery painting or picture; it is best not to place it directly facing the `mouth' (main entrance). This is akin to allowing `water' (symbolic of wealth) flowing from our home outwards of our home. And if our neighbour's main door is facing our unit; then, we may inadvertenly `giving' away our wealth (hard earned) wealth away to the neighbour. Now, we should not complain if our neighbour unknowningly "DID THIS" to us:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Youqing, 1. Thank you for your sketch and clear description/details. 2. Based on Compass School Feng Shui, to me, it seems that it is unfavourable to have a pond at the location you had mentioned. 3. Given that you had shown the compass marking that the proposed pond is to be located somewhere at South-West. This is at the West/South-West sector which is at the `white tiger location'. 4. At the white tiger location, it is not advantages to have a pool as this could result in financial distress later on. 5. This is because, a pond your proposed kidney shaped facing the home looks much like a drooped or `sad' looking mouth. 6. Even if it is in the opposite direction or just a round pond, it is like opening up the tiger's mouth. And, this is where we do not want to wrongly activate such a beast. Here, it is symbolic of a `hungry tiger' devouring our wealth/happiness. 7. Plants are acceptable at the location but avoid, too many. Always, do maintenance with the plants/trees or shrubs. 8. If it were me, I would not touch this location. Furthermore, this year, the grand duke is at South-South West close to where you want to do such work. The grand duke does not like to be disturbed or touched e.g. digging earth etc... And one can get many years of bad luck. 9. In my opinion, for your case this saying holds true: IF IT AIN'T BROKEN ERH..... DON'T FIX IT!!! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jen, Since your main entrance area has #2 sickness #5 misfortune/sickness and #3 bad wood, try to avoid: 1. Too much earth elements e.g. yellow, cream or beige at the frontage area. 2. Avoid red colour also at this area (since fire - red colour may further fuel bad earth). 3. For #3, try also to avoid green colour at the frontage. 4. For one, it is ok to place 6 coins above the main door in a single row. Alternatively, see if you can instead place a wind chime outside of this area to help neutralise these three bad combinations. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Manuel, In my opinion, this is not a major concern. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Chin Teck, In my opinion, what you had mentioned, is often not the best approach. For example, if a person is missing water, it does not mean nor imply that this person should perhaps literally drink twice more water than the common person. Alternatively, if lacks earth, one must `eat' dirt all the time. Although the above is taken to the extreme, it does not mean that if one lacks metal, one must wear rings or chains etc... Worse still, one may easily get robbed! For a Chinese, it would be best if we can do something other than to `wear' something. The most logical method is to look at one's name and add such elements to the name. For example, if one lacks water and earth, then, it is better to have a Chinese name that has a water and earth - in it. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jonathan, 1. In my opinion, it is quite dangerous to practise such "Feng Shui". 2. For example, let me give you an example. Singapore is quite a small island. And if we drove a car at non-peak period, it takes less than 1 hour from Western Singapore to Eastern Singapore. And it takes only about 45 minutes to travel from North to South or vice versa. 3. If one checks several of the messages under this forum; there was a recent message asking whether since the person is a West group person, should he, stay in the West? 4. The question asked is what happens to his family if they are East group persons? It is bad enough for husband and wifes to sleep in separate bedrooms. Not withstanding, asking them to stay in different parts of the island! 5. No wonder, it could perhaps attribute to the reason why there are more divorce cases today! Blame it on Feng Shui! 6. Often, when we relocate; we relocate based on `strategic' reasons: 6.1 Are we currently working? If yes, then often, we try to find a home near our work place. 6.2 Are our family members working, studying etc... All these has to be taken into consideration. 6.3 If we are not working; should we not find a job first and then decide where to stay. 7. Many of these have to considered, first and not where to relocate. 8. Feng Shui should be practical. 9. The most logical thought is " I stay here, you don't". 10. Let us not be swayed by what people or even Feng Shui practitioners tell us. Often, it is so easy to give an advise -- but the consumer has to bear with it. Let's say, the practitioner says: Since one is a Strong Wood person, it is recommend that one relocate to the Shahara Desert. This is because, it has earth and being a strong wood person, one should take advantage of a tree's root crushing into earth. " Based on such advise, it does not seem logical to relocate to this area or to Timbaktu or to Siberia. If we have a family, it is best to seek advise from them:) Not people like me or any other practitioner:) Cheers! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Feng Shui is not a `cure all'. 2. A sensible approach is that unless the home has significant good Feng Shui; and if the buyer is wise about Feng Shui, we can bring up good points on the `Feng Shui' of the home. 3. But be careful! This is a double edged sword! Sometimes, the buyer may ask: why you say the Feng Shui is so good yet, one is relocating? The best answer is that one is `upgrading'. Otherwise, it is hard to buy such a story. 4. We therefore refer any of the above as " Earth luck ". 5. On a `Heaven luck' point of view, the other situation is to look at good dates that suits us e.g. auspicious dates. But, again, this is quite limited, since, often we cannot meet up with prospective clients on an auspicious day (to us) and even at the auspicious time). Here, again, it is also out of our control i.e. the thoughts of the potential buyer. He/she may not like the home. 6. How about "human luck" factor? Well, rather than spending wasted money on forecasts or Feng Shui or of such sort; it would be prudent to `make an impression'. For example, if the home needs a new coat of paint, or clearing up lots of `rubbish' left behind, then do it. A clean and bright image is better advantage. Then to rely on FS. 7. Unfortunately, another major consideration (outside) of Feng Shui (Earth Luck); Heaven Luck and Human luck is: the price. The other is location. Thus, if we add this up it is often : "Price & Location " which often determines a sale. Warmest Regards, Cecil Thank you in

Dear Manuel, Can I check with you what is the concern you have about your bedroom door facing NE. Under Feng Shui, often, our main concern has to do with the `mouth' of the house i.e. the main entrance door. But as for the bedroom door, it should be looked at in a holistic way i.e. the entire bedroom inclusive of the windows, and shape of the room/attached toilet? etc.. And with this information, we can then better work out the best placement of the bed. Warmest Regards Cecil

Dear Sonali, 1. In the past, I had given an example of often; of how teachers advise their students to maximize their examnation marks. Or briefly the "exam technique". 2. For example, if we are going to take a comprehension exam paper. And we must answer 4 compulsory questions. If the total score = 100 percent then each question is 25 marks. 3. In many situations, we often hear students, only have time to answer 3 questions (some writing out of the point) and often, we did not answer the last question. 4. Many teachers would often advise their students, to allocate their time e.g. if the exam is a 2 hour paper, then spent 30 minutes equally answering each of the 4 compulsory question. 5. The rationale is that by doing so, we have a higher chance of passing. For example, since the last question costs us 25 marks, even if we write alittle, we could at least get some marks out of it. 6. Feng Shui is the same. Even if we have a toilet at the centrepoint, this is just but considered as `ONE LEAK'. What we should try to do is to FIX as many leaks as possible. And thus - maximize our `Feng Shui' marks. 7. Sometimes even if the odds are stacked against us, and if our earth luck is not as good, we should try to look at "Human or man luck". Simple situations are good relations with spouse, family members. 8. These are free! We should therefore, go for such interactions - as good human luck can often overcome any adversities. But the foolish thing is try NOT to purchase any "Feng Shui products". We end up burning a big hole in our pocket. This is similar to some people: the more they get stressed-up; they over eat - and over eating the wrong things ain't be good. The Chinese have this saying " what you eat is what you are (become). We do not want to end up getting a crane to lift us to the hospital ..... we should cut-out such useless `fat'. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Surinder, In my opinion, your question is too general since you had only mentioned about your main door = NE. Perhaps, the most logical way is to see if you can apply both Shapes & Forms as well as Compass School Feng Shui to make sense of your current situation. Warmest Regards, Cecil Surinder Singh

Dear Julie, I hope I did not mis-interpret your question. If not, please post a clarification. Under any period, #8's and #9's come in equal (numbers or amount). More importantly is where the #8 and #9 `land', combine or scatter within the Flying Star chart. Perhaps, are you refering to the fact that under Period 5, #8's and #9 come in nicely (auspicious). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jennifer, 1. In my opinion, what you had mentioned dwell more on "commonsense approach" than purely on Feng Shui. 2. Usually, the rationale why a bedroom above a garage was considered inauspicious is much like the idea that it is inauspicious to have a bedroom above the kitchen. 3. For the kitchen; it was felt that the incidence or probability of a fire occuring in a kitchen is much higher than, say in other rooms. Thus the concern. 4. It is similar for the garage. Some people feel that if the garage is cluttered and at the same time, there is a `higher' probability of a fire occuring in the garage e.g. a vehicle (may one fine day catch fire?) 5. But look at it realistically: many of us not live in a war torn country. Our vehicles are normal passenger cars. It is not like we stash away grenades, mines, rocket launchers or any of such stuff in our passenger vehicle! 6. How often; a standalone vehicle catch fire! 7. Another argument was that vehicles are moving `metal'. But again, our vehicles do remain stationery and relatively safe. It is not like we drive nuclear powered cars. Perhaps, if it is a hyrogen powered vehicle; then, just maybe, for now, we may like to park further away. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Peter, Please see below: Yes, the centrepoint shown is correct. Locally, some Feng Shui practitioners often recommend that if there is a fish tank, it is often placed; close to the main entrance door. As shown under the attachment Marking A under the file: fishtank.jpg (This is strictly looked at only from a Shapes and Forms Feng Shui. Sometimes, the practitioner may recommend placing it at Marking B (in the living room or around this area). Please note that often, the above; does not take into consideration : Flying Star Feng Shui. However, if you home is a Period 7 home i.e. Current prosperity (excellent sector) close to the centre-point area, in general, a water position at the location you mentioned is OK for two reasons: For this year, the reigning #6 (strong metal) is at the centrepoint. And for a Period 7 home, there is a #7 (weak metal). Thus in general, since these two elements are metal the addition of a water position is OK But do avoid placing the water position directly at the centrepoint of the home. As water at the centrepoint symbolises "difficulty".

Dear Julie, In my opinion, based on the information given, it looks more like a Period 5 home than a Period 7. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Rafael, The Reverse Mountain and Water is inauspicious unless there is a `mountain' at the frontage and a water position at the back. Often, we may not have a control over the frontage. But if we do, and if there is a hill or object 1 storey (level) high, then, this can be considered as the mountain. And a water position can thus be activated at the back. Otherwise, if you still can, check to see if Period 8 is better. If so, one resort is to change the home to a Period 8 home. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Leanne, Under the Eight House or 4 Good/Bad directions concept; it does not change in-time. Our birth-date will determine (once and for all) our best facing (worst) facing directions. This concept of the Eight House and Flying Star Feng Shui both belongs to the compass school of Feng Shui. However, the Flying Star Feng Shui - simply put - is about the birth chart of a home. Look at it this way: humans do not change their birth date. Unless - (if one believes) in re-carnation. On the other hand, often, a building or home is like a `shell' it can be refurbished (major renovation), torn-down etc.. And if so, this changes it's birth date. Yes, it is good not to wait for answers - especially if it is a simple question. Often, try to do a SEARCH under this forum, and one can get lots of previous replies (responses). The saying goes " God help those who help themselves:)" Warmest Regards, Cecil