Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, No, what I meant was, after one has bathed, then the last step is to pour the contents over the head (from the front to the back). Often, it is applied to the person, who is facing a hard time. There is no harm to do so for the rest of the family members. It is best not to use the toilet afterwards, say immediately or around 3 hours. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Danny, Please see below:- It is preferred that the master bedroom is a rectangular shape (without odd corners or extension). This is especially so for a newly married couple. Since you have a son, there could be other underlining reasons. Often, the Flying Star Feng Shui is used to diagnose sectors that have bad #3 and #4 wood elements which are associated with quarrels and disputes. This is one direction, that you may consider pursuing. Most probably, some of the bad stars had flew into especially the fish (tank) location. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Often, when coins are used, it is based on the number of coins. 2. I am not sure if there is any `commercial' agenda; but majority of the coins that we buy are often imitation coins or newly minted coins that seem to look like `antique' coins. (Don't be fooled by the greenish colour on these copper coins as it is very easy to `age' the coins) 3. The usual number for a big metal cure are a set of 6 emperor coins each. 3.1. Previously before the internet age, many shops were selling 5 coins. Perhaps their knowledge was essentially that of the popular Five Elements concept of Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. 3.2. But today, many are exposed to proper Feng Shui, less of such mistakes. Given that #5 represents misfortune/sickness under Flying Star Feng Shui. 3.3. 7 coins were often used in the past. But nowadays unpopular. As 7 represents “weak metal”. Less effective on it’s own if encounter a #5 etc... 4. A true test of commercialisation is: How much does the `special' set of coins costs? 5. In Singapore, mass produced `imitation' coins costs only S$0.30 cents each. (US $0.15cents). 5.1. However, a reasonable purchase price today should be between US 5 cents to US 20 cents per piece for imitation coins. 5.2. Many bought in the internet at 10 cents each is possible. Especially at Chinese online delivery platforms. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In my opinion, based on your description, I personally, do not find it a `threat'. In Asia, many homes (landed property) has much higher fence(s). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. From my personal experience, often, problems occur when one has several major leaks in a home. 2. For example: 2.1. The house is very unsuitable to the breadwinner e.g. death or disaster sector (main entrance); 2.2. Toilet at the centrepoint 2.3. Ba Zi Luck periods in an inauspicious period for the breadwinner; 2.4 Perhaps, there can be other hosts of problems such as imbalances within the home such as a house under Period 7 - where the breadwinner sleeps in the east or south or for this year North. As there are imbalanced stars here. 2.5 Other leaks may include Shapes and Forms problems like qi passing thru a straight line from the main door towards a balcony. 3. Often, such leaks range from the equivalent of e.g. a "fractured arm" to an "amputated arm or leg". 4. Thus, 1 major leak alone, often can be considered as a `trigger' point. But not necessarily, the sole concern. 5. Just recently, a user asked " If I chopped off the tree .... will my problems disappear? ". If a full audit has been done to determine all these; and if most of the problems can be fixed, there is a high chance that `problems' will be reduced or disappear (depending on each individual case). 6. It is quite worrysome that some of us; perhaps, without much understanding.. are taking `too simplistic' steps to `chase away' our problem. (But problem should actually be replaced by problemS - not just one problem.) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, If there is a WC in there, then, it should be considered as a toilet at the center-point. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear All, 1. Our quest to learn or apply Feng Shui is based on this premise: " Try to learn and apply as much as we can : those concepts and princples that work for MOST PEOPLE, MOST OF THE TIME ". This is the only Guarantee Feng Shui can provide us. 2. We often hear "I was told, this FIGURINE is good for me." Or buy this ... figurine.. " It works wonders!" Working "wonders" can mean different things for different people. It certainly works " Wonders " for the seller, who will profit from the sale. Have we ever wondered... why is it that a product can do us wonder BUT, there is no guarantee attached to it. For example, a price tag could say " Buy me, and you will be guaranteed to win $20,000/-.... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sarah, 1. In the Far East (Asia), rattan or bamboo furniture were particularly popular in the 1970's. Especially with the cheap labour and raw materials. All that is needed is to sew cushions and presto! Many homes have them. 2. In recent years especially in 1990's till today, because labour costs had risen, many have opted for other various combinations of steel/wood ; wood / cushions etc.. as they can be manufactured cheaply. The slightly more expensive go for half-cow leather etc... 3. In my opinion, I do not think so that your bamboo furniture can be considered as dead wood. 4. The only basis of calling `dead wood' is if one keeps too many `antique' furniture. This is where some believe that those who surround themselves fully or clutter themselves fully with `antique' furniture, could be said to be rather `conservative' etc... 5. But, this is just people's comments. Personally, I feel that our up bringing has been shaped and formed once we reach 18 or 21 years i.e. our character (is this) and harder to change - unless, we encounter `bitterness' e.g. failures or life issues such as the demise of a love one etc.... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. A reasonable question asked is: ?Is this the only leak found in your home?" 2. Often, from my past experience, there is not just one leak (major) but several major leaks. Thus, in my opinion, taking this approach alone is too `simplistic' method. For example, if we try to `cover-our-backside'; it does not mean that our woes or problem may go away. In fact, we have protected our front-part which can be very vulnerable. Thus, we can still continue to be a " Virtual Eunuch "; even if we chopped down a tree. But it is an important step, nevertheless, if it poses or act as a poison arrow. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Hoa Luong, The report you generated is for the 20 year Flying Star for period 7. However, the Year 2003 report is based on this year, thus the difference. One should look at the 20 year Flying Star numbers first and relate it to (any additional adverse stars of the Year 2003) which may make the sector worse-off. For example, for a South-West house at 240 degrees, the 20 year Flying Star for Period 7 are as follows:- #3 mountain #2 water with base #5 and Year 4 while for North is #5 mountain with #9 water and base #3. And Year 2. In such a situation, for such a house; Year 2 flew into the North and made the sector worse-off! This is how, we relate the Year i.e. 2003 to the 20 Year Flying Star chart of say Period 7 house. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sze Tong, 1. In fact, this is very common in high rise buildings i.e. sitting with our back against a wall. 2. However, it is common for all offices to have a row of cabinets (waist height) behind us - to provide additional storage. 3. This additional storage or half-height cabinet is symbolic of a mountain support behind us. This is sufficient to `redress' the situation. Warmest Regards, Cecil I am going to move into

Dear Anon, Please see below:- The rational person: I hope Feng Shui can bring harmony to my family. The greedy: There was a true story of this young financial university graduate.. who has worked for a company for several years:- I want a Feng Shui plan that maps out my financial wealth. Is this graduate over zealous in his requirements or has he read to much Financial planning? Hmm..maybe this person works as a relationship manager for wealth management bank? Is there such an equivalent in Feng Shui? Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Based on past precedence (experience); the only areas that one can apply FS to a small studio apartment is:- 1. Commonsense approach Minimize clutter. This may be hardest but, it does make commonsense:) 2. Yin and Yang concept Look at your life-style: Are you the type that uses your bedroom for sleep or work/study cum sleep? If you make your room solely more for sleep (rest), than create a more cozy home. If you often do your work at home, than, make sure that there is a specific location, where you have your study/work location. Have everything placed neatly for this activity close-by. Often, the ideal choice is to place this study/work location, close to a - perhaps have natural light filtering thru - for your work. 3. Otherwise, it is best to simply `forget' about Feng Shui, and get on with your life. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. I would take it as a `belief' or symbolism, then Feng Shui. 2. Often, we hear the term, if you are the `boss' one should behave like one. Thus, if one is the owner of the house, often, it is the belief that the owner (breadwinner) should occupy the master bedroom. 3. In my opinion, your question has few precedence or not common to many households. Thus, your guess is good as mine! 4. Often, under `commonsense approach' it is best to occupy any room (other than the store). This is because, if we do close the door of a room too long, it may have `stale air' or stagnant qi. 5. If the is closed entirely for a week or more, air in the room may progress to `suffocating qi'. But, it can easily be remedied, when we next open the windows etc... and often these effects can be neutralised say after 2 or 3 days. 6. It is often `feared' that, if we live a room e.g. a bedroom unoccupied for too long, and especially, if we have very old furniture - which we are not sure, where it was purchased from or if we do have large decorative Chinese vases. If we do have such vases, it is vital that we cover the top e.g. tie a red cloth over the `mouth' of the vase. Else, we may inadvertently `attract' something into the room. 7. It is ok to turn the master bedroom into a study /computer room. This is fine. 8. Often, another situation is that if we do not enter a room for long, we may see insects inside the room e.g. ants making nests or in some cases, infested with termites (for homes close to canals, rivers or where soil is moist.) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Looking at it from a different perspective:- This `silly' guy, not only is conned but seems to wait for the sky to fall. Or literally, wait for money to drop down from the sky. Guess who will sucessful? Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Please check the material of the kirins. If the kirins are made of metal e.g. bronze or white (metal element), then, you can hang a Chinese red banner over the main entrance. Under the Five elements concept: Fire controls (destroys) metal. A ba gua mirror is a double edged sword above your door. If u use one, the neighbour may in-turn place an opposite set. I am not suggesting this but *hint* it would be great if the set of kirin suddenly disappears completely; each time the neighbour places a new set.. one may grow tired eventually. But, becareful.. the neighbour may become the suspect! - Just a thought ONLY. Warmest Regards, Cecil But our neighbour has 1 kirin Will Thanks &

Dear Alan, If it is a major renovation, your house would change it's birth chart. And Period 7, seems a sensible idea. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, I cannot agree more with this statement. However, these are my added comments: 1. Personally, for me, if I choose my house, I prefer to choose a north-south or south-north house. They key here is `radiation'. 2. A east-west or west-east house (depending on location) often may be exposed to direct sunlight or far more sunlight radiation. 3. A west facing house or bedrooms facing west (and exposed) to the west sun can be `unfortunate'. In Singapore, near to the equator, often, the sunlight is very strong and the evening even around 7 pm, the wall may still radiate heat. Imagine, a poor child sleeping next to the wall. 4. Even if the child does not sleep close to the wall, the entire room can be quite warm. 5. I have also illustrated on the effects of the morning sun that rises and evaporates the stagnant water in the Rivervale condo and recently, the newly TOP Lilydale Executive condo may face such problems. Please such for " Rivervale condo " - this article is under Singapore Properties conference. 6. The key to understand why Hong Kong practitioners prefer a South facing house is because of tradition. In China e.g. Beijing, most houses face south. Because north faces the mountain and often, wind will bring the yellow dusk from the north. And this is why most homes prefer to face south. 7. But this does not mean that it has to become a taboo that all good houses must face south. 8. Nowadays, many of us, have read so much of the 4 good and 4 bad and will often rush to buy homes that face ANY of the good facing directions without often considering the `radiation' or natural radiated sunlight filtering into a home. The radiated sunlight coming into the house is equally crucial. 9. Today, for example, I recieved a question from a client: why does her friend's Feng Shui practitioner recommend that the wealth corner is at the master toilet. And they were told not to use it totally. 10. My reply is: look at it this way, a Feng Shui practitioner may visit a home for less than 2 hours. But (we) have to live in this house - for quite a while. Silly idea isn't it, to close the toilet. 11. This is much like the " how tolerant are we to mirrors" idea. 12. In the past, I mentioned that some of us may be less tolerant to mirrors in the room while others can sleep easily in a room. The often mentioned idea is that : when we sleep, our spirit leaves our body, sees the mirror and get a SHOCK! But wait.. WHAT IF? our spirit wants to comb hair in the mirror to look nice before it `flys' off? Some of us are tolerant to `chilli padi' or tabasco chilli, while others are not. So far, there is no reported case that anyone died because of placing a TV set in the bedroom. Our life is short. so we should enjoy ourselves... even so, many of the new TV sets like LCD or Plasma do not even have a shadow. Why, make our lives even more miserable as it is. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Many of the products are produced at their fraction of their costs. 2. For example, a medium sized wooden three-legged toad can be produced in currently with `cheap' labour in China for as little as US$15 per set. But, if we check out the " Feng Shui " stores, they can sell for a tidy sum. Locally, in Singapore, some of them can sell as much as US$228 or S$388 or more. 3. This simply illustration can show us such a very high mark-up! It is easy to wonder where all these money goes to? 4. In my opinion, many Feng Shui practitioners resort to selling all these highly marked-up items to `guillable' victims (or curely called `suckers'). 5. I am truly sad to see, that if we venture to " Feng Shui " websites, 99 percent sell such items. And they do earn a huge profit. 6. Often, if you participate in forums hosted by such people, one often see these `pushed' to us. 7. The saying goes: The rich continues to think ways to make money. The poor, (poor can be anyone who aimlessly purchase objects) continues to be a " sucker " into buying useless things to clutter their home. 8. For example, the rich would buy say a 5 caret diamond to wear. The poor will buy a "cheap" crystal to hang and collect dust all over their homes. 9. The idea of greed begets greed is true: The ORIGINAL idea of Feng Shui is to allow us, to harmonise with our surroundings. Thus, promoting good health. With good health, we are able to `think properly'. Nowadays, many look at it differently i.e Feng Shui MUST EQUAL to $$$. 10. This, is why many Feng Shui practitioners CAPITALISE on our greed by touting Human Luck (ren cai) Feng Shui. The "trick" these practitioners employ include:- 10.1 Every home must have a wealth corner. 10.2 Every home must have a water position. 11. And, if you ask them, the `trick' here is that you should take up their service. As only these practitioners have the special means to let you know where they are. This is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. 12. Often, once we give hope to people, and it does not yield results and how often have we heard that these people are still (naive) and check with the practitioner why luck did not come? Often, the practitioner may say, you have not done it right? Huh? One may ask, is this true? 13. A more sensible approach is:- 13.1 Instead of spreading sugar coated hope, it is best that the practitioners be honest with their clients: 13.2 Try to diagnose any leaks if any. 13.2 Understand the breadwinner and family members ba zi and discuss with the family. 13.3 Realistically tell the family, what they are `facing' against. And what can or cannot help. Often, it may mean, in the long term.. a switch of home. For example, if one has stayed in the same home for more than 6 years with little progress? What's wrong... 14. The morale of the story is.. " Don't play to the open arms of the practitioner. " Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear David, 1. We all must understand that Feng Shui is not a `cure' all. 2. In my opinion, Great Feng Shui practitioners in the past try to apply Feng Shui that works for most people, most of the time. 3. Nowadays, it is sad that many Feng Shui practitioners use concepts like `wealth corner' etc... 4. For example, many Feng Shui practitioners will advise us that `X' is the location of the wealth corner. And when we follow their advise; it does not work. And, when we ask the practitioner, often, the answer is that `you must' have not done it right. 5. I can sum up that such Feng Shui practitioners are really not truly apply Feng Shui but rather, baised towards: Human or man luck i.e. psychology... make us feel better... but for how long? 6. As human beings, we always want to hear the `positive' things - or things that give us hope. But all these, frankly are like sugar coated pills. 7. Most of the time, when we employ a FS practitioner, often, the assessment is done `within the four walls' - and many have missed the `bigger' picture. Do search the conference on " Singapore Property " or " Photo tours of Interest " for some clue. 8. The most important thing is : Location, location and location. 9. Overall, a North-South orientation of a house is much favorable, because of light that enters the home. 10. Contrast this with many people, who feel that their house should be e.g. West facing or East facing. Imagine, if the house is in a east to west orientation. When the sun rises, it heats up the east (and if there are bedrooms in east and west), this can be quite a `hot' house - literally bathed by sunlight. Too much sunlight is not favourable. 11. Do do a search for " Quantum Leap " and one can find clues that: an excellent house not only has good Feng Shui, but also receive wealth at the expensive of others. For these owners, they can literally sit down and wait for money to flow in i.e. bountiful opportunties. 12. Leaks in a home Although it is good to fix leaks, it does not guarantee one can prosper after fixing it. Much like, we are already wounded and patched up. 13. I have this to say about why Feng Shui can be considered ineffective:- 14. I have previously mentioned that if we purchase a home or apartment and much like a car, it is a 13 year old 800 cc car. No matter how much one tweak the engine, this car, cannot go much faster. 15. In another vehicle example: If we have a family of 8. How is it possible to squeeze all family members into the car safely? Unless, of course, we tied some members on the bonnet, and roof and throw in another few into the boot. In order to sit all family members comfortably and safely we need an MPV. But if it is beyond our means, then, doing all the little things cannot help us. The saying goes.. the rich get richer, the poor gets poorer - since often, the rich can afford better. And the rich does not have one `wealth corner' but infact, every location of their home is literally, pathed with `gold'. For the lower income to even middle income, despite a small home, these people try to squeeze in water position etc... even making their homes more cluttered! In my opinion; it is sad to say, the poor, will get poorer, supporting purchasing and supporting commercial products that costs little to produce but with high mark-ups. 16. The morale of the story is that, if the house is lousy, no amount of cure(s) can help .. falling short of a miracle. No sifu can help in such a situation. Often, as mentioned earlier, many would simply give us a sugar coated pill. Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, Please see below:- In my opinion, you should consider the House as a East House (E2 with the following range 67.5 to 82.4 degrees). Often, this location is analysed more on Shapes and Forms in relation to the cul-de-sac. As you cannot provide a sketch of the cul-de-sac vis-a-vis; your home layout, the fencing, the main gate etc.., it is difficult for me to make further comments. The four good/bad sectors are influenced based on the interior layout. In your home, more importantly, understanding the fence, gate (gate-way) and where your home is within this cul-de-sac will help further. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. I am afraid, this is another marketing gimmick. Although, it may sound authentic, but unfortunately, this is too general to be of any use to anyone. 2. For example, lets say, everyone in this forum, hears of this and go buy one. And given that the odds are stacked against a gambler, mathematically (probability), it would only a few can win. 3. Going forward, it is truly hard to imagine; that if 1,000 users in this forum do so; how many can win? 4. It would not be good enough that 1 person has won but the remainer 100,000 folks out there which tried it will work. It is beyond comprehension, how it can help us. We all can guess who will be richer i.e. the person who sold us the set of the highly marked up 3coins. 5. Unfortunately, nowadays, Five elements or Feng Shui has been twisted to entice us to depart with our hard earned money. 6. The only benefit, such ideas have is much like any other `hope'. Often, one goes and buy lottery so, that we have something to look `forward' to. Going forward, it depends on each individual to keep ourselves `alive'. Some others opted for other situation like communicating more with spouse, family, children. 7. So long as each of us understand the fundamentals of how we want to satisfy our `hope'; and not that may not have anything to do with Feng Shui. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Further to what I had mentioned earlier, it is important to note that even if we really want to place a pair of kirins, they should not look fierce. Under symbolism, when we want to place objects within or even facing out of our house e.g. a pair of lion figurines, it is object best to go for a `plump' (prosperous looking lion) and also with `simling face'. Anything else, should not be used. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Raja, 1. Let me share with you my personal experience on laughing Buddha and all sorts of crystals... 2. I personally feel that these should be treated merely as decorative items. 3. Typically, in Singapore, especially those who are Chinese, mandarin educated, staying in three room apartments and some four room (government housing), do have such figurines in their homes. Often, they not only have one laughing buddha, but often even two, a coin bank or even the three-legged toad. Plus often, at least a fish tank. And often, they would have stayed in the home for more than 8 or more years with little progress. 4. Imagine, already, their flat is cluttered, adding more clutter, does not make ordinary sense. But still, many people feel, that if there is hope, it is better this way than to live without `hope'. 5. A further problem is the mentality that their home must have a `wealth corner'. Frankly, this is not the correct approach. 6. As mentioned above, the objects you have should be threated more of a decorative item(s). Like every decorative items, dust do accumulate unless they are kept in display shelves.. etc... Frankly, if it is a `waste' to throw it away, then, it is acceptable to repair them. However, there are often those, who do not feel comfortable, keeping them. If we are `fearful' of the self-fulfilling prophercy. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Last year, I received calls from several users who said that they had consulted a local (Singapore) practitioner, who likes to ask their clients to purchase kirins or a pair of it to be placed on each side of the main door. 2. Soon after, several of these clients, maybe by coincidence have problems or frequent family quarrels. 3. There was this bungalow, where, the client of the FS practitioner had advised to place on all the open windows of the bedrooms on the second level. 4. In China, it is interesting to note that, as a decoration, one piece is used and not necessarily a pair is used. 5. In several of the previous messages, I had suggested that it is not favourable to place a pair of kirin in the home. As it does not create `harmony' to the residents. Even, temples often, do not use these figurines. 6. Going forward, I am afraid; especially buying these from the local Feng Shui practitioner is to only add to their hidden charges and to line one's pocket with a hefty markup price/profit. 7. It is even more worth to use some of the money to go out with the entire family on a happy Sunday lunch outing as this creates more bonding. Warmest Regards, Cecil