Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, It boils down to the following:- 1. Please note that `24 Ba Zhi Feng Shui Direction ' is not the correct term. 2. As Ba Zi or Pillars of Destiny or Eight Characters cannot be used in conjunction with the above statement. 3. Instead, if the above term is used, then Ba Zi should be replaced by Xuan Kong Feng Shui or Flying Star Feng Shui or known as `24 directions/mountains Flying Star (Xuan Kong) Feng Shui. 4. I like to re-inforce the point that questions that you have posted can be answered by the three step-approach. Step 1: What is the purpose? Of Flying Star FS. What is the purpose of Eight House. Here, knowing this one can easily find out Flying Star vs Eight House. Step 2: What are it's strengths (Flying Star vs Eight House) Step 3: What are it's weakness (Eight House). 5. In fact, if one does a SEARCH in this forum, one can easily find the anwers. And this question is nothing new. 6. Therefore, I suggest that you do make use of the past resources in this forum to find out the exact reasons. CLUE: There are already at least 300 questions related to this in the free advise forum. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, BA GUA MIRROR WAR Unfortunately, this is a lose-lose situation. It would have been best if (earlier) you did not place a convex ba gua mirror. By doing so, it would be a `natural thing' for your neighbour to place another mirror to deflect your mirror. In fact, now it is the opposite situation: instead of (you) first putting up a Ba gua mirror, now your convex is now instead used to deflect the ba gua. Anyway, as mentioned earlier, this is a lose-lose situation on both sides. Perhaps, at a later stage, (since) you were the first to place it up, see if u can swallow your pride and speak to the neighbour to see if both sides can remove it. (If you can). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Emily, If one is applying Feng Shui, the basis of choosing colours to paint is based on one's ba zi (favourable) and if the house is owned by husband/wife, then especially for the bedroom and living room area, the binding element plus which sector the room is at can affect the consideration for the colours. Please note that this free advise forum does not cover personalised date of birth as this is usually needed in a ba zi analysis. Colours to paint is dependent on ba zi element and strength. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Stan, 1. If it is aimed at the main door then, since this is quite an imposing threat: a ba gua mirror can help. 2. If it is aimed thru windows: if it is not seen it no longer becomes a threat. 3. Otherwse, if the threat (as described) is such an imposing threat on your surrounding, such as the pincer like shape building, and if one has stayed in especially for 2 or more years and find relatively no progress e.g. in finance or career, then honestly, this is a structural thing and in the long term, it would be good to consider selling it away. 4. In the meantime, facing such a threat, one can help to boost up the interior e.g. by matching the home especially colour scheme with one's ba zi. This is not the best decision thou. And look into the shapes and forms. 5. For external factors, we cannot simply use an eraser to erase the building. It will still be there (always) unless it has been demolised - which is never the case. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear All, It is a common practise for some Chinese to place a red banner above their main door. The banner (please see a sample in the attached upload) can often have auspicious wordings or simply a plan red banner with tassels at each end. Red symbolises prosperity for the Chinese. In Singapore, nowadays, roughly 1 or 2 out of 10 households hand either a red banner and/or two red lanterns on each side of the main door - for luck. Often, depending on sunlight filtering into the house, some households may change it either yearly or (half-yearly) depending on it's condition. But for sure, before each Lunar New Year, the old one removed and a new banner will surely adorn above the main door - to start a new and prosperous new year. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Users, A short clip on Feng Shui for beginners (starters) This is a short video clip (local Singapore broadband) named " Feng Shui for Starters " or beginners at Singapore One (a government sponsored website showcasing broadband inititatives specifically for Singaporeans. URL: http://onezine.s-one.net.sg/_Sat/15022003/Fengshui/ If you are overseas, you may most likely not be able to see this clip properly (as the video clip is optimized for broadband viewing). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Further to what I had mentioned: 1. Usually, the cure applied to a Flying Star sector is to neutralise it. 2. As you have correctly mentioned, a bedroom should be harmonised to the bread winner. 3. For example, if one is a a Strong Water person, make sure that the Flying Star sector is in balance. If the Flying Star sector is out of balance e.g. #5 with #2 and #3, then it is preferred to use a metal cure. This metal cure is used to try to neutralise the bad sector. And often, it is not meant to affect say a Strong Water person. But, if a sector has too much metal e.g. #6 and #7 with say #8 and year star is only #2 or #3 etc... Since there is already a #6 (big metal) - one should not introduce further metal `cure'. As there is no need for additional metal. If this is the case, this additional metal may spill over to a person with e.g. Strong Water element. Therefore, there is a difference between trying to balance a bad Flying Star sector and an over-kill of adding too much other elements even metal element. We should therefore not overeat Feng Shui. For a strong Water person, after we had taken care of the Flying Star imbalance if any at a sector, we can also look at how to harmonise the room to this person. Ideally since this is a strong water person, the best element to help him/her is to use wood to absorb his strong water. But again, if this is at East (Period 7) most of the time there may be bad earth #5. And as mentioned in an earlier message: Wood helps fuel Fire which helps fuel Earth. If we inadvertently paint this room e.g. light green (wood) and add red curtains, we would instead help fuel more bad #2. In such a situtation, even if wood (green/brown) is favourable to this person; we either remove the Fire element or have not choice but to paint it in a neutral (white) metal element colour. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Wasis, Please see below:- 1. Often, all three elements under a Flying Star chart is looked at to see if there is an imbalance. 2. A metal cure is far better than using wood. Because wood can become a double edged sword. 3. This is because if we look at the productive cycle: Water helps Wood in turn Wood helps Fire in turn Fire helps Earth 4. Here, wood is a double edged sword because as most of us are aware #2 and #5 are big earth elements. 5. Wood can be used. But one must be careful not to introduce fire. For example, if a sector has #5 and #2 and if fire is introduced when we use a wood cure, this is detrimental. 6. As wood will fuel fire and subsequently fire will fuel more bad earth (#2 or #5). 7. Therefore, the safer element is the use of metal. 8. This is because metal has an added advantage: 9. If we look at the productive sequence, Metal helps to exhaust earth. 10. For the purpose of this forum, it would therefore safer to recommend metal. Since metal often is a good element. 11. Water is a by product and often used inconjunction with metal to create `wealth' under Flying Star. 12. Given the above consideration, I have serously thought out that if readers were to even read between the lines and apply a metal cure, more often or most of the time, a better bet. 13. Wood is OK if we do not add Fire element in the equation else the equation becomes: Wood -> Fire -> Earth and in turn, more wood wood fuel more fire and create more earth. If the earth happens to be real bad #5 and #2 these are misfortune/sickness stars. 14. Furthermore, wood itself have two bad wood elements #3 and #4 and chances are, they may fly into a specific sector at some time be it in a specific month/day/hour/minute. 15. In my opinion, because of such fear, that whenever a cure is recommended under this forum (I have to worry about) users getting the wrong (idea). 16. This is because if readers read between the lines and find that wood can be a cure, some may just simply use it without a second thought. I do not want this on my conscience. 17. Going forward, if a posting gives specific star numbers - and if a wood cure can be used, I will certainly recommend it. But also try and state what to look out for. 18. Often, when something can be used as a cure, we often see the commercial side of it. And someone would be clever to exploit it without - looking at the circumstances. 19. For example, if it is mentioned that a wooden wind chime can be used in Feng Shui for a specific purpose, it may in the next few months be exploited as another " Feng Shui " cure all. 20. Metal is most of the time, therefore, a better bet, given such a large audience listening into the forum. And if possible, miscommunication should be reduced. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Hoa Luong, Please take it down immeidately! This is because of the combination of #6 (big or strong metal) with #8 (water star). This #6 already fuels #8 or metal produces #8. By adding your additional 6 coins, this becomes a vicious cycle of creating more water. Or as you have found out, can lead to `water related' problems. Perhaps, can you describe what elements are already in your room: a. wardrope colour b. wall colour c. often used bed sheet colour d. curtain colour. Currently the 6 coins can be detrimental because effectively, you most likely have a three combination flow where: Metal -> Water -> Wood and when you add 6 metal again, this is another continous cycle of:- Metal -> Water -> Wood (white/gold) -> (blue/black/gray) -> green/brown In such a special circumstances especially since there is a #8 (water in the middle), try not to further fuel Water with metal. If this is not a period 7 house and not at East or South, another method to smoothen the flow is to add all five elements: Add earth (yellow/beige/cream) and fire (pink purple or red) to give this a full five element productive flow of:- metal -> water -> wood -> fire -> earth But doing so, avoid fueling addition metal into this equation else there will be an imbalance and this would create a imbalance of too much water which will fuel wood. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear David, Thank you for the sketch of your home cum office. 1. The large tree outside is still considered a threat to your main door. See if you can use a ba gua mirror above the main door to deflect it. 2. Water position: 2.1 I do hope that the water position is not on the same wall as the stove. As this is inauspicious. 2.2 In addition, if you are a weak fire or a strong water person, then it is considered very unfavourable to have a water position inside your home. 2.3 If the current water position location has bad stars such as #3 or #4 (both bad wood stars) or a combination; 2.4 Then under the productive sequence of Five elements concept: Water helps wood (in this case bad wood). 2.5 It is not ideal to for the two toilets but this can be considered a minor handicap - not major thou. 2.6 The front door opens thru a narrow passage and ultimately goes straight out towards the living room area. 3. Leak zone Please refer to markings `A', `B', `C', `D', `E' and `F' on the attached layout plan. There is a leak zone from B to C. Although, if there is a closed window or a wall at B, some leak will occur along the B to C range. This will often result in financial (leak). Depending on where the windows are, if the windows are between markings E to F, this is the best. But if there are windows along B, C or D, then it is best to open those at C to D (provided this is not a wall). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jen, Thanks for the information. Yes, in your situation, it is acceptable under Flying Star to hang the wind chime there to make metallic sound:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Janna, For those who may not be so mathemathically inclined can (in most cases) subdivide a layout plan into 9 equal grids:- If the toilet falls in the middle grid, then this is considered a handicap. However, for the main door, one should still see where the mouth is (main door) in relation to the toilet at the frontage. It is often, the flow of qi from this two (main door with toilet) that brings in sha qi. Frankly, for myself, as Robert and myself view as many as 30 layouts a day, perhaps, it would be easier for us to use visual cues - as this is faster:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Janna, Thanks for sharing with us the methodolgy of trying to determine whether a toilet is in a safe area or not. This is fine. However, to be truly honest; my inclination is or preference would be more for Shapes and Forms (at a glance) to determine whether there is a threat. This is done usually visually by looking at the layout plan. Frankly, I would prefer to use this. For the centrepoint, imagine that this is where the flux is. So long as the toilet is at the centrepoint, this is considered a `hit' or handicap. As long as the toilet is next to the main door, it is also considered bad. In my opinion, it is difficult to place an exact figure for A. This is because, often the problem is that toilet lies next to the main door. And given this understanding, it is not favourable position. Frankly, I am more of a Shapes and Forms person and often visualise qi flow from one side of the house into the other side. Thanks for sharing with us your method:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jen, In general, a ba gua or ba gua mirror should not be used inside a home. It is used facing out of a home. Try to check out a set of resources that I had posted last year under Photo Tours of Interest (with pictures). Under this link one can find the various types of Ba Gua mirror(s). Some have a Kirin figure, while some have a set of door gods on it. In many of such instances, the Ba Gua mirror is used for two reasons: 1. to ward-off evil and or 2. to neutralise sha qi e.g. facing a T junction. Some mirrors have concave, while others have convex or even flat mirrors. Under the above resource, I had covered some of this information. However, if it is meant to be used to ward-off evil, then; here it does not men that it will block off positive energy. Therefore, there is no right or wrong answers to this question. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Emily, Please see below:- This is (Ok) or neutral. Yes, you should take the new birth chart as a period 7 house. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, One size does not fit all when it comes to auspicious dates as at least both bride and bridegroom's ba zi have to be looked at and date(s) selected based on this. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Further to what I had mentioned earlier: 1. In fact, you have brought up another good example of spotting the " fake " Feng Shui. 2. Calling it " fake " is extreme. However, the more accurate word is: TOO GENERAL to be of use to most of us. 3. In many of the old forum messages: I have given examples of why Eight Aspirations or Life Aspirations or Life Association concepts are TOO GENERAL to be of use to anyone. 4. For example, the most common words are: South-West is my romance sector. North is my career sector. 5. Do search for these terms and read thru some of the messages on these concepts. 6. What is more important to each of us is to try and use concepts that can work for MOST PEOPLE, MOST of the TIME. This is the key success factor in applying Feng Shui. 7. SPECIFIC LOCATION For example: Under Flying Star Feng Shui, because a sector has #5 or mulitples of it with #2 or #3 and #4; then it is crucial to try to use a cure at that sector to NEUTRALISE it. It is because that specific sector has an imbalance (and not any other sectors) is there a need under FS to use such a cure. 8. In a case of placing 3-coins in eg the account book or in our purse - this simply TOO GENERAL. Does it mean that 100,000 people got hold of this idea and after placing it in their purse = they get a wind fall? 9. It is like the Eight Aspirations where: SW=romance. Mr A places 99 roses at SW of his table or Mr Y who instead placed 999 roses on their table. It does not mean that one of them may eventually woo a girl to marriage. 10. The only thing that PERHAPS may work or let us feel good is to boost our MAN (HUMAN LUCK). And take note that Human Luck is not purely Feng Shui. Most of the time, given few success, many would have forgotten about it after a short while. 11. We must all come to our senses: "Do not waste time on things that do not work MOST Of the TIME. But rather, look at things that can work for most of us. Although this is still not 100 percent. But at least, we have tried out best to fix-the-leak. " "Do not depart our money foolishly on commercial stuffs that often prey on our impluse." Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, It is more fruitful therefore to re-string it to a 6 rod wind chime. Usually, if your house is a period 7 house; and since this is just after the new Lunar year, the year in question especially East no longer has #5 while South no longer has #2 (although there may be other numbers). Given this, some homes (depending on the flying star at the specific sector) may no longer has two #5's in some homes. (Although some homes may still have two #5's or #5 misfortune/sickness with #2 sickness). For those homes that does not have two #5's (or #5 with #2) then, the influence at this sector will get better during this year (unless #5 or #2 flies in to that specific month / day. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Hoa Luong, 3 represents wood element. Under the destructive cycle of the five elements concept: Metal destroys wood to create wealth. IF the windchime is made of metal, then the meaning is that "metal destroys wood" to "create wealth". IF this is Feng Shui, then it is not a proper way of using this concept. Under the Flying Star Feng Shui: the proper wind chime cure is the use of 6 coins (big metal) to constantly chime or make metallic sound. What you mentioned are gimmicks: Out to draw or seduce us to buy material things. For example, try placing 3 coins into one's purse; see if one gets luck or not. Usually, by the "end of the day" many would have just chuck this three coins aside from their wallet. In the earlier example: because of the bad #5 or even mulitple #5 - under Flying Star, a wind chime is used to NEUTRALISE it. Going forward: this 3 rod wind chime is not used to neutralise anything. Just because a wind chime may be used under Feng Shui, it does not give it a blanket cover to be associated with all things Feng Shui. Instead, this is one clever marketing ploy out. For example, it is perfectly legal to give to charity. But if a con man poses as a charity collector; and trys to collect money for `charity' but ending up in their pocket; this is a con or scam. One would perhaps, like the most recent posting of someone getting fed-up (frustrated) with buying a figurine and end up throwing it away - broken. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jen, There are several other ways of looking at this: 1. Wealth creation model of Five Elements Under the destructive cycle, one will for example, notice that METAL destroys WOOD. In order for METAL to destroy wood, metal has to be strong. For example, a scupture has a piece of wood. He makes much effort using metal implements to curve it into an art object. The original piece of the wood costs say $5. But as an art object, it may depending on the work done fetch him much much more. For a Strong metal person, therefore, his wealth element is Wood element. Similarly for a Strong Water person, his wealth element is Fire element. 2. However, if a person is considered a Weak Metal person, although Wood element is still his wealth, he cannot take advantage of it unless he increase his Metal element. 3. Under the Flying Star Feng Shui, much of the dreaded numbers e.g. #5 (misfortune and sickness) and #2 (sickness) are both strong earth elements. Under such a situation, it would be beneficial to have Strong metal to neutralise it. 4. However, it does not necessarily mean that weak elements are bad. Since everything has Yang (strong) and Yin (weak) to balance out. 5. More importantly, if one is weak or a location has such weak elements, the addition of another element can help it further. This is why, under period 7, if a house has double 7's (7 is a weak metal); to activate wealth, water (literally water at landed property or virtual water for apartments) are advantages, here. If we look deeper, every element strong or weak is very useful. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Landed property: If the house is a second-hand home, try to do a `Feng Shui walk around' of the entire estate. Stand just outside the home and even 10 metres away (facing the home). Look to see if the house is sloping? Next, w=Walk past the house next to the house you are considering. Look in to see the overall state of condition. For second-hand homes, always try to see if you can find out more of the house's history? Why did the current owner / previous owner want to sell it? For apartments or flat: There are also many rule-sets. If you have the time do visit the forum resources e.g. Singapore Property and also Photo Tours of Interest (with pictures). There are many examples of apartments that enjoy " quantum leap " or some of these resources has some information. We all are aware that finding a good house is one of the most expensive investments in our lives. And this is indeed a `tedious' process. Since your sister is the breadwinner, and NE is her excellent direction, this is indeed a plus point. If the house does not fit the breadwinner, often, this is already ONE handicap. It is like having a fractured limp. Anymore incidents and it can affect even more. Usually, if a house does not `fit' the owner, often, after 2 to 3 years; and if one's ba zi, and also if there are more leaks, then this is a recipie for things ... not so smooth. In your case, try to find a bedroom in the new house that is not your death/disaster sector. A chime is unlike a Ba Gua mirror. For a broken ba gua mirror; it is often best to wrap it up first e.g. in a `clean' newspaper - tied with a string; and after this; thrown away. For a chime if it is broken, simply take it down and throw it away. As to whether you would not like to or would like to replace it; would often depend on two situations: 1. Is this location a bedroom? If it is a bedroom than, take extra care especially if your house birth chart (built or major renovations) done between 1984 to 2003. Since, MANY East sector, under Flying Star Feng Shui MAY have #5 (misfortune /sickness) x2 or combined with #3 or #4 (bad wood disputes /relationships). 2. Is this room in beige / cream or is there lots of earth elements e.g. porcelain / yellow. In addition is there additional colours like red, pink or purple? If so, and if under Para 1, there are bad stars than, think twice before not using the chime. Fortunately, for this year, the yearly star at East is no longer the dreaded #5 - one less explosive problem. But, if that sector has still either #5 or x2 or combined with #2 and #3 and #4 than do becareful. Maybe, the second alternative is to place 6 coins instead of a wind chime. Not as good, but at least, a consideration. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The best bet is always to (first) try and find a house that has relatively good external and internal shapes and forms. After this, try to see if the house can fit the breadwinner. Frankly, how I wish I can give you a one line reply but (unfortunately) this is impossible. More importantly try to realislistically understand and take notes on these following schools: 1. Shapes and Forms Feng Shui; (VERY IMPT) 2. Ba Zi (Pillars) 3. Compass Schools: 3.1 Eight House (VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND APPLY) 3.2 Flying Star (NICE TO KNOW) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Wasis, Tibetan Tantric Buddhist FS nowadays is associated with the Black Hat Tantric Feng Shui or Black Hat sect. In general, you can call it: Black Hat Sect or BTB (FS). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Enclosed please find pictures of: 1. Buddha's hand fruit 2. The `longevity bread' or apricot bread. If one looks carefully at the deity Shou, he carries the logevity bread in his right hand. The diety Shou I refer to is one of the three gods: known as (combined) Fu Lu Shou. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anola, Frankly, there is no issue in keeping it (since it was bought brand new) and you knew of it's history. If it is broken, and since the missing piece cannot be found, in my opinion, it is best to discard it. China and India is one of the 4 oldest civilisation. In fact, peacock feathers are more revered in India than anywhere in the world: where Indra sits on a peacock throne and Indian god of war ride on one. Even during Deepavali, peacock `feather' designed kavada's are used. Many of the spears are poked into the human flesh. For the Chinese; often peacock feathers are placed in a vase next to the altar. If one looks carefully at a single peacock feather; at the centre - looks like one eye. For this reason it is considered as driving away evil. For the Chinese, the entire peacock signfies beauty and dignity. When China was conquered by the Mancurians (Manchus) - these rulers used the peacock feathers (wear them to denote a rank). Honestly, I would not like to have been born a peacock during this period. Otherwise, I end up being domesticated / reared and endure the pain of getting my feathers plucked all the time. Warmest Regards, Cecil