Cecil Lee

Dear Danil, The purpose of using Feng Shui, Ba Zi and other Chinese divinity methods is to try to boost our overall luck. The wrong way to approch this is to simply focus at one sector and cover it with gold etc... Let us not forget that there are more sectors than just this sector. The most promising way to enhance luck are: 1. Try to fix any leaks in the home, first. 2. Only after one has fixed these leaks, should one look at enhancements. Overall, Feng Shui should be practised in a holistic way. And, this involves many theories and concepts. And each theory or concept has a specific aim, strength and weakness. Frankly, if one were to do it on your own, then, there is a long way to go. But the most sound way is to understand this statement: do it right the first time round. If one needs to learn, try to start by getting fundamentals correct. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Daphne, 1. Usually, the better units have been sold earlier if you are buying the property first hand. As Yishun Sapphire has been on the market for quite some time. 2. Generally, Yishun Sapphire sits on a good `earth' shape plot of land. My major complaint is some of the units may be affected by the MRT track running parallel to one side of it. I can draw a parallel to this with the Tropical Spring condominium in Simei. Some of the units in this condo and in one case, the sound of the moving MRT trains can be heard (loudly) within the master bedroom. 2. However, there units that face Yishun Avenue 2 which is very close to the MRT tracks which runs parallel to it. Some of these units cannot run away from the noise level generated by the friction of daily MRT cabins. Which may account for some of the units not sold. On a Feng Shui level, such units close to the MRT tracks may have quite alot of noise: metal element noise/vibration or sha qi. 3. If the unit which you intend to purchase does not have this noise and in general, it suits your budget and if you and your family members feel comfortable within it, this is usually a good step. Warmest Regards, Cecil P.S. In Singapore, another way of looking at a property is to see the take-up response of the public despite the property glut. The reasonably good ones have at least 70-80 percent take up after 6 months, placed on sale. Many of the not so desirable one's seems never to be sold. Recently in the local newspapers, there are a few condominiums that despite being on the market for more than 6 or more months had only a take up rate of 20 percent or less. It is interesting to note this article. Because, when one moves in, one may be moving into a `ghost' town. Imagine, staying on a unit where our unit is the only occupied unit. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Judith, 1. In my opinion, I feel that if the aloe vera is a `soft' (short) plant. And although it has some thorns, these are equally soft. 2. I personally do have several aloe vera plants and I also do not have an issue. 3. In fact, if they grow well and healthy, this is indeed a very good sign. 4. We can draw a parallel to having a TV set in the bedroom. Many of us grew up at an age where each room in the house has a personal TV set. There is no issue for many of us. This is about tolerance level: How thick is our skin? Some of us thrive on pressure. The key point here is that: we have a short life span on this earth. And, what better way to truly enjoy ourselves while we can. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Donna, 1. Yes, based on your description, this is indeed a threat to your home. The test is to stand inside the house looking out of the main door. If you can see the threat coming, then it is a threat or poison arrow. 2. If there is a small roof or rain shelter at the frontage of your house you can use a 6 rod metal wind chime to neutralise it. Since most roofs are constructed with wood. And under the five elements concept: Metal can destroy wealth. 3. Alternatively, in the east or Far East, Ba Gua mirror is often placed above the main door to serve as a protection from these. You can do a SEARCH for the various types. Or go to the conference: Photo Tours of Interest (with pictures) and locate a few postings on the Type of Ba Gua available. This is a traditional method. But I often find or hear many Western Feng Shui practitioners especially some of those practising in the west `cursing' or worse `swearing' at others for recommending this. I feel this is one of the difference that some non-Chinese practitioners may differ in their thinking. Frankly, I still feel that even in modern times, this practise will never die: in my life time or for the next several generations. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Josephine, Yes, usually, it is best to check for `leaks' in the house, first. It would be nice if we can enhance but often, we forget that we must first fix-the-leaks. From a Shapes and Forms point, there are several leaks in your home. (Frankly, I have not used other tools, it it involves more anlysis - due to a busy schedule). But from a Shapes and Forms and forms view, there are several leaks:- 1. Narrow hallway, which is on one side of the house. 2. Markings A to B:- The back patio sliding door. The path of qi from A to B is a direct path. And not auspicious. (Especially if the door is opened). In addition, because of this long corridor, there is supressed Qi. And it can also leak the other way thru the door towards the garage area. 3. Markings C to D:- Based on your diagram, it looks like there are widows at C or D. If so, there is a potential leak of qi especially if the windows are opened. Try to open alternative windows in this case. 4. Marking X:- The entrance into the house is close to the centrepoint of the house at Marking X. There is compressed qi (narrowing) at this area. Upstairs also has similar compressed Qi at markings E and F. 5. In your home, it seems that qi flow cannot properly meander from the living room area to the other side i.e. garage facing side and vice-versa. This has an impact or strifle your luck. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Elena, If you have a sketch of the layout, I can help take a look at it for you. Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee

Dear Chuan Ho, Further to what I had mentioned, your Type B layout plan is acceptable. Attached please find the picture of the roof design of Dahlia Park. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Chuan Ho, Congratulations on your new home. Attached please find a scanned image of the sales brochure of Dahila Park. It is a partial (not complete landscape plan). But it will show some of the significant information that I will be providing:- Source and Credit of the Brochure: Hong Leong Holdings Ltd, Tripartite Developers Pte Ltd. 1. For Blocks 17 (Type G) and 18 (Type Ga): On a top-plan view, one can notice the outline of the swimming pool, which I had drawn an outline in red. Symbolically, it looks like a knife slicing Blocks 17 and 18. In my opinion, these two blocks are considered the most inauspicious for this development. 2. Highlighted in Pink: Blk 24 and Blk 25 (Type L) and also Blk 26 (Type A) and Blk 27 (Type L). There is a certain element of wealth leak from these two units towards units opposite it. This especially favours Blk 5 and 8. But, water positions within some of these units can help to retain wealth instead of it being drained away. Frankly, I am not infavour of the shape of the roof. Nevertheless, I first visited the site early on in the beginning of the year and in my opinion is considered an average condominium. As compared to some of the better built ones by Hong Leong Group. This are some of my initial comments. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Introduction: 1. In Feng Shui, there are two traditional methods of determining the number of steps. 2. The first method is a 3 number combination. Where the first two steps are Auspicious but the last step is inauspicious. METHOD 1 - THE THREE-STEP CYCLE ======== 3. Thus under the `Three-steps formula' step No. 1 (Auspicious), Step No. 2 (Inauspicious) while Step No. 3 is considered inauspicious. Usually this 3rd step is known as the `death' step. 3.1 Thus:- Following this method, one should be able to work out the number of steps:- 3.2 Auspicious steps are:- 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 3.3 Inauspicious steps:- No. 3 is the third step No. 6 is the following third step No. 9 is again the following third step No. 12 is again the following third step...etc... METHOD 2 - THE FOUR-STEP CYCLE =============================== 4. However, Method 1 should be used in combination with Method 2 below:- 4.1 What is the four-step cycle:- Step 1: Auspicious Step 2: Auspicious Step 3: Inauspicious Step 4: Inauspicious 4.2 How to calculate under this method: Step 1 is Auspicious Step 2 is Auspicious Step 3 is inauspicious Step 4 is also inauspicious 4.3 Next 4 steps:- ================= Step 5 is auspicious Step 6 is auspicious Step 7 is inauspicous Step 8 is inauspicious 4.4 Next 4 steps:- ================= Step 9 is auspicious Step 10 is auspicious Step 11 is inauspicous Step 12 is inauspicious 4.5 Next 4 steps:- ================= Step 13 is auspicious Step 14 is auspicious Step 16 is inauspicous Step 17 is inauspicious etc... 4.6 One can do similar calculations for 17 or more steps..... 5. After finding out the numbers for both Methods (1 and 2) we now derive the following sets of steps:- 5.1 Under Method 1: The Three-Step Method:- 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26 5.2 Under Method 2: The Four-Step Method:- 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26 Thus we have to eliminate the following numbers which are considered inauspicious in either one of the above methods:- Number 4 - inauspicious under method 2 Number 6 - inauspicious under method 2 Number 8 - inauspicious under method 2 Number 11 - inauspicious under method 2 Number 16 - inauspicious under method 2 Number 18 - inauspicious under method 1 Number 19 - inauspicous under method 2 Number 20 - inauspicous under method 2 5.3 Thus the final result are the following numbers:- 1,2, 5, 10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26 etc... 6. Steps Landing Yes, the number of steps is important. Each step including the steps at landing is included as a count. Warmest Regards, Cecil

No end to such letters:( Attention: I presume this email will not be a surprise to you. Am an engineer with the ministry of mineral resources and energy in south Africa and also a member of the contract awarding committee of this ministry under the south Africa government. Many year ago, the south Africa government asked this committee to awards contracts to foregn firms, in which myself and two of my partner are leader of the committee, with our good position in this committee, we over involved this contract to the tune of of us$21,500,000:00, to be benefited by me and two other of my partner that are in charge of this contract awarding committee in this ministry. Now, that the contracts value has been paid off to the actual contractor that executed this job, All we want is a trusted foreign partner like you that we shall front to claim this over involved sum. Upon our agreement to carry on this business transaction with you, the said fund will be share as follow, 75% will be for myself and two others of my partner, 20% will be for you for using your bank account, 5% will be set aside for any expenses that might be incurred by us and you in the process of the document and other formalities that will justify you as the rightful owner of this said fund. You should bear in mind that you will be required to put head together with us, and give this business transaction moral and financially support it required to be successful. If you are interested and financially capable in handly this business transaction, Kindly reply us through this email address (theoruffy@netscape.net Alias the con-man!) for more details and to let you know what is required of this business transaction to be successful. Also we request your private and office phone number to open communication with you. Your faithfully, Oni Theo

Dear Ramdev, Firstly, this is a modern commercial invention. However, I personally do not see any harm in hanging it. Usually, (more of a privacy issue); one may hang it inside the door. In general, the significance of three coins is as follows:- 1. the number 3 represents : Wood element 2. 3 coins is made of metal: Metal element Under the destructive cycle of Five Elements Concept: Metal destroys Wood = Wealth. Bell? anyone's guess. Perhaps, to create more metal to destroy wood. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Donna, Please see below:- Based on your description, it does not seem that your main door is in any direct threat unless:- 1. there are supporting posts or struts or lone lamp posts that slices thru your main door. 2. I believe, there is usually a personal compound at the frontage of your house or main door. Para 1 is the main concern. Otherwise, small driveways e.g. neighbour's car porch is in my opinion, no threat to your home. Best of Luck:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Further to what I had mentioned, 1. Authentic Feng Shui, Chinese divinity methods and Chinese medicine, food etc.. revolves around the Five elements concept. 2. Earlier, we have seen that Ba Zi makes use of an element and it's strength. E.g. weak wood or strong wood person? There is a total difference between the two. 3. Each day can be classified into strong or weak element. E.g. strong water element. 4. Under this new resource, please go thru the reply to Question 2:- http://www.geomancy.net/resources/art/arowanafish.htm For example, under Shapes and Forms, even the material and the design of a fountain conforms to the Five Elements concept. In some of the replies under this resource, one can clearly see that authentic Flying Star or Xuan Kong Feng Shui also uses the Five elements concept. 5. When an authentic Feng Shui practitioner scans the environment, he she can classify buildings or surrounding buildings under a specific element. For example a rectangular shaped building belongs to the earth element etc... The crucial purpose of doing so is to relate as many things (detailed as possible) to the Lowest Common Denominator i.e. the Five Elements Concept. Anything else is either too general e.g. Gua (based solely on Year of birth) unfortunately should be considered as rough-cut analysis. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anthony, Please see below:- Yes, in my opinion, this should be the most accurate method. However, for the Chinese, it is used in conjunction with the months/dates of festive occassions or specific dates. For example, the Chinese dread the 7th month and even if a date (move-in) is auspicious under Ba Zi; due to belives, it is not a good date. There is a rationale why Ba Zi should be the standard for chosing auspicious dates:- 1. The lowest common denominator or LCM The lowest common denominator is based on the Five Elements concept: 1.1 This is where every day, hour has a specific Five element. 1.2 Not only is there a specific Five element e.g. wood. But also its strength. Thus for example: one can refer to the daily forecast here:- http://sg.geomancy.net/freebies/free-forecast/free-forecast.htm It will show the day's prevailing element and strength. 2. For individuals, a proper Ba Zi analysis is based on one's Year, Month, Day, Hour, House of Life and House of Conception. And the above combinations/clashes/interactions are used to determine the final result for a person: weak or strong (element). For example strong water. element, should consider a day This is not exactly correct. As there is a signficant difference (a person's ba zi) between being Strong or Weak vs a specific day. For example if the person is a STRONG metal person. Thus if the day happens to be either STRONG or WEAK fire, this is auspicious for this person. BUT in the event that the person is a WEAK metal person. This changes the equation. A weak metal person cannot directly beneifit from the Fire day (even worse off if it is a STRONG fire day). Since under the destructive cycle: Fire will control metal. As one can see:- 1. There is a common language between a day and person's BA ZI i.e. Five element concept. 2. One has to be careful what type of Ba Zi analysis is used here. It should be as accurate as possible based on Year, Month, Day, Hour, House of Life and House of Conception. If the ba zi is simply based on just the day pillar and further more if an inaccurate strength of element has been determined it can result in as `bad' an analysis based on Gua number. I hope one can see the above flow. Gua unfortunately is simply based on one's Year of birth. So how acurate can this be as compared to what was mentioned above. It is by far also too smplistic since it also does not accurate look at one's element and strength. And cannot be properly compared with each day's element Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anthony, Based on your description, in my opinion: No or there is no issue here. Unless, the furniture was fixed or built against the wall and such furniture may require some force or hacking to remove them. Otherwise, it is OK. Warmest Regards, Cecil

(1). Hi Cecil and Robert, Thank you very much for participating in our Live Chat, all our members learned a lot from your pre-asked question answers as well as from the two hour session....the respond for this event was better than our last Live Chat. We have about 27 members taking part in the session. We are proud to be the first arowana web site to be having such a comprehensive Q&A on the topic of fengshui. I hope the attendance is within your expectation.....I guess both of you must have type non-stop for the whole of two hours. :) The team of arowanaclub will like to express our sincere gratitude to the both of you for taking valuable time off. Hope this exposure will increase more business for you. Best regards Victor Ng (2). Hi Cecil Your site is highly recommended by my friend. Have spent an hour surfing through your site and I must say it is really WONDERFUL. Angela C. (new forum member) (3). Hi Master Cecil & Master Robert, Thanks for the speedy reply. I am really impressed with the efficient services provided by your company. May many more people also benefit from your geomancy services. Wishing You and Family A Prosperous and Fruitful New Year. Best Wishes, Kian Pin, 1st February 2003

Dear Joanna, Mirrors are said to reflect qi. In general, usually it is not advisable for the mirror to face directly the bathroom door. The believe here is that it may reflect out what was inside the toilet. More commonly, it is ok to place it at the side of the door. E.g. when one enters the toilet, it is on the right or left side. But, I believe, you may not have a choice. Since it is usually above your wash basin. Try to close the toilet door when not in use. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi everyone, This is the resources to the pre-asked questions on Arowana (dragon fish) and Feng Shui during one of our live chat sessions at www.arowanaclub.com:- http://www.geomancy.net/resources/art/arowanafish.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Usually for a weak earth person, the best element that can help him is the fire element. As fire helps earth grow. Adding earth element is like adding earth to earth. Although still favourable is acceptable. The only concern about earth element is that if your house is currently a Period 7 house (built, renovated between 1984 onwards), take extra care of compass directions East and South. Especially if this is his bedroom. As there are usually bad earth stars at these sectors. At these two locations try to avoid having too much `fire' element or earth element at these two sectors. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Edwin, In my opinion, TUAH CALU seems more appropriate:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ramaa, In my opinion, every location is a `wealth sector'. And it is important to know what is good or bad at this sector. If one uses Compass School (Flying Star) Feng Shui, each sector has three elements. And depending on a sector and location, we can either try to neutralise a sector (if it has bad stars) or enhance the sector. For example, if a sector has bad stars such as #5 or #2, then we try to neutralise these elements if they create an imbalance at that sector. If a double 7 is found at the main door. 7 represents metal. And since this is the frontage of the house; we can further enhance this metal sector by introducing e.g. a water feature say at the garden. Here, the metal elements help the water element. If it is the backdoor and if a mountain star has been detected, add a mountain or a symbolic moutain object at this sector. Coming back to your question: if the sector can support or assisted by wate element, a wealth sector with metal or valuable of metal may help water grow. In general, the more important consideration therefore is to see what elements are at a specific sector, first. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tien Sze Thank you for attaching a sketch of your room. Please see below:- It is best to avoid placing wind chimes at sectors that are considered `too yin'. In Flying Star, its numerology can share light to whether it is yin at certain sectors. The two most problematic sectors are: North-East (Devils gate) and South-West (Devil's back door). Where possible try to avoid (be careful) it at these two sectors and also at West. 1. Feng Shui is about priority and sensibility (commonsense). 2. I am sad to say that, recently, some people who called me enquiring on Feng Shui audit asked me whether, I would recommend placement of beds at `weird' or odd locations. For example, some Feng Shui practitioners literally ask their clients to place e.g. the bed in the middle of the bedroom. And at other unimaginable locations. 3. Frankly, all these does not make real sense at all. This is because, it is all so easy to make recommendations for others to sleep at weird locations. Since, most likely, the practitioner themselves may most likely not do it by themselves. And the poor client has for his rest of his (miserable life) live in such a state if he were to occupy this house. 4. The priority must always go to Shapes and Forms and Yin and Yang concept. 5. In your attached layout plan, it is not practical to study facing the sunlight or source of natural sunlight coming into the room. If your windows are exposed to direct sunlight, light filters from the West comes directly into your study room. This may result in having to draw the curtains especially if you are studying in the day. 6. It may not be good to study long term facing a light source. This can be glaring and sometimes if the pages are shinny may affect or increase our spectacle degree or asmathism. 7. Please refer to the first layout plan: studyrm.gif 7.1 Try to be careful of marking `1' as it can be a poison arrow (in both of the attached layout plan). 7.2 Even if this direction is considered favourable, it may not be advantages under Shapes and Forms/Yin and Yang to place your study table this way. Especially since, you have also mentioned that your `back' is facing the study room door. 7.3 Under marking `2' it is best to place the table against the wall (for support) 8. It is preferred that the study table be placed based on this file sf-layoutplan.gif as it better conforms to Shapes and Forms and Yin and Yang concept. Natural light (during the day is better than electric lighting) Just be careful of the poison arrow under this first attachment. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Cindy, Thank you for your message. Yes, we be holding several public and many private talks for organisations and clubs especially in the month of January 2003 on the topic of the Year of Goat 2003. For example, there will be a public talk for Automobile Association Singapore (members/non-members) on the evening of Tuesday, 21 January 2003. The event will usualy be published in next issue of AA magazine. For those who are interested, will keep you posted once this information is out. I will be preparing some write-ups by mid-December and a summary of what is in store to 2003 will be posted b/4 31 December 2002. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Dragana, I will try to work out a case study and post it by next week end. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sue, Please see below:- Yes, the extra utility room should be included. Under Flying Star Feng Shui, if you house was built prior to 1984, and with this extra utiltiy room built after 1984 and renovations done at the exterior facade, the birth chart of your 3i flat should now be changed to Period 7 (1984 onwards). The above is for info, if you are using Flying Star Feng Shui. Based on Eight House Feng Shui, there is not much one can change the above base on this concept. One the house has been purchased, nothing can change this aspect of Eight House theory. This theory can tell how suitable a house is to the owners but it has its limitations. Usually, it is best to compensate this by boosting luck in other areas or using other concepts. For example, I have mentioned under this forum, that one can apply Shapes and Forms, Flying Star (to neutralise and boost any sectors) if any. And also harmonize each room based on ba zi. Warmest Regards, Cecil