Cecil Lee

Dear David, 1. The best solution is to see if the bookself can have e.g. doors. Other than this, some cover the bookself with cloth but may not look appropriate. 2. As for the cabinet, it may not be a threat unless the EDGE is pointing towards you. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Rakesh, 1. This has usually more to do with symbolism or beliefs. 2. The belief is that if one has a ship painting, it should not be of a stormy weather where it may imply that the ship may be caught in a tidal wave or storm and sink. 3. In the above situation, it is not ideal symbolism to have a painting where the ship may sink and relate this to a company where.. the company may go under. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Wasis, Frankly, Feng Shui is not meant for curing such situations since there are external factors involved. It can only help in bed placement but this is less of a priority than other methods especially through science. If science cannot really help, some go for other alternative medicines (provided they are suitable e.g. some people bring to the patient animals such as a `friendly' dog or to some one known to the patient to talk to them. In some siutations, (most probably not for this case), some use acupunture. Warmest Regards, Cecil Regards, Wasis

Dear Kaushal, 1. Frankly, from my own personal experience, the use of Feng Shui and or Chinese beliefs would achieve mixed results. Usually, in this area, I believe, advancement in science would be a better hope. 2. In Chinese beliefs, when one get married, on the wedding day, a relative's son (not daughter) would be asked to roll on the couple's bed. The preference here is a boy and never a girl because the preference is for the couple to give birth to a boy to carry on the surname of the family. 3. My sincere belief, is that since most of the time, mixed results if not disappointing results make the use of `FS' or Chinese beliefs unreliable. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Puffy, 1. In my opinion, often, I seen comments from users who tried posting questions to say the only "Feng Shui" newsgroup at : alt.chinese.fengshui usually may get a rude shock in rather comic responses where I believe a few same people perhaps with huge egos `quarrel' amongst themselves. 2. It is very diffcult therefore, to find common consensus amongst FS practitioners. 3. Overall, in Traditional Feng Shui, the main schools are: 3.1 Shapes and Form 3.2 Compass - Eight House and Flying Star 4. Shapes and Form is easy to understand but much harder to put into practise. 5. Compass School i.e. Flying Star is harder to understand but easier to apply. 6. Like the saying goes, "Jack of all trade but master of none". 7. There are so many disciplines or specialisation in both Chinese divinity and Feng Shui and it is not possible for just one person to Master all Schools. 8. As mentioned in some of the earlier messages, each of us are more inclined towards e.g. abstract/arts on one hand and mathematics/logic on the other hand. 9. Thus some practitioners are more inclined towards Shapes and Forms while others are more at home with the mathematics side. 10. Books on Shapes and Forms is quite easy to find and in general, it helps to understand `features' some of which are commonsense. While others has more to do with avoiding poison arrows/sha qi. 11. In my opinion "Feng Shui" or so called Feng Shui such as: 11.1 Corner feng shui e.g. romance corner at SW etc... or paying homage to a `corner' 11.2 Black Hat Sect " FS ? " 11.3 Practitioners that cross-sell wind chimes, coins ... let the buyer beware. In my opinion it is best to avoid concepts based on para 11.1, 11.2 and 11.3. Warmest Regards, Cecil 12. Practit

Dear Anon, Please see below:- If a house has missing corners or is as you mentioned a fat diamond shape home, the next best alternative is to use centre of gravity to determine the centrepoint. For example, obtain a photocopy of your house layout (in proper dimension). Cut the outline and place it on a cardboard. The cardboard should also be cut-out i.e. an outline of the home. Then use a pin or nail and try to balance it. The point where it can balance properly is the centre of gravity = the centrepoint of the house. I am not sure, if I understand you correctly as you mentioned that it is a figure 8? as shown above. If you have a scanned image not to large, perhaps, you can upload it to the forum for me to take a look at the centrepoint. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Vivek, Usually, it would be nice to take note that usually, when we type a note, it is good to use lower case. This is because, typing all the words in upper case, in the net is like " shouting ". I know it is not intentional but, it would be nice to remember the above:) I believe, you would have the Applied Feng Shui book, in one of the earlier chapters, it shows the relationship of family members in relation to the direction i.e. dining table. Consisting of a family unit of: Father, Mother, 1st, 2nd and 3rd sons/daughters. The above direction of seating is more commonly applied than what you had mentioned i.e. using the Eight House in relation to each individual. In the above Gua arrangement, it will ensure that there is no clash in the seating as opposed to the method that you had used. Frankly, the Eight House is about spending time at that sector and it is highly unlikely that family members would spent a great deal of time seating and eating at the dining table. Thus, I believe your method certainly... novel but not commonly used method... The reason why the Ba Gua mirror is considered effective by some practitioners has also to do with the understanding that it can relate to a family unit. Since a family unit especially a closely knit one is suppose to be more valuable than any other thing, it makes the Ba Gua mirror ... more meaningful to use as a talism by some FS practitioners. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sumtra, Please see below:- This has to be looked at carefully instead of making a quick way to turn the door direction EAST. Usually, other factors such as the birth of the house is analysed prior to changing the main door to the East. As the birth chart of the house will change if the door direction changes. For a weak water person, it is good individually to enhance a weak water person with metal element e.g. gold or white. The next best colour is blue / grey or using water element. Is the bed directly under the toilet area? If the above is the case, where possible, the bed should not be directly under the pipes especially sewerage pipes. Frankly, it is best to avoid this. Puting a red carpet usually does not help here. If there is a light pole and when you stand at the main entrance, and look out, does it slice the main entrance? If it does, you can place two potted plants on each side of the main entrance. Another solution is not to leave the main door open most of the time unless coming and going out of the house. This area, does not come under Feng Shui. Pillars of Destiny does have career analysis. But, this is more on the individual. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Can you let me know:- 1. Your element and strength 2. Under the current 10 year luck period, what does the report say i.e. the season of strength. If inauspicious period, usually, an assisting element is included in the report. If you can provide me the above, I can look into your case. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Liz, 1. As mountain star suggest, if you own a home that has a few levels, the mountain star should be activated at the ground level of the house rather than at any upper floors. 2. It should not be activated at the ground level and again at the upper levels. 3. To properly activate a mountain star it should preferablly be at the back of the house or at the backdoor area. 3.1 Imagine that the mountain should be protecting the back of the house. 3.2 One should imagine that the frontage or passage ways should always be of clear space. 3.3 If one wants to activate the mountain star, it can still be done, provided it is available and at the wall that does not have a window or the bedroom door. 3.4 Thus, since you mentioned that it is the hallways, in my opinion, mountain star should not be activated here. And in the kitchen, unless it has a door leading to the backyard (or the backdoor), it should also not be activated. 4. It is not advisable to hang a crystal with a string and consider this as activating the mountain star. As the string can easily sway when it is windy, it would not be the right object to use. Preferably, it can be activated e.g. when there is a solid wall behind and it can be placed on a shelf or table at such a location. More neutral objects include e.g. paper weight e.g. a tortise paper weight or other objects that has mass and no wheels. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear XiuMei, 1. Is it possible to upload a sketch of the bedroom and its attached toilet and the proposed wall that you want to knock down. This would help me to understand the layout out better. 2. Usually, it is still acceptable to have an `L' shaped bedroom. Of course, ideally, the room should try to be of rectangular or squarish shape. 3. An `L' shaped room can easily be `cured' by having a partition or a divider (if space provides or that it does not hinder the placement of the King/queen sized bed. 4. An `L' shaped room is in my opinion, acceptable. Sometimes, even if the bedroom is odd shaped, if one makes the effort to e.g. use built in cabinets to `cure' the room to make it `rectangular' is an acceptable practice. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Johnny, In my opinion, two concepts are applied in your case: 1. If it cannot be seen, it no longer becomes a "threat". For example, for a threat, once it cannot be seen it no longer becomes a threat. 2. Although the `water' is not a real threat, the above concept can be applied here. 3. So far, I have yet come across a problem with water beds. 4. Concept 2: Since the water is encased, unlike gases, that evaporates, it would not be considered Sha Qi as those e.g. dangers of underground water i.e. http://www.geomancy.net/fs/under.htm 5. In the case of a fish tank, the water is not covered up and it can evaporate etc... The water is also in full view.. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Rick, 1. Overall, what we are trying to achieve is to increase our LUCK. 2. Feng Shui is about trying to increase our Earth Luck. 3. Feng Shui of the interior is just one aspect or a percentage of the total Earth Luck. 4. Thus, for example, the site and building or home may in certain cases account for say 30 to even 50 percent of the total Earth Luck. 5. In my opinion, the common fallacy of paying homage to a corner e.g. dressing up a corner is but say e.g. 1/8 of the total 8 or 9 sectors that is usually analysed. In more detailed analysis this can go further to 24 sectors etc... 6. Thus, it is like taking an exam. 6.1 If you are asked to answer 4 questions (which is 25 marks x 4 = 100%); if one failed to answer the last question, one may even fail the exam. 7. Another parallel is that we may not even answer the question! 7.1 For example, if the question asks: What is the advantages and disadvantages of Feng Shui cures? And some of us when reading the question focus soley on Feng Shui CURES.. Thus may give an answer such as... The TYPES of Feng Shui cures are ; Wind chimes, crystals, water fountain etc... Here, one can easily get out of point. If we look at the question carefully, it asked about the ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of Feng Shui cures. NOT, what TYPES of Feng Shui cures there are. 8. Drawing a parallel, placing wind chimes, fountains without relation to proper FS analysis is I feel similar to this. 9. Another aspect is the parallel drawn with Anti-biotics. Nowadays, we hear that some anti-biotics can no longer work because they had been administered too much and has lost its effectiveness. The same parallel can be drawn with FS. Placing wind chimes all over the place can become an overkill. 10. Thus my advise is... proper FS, when applied do not mean spending money on objects in the hope of creating wealth. Nor paying homage to corners or sectors can expect to yield results. 11. Too much of such things may create an imbalance. 12. My personal advise is to go back to ZERO base Feng Shui where one should not use all these objects and restore your home to the original condition. Or consult proper advise. Warmest Regards, Cecil

1. Many would often read that I mentioned about "Quantum Leap ". 2. It is not exactly the physics where one can say e.g. go warp speed into cyberspace... 3. In my personal observation, I would have to use terms like `the likelyhood' of success in the increase of LUCK. 4. In the fields of Chinese astrology, Feng Shui and destiny:- From my personal experience, one may get a Quantum Leap in LUCK in any one of the following or a combination of them:- 4.1 Through the many years of having `read' the Pillars of Destiny of many people, both rich, middle class and the poor (here it is more on the basis of Wealth; Health and Luck); 4.2 I frequently notice (not sure if there is too much a coincidence; those who are extremely `LUCKY' usually have very good e.g. auspicious LUCK Pillars throughout their life. These people even have excellent LUCK pillars close to 70 years old. 4.3 The above are considered with Excellent Pillars of Destiny. Of course, like the Feng Shui of the house forms a small group of LUCKY minorities. 5. The above group of people, will usually enjoy good wealth or blessed with it through such good heaven luck. 6. For them (this group of people), even if their house has average FS; my belief is that, they still can be blessed with good LUCK. In fact, contrary to what I have found; this group of people, are I consider the LUCKIEST people as they and in many instances, have houses that are considered to have GOOD to EXCELLENT Feng Shui. 7. EXCELLENT Feng Shui houses. Here, even if one does not have good Pillars of Destiny (Heaven LUCK), such EXCELLENT houses with excellent Feng Shui can give a Quantum Leap in LUCK to people with AVERAGE to GOOD LUCK PILLARS (Pillars of Destiny). 8. Many of us do not fall into the above category. 9. This is why, I mentioned the concept: that for the average person, with average homes, no matter what you try to do or sad to say: 10. For those who try to squeeze every drop of LUCK out of their house may become a broken person. 11. Spending more money on objects here is like achieving poor marginal utility or like spending $10 to get income of $10.01 cents. Is this worth it? 12. This is why, many who encountered Feng Shui of the `THIRD KIND' i.e.one spends so much but get little in return of Feng Shui. 13. Thus, this is how, some of us can get disappointed with Feng Shui. 14. For those who want to employ a FS practitioner to analyse your home, usually, many of us most likely belong to the average LUCK group and this is what I call: you may not get a Quantum Leap in FS. Or riches does not fall out of the sky.. if a home may be Feng Shuied even by the best of FS practitioners. So is it really worth the while to employ a FS practitioner? You may have to look at this closely... if u are intending to employ one. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Luigi, 1. In my opinion, the mountain star # should be taken into consideration for a more accurate analysis. 2. The reason is because each # be it mountain, water or base is in itself an element (which is either weak or strong). 3. Thus, in Five Elements Analysis, at each sector, mountain #; water # and base # represents each an element and strength. 4. In more detailed Five Elements analysis, there the above three elements are reviewed against each other. 5. Thus, the mountain # does come into the picture i.e. where it interacts with the water # and base #. 6. Thus I feel that in a more thorough analysis, the mountain star should be taken into consideration. This is the approach taken by most Flying Star FS Schools where they evaluate each set of 3 numbers 3 3 4 a. Being strong or weak element b. The interaction of all three elements Can change the equation of balance/imbalance at a sector or even help neutralise a sector. 7. As in the above. Many schools do not evaluate just the water and base number. 8. Here, I believe is question of how much depth one wants to use the Flying Star method. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Please see below:- 1. Here, the danger as to whether, saying whether the main door is at South-West or South-East should be looked at (totally). 2. This is where, one should follow a method used totally. For example, the instructions provided under http://www.geomancy.net/fs/house1.htm has a (total) set of sets or instructions and this would lead to or result in how the house is considered say a South-East house. 3. There are many other methods used. More commonly, when a Luopan is used, it is used to look at the sitting and facing direction. 4. Depending on the experience of the practitioner, there may be differences in how the centrepoint is "found". If the centrepoint differs from one practitioner to another, and the method used to find the main door is based on this then, the main door either SW or SE may differ greatly.. or our method used to find the centrepoint differs from the practitioner. 5. Some other practitioners may consider instead SW or SE to mean the `back door direction' e.g. which is common in the 4 good and 4 bad (Eight house theory). 6. Therefore, it is better to follow step-by-step instructions of the site rather than pick out thus the end result i.e. SW? SE? ?? 7. You have a point here. Usually, ONLY those who "purely" practise or do not use Compass School FS and practise using only Shapes and Form do that. Or (just go by feelings only). It is, my personal belief that if one hires a Professional FS practitioner, they would at least use your YEAR of birth and the house YEAR of birth. But this is the bare minimium and; to me; I still feel that this standard is below the average for a FS practitioner. Unless, they are very very skilled in Shapes and Forms only but may still be questionable. I know that some FS practitioners in Singapore do the basic such as the Eight House Theory only and mix this with Shapes and Form. With more knowledge and `demands' for a more thorough FS audit, it is better to use more tools and essential to this are the Flying Star (birth chart of the house) and determing the element strength (at least). Currently, more crucial is that if everything is OK in your home, you may not need a second opinion. I feel, usually in situations where one is often (or family members feeling sick) quite often or other `mishaps' that may happen.. then perhaps, do consult a second opinion. For other situations like wanting more luck etc.. since you had already paid the person, there must be (I feel) most likely there may not be a quantum leap in LUCK... Thus, you must evaluate, whether is it worth the while to get a second opinion but if there may not be a quantum leap in LUCK, this may not be cost justified. Warmest Regards, Cecil

For those who have completed the Applied Feng Shui course and had requested for your Certificate in Applied Feng Shui, your certificate has already been sent out by air mail. Date of receipt will depend on the specific country but normally should be within these two weeks. Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, To let you have a better understanding:- 1. Yin and Yang Concept As the bedroom is usually a location (meant more for rest). Here, the room should be MORE Yin than Yang. It depends on other factors also:- 1.1 The direction the bedroom is facing. For example if the bed is at locations that is constantly dark, it can do we slightly more Yang. 1.2 For children, their bedroom can be more Yang i.e. musical instruments, toys etc... 1.3 For those who use the room e.g. partially for study and sleep e.g. in a dormitory, it can be made `more yang' in the day time... e.g. allow light to flow into the room and at night say, close the window curtains. 2. Poison Arrows Here, FS practitioners look out especially for poison arrows that can separate a couple. For example, it is bad to have a triangle ventilation port above the bedroom door as it signifies a `split'. 3. Water such as water in the fish tank is considered Yin element and normally, too much water in a room may result being more Yin which is equally no good. FS is about harmony with the environment and it is also about balance. Too much of one thing is no good. There must be a balance. 4. There are other considerations which I did not take into account above, but generally, the above are the MORE important issues for say a bedroom. 5. Other `issues' such as plants or flowers is considered secondary in light of what I mentioned above. However, plants are considered because they are growing, more Yang or add more Yang to a room. 6. In my opinion, for placement of plants or flowers, leavy or thin leaves; it is best for the individual to decide and more importantly feel comfortable with. This should not be because, someone or a practitioner recommends that since this sector is the romance sector, one is required to place it there. This changes the `equation totally' of being `forced' to place it there to achieve an unknown result. 7. More importantly, we should never, become slaves of Feng Shui and observe too many `taboos'. It is best to rank what is really important in FS and forget some other beliefs. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Kaushal, 1. In my opinion, there should be many qualities a good FS consultant should have. 2. I believe many of such good qualities are similar to other "professions". 3. I have to consider FS a profession because it "involves" human lifes. Although it is not in the same league as being a Doctor. But, if wrongly applied, or wrongly `worshipped' it can do harm (both physical and others). 4. Physical as it is a form of metaphysics and in some sense, it can be considered like `playing with nature' or (unnatural). It is left to each of us to decide the degree of effect it has on some of us. 5. I still clearly remember an message that was sent to the feng shui newsgroup sometime back. This person, posted a message saying that his wife, who became interested in " Feng Shui " ... spent money and attention to FS until they are left with no money and ultimately they were divorced. Somehow, it could be that she most likely had to pay for consultation, purchase of e.g. windchimes etc... 6. I believe, that looking back; one good quality of a good FS practitioner is I feel, enjoying it from a hobby persective. 7. Many people, have started out (of course some have failed) some do it very successfully as a hobby and this has grown to their profession. 8. Learning is always never ending and one should also have a good listening ear and understand the purpose of each theory or concept. 9. It is said that great FS Masters of the past learned FS from books (perhaps because of their keen interest --> HOBBY?) and later because of their interest, become better and better. 10. It is always good to apply what you personally feel can work best for MOST people and discard what one feel practices that may give false hope (sometimes this may be good...but in the long run may cause `damage'). 11. It is also equally important to understand your personal self: Are you more mathematical or you "hate" maths (or no affliation to it). Here, for those who are new, should first start to specialise in one area either Shapes and Form or Compass School (Flying Star). It is not like `hot or cold' but one should feel comfortable with an area of specialisation and later improve on the area one feels less inclined with. (I feel that this is a more rounded approach). 12. Another factor is, like an apprentice, one needs to start from somewhere and constantly learn and apply as a month/year goes by... to built up confidence and knowledge. It also includes integrity. There are many more `traits' but I believe, to me the above are most important. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Kayanna, 1. In my opinion, it is not be appropriate to apply `fixed' template Feng Shui to your home. 2. This is because, it is really hard to imagine that a particular sector is our money corner/sector or love/romance sector. 3. It is my believe and many other practitioners of traditional FS (although the methods may vary); not to depend on "paying homage" to sectors or corners. 4. In fact, I believe that if one is lucky to find a good or (reasonably good) house - i.e. with acceptable FS, this is already a plus point. 5. Fixed template " FS " does not take into consideration many of the vertical and horizontal analysis to analyse a house into components:- 5.1. Self - Here, personal Gua or Kua is used to determine how suitable a house is to the person i.e. usually Eight House Theory is used here. Or frequently called the 4 good and 4 bad directions. 5.2. The site and building (Shapes and Form) - Here, locate and neutralise Sha Qi or poison arrows aimed especially towards the main entrance and bedroom windows (if any). - Shapes and Form can be applied to the interior of the home. 5.3 Birth chart of the house (analysis using Flying Star) 5.4 Others include Pillars of Destiny to determine element and strength and the current luck period. Only when a vertical and horizontal analysis is done, can we say whether a house is "in a mess or not". 6. If the above sounds too complicated, usually trusting one's own instincts is usually acceptable and sometimes far (far) better than relying too much on beliefs such as money corner, career corner etc.... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Felicity, 1. Generally, FS is holistic and maximum benefits is derived when we try to increase a large percentage of our `luck'. 2. FS is only a portion of the large pool of luck. Where FS is on earth luck. Usually, few are fortunate to get a quantum leap in such earth luck unless, everthing or majority of thins is `done right'. 3. But it does not beat a quantum leap in a home where, the house can "create" wealth. These excellent houses are rare. 4. If we do not have such luck (quantum luck) we can only try to:- Neutlise Sha Qi (or poison arrows) and enhance beneifical Qi (which is much lesser than the quantum leap) but it is a start. (Neutralising Sha Qi is to look out for poison arrows and `cure it' and in Flying Star Feng Shui to neutralise sha qi...) 5. Other Chinese disciplines such as Pillars of Destiny (Luck Pillars) are usually analysed in conjuction with the above. 6. Usually home loans are given based on the person's credit and ability to finance the mortgage. Here, it is more an art of credit analysis by the Bank and is difficult to get FS to work directly. Wishing you all the best and hope that you get the finance. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Winters, I believe, that although you are `wood'; consideration should be: 1. If you are a STRONG wood person, this would be beneficial as metal (not just the sliding door) but the entire trailer is more `metal' helps to destroy wood, and neutralises the strong wood. If you are a STRONG wood person, the above is beneficial to you. Here, water element would be beneificial to constantly `replenish' the wood. Water element refers to the colour blue, grey or black of shades of it. However, if you are a weak wood person, you should use more of water element to help increase the wood element. (Here, water element should be "used" more than if you are a strong wood person). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Carolyn, For painting red colour, it should be the "standard" red as found in the red/blue/green e.g. of TV sets. However, pink, purple can be considered in the spectrum of red colour. Red, is considered the most Yang of the `red' colour while pink or shades of it is considered `less yang' but still represent the fire element. As for pinkish orange, one may have to look closely or get a few persons to comment on the colour... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Aj, 1. For a dining room table, it should not be placed against a solid wall. 2. This is because, placing such a table would not be good for social interaction of the family members. 3. In the Gua (Kua concept), one can see an arrangement of the various family member's position at the dining table i.e. father, mother, eldest son, youngest son, middle son, eldest daugther, youngest daughter and middle daughter. 4. For the couch it should also be arranged to allow for social interaction. The usual shape is to form a `circle/rectangle' around say the coffee table. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Aj, Usually, poison arrows such as the corner of a table is considered more `important' consideration - to avoid. For bookshelves with books, this can be quite subjective as some of us may not feel the impact. However, if one is concerned with it, one could try to use doors on the bookshelf or covered with cloth (not sure how practical this is). I believe that as you had mentioned that it is above the bed, this should not be an issue as it is not aimed directly at any part of the body.. (on the bed). Warmest Regards, Cecil