Cecil Lee

The Seventh Month is considered the month of the `Hungry Ghosts'. Find out the exact date for 2000: http://www.geomancy.net/calendar/index.htm

It is interesting to note the following: 1. Migration of Chinese dialect groups / clans 1.1 Taiwan - Majority of the Chinese originate from Fujian province and are known as the Hokkien. 1.2 Hong Kong - Cantonese is the predominate Chinese dialect group. Majority migrated from the Canton province. 2. Calendar System Used 2.1 Motherland China: Main calendar: Chinese Lunar Calendar System While mainly for farming the Farmers use the `Seasons calendar' known as Hsia or Xia Li. 2.2 Taiwan: Calendar System: Chinese Lunar Calendar System Majority of this group of Chinese, especially the practitioners do not speak or understand English. You seldom hear their voice in the internet world particularly English internet sites. 2.3 Hong Kong: Calendar System: Hsia or Xia Li This is why, we can understand so many people who had picked up Feng Shui from Hong Kong; use the Hsia to calculate Pillars of Destiny. As Hong Kong was formerly a British colony, many of these practitioners because of their advantage in English, migrated to British Canada and USA. 2.4 Singapore and Malaysia Because of the influence of Hong Kong and Taiwan, have a mix of practitioners practising Lunar and Hsia. As there are no majority dialect groups, you have as much as 10 or more different dialect groups or clans such as the Teochews, Hokkiens, Cantonese, Hakka etc... 3. Which Calendar System is more superior? 3.1 There are no superior calendar system. 3.2 Just that each calendar system is used for specific purposes. 3.3 It is thus not right to use only the Hsia (Xia Li) calendar as adopted by many `Hong Kong' practitioners because its major FLAW is that it cannot detect an `intercalary' month. This is where if that particular year has double months e.g. two 7th months, your month of birth get displaced by one month. 3.4 The Lunar Calendar System cannot also be taken into isolation. As it has to be cross-referenced to the Hsia calendar to check the season of strength. 4. Use both methods 4.1 Thus, our approach is that we have always used both calendar system to determine Pillars of Destiny. 4.2 To this date, some `Hong Kong' practitioners still `swear' by the superiority of the Hsia calendar system. Yet, some were even questioned as to why they use the Lunar Calendar method for determing Flying Star. (There is a Hsia version of Flying Star). Since Hsia is `so superior' one might as well adopt Hsia method altogether. 4.3 For convenience, some of these practitioners use Lunar for the Year, Day and Time but switched over to Hsia calendar to determine the month. Thus if there is an intercalary month, it is like comparing an apple with an orange. When concerning birthdates, the Chinese have always considered the Lunar Calendar system. I hope, you will find the above useful should you decide to do a Pillars of Destiny. Not all Pillars of Destiny calculations are the same.

Can you not only spot the dragon but see it gently embracing the tiger?

Dear Anon, Thank you for your suggestion on creating a new conference. Done! It is 9 down the list from the first conference. When I have time, I will transfer some of the MOST RECENT messages that was posted in other conferences on supersitions and taboos to this conference. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Further to my earlier message, attached please find some pictures on how Chinese rocco-type houses, place a `mask' (a fierce one) at the frontage. Here goes... Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee P.S. There is a new Topic - Caricatures: Laughter is good medicine. There are already 68 subjects and more than 80 messages. For mailing list members, if you want to view these, you can add this to your mailing list topics else, they will not be sent to you.

Can you spot the wrong use of words: " Houses you want to put your home into " Hmm.. I wonder how one is able to `squeeze' an entire home into a house? Any suggestions?

Dear Corinne, 1. The rooster, with its distinctive red crown, could perhaps be thought off by some practitioners as belonging to the fire element. 2. Alternatively, it could also be thought off as a metal element because its sector is West or (Metal element). 3. Frankly, there is no evidence to suggest that a picture of a rooster would be effective to stop the `burring of wealth'. If you like or enjoy the picture, you may consider to place it. 4. But, some Feng Shui practitioners caution that the `rooster' symbolises `fighting cocks'. It is common even till today to see rooster matches and gambling to see which rooster wins. Some of the matches are quite cruel because the owners add sharp objects on the crown of the roosters so that they can hurt each other (badly). Recently, I read in a newspaper, that, locally, in my country, during Qing Ming or clearing tombs day, a few families discovered the tombstones overturned or removed to clear space for this illegal activity. 5. I noticed, quite a few, messages on advise on where to place this or that for good luck. Frankly, objects purchased are like art and decoration for the home. 6. A `special' Rooster figurine or painting or a three legged frog figurine are not magical and are just like any other decoration, some of us purchase for their home. 7. Occassionally, I collect good antique porcelain figurines. But, this does not necessary mean that, they are magical, give you immediate luck. I personally collect some of these because, they are interesting and I simply find them `nice' to look at plainly as decorations. 8. In Pillars of Destiny, it is interesting to see that, one's pillars of destiny can be changed by external experience, EDUCATION and philantropy etc... 9. The Chinese, value education very strongly. Even if the parents do not have the opportunity to study, they will toil and save for their children's education. Thus the best investment, one can have is to give one's child a better education. I believe, this is the same for everyone globally. 10. Thus spare a thought, if one wants to go out and purchase something. Why not, instead save for your child's future. Won't it even be better? Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Carol, Please see below:- A warm welcome to you:) The application of Feng Shui depends on the following:- 1. Ranking and priorities. For example doors facing each other is `secondary importance.' Same goes for a rotating fan. 2. If one wants to apply Feng Shui, it is not a `direct' application. 3. It also does not involve only one concept or theory. But a multitude of theories and concept such as: 3.1 Shapes and Form. 3.2 Compass Schools - Eight house and Flying Star. 3.3 Pillars of Destiny (element and its strength). 4. Many people believe that `Fast Food' Feng Shui is the way to go. They go buy a few books on Feng Shui. Not only do they buy the books, they buy all the ideas that go with it i.e. start spending money to buy all the enhancers. Some of us even go further: Since I am buying a wind chime, I might as well buy a dozen. The list goes on. 5. Here, one is `inducted' to `Vicious cycle of never ending Fast Food Feng Shui and any taboos that goes along with it. 6. If the saying here is, hey, there are just too many theories or concepts for me to begin. Tell me all. 7. My suggestion at this juncture is that if one has the time, and do not want to spent money at all, would have to be patient and go thru the various methods and techqiues on Feng Shui, slowly or at your paste. 8. But for those who are kind of impatient, and say, don't expect me to swallow all this and yet, find a solution for myself. For those, under Para 8, I suggest you get some one to do an audit for you. (End of story). After that, go on with you present life. The road to success is never easy. No matter how, one must work hard or read up "intelligently" on them. Some can read for years without digesting anything. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jaspal, If you have the time, please check http://www.geomancy.net/polls/index.htm There is a poll on this topic: "Do you believe that the three legged toad figurine can bring us wealth?" Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear John, This question is quite subjective. This is because, from the years of meeting people or hearing feedback, some of us are more tolerant than others. While some people are more sensitive i.e. they feel uncomfortable sleeping with a mirror facing their face or body. Some others, said that they sleep soundly and peacefully. http://www.geomancy.net/polls/index.htm You can check out the results of the survey: Are you comfortable sleeping facing a TV set (mirror)? A short simple 3 questions survey. in the above link to find out user's responses to this question. Each of us, thus may need to make their own judgement as to whether it is true (if possible based on our own experience on the matter). Warmest Regard, Cecil How could we CURE the Thanks, John This www.hpa.com.au **

Dear Anon, 1. Usually, in Chinese buildings, you can find figurines, especially those above Chinese rocco style bungalows with faces or masks of fierce mystical animals. The purpose is to `scare' away evil. 2. Usually, within the home, in order to bring good luck, often, swords or knifes and even pictures of hungry, stalking animals are avoided. As this is considered inauspicious for luck. 3. Thus, there are many various types, shapes and form of masks, and it is subjective where, they imply, the above (Para 2). Some masks have smiley faces also. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jaspal, 1. In my opinion, there is nothing magical about a three-legged frog figurine. 2. If one buys one, buy because one finds it `acceptable' as a form of `decoration'. 3. So far, I have not come across anyone obtain instant riches by displaying this figurine. 4. On a commercial point of view, sites that sell this would advise, that it faces inside the house rather than face the door. 5. Again, in my opinion, if one has excess cash, do not mind buying one please go ahead if you find it `nice.' But for those who purchase on `credit' i.e. use their credit card, with mounting bills, do consider seriously. It is best not to further incur credit card debts and interest. 6. I believe a discerning consumer, is entitled to ask the seller to show proof or evidence of how many people had strike it rich by purchasing the object. And how much if they had really won a lottery. If they cannot show proof of this, or side track the question, can understand why. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Yes, for the last 5 years, every morning, I climbed steps and cycle up the steps: "All for the sake of "Career enhancement." I ended up paying hefty medical bills for worn out leg-joints plus costly repairs to my bicycle.

Yes, it is truly worthwhile to install IT for your BEST FRIEND!

Never be too trusting of people proclaiming themselves Master or `King' of Feng Shui. Perhaps, they have good marketing skills but may have little else. If not sure, go for `word of mouth' or check on what they provide.

Attached please find a sample page (month) of a typical Calendar, found in most Chinese homes. This calendar, is useful because, it has the `western' calendar, holidays and more importantly, the Lunar calendar date. Very often, the elderly Chinese are more acustomed to their birthdates in Chinese. For example, if one's birthday is on the 15th day, of the 4th Lunar month. He/She checks on the Mandarin wordings. It is cross referenced to the English date i.e. 18 May 2000. It so happens that it takes the moon to revolve one full cycle, and if one peers into the sky, in the evening on every 15th day, you will see a full moon. It so happens that the 15th day of the 4th Lunar Month, happens to be Vesak Day. Chinese thus, consider the Lunar Calendar (Lunar = Moon) in their daily life. All Chinese birthdays are thus referenced to Lunar Calendar. Only for harvesting, do they then refer to the Xia Li (Hsia) to see when planting starts. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Please read attached article.