Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, 1. You can find out more about the Black Hat Sect Feng Shui from this link: http://www.loop.com/~bramble/fengshui/confess.html If you click on the above link, you will be transported Cate Bramble, Ultimate Feng Shui Resource site with an article called " Confessions of Lin Yun ". She is the strongest advocate against the practise of the Black Hat Sect. 2. An `L' shaped house does not necessary mean that it is `bad' or cause a `dilemma'. Even if both of you are `opposites'. 3. In this site, we normally leave it to the users to decide what depth or level of Feng Shui or `non-Feng Shui' they want to go into. This can range from simply applying Shapes and Form to the Eight House. Or more professioal analysis involving the Flying Star. Deeper analysis using Pillars of Destiny etc... 4. The module offsite home audit, is specifically tailored to zoom in on `problem' areas (if any). The original purpose was to aid those who have problems. It uses the same analysis done for each of the reports but the results are tailored to zoom in on the problem areas. While the rest of the reports are personalised to the person or home. 5. If you want to find out more, you can e-mail personally to robert-lee@geomancy.net as this forum is meant more on learning. Thus no more response will be made on further queries here. 6. In Feng Shui, each respective practitioner have their `pride' so it is quite understandable that a practitioner of over 30 years experience would get `upset' if one asks too much questions. Usually, it is whether a person trust them or not. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Frankly, I have this to say: 1. Users or practitioners want to `play safe' and advise to use more not less. 2. One must remember that everything is about balance. I have seen lots of cases where even some practitioners advise their clients to place so many `cures' or remedies that resulted in their clients going into problems. I do not wish to see users here `falling' into such problems. 3. I have also advised users to follow the Customer Engineer Concept, where if you are using `cures' to use them selectively or not to use too many at a time. Else you may not be sure of what to do next. 4. Under the Five Elements concept, wood is used to destroy earth (concrete). I am not sure what is your rationale or purpose of trying to use 6 coins? Do you know that 6 coins is `Big metal' and is used to destroy wood or wooden beams. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Name: Lu Dong Bin Key figure of the Eight Immortals 1. Lu Dong Bin's birthday is the 14th day of the fourth lunar month. 2. He was born in the Tang Dynasty. His father and grandfather were Court Officials. 3. He is said to have a tiger body, cheeks of a dragon and eyes of a phoenix. The lines on his feet were like the profile of a tortise. 4. Since young he was very clever and intelligent. 5. At the Lu Shan Mountain, he met the Fire Dragon Immortal. The Fire Dragon Immortal taught him advanced swords fighting skills. 6. Later on, he met his new master Zong Li Quan. Zong Li Quan placed several tests for him. The tests include tests on his attitude towards the poor, wealth and beauty. Zong Li Quan was satisified that he had passed his test and said that Lu Dong Bin is qualified for the `Way of a Toaist'. However, he was asked to perform 800 meritoriious deeds and after it is completed, he will become an immortal. After this, he became an immortal. 7. Legend has it that during the reign of the Song Dynasty, demons came to the Palace to steal gold and other valuables plus his many consorts. The Emperor dreamt that a Toaist priest came to his aid and peace again prevailed at the palace. Because of this, the emperor was very grateful and soon realised that it was Lu Dong Bin who had helped him. He thus ordered all temples to change their name to honour Lu Dong Bin. Today, the Toaist School known as Quan Zhen venerated him as their founder. 8. Overall, Lu Dong Bin is thus the key figure of the Eight Immortals.

Dear Anon, The (Lunar calendar) 5th Day of the 5th month is considered the most dangerous day. 5th month is the dragon month where one has to take extra precaution against sickness and diseases. The purpose of the Dragon Boat Festival is to ward off evil and to commemorate the start of summer. Reference: http://www.geomancy.net/calendar/festivals.htm For this year, the Dragon Boat Festival falls on 6 June 2000. The story: Around 300 BC,Qu Yuan who was a trusted counsellor of the King and served him loyally. Another counsellor Zi Lan was jealous that the King always listened to Qu Yuan but not him. Later on when the King was taken hostive and died in a prison a few years later, his eldest son becaome King and made Zi Lan the premier. The new premier Zi Lan banised Qu Yuan. Finally, the new King's empire was captured by the enemy. Qu Yuan was heart broken. He decided to commit suicide. Many concerned citizens and his daugther were worried that fishes would eat his body. His daughter suggested that rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves be offered to the many fishes in the river. So that they would not eat her father's body. Later on, to commemorate counsellor Qu Yuan, dragon boat races were held and eating dumplings on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month was held. This activity is a yearly event especially in Hong Kong and in Singapore. Warmest Regards, Cecil

There are 10 pictures of phoneix designs that are commonly found on Chinese potterys, paintings and pictures.

Comments (suggested `hints')has been added to most of the Polls. Do check out:- URL: http://www.geomancy.net/polls/index.htm

Dear Cheui May, Usually, one of the (first) most important consideration is based on Shapes and Form Feng Shui. 1. Here, where possible the exterior of the house should conform to the four symbolic animals concept: - Especially, the frontage of the house has clear space and the there is a solid backing. - Where possible, a house should not have missing corners. It is acceptable to have an `L' shaped house as this can still be corrected internally by a partition at one side of the rectangle, thus making two sets of rectangles. If Shapes and Form techniques are `followed' closely, more than half the battle is won. 2. Under the Eight House Theory: - determine who is the breadwinner. Usually, it should be the `male' or if both parties earn equally, it should still be the `male' to be taken into consideration with regards to the main entrance door. Thus where possible, the `death or disaster' intangible force should not be at the main entrance door for the breadwinner. In such a case, the house is `most unsuitable' for the breadwinner. Still under the Eight House: - It is equally important to find out what intangible force affects everyone in their bedroom. Where possible, the death or disaster intangible force should not be in the bedroom. 3. Since both of you are `opposites' should you be looking for a new house, in the future, do remember the above. Ideally, the death and disaster intangible force should not be at the main door for yourself but it is `less' important or of secondary importance or `ranking' if it is not the breadwinners `death/disaster'. 4. If one can follow the above, this would explain why sometimes a house has excellent Flying Star chart yet, is unsuitable for the breadwinner or family members. 5. Next, where possible, the Flying Star Analysis is important to map out the house's auspicious and inauspicious sectors and check for imbalances first (and secondly if say there are any mountain stars that can be activated). The above is a short summary of how one uses all the available Feng Shui theories to good use when finding a good house. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Currently, China is practising one country `two systems' and the governor of Hong Kong is given autonomy to run it. So far, there are no restrictions in the practise of Feng Shui in Hong Kong. Feng Shui is practised much the same as it was prior to China's taking over. You will be surprised to learn that even during the older communist rule, it was rumoured that top communist party members do use Feng Shui. Evidence abound where poor quality Luo Pans were made in mass quantities in certain cities in China during the communist rule i.e. either they were used by the Chinese themselves or exported overseas. But since they are of inferior, poorer quality, most likely they were used mainly in China. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Book Title: The Encyclopedia of the Chinese Overseas Editor: Lynn Pang The first book oif its kind to chroinicle the story of the overseas Chinese with factual information on Chinese communites, their business and political leaders and the success stories. Source & Credit: UOB Mail Boutique, Credit Card Marketing Brochure Picture 1: Picture 2: Picture 3:

Dear Anon, 1. The ideal method to find the compass direction of the main door is to stand at the centrepoint of the house and measure the compass direction of the main entrance door. This URL has an example of how compass readings can be done using an ordinary compass: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/cecilcompass.htm Do take note that whichever method you follow both here or elsewhere, do try to follow the `instructions' closely and in total. This is because, if one actually buys a Luo Pan or Chinese compass, the readings are taken facing the main door from outside of the house and readings is done of the `sitting' and `facing' directions. Therefore, do not read `Step 1' of the above link and apply " Step 2 " under a different method. It is like taking medicine. We do not read the label on another medicine while taking the medicine we hold on our hands. (It does not make sense here.) Normally, if all methods are done properly, it will result in the same results or conclusion. a. Please note what are the intangible force at the main entrance and your bedroom. And other sectors which you spent time at e.g. living room. But more importantly, it should be the bedroom. For the main door, it will `reflect' how suitable are you to your house. For example, `death/disaster' intangible force at the main door would imply that the house is the `least' suitable to a person. b. Your balcony door should not have a major impact. But more importantly, the house should also comply to Shapes and Form School. For the main door, it should not open immediately towards the balcony at the opposite end. There should not be a free flow of `air' (Qi) in a direct path between the main door which exits out to e.g. the balcony or the back area. Qi must be able to circulate gently in the house. c. It is best to superimpose the Eight House template on your layout plan and as mentioned above, check in particular, the intangible force affecting u in the bedroom and at the main entrance. For a detailed instruction on how to use the Eight house, please follow this link: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/house1.htm (How to do an Eight House Chart) http://www.geomancy.net/fs/house2.htm (Explanation) As you are new to Traditional Feng Shui, do take your time to understand more importantly, the purpose of each concept. Here, you should also understand the strength and weakness of each concept. By doing so, you will have laid a strong foundation in understanding and applying proper concepts. More importantly, find out which concepts that have been `tried' and `tested' to work most of the time. Apply these. While discarding/avoid concepts that do not work most of the time. Many of these concepts are discussed within this forum. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Follow this link to learn the Chinese characters (in Mandarin) of the Five Elements:- http://www.geomancy.net/pics/5elements/index.htm The same Chinese characters are currently used by Geomancy.net as navigation icons on the Main page of the various sites e.g. geomancy.net, geomancy-online.com, geomancy-forum.com

Please follow this link to the 16 pictures on the above (mainly inaupicious placement of office tables):- http://www.geomancy.net/pics/handrawn/index.htm

This office has its main door facing outwards. No wonder it is called `Poor company'. It is difficult to retain money here.

I have specially sketched the illustrations to show certain inauspicious situations: 1. Picture 1 : It is inauspicious to have a door behind a table. 2. Picture 2 : Inauspicious to have glass panels at the back of the workstation. 3. Picture 3 : Inauspicious to have a table face a door. 4. Picture 4 : Inauspicious to use circular windows.

How to place a pair of bamboo flute to neutralise a concrete ceiling beam: Attached please find three pictures: 1. Picture 1: Shows how two bamboo flutes are placed on a ceiling beam. 2. Picture 2: Shows how a pair of bamboo flutes are placed i.e. the Dragon flute is placed on the `East' side. The phoenix flute faces the `West' side. 3. Picture 3: Shows how the two bamboo flutes form the profile of a Ba Gua trigram. Para 3 is not compulsory. I.e. u do not need to buy a dragon/phoenix flute. In most cases, it does not matter which side the pair of bamboo flutes are hung on the ceiling beam. This cure is so old school. And dates back to the 1980's to early 1990's.

Dear Anon, 1. The Flying Star Theory is considered more accurate than the Eight House for two reasons:- 2. It takes into consideration time factor e.g. the age of the building and period of assessment. This was used to the explaination of the rise and fall of dynasties and empires. 3. When we consider the main entrance door, it is not simply the Eight cardinal points of North, South, East, West, North-East, North-West, South-East and South West; but instead, sub-divide each compass point into three sectors. Example For North, you must identify if it is at 0 degrees, 15 degrees or at 345 degrees and then you start to plot a mathemathical model plus also calculate the movement of two other "Flying stars." 4. There are two stars in Flying Star:- a. Water Star b. Mountain Star 5. The Water Star The concept behind the water star is simple. Water usually implies flat area and with water positions, implies `clear space'. In the simpliest form, without even looking at the Flying Star chart, areas that should have clear space or `a bird flying freely' in open space. The areas where best have this characteristics is the frontage of the house and in the living room. 6. The Mountain Star Under the Flying Star theory, if a mountain star is `available' at a sector, it can be activated. However, even if a sector has a mountain star, it must meet one of the following conditions: It must be the backdoor or a wall. There are situations where the mountain star is found at the main door area. Under this situation, it is contradictory to have clear space and at the same time activate a mountain ie. closing the main door permanently. A mountain star is activated effectively if it is a wall. The wall (acts like a mountain) and thus an object (immovable) such as a paper weight can be placed on a table parallel to the wall. The object must not have wheels. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. As the main door is `inauspicious' to your Kua, it is acceptable for the FS practitioner to place the Ba Gua mirror above the door. Furthermore, the NE is the devil's gate and some practitioner would recommend placing it at the specific location. Unless one tilts the door to a more advantages direction. 2. Perhaps, you can explore, whether it would be good to tilt the door. Here, if it is done correctly will: - Change the door to an auspicious or less auspicious sector - Tilt the door away from the devil's gate at NE. However, I must caution that the method under Para 2, should be done with the advise of a competent FS practitioner. And not DIY yourself. 3. I am glad that the changes made by the FS practitioner does help. A more thorough investigation using e.g. the Flying Star, I believe would help to have a better understanding if there are any imbalances not `detected' by the practitioner as you had mentioned since she only practised Shapes and Form. 4. The most important imbalances to look out for are any of the three numbers (base star) mountain and water stars that are not in balance. In such situations, adding a proper neutralising element would help. 5. I have seen houses that have few imbalances and some houses that require `cures' i.e. 6 out of 9 sectors requiring cures. Thus it depends on each house. 6. If the house is not `suitable' to you, and based on the Eight House Theory, it will be quite average for you. The only other thing is to check if there are available water stars that can be activated or mountain stars that can be activated. 7. More importantly, money thou is important but happiness, family and a `smooth life' is equally important. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ang, 1. According to several Feng Shui Masters, usually no matter what method is used, (if used properly) should more or less come to roughly the same `conclusion'. Provided they are comparing same situations. (We need to understand the strength/weakness and more importantly what is the purpose of the method used). Each theory or concept has its specific objective. 2. As I do not have a full picture on what the calcuations / methods such as the way the grouping was done, it would be difficult for me to comment on it. And how the weakest element was computed. 3. So long as the reasoning meets `academic' standards e.g. using the same denominator e.g. here we use purely all dates under Lunar Calendar rather than Xia Li (Xia or Hsia) calendar half-way in calculations. 4. Thus if the method used has sound principles particularly based on proper analysis using the Five elements and how they are properly interacted, the method should work. 5. If one is practising Traditional Feng Shui or Geomancy, and can explain satisfactory their reasoning or arguments as well as the strength and weakness, this would be an `honest' method of divinity or on Feng Shui. 6. In addition, each theory or concept has its particular use and if we can see the logic and reasoning behind the purpose this analysis was created, the better it is:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. 1 February 1984 is the start of 1984. I can understand if it is difficult to know if the house has been completed before or after this date. (Usually, if it is completed after 1 February 1984, which is the start of the new Lunar New year 1984), then the house is 100 precent a Period 7 house. Not to worry here, as usually another way of looking at it is if the date falls within either 1983 or 1984, the date of moving house can equally be considered. If this still pose some problem, then para 2, below can `help.' 2. Since the house nears or is close to Period 7, (rather than period 6), it will usually have the characteristics of a Period 7 house. Even if it does not, a few years and it will most likely change to Period 7 characteristics. It also does not take into consideration renovation works, if any. Which can be done in Period 7. 3. Usually, if one still is not sure, a reliable Feng Shui practitioner would sometimes prepare two charts: one based on Period 6 (for reference) while, still use the Period 7 chart. The period 6 chart is thus kept-in-view, during his/her final analysis of the house chart. But some may not do so, if there is no past history to refer to. Usually, this is done say when a new owner purchased the house and there is already a history to reference the chart with. For example, if information is available on the previous owners, one can see whether the period 6 or period 7 chart `takes' dominance. Usually, one need only to look at the flying star of the main door, to get a feel of how well it correlates to Period 6 or 7. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Daniel, This area is quite difficult to `pinpoint' under Feng Shui as the fundamental concept would be based on Yin and Yang concept. Of balacing it e.g. creating a more yin or yang environment based on individual's habbits and preferences. Some of us prefer to study or do work with music on (and it also depends on the type of music) or some of us must have the quietest environment to concentrate. 1. Perhaps, you can go thru your mind, what is your preference like in the past and present and try to see if you can create such an environment. 2. I have read quite often that it is good to find a specific location that you feel comfortable in (advantages if it can be in the home) to `study' there. 3. Other methods is to see the `hidden' reason e.g. making your learning interesting or seeing your homework from a different `prespective.' For example, in the past, I do `enjoy' (or erh.. force myself) to go thru questions first. From here, you can then start focusing on what is relevant. Other methods include `peer presure' such as if you are given a group assignment, meet your team mates regulary to work on the project or check on each other's progress. Wishing you all the best in your studies. Most importantly, be yourself and think about your future (a good future) when you finished your exams and get a good result. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Carrie, Please see below:- 1. On 2/10/00 5:28:00 PM, Carrie Barker wrote: 2. Yes this is correct. Under the Four Symbolic Animal Concept (pertaining to the concept where the back should have `solid backing' and front `clear space') no matter where the house faces this should be the concept. (Based on Shapes and Form School of interpetation of the Four Symbolic Animal Concept). 4. It does not matter if the main door is at the side of the house in the above situation. The frontage is always recognisable for a home. 5. As I mentioned in an earlier message, that due to the cold winds and `yellow' dust blowing from the North in Chinese cities, buildings avoid having a window or door at the North side. 6. While the houses usually face south. Therefore, many classic books usually just consider the situation in China and mentioned the Four Symboilc concepts with the Bird (South) and Tortise (Mountain/North) in such a situation. 7. Under the Compass School of Feng Shui, it is entirely different as usually, colours are added :- ref: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/colours.htm where the bird (phoneix) is Red representing South direction. 8. I also mentioned this in my book and some earlier messages that pictorial representations are the easiest to understand. This is why a few Feng Shui schools use the same concept. But if we do not have a `clear' understanding of this, may thus get very confused over the various interpretations based on different schools of Feng Shui. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ang, 1. You have a valid point here. Frankly, as far I know, so far no one has studied this area in a large scale before. As it is a `recent' while Chinese Feng Shui has been around for more than 2,000 years. 2. Until someone truly studies this closely, we cannot say for sure how accurate their birthchart are based on Pillars of Destiny. 3. However, if we see the logic behind basic Pillars of Destiny, it uses one's Year, Month, Day and Time chart, most likely:- 3.1. the Year chart is still unchanged because no baby has an incubation period of more than 1 year i.e. unless his/her birth falls near Chinese Lunar New Year (end of one Chinese New Year) towards the new year. Such as the baby which should have been born say on or after 5 February 2000. Is now born before this date. 3.2. The month pillar may not be changed if the child is born within the same `lunar month'. It can change if the baby is born in the earlier months. 3.3. Here, the day pillar will defintely change. Same goes for the hour pillar which changes. 3.4 In the past (even in the present), Pillars of destiny is only one component of the Holistic method of Geomancy. Other areas include: Face Reading, Hand reading, Chinese Astrology (commonly Year of birth). Peronal name choosing/analysing the strokes and thus numbers of the name. With all these we call "Geomancy", it creates a bigger picture of a person. Furthermore, traditional Pillars not only have just 4 pillars: Year, Month, Day and Time but (for the living person) two more important pillars known as House of Life and House of Conception. Here, each Pillar has a `stem' and `branch' and for a 4 pillar `method' there are Eight Characters to analyse or "Ba Zhi". However, the problem with `Eight Character' analysis is that often "Triple combination" analysis does not `occur' as the probability of only Eight Characters do not usually general "Triple combinations ". But with the addition of House of Life & House of Conception (4 more characters), the likelyhood of Tribple combinations or clashes will occur. The more characters that are analysed (the usual Eight under Year, Month, Day and Time) plus four more under House of Life and Conception will make the pillars more accurate in determining one's true element and other `areas' within the Pillars of destiny analysis. Under Pillars of Destiny, Pillars can be expanded to a few more pillars (these are mostly analysis of Yin or the dead) that are less relevant thus not common today. 3.5 Bearing in mind the above, you have indeed raised a good question. So far, I sincerely believe, no one practitioner can lay claim that a caesarean's birth chart can either be `accurate' or `inacurate' without more thorough research that goes into it. Thus it is good to bear this in mind whenever one does a Pillars of Destiny analysis on a child of caesarean birth. However, the present `thinking' is that no matter how, the day/time is born should be the information used for `calculation' of his/her pillars. This is a documented fact. 4. So far, I have yet to see dates of birth for such cases plugged from the `air' for hypothetical calculations. The closest to this is where FS practitioners `study' a person's chart after he/she has died and speculate his day and time of birth to the characteristics of a specific Pillars of destiny `report'. 5. We also have to remember that Pillars of destiny `mentions' that it charts what one's Destiny and Heaven Luck is suppose to be like but many practitioners mentioned that something like 60% of it can be changed. For example, through one's interaction with parents, education, personal experiences etc.. Which I often call this an `escape clause' of Pillars of Destiny. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Ideally, good houses have main doors that are `protected' from Sha Qi or poison arrows. 2. It is acceptable to have the main door on the side of the house. In fact this layout is quite common and should not raise too much concern. 3. Here in Singapore, there are many houses especially public housing (apartments) that have doors that are on the `side'. The advantage here is that there are few poison arrows (other than some apartments) with doors facing each other. 4. Most of these houses are `rectangular' in shape and thus of a good `shape'. 5. More importantly, the frontage of the house is equally important. What one needs to do here is: - since there are no poison arrows aimed at the main door, - concentrate on Qi coming from the frontage. Is there sufficient natural light coming into the house? 6. The rationale for the above is that if one can understand that not all of us leave our main door open yet, some of us are better than others (even without leaving the main door open). So where does Qi come in? It has to come in from the windows or vents above the windows (if any). 7. Here one must remember that the windows also need `protection'. For example, if one stands at the window facing out, if there is a poison arrow aimed at the window, one should implement a cure. E.g. use blinds. 8. In the past or infact at the present, it is common for Hong Kong practitioners to advice e.g. placing a fish tank at the window e.g. if there is a single lamp post. 9. The other concept is if one cannot see it, it no longer becomes a `threat'. Here, if a simple curtain can be used without affecting the lighting, then it is an effective tool to counter a poison arrow. 10. Alternatively, use a blind. 11. Currently, you are using intutive Feng Shui and placing mirrors at a specific location. 12. It is not wrong to do this. The other consideration is the use of Flying Star Theory to analyse if the location is `balanced' or imbalanced or auspicious or inauspicious. 13. If it is inaupicious, some Feng Shui practitioners advise not to place a mirror as it will bounce back `twice' the problem. To many Feng Shui practititoners, the Flying Star is a more professional method of checking a particular sector. Other than using intutive Feng Shui. 14. On another (subject). One user recently mentioned that he was advised to bury `lucky' treasures on the corners of the house. Although this is practised by some Feng Shui schools, I personally found that this is not `effective'. Thus have in a few instances in the past mentioned that there was this practice but do not advise anyone to do so. 15. It does not matter what is buried on the ground. It would indeed be a waste if a gold bar was buried at the spot. One is that money is `wasted' as one could have earned some interest in the bank or elsewhere. 16. The ideal here is to share with everyone things that would likely work or success is high as compared to spending money where there may be minimal or no returns. As mentioned many times, one need not need to spent money on Feng Shui. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Newsgroup: forum.geomancy.net Dear Users, How to configure Microsoft Outlook Check out this link on how to configure your Microsoft Outlook to read messages using a news client:- http://www.geomancy.net/newsgroup/index.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee P.S. Configuring using other newsreader agents is similar:)

Dear Liz, 1. When using a dragon, allow it to have a straight path between the dragon and the poison arrow. For example, it should not be aimed at the poison arrow in the path of the work desk to the poison arrow. 2. The dragon was given to me as a gift and I merely use to, in my opinion, I found it effective against poison arrow. As it is a wooden dragon, it is hard to find it. Usually, most common are crystal or metal (gold plated) dragons. At the same time, I have curtains on both sides. The poison arrow, at my home is diagonal and not directly slices the home balcony. 3. In my opinion, you can use the small dragon pointed at the poison arrow. Where possible, if you have the curtain blind, you should also draw it down. Usually, the mouth of the dragon is open. So avoid facing it inwards of the house. So long as it faces outwards will do. Warmest Regards, Cecil