Cecil Lee

Dear Yew-Meng, Please see below:- Thank you for your sketch. Yes, it is a great help to understand your present situation. Note: For those, who want a more exact response, feel free to attach a sketch. As the saying goes `a picture is worth a thousand words. My observations from your sketch are as follows:- 1. The river bending outwards of your `frontage' of your house looks good. 2. It would normally be better if the water flow is flowing from compass direction "West" to "East". In your sketch, it looks like the water flow is based on this west to east approach. Here, the perception is that it is better in such a situation as negative ions can be present. 3. Your layout is typical of many condominiums (although yours is a landed property). For example, many condominums have their main doors at the `back' i.e. they entire their homes from the backside and their frontage is (similar) to yours where it faces water position. 4. Your home has good shapes and forms because it has rectangular shaped plot of land. I believe your roof is also pointed triangle `reflecting' back towards the neighbour. Since your neighbour's roof is pointed towards yours (but looks like no threat). 5. Your main door is protected as it is away from the main gate. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear George, Frankly, it is not exactly Feng Shui. But overall, it is certainly nice to have birds around! In Feng Shui, we call this the secret ingredient. Or, birds around or close to the house is a `secret' ingredient. Usually, where there are birds, it normally suggests greenery. I am not sure, if this is the case, but, a garden with birds or birds coming into the estate in most instances means greenry around. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Serene, Thank you for a picture showing the main entrance area. From what I can see, there is relatively no need for you to place a ba gua mirror above your main door for the following reasons:- 1. Contrary to what may have been preceived, your main door is `protected' by the wall which is quite a distance away. 2. Perhaps, if there is a long and narrow corridor that `ends' at your main door, or the corridor railing / wall points into the main door, then this is considered a threat. It is it a corridor railing / wall angled towards your door, a simple solution is to place plants along the corridor area to soften the blow. 3. Normally, it would not be good to place ba gua mirrors in your situation. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Michael, Please see below:- A Professional Geomancer or FS practitioner will not mix the sale of products with consultancy. If these two are placed together, then such a practise often becomes unreliable. Take a parallel situation. The case of Arthur Anderson situation. Arthur Anderson, which suppose to have a core business of accountancy, has side business e.g. management consultancy services. And, in such a situation, the accounting side would close their eyes since, they are earning lucrative money on consultancy services. Although Feng Shui is not as sophisticated as this, we can draw a parallel here. A Feng Shui site that provides both advise and selling e.g. figurines would naturally, try to push the sales of their products. Many a times in the guise of placing `fear' into their clients or mystic that wealth sectors can be enhanced. Many book authors simply churn out books and books on the same subject but packaged in different ways. In my opinion, what these authors should have done is to write one or two good books on a subject by presenting the subject directly to their audience. But instead, many of these authors, go beyond that and `suggests' products without much personalisation. In such a situation, they are doing more harm than good to the society. Authentic Feng Shui need not necessarily, mean spending large amounts of money on material goods. Or paying homage to a sector. At Geomancy.net, we could easily have a store or Feng Shui emporium selling tons of figurines and earning big bucks from it. But this is always against my and Robert's conscience. Equally, we will not suggests users to buy this or that. This is not good practise. Tips on Feng Shui enhancements should always state clearly: 1. what is the aim or purpose of the specific concept. 2. what are it's strength and weakness. 3. where possible, varing practises are given for you to decide. And users are then made to decide for themselves. In authentic Feng Shui and Chinese divinity methods, it is all about the Five Elements Concept or Yin and yang. Since, a wide cross section of the various methods use it (Five Elements) across a spectrum. For example, Flying Star, Ba Zi and other concepts. This is considered the lowest common denominator. And it provides a broad overview for: trouble-shooting problems or enhancements to be made. The only caution is that not all sites or schools use the same metholodgy. Where possible, if the site is `reliable' or one has confidence in the site, then try to understand the methodology behind it. Sector Feng Shui or saying e.g. North is the career sector for everyone in the whole world is not good enough. Even in statistics, there is the issue of probability. How can the probability of success for North = career and enhancing it is 100% or even 70% successful? Frankly, many of us may never need Feng Shui and go on happily with our lives. Here, many of us use our intution to guide us all or most of the time. Since 1980's with the advent of Fast Food Feng Shui, many lives are `broken'. Horror stories abound of husbands divorcing with e.g. their wives. In some of these instances, money spent on figurines etc... and sometimes on `borrowed' money such as credit card debts are on the rise. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Yew-Meng, In Feng Shui, for the purpose of taking readings under the Flying Star Feng Shui; it is best to still take the compass readings from the main door. Usually, under Flying Star Feng Shui, the two most common method of accessing a home is:- 1. As mentioned earlier, to take the compass direction of the main door from the centre-point. 2. Another method, using the luopan is to face the luopan (from inside the main door) facing outwards). Since the main door is often facing the frontage of the house. 3. In both cases, the concern is more of the main door or the frontage. 4. It is secondary, if you are using the back door as the main door here. As most of the analysis is or will be based more of the `frontage' area. 5. Since the readings are taken from the front / or main door direction, each sector can be looked at for any imbalance to correct it. Or if a mountain star is found at this backdoor area, it can be activated for luck. 6. As you can see, from the Compass School point of view, the back door will not be used as the main door. 7. It is highly detrimental if the backdoor is facing a hill. (WHERE, it now changes to become a FRONT or MAIN door). This is highly inauspicious. 7.1 For certain houses, that do it, may invite calamity i.e. changing such a door from being a back door to a main door. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tammie, In my opinion, it would be difficult to reply to your questions. Basically, the purpose of this forum is not to give `fast food' answers. For example, today, if I say that it is best that you go out and buy wind chimes to hang in all your auspicious sectors... it would be against my conscience to do so. Many people, often, go into a vicious cyle of not understanding many of the concepts and just because, some one or even a FS practitioner says so, it must be so. Frankly, if you feel that the answer given to you is good, then, go ahead with it. Overall, when we seek advise, we must also understand:- 1. What form of personalisation e.g. that the wind chime is good for me at my main door. 2. Another test, is, can the FS practitioner explain to your satisfaction, how the 5 elements concept relates to e.g. the placement of the wind chime at that sector. 3. It it relate to your Ba Zi e.g. element and strength. Frankly, I have seen enough of `fast food' Feng Shui. 4. To enhance a house, this is only part of a micro Feng Shui. What about the bigger picture of the site etc... 5. I have seen many people who, where the interior of their house is beautifully done, but all else is `collapsing' (bad shapes and forms externally). I am not saying that yours or any other houses are of this. Many of us, do not realise that good Feng Shui is about:- 1. Looking at one's Ba Zi (to understand what luck period one is undergoing at present or next few periods). 2. Understanding one's element, it's strength, favourable/unfavourable and wealth elements. This two are important clues. If the above two are good and if say, one has stayed in a house with no progress, then, more likely the Feng Shui of the house has some `leaks'. 3. Even if there is no leaks, enhancements may not work. For example, if the piece of property or apartment has average Feng Shui. For example, if one buys a family saloon car that can seat maximum of 5 adults. But if one has a family of 6 or more. No matter how well we try to squeeze into such a family saloon, all family members may not be able to go into the car. Unless, one goes to the boot and tie another family member to the roof. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Wendy, Please see below:- Yes, in Feng Shui, it is considered inauspcious to have the entrance open into stair cases. Here, the rationale is because, beneficial Qi that is suppose to come into the house, will be affected by e.g. the vortex of unsmooth flow e.g. such as the steps of the stairs. In your second question, it is more of "commonsense approach". Not so much of Feng Shui. For example, one worry is that when one walks out of the bedroom, although it may be highly unlikely, e.g. guests may not be aware and walk further and `fall' down. This may seem highly unlikely, but it may happen not in every home but it may just happen. What is more important is where the bedroom door is situated. For example, it is best not to situate the bedroom door at the middle of the room. It is always better to situate it on one side of the wall. So long as the main entrance has e.g. the house number on it, this should be considered as the main door. For purposes of compass school Feng Shui, compass readings e.g. under Flying Star Feng Shui for a home is taken based on the direction of the main door. Alternative assessment can be done on the garage door to see which is better. If the garage door is better, than, we can relook at it to see if this can become the `main door'. There are various schools of Feng Shui and some FS practitioners would take into consideration, the frontage of the house i.e. the locations where most light comes in. And in such a situation, this facing is known as the `facing direction' and the `sitting direction' is behind it. Usually, this is still analysed base on the traditional approach of finding the main door direction. And then any enhancements or `cures' done, based on the birth chart of the house. I like to emphaise that a good grounding of Feng Shui and divinity methods are the best defense against uncertainty. Three easy steps are: 1. What is the aim/purpose of the concept 2. What is the strengths and weakness of each concept. Here, what you mentioned relates to two separate theories:- a. Four good sectors or East/West group is based on the Eight House concept. b. While "west, northwest, southwest and northeast "sectors" as good sectors belong to the Flying Star Feng Shui. Therefore, it should not be taken as `strange' that the two does not tally. Para a. is personalised to self. While para b (Flying Star) is about the birth chart of the house). Looking at good sectors for self, therefore, does not automatically mean that the birth chart of the house must match your 4 good sectors. As mentioned above, go for the three easy steps to find out the difference between Eight House East/West group vs Flying Star Feng Shui. And one will know that it is like comparing an apple with an orange. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Julie, Frankly, there are two considerations here:- 1. Mirrors at staircase landings need not necessarily be bad. One school of thought here is that a mirror at this location can help to `move' Qi up or down the stairs. 2. Another consideration is that a mirror at the wrong wall or sector can bounce back twice the bad luck. Undera Para 2, if one is not sure, one should not place a mirror on the stair-case landing. 3. In your question, you mentioned that a mirror is facing the stairs, frankly, this is more of a "commonsense approach". Or we can say that this is more of a commonsense type of `Feng Shui'. 3.1 Here, it may become inauspicious because, sometimes we do get a shock especially at night when e.g. going downstairs. And we see a `figure' approaching us. 3.2 This usually applies to guests or even uneventfully, it may affect us, especially when we hear noises downstairs. During such situations, it may just unfortunately happen - fall down the stairs. In such a situation, we may lose our step and fall down. In my opinion, this is the rationale why, (not necessarily) Feng Shui that it may not be good to have a mirror facing the stairs.

Dear Nguyen, Frankly, what you had mentioned is a relatively common situation. In the bedroom, it is best that the spouse who has a favourable element sleeps closer to the good intangible force sector. For example, if North is an `excellent' sector for the husband. While it is e.g. `spook' for the wife. And the bedroom happens to be in the north sector. Here, try to have the husband sleep closer to north compass direction. While wife sleeps further away. Use the husband as a `shield'. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Elena, It depends. If you have a relatively large garden, burying the pets should not be a major issue. For example, so long as the pet is buried 2 metres away from the outline of the house, in my opinion, this is acceptable. Usually, after you bury the pets, you can add a bed of roses or other flowering plants on the grave site. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, If I get what you mentioned correctly, this is a `coffin position'. Yes, you can hang a curtain from the ceiling. So long as it covers the bed (leg) portion this is acceptable. You need to block it up to the level where you sleep on the bed. Further down e.g. the legs of the bed, this is not necessary. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tammie, It depends on the advice provided by various Feng Shui practitioners. 1. Usually, if the practitioner has `basic' Feng Shui knowledge and just because, under the Five Elements concept; he/she may consider or think that " 5 " is a nice number. In such a senario, this " type " of FS practitioner would advice that one place a 5 rod e.g. 5 hollow rod wind chime. 2. For a Feng Shui practitioner using Flying Star method to analyse the house, this "type" of FS practitioner would recommend the use of 6 hollow rod wind chime. Here, 6 represents `big metal'. And is used either as a `cure' or enhancement. 3. Therefore, you have to see why " type " of Feng Shui practitioner is giving one the advice. Usually FS practitioners referred to under Para 1 is - considered or unfortunately regarded as " kindergarten" type of Feng Shui. This type of practitioners will have a short `shelf life' given the quality of knowledge of many who are much wiser, today. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear `Seeker', There are many ways at looking at the Trigrams and it's relation with the premises. However, what you had mentioned is very similiar to `life associations' or eight aspirations/associations concept. In my opinion, this is quite general and not specific. And therefore, it is hard to say for sure if this type of reasoning can always work (most of the time if at all - too general an assessment of the situation). The closest to this is to say that the Ba Gua mirror is often used because it represents a family (close-kit) and what better symbolism is a family unit which is considered to be a very strong `arrangement'. Otherwise, it is difficult to apply what you had mentioned below. Furthermore, nowadays, a family unit is getting smaller and the most an average family may have is a few children. Some even have only one or two children. And it is difficult to see if what you had mentioned i.e. the reasoning `flow' as there are few examples. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, For a 529, try to place 6 coins above the location. If SE and S are in the same room, then it has to be looked at closely. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Alan, As mentioned earlier, you have to compare both charts i.e. Period 7 vs Period 8. Only if Period 8 charts looks: 1. either more favourable and/or 2. equal to Period 7 in many aspects You can do renovations in Period 8. If Period 7 chart e.g. especially if it has a double 7's at the main door (I say - if this is the case); and in Period 8, there is no double 8's at the main door. In such a situation, I would personally stick to Period 7 chart - in most instances. Without comparing both charts as stated earlier, there is no way to know which period is better. Alternatively, you can (forget or not view Period 7) chart. But instead, look a fresh at Period 8 chart. If the Period 8 chart - looks `reasonable', you can then go for Period 8. These are the two most reasonable way of evaluating whether to go for Period 8 or not. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Wasis, 1. In my opinion, I personally find your question `tough' to answer. 2. Usually, taking the lawyer's term: cavet emptor or `let the buyer beware' should be more appropriate ... choice here. 3. There is a further `twist' to this. Nowadays, there are so many commercial items. Simply go to any `Feng Shui emporium' type of shops on the internet and one can see .. as you mentioned so many `wealth', `protection' or `prosperity' type of figurines. These comes in many forms. Many of these should be classified as under " decorative items' as suggested in the attached `caricature'. 4. Traditionally - What constitutes as an altar object? 4.1 In the religious sense, many of these figurines had their eyes painted. Once these eyes were `painted' by a priest, these are considered altar objects. 4.2 We also find, buddhist stones. Many of these are stones or rocks carved with a religious figurine. And the owners usually encase these objects in beautiful gold casings - after they were blessed by priests in temples. 4.3 Objects or figurines that we ourselves, purchased from a temple and `invite' them to our homes. 4.4 We voluntary and place these objects or figurines on our `altar'. The above, is a rough view of what objects on an altar is like. Frankly, other objects are more difficult to classify. And as mentioned above " cavet emptor " prevails. 5. No, the altar should preferably not be placed on the same wall as the toilet. This is considered inauspicious. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. I was pondering over your question. Reading it and replying other questions and re-reading it. I literally end up `scratching' my head - not so much as how to answer this type of question but rather, how to do it `effectively'. 2. Anyway, paying homage to a sector or Feng Shui based on life associations or aspirations is not gonna work - for many of us. 3. It does not matter if the `career sector' is in the bedroom or as you had mentioned the toilet. In my opinion, it does not matter. When we apply Feng Shui, we try to apply Feng Shui that can work for most of us. And this is one aspect `paying homage' to a sector or sector Feng Shui.... does not seem to work. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Single stretch of load bearing wall which looks like beams is considered `sha qi'. However, do take note that:- 1. If one does not sit under it, there is relatively no issue. For beams, if one sits below it for more than 1 1/2 to 2 hours each day for a year, the `effects' (negative) can be felt. 2. Do take note that multiple beams that are close to each other e.g. 1 feet interval or less and lots of it that looks like stripes do not pose a problem. Only single beams should be considered. Warmest Regards, Cecil

" To be or not to be a member " Perhaps, we could ask `Sherlock Holmes' or Dr. Watson? 1. Often, the question comes to our mind: 2. Many sites in the Internet `requests' that you become a member. 3. Usually, this is `required' in order for us to post a question or use the tools available in the site. 4. Many of us are apprehensive of becoming `members' of so many sites. And each of us have our various concerns:- 4.1 How am I able to remember so many login accounts and passwords? 4.2 Will my information be safe? 5. What is the rationale for becoming a `member'. 5.1 Frankly, it is not so much of becoming a `member' that is important. 5.2 The main rationale is because, only if one creates a `personalised' account, then one can then customise the tools to our use. 5.3 One good example is this forum. The Free Advise Forum You can always login as a guest user but, as a guest user, there is no personalisation of the account. For example, having joined the forum as a `member' (or call it any name) one can then use functions like `post a message' or `mark as read' earlier messages. I find `mark as read' an important feature to a specific `member' account. As you can then know for sure, that new messages are not missed. Additional reason for being a `member' is that you can `listen' in to the forum. The On-line Report Tools Here, imagine, without a personalised account, profiles that you had created, would be `removed' and each time you log-out. The next time, you log-in to the on-line report tools, you have to re-create all the reports again. Therefore, the next time, when you are figuring whether to join as a `member' in any website, you will have a better understanding of why you need to be a `member'. Of-course, be selective in the type of forum or resources that request you to join them as a member. As for the question "Will my information be safe?" Do look out for the Privacy Terms of the site. In our case (Geomancy.net), our Privacy Terms are found in the url: http://sg.geomancy.net/about/privacy/privacy.htm Simply put: " Geomancy.net does not sell, rent or lease its customer lists to third parties. " Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee Center for Applied Feng Shui Research P.S. Yesterday, I was thinking on this issue and reflecting on why I avoid joining sites as a `member'. It strikes me that in most situations, it has to do with personalisation as mentioned above. I hope you can now have a better understanding of this `qwirk' becoming "members". Which in-fact, the term does not really mean in the true sense of `members' as what we know today. Perhaps, we can give it another more `accurate term'. For now, sign-up / members will always be a common occurence!

Dear Wendy, Based on the Eight House or Eas/West Group of persons, it is always advantages to spent time at a good sector. For a chef, it would be nice if he can be located at a station that is suitable for him/her. However, here are some of the preferred options:- 1. Wherenever possible, the kitchen and stove should conform to Shapes and Form Feng Shui. 2. For a resturant, it would not be advantages for the kitchen to be cited at the North sector (water position). Where possible, the stove should not be along a North-East alignment. 3. Only after Para 1 is taken care of, and if the location is favourable to the chef, then this is fine. 4. It is `nice to have' him facing a good direction but this is only after Para 1, followed by Para 3 has been looked at. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Furtehr to what I mentioned, this caricature list the important `rulesets' regarding the placement of figurines... Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee

Dear Rufina, Although most often, figurines do not possess any special powers. However, figurines of deities (gods) or or famous religious persons should preferably not be placed:- 1. Whenever possible, try to avoid placing `such objects' facing directly the main entrance door. (They do not symbolise security guards for the home). 2. It is inaupicious to place such figurines on the same wall as the toilet door. 3. Where possible, they should not be placed facing bedrooms. It is felt that looking into a human being room is `dirty'. Simple things like changing clothes etc.. are usually done in the room. 4. For an altar, it is very inauspicious for it to be placed facing a dining table. Here, it was felt that the deities or gods should not be `seeing' one eating. 5. Where possible, especially if it is an altar, it should face clear space especially if there is a window looking out of the frontage of the house. These are the most common `rulesets' relating to placement of altar deities. And in many cases, it relates also to religious objects (most of the time). Attached please find a caricature, on this subject. (Not available for those who subscribe thru mailing list. Need to login to website forum). Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee

"Just a note of special thanks to Mr Cecil Lee, who not only returned my call promptly but spent another hour of so to answering my various questions. Here, I witnessed an individual so truly dedicated to his belief in the study of Feng Shui for the betterment of life and the unselfish sharing of his wealth of knowledge. Must really applause both of you for the load of information available on your site. Being very new to Feng Shui, I've yet to see it work but really appreciate the advice given. Thanks and all the very best only!" - Alicia, Singapore

Dear Singaporeans / AA members, Attached please find the write-up of talks and tour organised by Automobile Association Singapore:- A. Palmistry and Numerology Talk by Cecil Lee Briefly, Date: Saturday, 18 May 2002 Time: 10am to 11.30am Venue: AA Centre Theatrette Fees : $8.24 AA member $10.30 Guest Closing Date: Saturday, 11 May 2002 (40 participants - First come first serve) For more details, please see attached article. Source and Credit: The Highway, May 2002 Issue, the official publication of AA Singapore. B. Tour of Prosperity by Robert Lee Briefly, Date: Saturday, 18 May 2002 Time: 9am to 11.30am Assemble at AA Centre Lobby at 8.45am Venue: Selected spots in Singapore Fees : $20.60 AA member $25.75 Guest Closing Date: Saturday, 11 May 2002 (40 participants - First come first serve) Please contact AAS Programmes & Activities directly at 68312140 for reservations for the talk or tour. Hey!, If you are not an AA (SINGAPORE) member, why not join the AA Today! URL: http://www.aas.com.sg/ See you at the Talk or Tour! Warmest Regards, Cecil & Robert Lee P.S. Please refer to attachment below for more details about both the events.

Dear Anon, It is very common for FS practitioners to apply basic Ba Zi. Most commonly, depending on the FS practitioners and their methods, usually, out of convenience or simplicity, some may simply use:- 1. Year of birth 2. Month of birth It depends on the practitioner. Some look at Year only, some look at month only some look at year, month, day and time. It is always prudent to ask the FS practitioner what level of analysis are doing for you. Some practitioners may apply Year, Month, Day and Time but this does not mean that all practise or sue same methods. The better FS practitioners would apply Year, Month, Day, Time and House of Life and House of Conception. This is becase each `pillar' e.g. Year has an additonal two elements each e.g. Heavenly stem and earthly branch. When 1 pillar = 2 variables, and if there are 6 pillars (Year, month, day, time, Life and Conception) the variables analysed will come out to 12 variables. When this is provided, a more accurate analysis can be done as concepts like double, triple combinations can be compared. The more variables there are, the more, double, triple combinations. However, as mentioned, 1972 is the considered as the Year of the Water-Rat. This is very very basic Ba zi or kindergarten Ba Zi. Overall, here, one is also concerned about element and it's strength. And a Year analysis as `Water-rat' does no help for a person. In your example, the `Year pillar' consist of Water (Heavenly stem variable) and Rat (Earthly branch variable). In my opinion, it does not tell anything but pure basic information of just the Year element. In my opinion, this type of Ba zi, should not considered as it is unaccurate and misleading. Warmest Regards, Cecil