Cecil Lee

Dear Jojo, Thanks for your question. For those who are now sure what 9-Star Ki is, let me elaborate further 1. 9-Star Ki and Personal Flying Star Feng Shui is basically one and the same. 2. 9-Star Ki is widely practised in Japan. This is where the Japanese must have learned the Flying Star Feng Shui and applied it in a holistic way in their country. The next popular destination is UK and US where this is equally practised in both countries. Essentially both are one and the same. 3. 9-Star Ki uses the Luo Shu grid of 9 squares. It is also incorporated into `personal' Feng Shui. For a change, those who are keen to learn 9-Star Ki can get books e.g. Author ====== Jon Sandifer (I hope I spelt his name correctly) Simon Brown In my opinion, Jon Sandifer's books are a considered quite old but do give an essence of the holistic approach to 9-Star Ki. Simon Brown's books are modern i.e. have easy to understand graphics and well organised. There are many more authors on 9-Star Ki and their followers. I believe, many of the members of the Feng Shui Society in UK have members practising 9-Star Ki. As I mentioned, 9-Star Ki in my opinion can be broadly classified under " Personal Flying Star Theory ". Although it can still be used at looking at houses. Matching 9-Star Ki/Flying Star Theory is the Ba Zhi Feng Shui which Robert is currently putting into this website. A famous Feng Shui Master mentioned that it is advisable to practice Flying Star or Ba Zhi Feng Shui but not both because it gets complicated if one is doing it manually to interlink and provide cross references. However, with our current research and highly integrated computerised tools, we will be able to interlink both for great effectiveness. Both tools: Flying Star and Ba Zhi Feng Shui when put together will offer exciting possibilities. By the way, one can generally say that Ba Zhi Feng Shui is a higher but of equal status with Flying Star Theory. Ba Zhi Feng Shui can be considered a higher form of Eight House Theory. 4. Sorry to side track the issue. There are several methods of looking at auspicious dates by the Chinese. Currently, at this website, it is based on the five elements concept to deduce the auspicious and inauspicious dates. In computer language, this is akin to running assembly language or machine language which is considered the closest you can get to the `machine' itself. 5. More simplistic methods includes using the Luo Pan to deduce e.g. the best direction to avoid for travelling at a specific time. Derek Walters in his richly illustrated book " Feng Shui " had worked out a western compass and also teach simple reading method on the use of a western compass. By the way, if anyone is keen to learn proper Feng Shui using the five elements concept, one should get hold of his "classic" Feng Shui Handbook. I believe this is available at amazon.com or barnesandnobles.com Although his book is written sometime back, it is in my opinion a class in itself especially for an English title. 6. One way of checking out auspicious dates is to use the Luo pan as shown in Derek Walter's " Feng Shui " book. Or you can check out the Auspicious / Inauspicious program on this site. 7. Usually, it should apply more for an individual than the breadwinner. For example, if the person who is travelling should be the one `looked' at than say the breadwinner. Warmest Regards Cecil

Dear Jane, Most users are aware to avoid digging up the earth especially at the East. This is based on the " Tai Su " or Grand Duke Theory. Grand Duke actually refers to the `gravitational pull' of the largest planet circing the Sun i.e. Jupiter. Did you dig earth at the East side of the house. if so, one way to neutralise this is to use `metal'. For example, if it is possible place the car between the digging and the house. For water beds, frankly this is not mentioned in traditional Feng Shui. Personally, I do not see any problems. For the following reasons: 1. One Feng Shui concept is that if you do not see it is not a threat. 2. More importantly, it is more important not to sleep on a circular bed. This is inauspicious in Feng Shui. In my opinion, presently, to-date, I have not heard nor read of any ill effects on the use of water beds. Since you have slept on it for quite sometime without any effects, it should be ok to continue sleeping on one. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, This is a very interesting question: 1. I recalled one Australian Feng Shui practioner was doing an experiment (not so much of Qi) movement but rather how water is drained from a water pipe. She `found' that water drains from the water pipe, I forgot whether it is clock-wise or anti-clockwise. She `found' that this was difference from the North Hemisphere. I am not bring up the subject of the North or South debate but just my thoughts. If you were to ask me, my believe like others in the Feng Shui field is that the Feng Shui model plus Destiny models originating from the North Hemisphere (where China is) can be applied without modification in the Southern Hemisphere. This is because, the models are based on Yin and Yang and Five Elements concept and no one can at present provide an academic model to show differences in application in the Southern Hemisphere. Sorry for detracting on the issue. 2. Frankly, unless someone has done an actual experiment of the flow of Qi, I cannot comment on the academic methods or any results on it. But based on Feng Shui, it is said that Qi should not flow into the house and immediately flow out. It is best or ideal for it to meander in to the house. It need not necessarily be from the front door. Here, many FS Masters have indicated that the frontage of the house or the location where light comes in is another location for Qi coming into the house. It is difficult to measure the main entrance based on this frontage concept and this is why, many of us have resorted to measure the house based on the traditional model of the location of the main entrance door. For now, I cannot provide you with how Qi really flows into the house. Other than each of us imagine how it comes in and out. For those who can obtain a smoke bomb *Joke* or light up a charcoal stove can by all means experiment with it. Unfortunately if the house turns soothy... erh.. don't take my advise seriously. In fact, some Feng Shui masters have classified Qi into many sub-divisions. For example, some classified the Qi in a stale store room as suffocating Qi. Sometimes when I do an audit and enters a store room, it really feels suffocating. We can also experiment on the basis where, it is sometimes no point opening a window, if say the bedroom door is not opened especially if there is no gap below. Air or `Qi' cannot come in and go out. Since Qi is "invisible", and this is where non-believers of Feng Shui indeed have their field day in `condemming' FS. I leave it to each individual's opinion on this issue. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ber, I had encountered the same situtation when I was young. I was living in an extended family and we had this passage way with rooms on each side of it. It so happens that me and my elder brother's room and my two cousins were directly opposite each other. I am not sure if this is a coincidence but we were always "fighting" with each other i.e. my cousins with me and my brother. Not sure if this is part of growing up or a coincidence in Feng Shui. In Feng Shui, it is mentioned that when two rooms have the doors directly opposite each other, the parties in each room are suppose to be a `loggerhead'. The above is the rationale why, the two doors should not (suppose) not to be opposite each other. Some Feng Shui practioners have mentioned placing a wind chime between the rooms as it is suppose to neuralise `sha qi'. This is one alternative provided, the rest of the Flying Star of the house checks out not to be unfavourable with having the wind chime at the location. Try as far as possible to avoid having a Metal wind chime at North West, West (Metal element location) or the NE and SW (devil's gate and SW = devil's back door). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, We can look at it from two angles: 1. As you are aware, majority of the Chinese and overseas Chinese equate white with death. Here there are two camps: a. Those that are superstitious and have always believed that white furniture is not auspicious. b. The modern and trendy especially the young do not have this taboo. 2. With the above in mind, it is hard to answer you based on beliefs. 3. Under Feng Shui, there is also no taboo associated with colour white as inauspicious. Rather, white is equated with the Metal element. Therefore, if we are using the Five Elements relationship, we can check our personal suitability with white. 4. Another factor is the 33.3 percent rule. The furniture usually does not take up more than 33.3 percent of the living room and really has no impact on the home. On a commonsense approach, many married couples with children always avoid white furniture. It is understandable because, their newborns or the young could easily dirty the furniture. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Thanks for the information. I have not fully analysed the paragraph in details. As the animal sign (Horse: one of the 12 Chinese `Zodiac' Animals can be further analysed as either Yin or Yang and further sub-divided into the various elements. There may be some truth in it but I am currently too busy to look into it further. Here if anyone has the time, can check the element of the Horse and see if it is in harmony with the Fire element (Red) and incompatible with (Green) most likely a Dragon (East). Usually, we are looking at only the `Year' of birth element only and not all 4 birth dates i.e. Year, Month, Day and Time x 2 (stem and branch) of the Pillars of destiny. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, These are three alternatives which can be used in combination:- 1. Where possible use trees. I am not sure whether it is feasible for the trees to be planted outside the house. 2. Door painted `red'. This is where Fire is used to destroy metal (cannon ball/cannon which is comprised on metal) resulting in wealth creation. Caution: I do not know the person's element and strength and direction the door is facing so, this is a very general statement). 3. Can hang the Ba Gua mirror above the door. Other good alternatives:- 4. Tilting the main entrance door to one of the auspicious locations for the owner. (Strongly recommended) 5. Or use a convex door to deflect sha qi. Other `milder' cures that can be used in conjunction to the the above (but these are the least effective against such a strong `opponent':- 6. The semi circular carpet or a pond semi circular away from the house but directly in the path of the cannon. (Provided this is feasible). The cures are in the assumption that the cannon is tangent or directly aimed at the main entrance door. If it is not, then you do not need to considere more `drastic' measures such as tilting the door. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tam, A warm welcome to you:) If you need assistance in determining the centre of your house, you can attached it as a file and sent it to one of the conferences in this forum specifically for attachment of files. 1. Ideally, when taking the compass directions do remember always to take a reading outside the house. 2. Even if one has a Luopan, it is best to `invest' in a reasonably good compass with "mass" to take the readings. As the reading is the most important factor in correctly getting the direction of the house. This is because using only the compass on the Luopan may not be that accurate. For those who are `into' Feng Shui, I suggest getting a good and reliable but affordable compass such as the sample shown at this site: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/recommendcompass.htm For more information on the two methods I proposed: (1.) Cecil's compass method (2.) Surveyor's method; Go to this url: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/cecilcompass.htm Without fail, I will always use both method (1.) and (2.) to ensure that proper readings are taken. Alternatively, if one is really not sure but wants a reliable reading, can try to contact a professional surveyor's firm to do the proper reading for you. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Kris, It is best that you superimpose the Eight House Template which is available at either: 1. Manual method: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/house1.htm (with detailed instructions on how to do a survey). 2. Computerised method: Free computerised Eight House at www.geomancy-online.com My advise is that you should try out the above to check your auspicious and inauspicious sectors. After doing so, see which location is closer to your best auspicious intangible force. If it is an inauspcious intangible force, and if the room is between two compass directions e.g. NE or N (as an example), it is best to sleep closer to the least bad influence i.e. NE = death or disaster line while North is your irritation sector, best to sleep closer to this line. As for whether SW is the romance sector, this site does not normally practise this concept as it is too general a concept to be applied i.e. other concepts are applied first. After doing the above and if you still need assitance, please let me know. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Joe, Glad to hear from you!:) 1. An alternative for closing the door is to keep the location bright. Under the Eight House Theory, it is best to concentrate on two primary locations: a. The bedroom (especially the master bedroom) b. The main entrance door. Overally, so long as the location is kept bright (natural lighting is the best) where the curtains are not too thick nor closed all the time. If one party likes privacy, and closes the door, the rest can leave their door open as you have mentioned to allow Qi to circulate. The other point is that if under the Flying Star Theory and so long as there is no 2 star (sickness) or 5 star (misfortune); between the two theories, Flying Star is more important in ranking. Wishing you and your family, Health, Wealth and Prosperity:) Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ber, Please see below:- Usually, it is adviseable to have the stove facing almost directly the entrance door: 1. Especially if the knobs are facing the door. Where possible get a stove with the knobs should facing the `air'/ceiling. 2. The best location for such a kitchen is where it is located at the South compass point. This is because, South represents the Fire element and even with the stove facing the door, enough `heat' is still retained in the house. The worst position is to have the Kitchen at the North where one may `truely' exhaust the heat from the kitchen. 3. The other option is avoid having the main entrance door opened unless necessary. Other than these, there is really much you can do other than to change the position of the stove. So long there is a gap between the stove and the basin: this is acceptable. Ideally it should be six inches but as you have mentioned, there are many homes with such a configuration. 1. You need not worry as there is a few centimetres gap between the two. 2. One good solution is to place the crockery or drying receptacle between the two. This can symbollically act as a barrier between the two. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ber It is ok to sleep on the floor mattress for both the mum and child. There is no evidence to provide otherwise. When sleeping on the floor, it is preferred to sleep on `wood' e.g. paquet flooring. It is not based on FS but wood or wood panels will ensure that when one wakes up or stepping on the floor, the slab of tile is not `cold'. As I mentioned in an earlier message, many Japanese are sleeping on the floor especially on wooden plank floors. Warmest Regards, Cecil Dear cecil, My baby and I are sleeping on a mattress on the floor. Will this affect our health or luck? Can I still do so?? Thanks

Dear Users, For those who are new to this forum; recently, I have touched on briefly two concepts: 1. Fast Food Feng Shui and the dangers of it's indulgence. 2. The 33.3 percent "Rule". I have coined it the 33.3 percent Rule as it is quite easy to understand and follow. 2.1 For example, what is considered a `missing' corner or a protusion? When the floor area exceeds 33.3 percent of the entire area of a particular sector or room. 2.2 Where a water position is more than 33.3 percent of the size of the house. This is considered too yin for the house. Too much water is considered too yin. It can also be applied in a home. Where a fish tank should not take up more than 33.3 percent of a room. Or the combined fish tank plus plants do not `occupy' 33.3 percent. What is the " Customer Engineer " Concept? Here, if one is making an enhancement or "trying" out a cure without professional help, it is adviseable to do it a step at a time. For example, when an IBM Customer Engineer tries to resolve a problem, he takes out what he feels is a faulty `card'. He monitors the situation for a few days to a week and if the problem has been solved, this is ok. If not, he replaces another card and monitors again. Similiarly, if you are doing some enhancements on your own, avoid doing all at the same time. For example, do not enhance the garden, a certain room or more at the same time. If something happens, you may not be able to know what you had done wrong. It is good therefore that if you make an enhancement, try it for two weeks to a month. (Particularly for those who like to do enhancements on a frequent basis). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Hi Everyone, In my personal experience, I found that the Luo Pan is successfully used as a `ghost detector'. This is where the Luo Pan needle goes hay wire when it detects `spirts' closeby. I have also read instances where it is successfully used in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and other Far East countries. So far, I have not heard that it is `effectively' used to detect `spirits' other than these countries. I would like to find out from anyone who has either personally used the Luo Pan or heard of other practioners overseas who had successfully used the Luo Pan to detect `ghosts'. Currently, my personal opinion is that I am not sure if one can call `international' ghosts e.g. Christians etc... are scared of Chinese beliefs/customs. What I mean is that can a predominantly distinct country with other religions .. have `ghosts' that are `afraid' of the First Heaven Sequence Ba Gua or detectable by the Luo Pan. My intention is not for you to have such encounters but rather, if there are really no `spirits/ghosts' that are `afraid' nor detectable by the Luo Pan or the use of the Ba Gua, then, most likely the Ba Gua Symbol would most likely not be an effective `cure' in some instances overseas. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Further to my earlier reply: It is `acceptable' for flowers to be placed in the bedroom especially for those who are `recuperating' from an illness. This is inline with the common practise of giving flowers to those who are staying in a hospital bed especially after an operation. Hospitals are `more yin' environment especially the hospital bedrooms. Introducing some `Yang' into the rooms such as flowers will certainly brighten it. This can be introduced to a bedroom especially for those who are recovering e.g. from an operation or illness. This is more a common practise rather than `shoulder' it on Feng Shui. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Fraser, I believe Lillian Too as a different book on each of the topic you mentioned: One one landscaping and the other on `Water Dragon Classic' (an older book maybe there is a new version). Personally, I have not read both books so unable to provide any comments. Anyone care to comment or share with us your views if you have read any of these books. (I not sure sure the exact title..... but the titles should be around what I mentioned.) There may be new ones... as I am quite busy, did not have a look at any of them nor confirm what School are they practising. Perhaps, you can also try checking out Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobles for these topics. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Ber, As the information is readily available under this report at www.geomancy-online.com : Five Element Cures (Wu Xing Zhi Liao) Unless you have further queries on it as the report shows all the various elements in relation to the element and its strength. Should you need further assistance on the report, do let me know. Warmes Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Our human feelings or sixth sense are "powerful tools". For certain situations, we should rely on the Flying Star e.g. to determine where the very inauspicious stars especially the 2 and 5 are and to locate auspicious and inasupicious locations. Plus to see if one can activate the mountain and water stars. Another equally powerful theory called Ba Zhi Feng Shui seeks to examine the house and `triangulate' positions to activate e.g. a water position so that this `triangle' is fully enhanced. Robert is working on this and as mentioned by him, it is best to wait for it to be ready. We appreciate that everyone waits for this to be completed and not ask questions first so that he can concentrate on it. As I mentioned earlier, unlike some of the users here who have read many messages and are familar with quite a diverse aspect of Feng Shui and Chinese beliefs. Many people, for example in Singapore have actually consulted FS practioners who provided them a `one time' with advise. This is a realistic situation. Since these people do not know Flying Star, after the consulation (which is essentially to look at the `health' of the house) later on, cannot always depend on advise on the Flying Star. Therefore, it is good to use your personal feelings to go about the placement of fresh flowers. Ideally, they could be used in the living room or dining room and even toliets (to liven it). Where possible best to avoid placing them in the bedroom. For some of us who are used to it, can continue to do so. There is really no hard and fast rule in the use of the different types of flowers. This is to make it easier for us to live or enjoy our surroundings. Our lives are relatively short and why do we always need to be constrainted by having to follow so many sets of rules. However, do take note that Flowers can be classified under the various elements based on: a. their colour b. their shape Again, flowers are considered secondary, if one believes that it gives you `confidence' to approach life e.g. wearing one on the blouse etc.. carry on.. by chosing your favourite colour. We can apply the 33.3 percent rule that if we are wearing a rose for example, it will have minimal or no impact on the individual. Contrast this with wearing a dress that covers our top part of our body. Warmest Regards Cecil

Dear Ber I really sympathise with you on this. It has more to do with e.g. personalities, experiences and even the person's upbringing i.e. human aspects than Feng Shui. I really wish I can help you but it is not within the true aspects of Feng Shui. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Usually if one is constantly sick or having misfortunes, it is best to use the Flying Star in relation with the person's Ba Zhi to analyse the situation. The likelyhood of such a problem could be due to: 1. If, it is a landed property, the cause could be undergound water running under the house or other factors under the Shapes and Form School. (Reference on Dangers of Underground water: http://www.geomancy.net/fs/under.htm ) 2. Mostly likely Flying Star 2 and/or 5 is present e.g. in the bedroom or the main entrance door or in other locations one frequently is at. 3. Other inauspicious factors relating to the Four Symbolic Animals, where water positions are e.g. at the back of the house; a roof with blue tiles etc.. Here, if the `problem' is something like having water at the centre of the house, one has to physically remove it in order for the balance to be restored. The sooner the better. However, if one lives in a house with `perpetual' problems such as a pool of water at the back of the house and do nothing about it, the `problem' will not go away. 4. Traditional Feng Shui cures is about knowing a person's element strength. This is always used to `cross check' and propose solutions. For example, if a person is a weak Fire person and if one places water in the house, this may inadvertenly `exhaust' the already weak Water element. In addition, each time has a specific element which is `in season'. If for example, if one is already a weak water person and this season (period) is where Fire element is strongest, this will further complicate things. Hope that you can understand the above reasoning. Many people, simply picked up a book on Feng Shui or several books and simply go all out to do enhancements in hope that they can prosper. This is fine provided one do not overdo it nor look at things narrowly or `tunnel vision'. Some of the Western Traditonal Schools which have their website on the internet were initially saying that the Eight House was `second rated' and only true professionals like themselves practice the `Supreme' Flying Star. Unfortunately, they only eat and sleep Flying Star until quite recently where some of these `Schools' were bombarded with references that Flying Star is not the only School. With Globalisation, one cannot simply hide the truth. It will eventually surface. This is because from what I understand, some of the Masters teach something that they have an inclination and Flying Star is considered more `mathematical' and perhaps suite their style. Contrary to this, the Eight House and its variants are the most popular school of Feng Shui today. It is hard for some of these Western School to swallow as they realise that even the more popular Master Yap Cheng Hai uses the Eight House but mentioned a `higher' form but do not know what it is. This is why I mentioned that it is good to learn from a Master but frankly his skills are limited unless he can pick up more skills. Feng Shui is like any other `occupations'. I am not equating FS with a Doctor but even in those fields, you will find that there are specialisations. I have mentioned that it is good for everyone to understand the best of all schools and discard the `bad'. This is because all the great Masters in the past learned from books rather than from another person. If one has the right aptitude and an advantage is able to understand Mandarin would be a plus point. I recalled this Doctor, who lives in West Asia, had purchased books on Feng Shui. I believe, each time he read a book, he would quickly do some enhancements. For example, he wrote to me saying that he had painted the fence, purchased a water fountain etc.. according to the book. Unlike books on our human anatomy, where everything is documented exactly. Each artery, each vein, muscle is what you see, what you get. I believe he has applied `cures' based on the same concept. But little did he realise that Feng Shui is an `invisible' or unseen metaphysics. One cannot simply like the book on human anatomy, follow everything exactly. Worse still, apply based on what he understands and not what the author could have interpreted `differently'. I am not sure what has happened to him now. Sorry for the lengthly reply. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Yes, one of the best ways to find out if the house is good or bad is to bring the whole family along. Especially the kids or a child. If the whole family feels comfortable or at ease, then the house is generally good. Here, no matter what, Feng Shui thru `our feelings' or sixth sense is indeed a powerful tool. This is why for some people, after `practising' Feng Shui, have since regretted mostly due to `over indulgence' where we often use the term `Fast Food Feng Shui.' For these group of people, I personally believe, that it is better for them not to have ever heard of Feng Shui at all. Here, they do not need to spent money to buy `enhancers' such as fountains, commercial good luck objects, wind chimes etc.. Many people have done so without Feng Shui by using their feelings. We must always have a limit and put a stop to all sorts of cures especially if they are not done correctly. Many of such cases do more harm than good. Under Feng Shui, and especially applied by a good Feng Shui Master will be able to tell for instance if the house is bad:- 1. By looking for tell tale signs of too much Yin elements e.g. in the Flying Star Chart 2. Where the owners had unwittingly introduced Yin elements such as a large water position at the wrong location, too much trees at a Yin location etc... 3. One best way is if you do not understand Chinese, one can still purchase the Luopan and bring it during house visits. I mentioned that if the needle goes hay wire, there is some Yin forces. Look out particularly at the North East sector of the house. If the wrong combinations such as trees, or too much water element (Too much water is too yin a condition) can create such imbalances. Take a sensible approach to Feng Shui at the same time do not expect Feng Shui to be a `mother of all cures' or use it as a get rich scheme. I have seen many instances where the more one wants to `get rich' the more, it becomes illusive. Perhaps the luck just wondered away... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, I did read about one new person who called herself a Master mentioned that it is inauspicious to sleep on a mattress floor simply because `Qi' cannot flow under the bed. Contrary to such `believes' in ancient times, many people do sleep on the floor. Even today, a large portion of the Japanese people are sleeping on the floor on a mattress. Only modern Japanese e.g. working overseas or cannot be avoide staying at a hotel sleep on the bed. In a very broad sense, this can be called `peanuts' Feng Shui i.e. looking at small issues and not looking at the bigger picture such as a beam above the head or the bed opposite (on the same wall) as the toilet bowl. It is best to look at the big picture rather then these small things. Another thing is that many people are sleeping on `box' beds with springs with a bottom base unit. The clearance below the bed is as low as the wheel clearance of the bed. It is not going to make a difference in such a situation as say the person sleeping on the bed is at least 2 or 3 feet above the floor area. Furthermore, most of us close the bedroom doors also. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Here are some of the following points to note with a rock garden: 1. Generally, rocks are considered `yang'. It is best to have a garden with a mix of Yin and Yang or a balance of both. Japanese landscaped gardens are excellent examples of a good mix of yin and yang. 2. If you have rocks in the garden make sure that the shape or profile of the rocks do not look like `monsters or creatures'. These are considered inauspicious. 3. Usually, as the frontage of the house is `important' i.e. we always try to protect our frontage. Ideally, plants are best at doing so. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Lien, The following are the most common objects on a pillar: 1. " Nothing " on top of it. 2. A pair of Lions on each side of the pillar 3. A pair of Fu-dogs on either side. 4. A pair of eagles with its wing ... wide open either flying or about to fly or protect its young. As I mentioned the above is not directly related to Feng Shui.. one can generally say that it has more to do with `decorating' the pillar. There is no distinct `facing' direction for these objects on the pillar. But closer to the "home" i.e. at the main entrance door area, I did mention that one should preferably take note of the material used on each side of the front door. For example if one is placing a bronze pair of lion or metal lion or carved in stone, it is best to check that the location is in balance i.e. the five elements are in balance. Currently, if you are new to Feng Shui, the easiest theories to read up are based on the Shapes and Form and Eight House concept first. Especially theories based on the Five Element Concepts. Only after knowing these well, can one then be able to try and learn Flying Star. In Feng Shui, it is not so much as picking up a book or taking a course but the end result is not theories but whether one can apply them correctly. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, I would like to seek clarification from you. I cannot recall having mentioned to keep the stove in NE or SW. Is it that you had read from somewhere? From what I can understand is that NE is the devil's gate while SW is considered the devil's backdoor. In this modern times, it is my opinion that although the stove is still important, there are more important issues to be addressed under Feng Shui. In other words, in light of the many other theories to look at and because houses are quite `compact' especially in the Far East, such as in Singapore and Hong Kong where mostly these are apartments of around 1,400 sq feet ( plus / minus ). In applied Feng Shui, it is really difficult for these home owners to create or develop their homes. I elaborated that what could be much `worse' would be issues like the toilet at the centre-point of the house, inasupicious flying stars of number 2 and 5 etc... These considerations are thus even more important than the stove. Warmest Regards, Cecil