Cecil Lee

Dear Anon, The idea behind using the hulu or bottle gourd is to "suck away" bad elements. Thus it is often placed in a toilet or next to the toilet bowl e.g. if the toilet is at the centrepoint of the house. Or often placed in a bedroom to counter "sickness" stars such as #2 sickness and/or #5 misfortune/sickness stars. Thus it is not placed based on the situation you had mentioned, below. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tim, In my opinion, Shapes and Form as mentioned by you below cannot cure "unwanted" stars. Since this concept is static and does not take into account time dimensions as the Flying Star Feng Shui. The only correlation is that often, under some Flying star models, it is preferred that the layout or rooms are squarish in shape. Here, it is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, A better alternative is to place a red dot on the same spot of both door handles. Here, it is symbolic of "seeing eye-to-eye" with each other. This is often a preferred method than using cupboards to block the doors. As this can result in poor air-circulation or dead qi collected in the bedroom. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Yes, this is based mainlyunder "symbolism"in Feng Shui. This is because simple things like forks and knifes (e.g. butter knives) should not be "pointed" or be seen or facing into a bedroom. Which may cause disharmony and can lead to frequent quarrels. If there is no alternative, as you had mentioned, it is best to either close the master bedroom door or as you had mentioned, acurtain or bead as another alternative. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Qibin, Actually, there was a previous posting or postings of the initial opening of the door. Since there are diverse dialect group, I have included the most common practises. In general, if we analsyse all the actions to be taken, they are symbolic of "sowing" wealth into a home. For your benefit, please see below:- Initial Opening of the door for the first time

Dear Anon, 1. For any new house purchase, it is always good to bring all family members to view the site to get an overall feeling of the place. 2. Under Flying star Feng Shui, currently NE facing homes have a better Feng Shui advantage as it is generally considered a better facing direction than some other facing directions. 3. For the Eight House theory, it is always favourable if the apartment fits the breadwinner. It is quite common both either spouse to be "opposites" east or west group. Although this is a consideration, other factors such as the Shapes and Forms and the Compass School - Flying star should also be considered. 4. As to whether to commit to purchase during this period or not has more to do with investment decisions than Feng Shui such as the price per square feet etc... Thus this point has to do with monetary considerations, budget, ambience and transportation etc... 5. It is also good to try to (if possible) find out the rationale for the sale -- sometimes this can be quite difficult. But no harm to check on this. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Source: The Straits Times, Wednesday January 19, 2005, Page 5 ============================================ Extract: "a red mourning armband is to show respect to an elderly..... In Chinese tradition, red mourning bands are worn by great-grandchildren...."

Dear Kathelyne Feng Shui has many distinctive flavours: 1. Poison arrows 2. Commonsense approach to Feng Shui 1. Poison arrows These are issues that cause issues such as sharp corners etc... 2. Commonsense approach to Feng Shui What you had mentioned i.e. a bedroom above a kitchen has more to do with "commonsense". This is because,(usually) thereseems to be a higher probability of a fire starting in a kitchen then anywhere else. And because of this, some would thus feel that having abedroom above the kitchen not a good idea! However, frankly a fire can be started anywhere else in a home such as carelessly leaving behind a lighted cigarette butt or ash etc... 3. The"cure" could be that we try to keep the kitchen neat and tidy. Avoid leaving the cooking oil or if we use gas, use safety valvesand in particular sensors such as a "smoke-detector(s)" in the kitchen as well as the hallwayetc... Warmest Regards, Cecil translation using http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr Apologies if the translation is in bad (broken) French:- Excuses, si le texte traduit est dans le French" de "bad ; Cher Kathelyne Feng Shui a beaucoup de saveurs distinctives : 1. Approche de Bon sens des fl?ches 2. de poison ? Feng Shui 1. Fl?ches de Poison Ce sont des issues qui causent des issues telles que les coins etc.. de di?se... 2. Approche de bon sens ? Feng Shui Ce que vous aviez mentionn? c.-?-d. une chambre ? coucher au-dessus d'une cuisine a plus ? faire avec "bon sens" ;. C'est parce que, (habituellement) il semble y a une probabilit? plus ?lev?e d'un feu commen?ant dans une cuisine puis n'importe o? ailleurs. Et pour cette raison, certains sentiraient ainsi cela avoir une chambre ? coucher au-dessus de la cuisine pas une bonne id?e ! Cependant, franchement un feu peut ?tre commenc? n'importe o? ailleurs dans une maison telle que laisser n?gligemment un bout de cigarette ou une cendre allum? etc..... 3. Le "cure" ; pourrait ?tre que nous essayons de maintenir la cuisine ordonn?e et rang?e. ?vitez de laisser l'huile de cuisine ou si nous utilisons le gaz, les soupapes de s?ret? d'utilisation et en particulier les sondes telles qu'un "smoke-detector(s)" ; dans la cuisine aussi bien que le vestibule etc..... Les Amiti?s Les plus sinc?res, Cecil

Dear Anon, I hope you don't mind saying that I am really no expert in static shock. From my personal experience:- 1. I strongly believe that it could perhaps be "carpeting" of the home? 2. drier skin? than most of us. Seriously, I am not sure, but could try moisturier cream? 3. lack of humidity? 4. walking in the "style" of "dragging" one's feet close to the ground or floor? 5. wearing e.g. jeans that "rubs" against part of the flooring (carpet) 6. Type of food eaten? I am truly sorry, again, I must emphasise that I am really just speaking my mind only. Perhaps, you could seek the advise in your country. such as a skin specialist first? This is because, to me, this is one way to start?? For those in the "electrical business" or area, often, when we purchase additional memory-banks to be installed into a computer, we actually have to touch our hands to an earth-object such as a wall or a special antistatic grounding wire. Perhaps, it could also be that your home is entirely made of wood? And not concrete? And perhaps, the wood is too dry - no humidity. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear John, Please see below:- But, I personally feel that it is more likely missing corner(s) in this case. Under some Flying star "models", some Flying star directions would benefit from a rectangular or squarish shape building to take advantage of better Feng Shui for a home. Qn3. Would extending

Dear Oliv, Under the Holy Trinity of Geomancy: 1. Heaven Luck - what is given to us 2. Earth Luck - Feng Shui 3. Human (man-luck) - human relationship factors and psychology Most of it, I would personally think would fall under Human (man-luck)! It is about firstly, -- our feelings... As you had written, one may feel quite uncomfortable or some "worries" of whether it can or cannot affect Feng Shui Another is about "face" or for the Chinese "prestige". A half-painted house that is left halfway unpainted for sometime could imply that symbolically or we are in "financial difficulties". I know some of us don't care "too-hoots" what the neighbour(s) say! But, all these does not lead to a "closure" of such an event. And even little thoughts about these would often unsettle our "Human-man luck factors". Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Sophia, Generally, (or very generally), yes, south represents the fire element. To side-track-a-little: And in quite alot of past forum messages, I mentioned that for a kitchen at the south, it is acceptable to have the stove face a water position. This would not be ideal -- if the kitchen is located at the north. (water location). 2. Generally speaking, wood cabinets are in harmony with the kitchen since it has fire (stove) and wood element fuels fire (stove) - in a productive cycle. You can also read up an article, I wrote for the Home Concepts magazine - the article has been extracted to the forum. Do a search perhaps for "home concept" or "home concepts" to read the article. 3. Generally, since the kitchen is in the south (fire), often blue cabinet or partial blue cabinet color is acceptable in this area. Thus most of the time, a non issue. 4. A kitchen actually has more than just fire (stove); water (water basin pipes/ fridge or sometimes washing machine) but also the metal element i.e. utensils and even microwave belongs to the metal element. 5. Under the productive cycle of the five elements: Metal -

Dear Sophia, Please see below:- It is the belief that if one displays decorative objects (note: call them whatever one wants "wealth vase ...." etc... But really, these are only objects made by ordinary man! One of the beliefs is that if one keeps such objects, it is best always to cover the top and not let the vase be "empty". Some would place another smaller covered container to cover this "mouth" of the vase, while others could simply cover it fully with a cut-out cardboard, styrofoam etc.... In Singapore, we read of magic "stones" that can cure cancer etc... This is where such people prey older folks -- into parting with their savings! Therefore, all of us should not have the "foolish" notion that there is really such thing as a "wealth vase". The near equivalent are true "blooded" ancient antiques that have good "wealth value". For example, early century Ming pocerlain vase, plates etc... These are truly "rich-man's" collections. That may range from a few thousand dollars to even a few million dollars! Other than this, without proper authentication, there are many FAKES circulating around! This is where one of the gods, removed the cap to the gourd and point the empty vessel towards the "villian" and sucks him/her into it. Perhaps, illustrations such as this could be the originator for such ause in Feng Shui today. Many Feng Shui practitioners advise the use of it:- 1. Straight path of qi (leak) In many of those 3-room HDB type of flats, some made renovations suchthat when they open their living roomwindows, there is a straight path of air from this window, past thru the open dining room/kitchen door and out thru the service / kitchen windows. Some Chinese, would therefore hang a hulu or bottle gourd at the dining/kitchen entrance. For the above purpose. 2. Sickness star Especially manyHong Kong Feng Shui practitioners may advise their clients to placeor hang a hulu on the bed post. This is to "suck" away sickness stars #2 or #5. Or one of the alternative cures toconstant sickness. 3. Placed at toilets As one can see, it is the same principle or "belief". In conclusion, one can see that the above three points are the most commonly applied area for the use of the hulu or bottle gourd. Often, in the past, many would buy ready made wood-dried-hollow type with a cover on it i.e. when it is new, it is green. But, when it is "old" it turns into a beautiful "light" wood color. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Esther, Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS! Yes! There are lots of people who has prior to given birth or even before giving birth to display cute lovely children photos in their bedroom. Thus, you are not alone! And this is certainly something that is not new! So, in my opinion, feel free to continue to place these lovely pictures of children! On a human (man luck) level, it makes us all feel so good or wonderful! No harm in doing so. As for the placement of figurines; majority of the time no harm. But, in some of the past forum messages, there has been some issues with regards to this. But, this is rare or something like 0.01% type of an encounter. Thus no an issue. But, good to on the safe-side, remove them. As for home items "breaking" down, it could be a coincidence or other matters - since no Feng Shui audit has been done to review it. What is most important in the Chinese belief is not to move or shift the "wedding - or master bed" at all during the time of pregnancy up to the time of the 1st month old baby. It is ok to place the hulu at the basin. More importantly, do take care of your health and have as much "human or man luck" such as family support and care and togetherness with the spouse. Basically don't worry too much about all the little things! I am sure ALL OF US, especially Robert and myself, look forward to you having a lovely cuddly and beautiful child! CHEERS! Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Doris, To be pretty honest: there is often no right or wrong answers. Nor one camp can ever overwhelm the other to consider exactly what colors fit which elements. For example, it is very straight forward that all the primary colors such as (often those found on the color tv) e.g. Green, Blue and Red. And some also consider Yellow a primary color). From a hot-cold continuum or spectrum, colors would range from the hot end (Red) to the cold end (Blue or white). Grey is interesting. Because silver looks silver to us. But in my country, all our paper notes have a security thread -- threaded into each paper note. Humans when eyeing the notes will certainly see a gleemer of silver -- (metal) element. But if one scans the dollar note (I am not recommending this - as it is agains the law) or photo copy the dollar note -- the silver thread would turn out to be "GREY!" So perhaps, some people would thus consider perhaps grey = metal? If we look at decorator's color charts, often we see the grey tones on the sample brochure next to the blue tones. Again, there is always no right or wrong answers. Because, often, pastel shades of colors are subjected to many interpretations. In addition, there are other ways to identify objects: circle = metal element etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Daniel, 1. Feng Shui is not just about looking into the four-corners of a home. But the KEY success or the highest weightage has to do with LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. 2. As the above suggests: 1stly it is all about the External environment: the Landscape, the site and the building. 3. This is because each home is different in many ways because of the location. 4. Imagine this: Some homes unfortunately is equivalent of a 4 door saloon. Some homes are even equivalent of a 30 year old run-down 1,000 cc car. So, even if one pathes the entire interior of the 4 walls with gold: CAN THAT HOME BE BOOSTED TO A BRAND NEW MERCEDES CAR? 5. With this in mind, this is why, sometimes, enhancing the interior can benefit from Feng Shui if the exterior is not that bad. But given the example above of a home that is like a run-down 1,000 cc car - no matter how much we do, we cannot enhance the house further. 6. The morale of the above story is that: "we have to consider the external FS or Location, location, location, first. 7. Applying Flying star Feng Shui:- This is where you wanted to know where is the wealth sector of your home: 8. In the past also, I had mentioned two major concepts:- 8.1 The three-step-approach Each Feng Shui concept has : 1. strengths and 2. weakness. and also we should understand the 3. the purpose of each concept. 8.2 All sectors in a home are very important: For example, in the past, I give an example that like any other disciplines weightage should be given to all sectors. Many of us had taken examinations before. For example: in an examination: it asks us to answer 5 questions out of say 10 questions. Each question = 20 marks each. Our teachers would normally ask us to ATTEMPT to answer ALL FIVE questions. Even if we do a wonderful job answering only 4 questions, but leaving out the last, we can still fall the examination! Feng Shui is also like that. We should try to maximize all sectors if possible. 8.3 If one has gone thru many of the messages in this forum, one can also apply Flying star to detect / enhance or neutralise elements in each sector. For example: #8 numbers are current wealth numbers and WS#8 is water wealth etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Doris, There are several dimensions of Feng Shui or degrees of "understanding" what is good or bad Feng Shui. For example: 1. Enhancing Qi Some Feng Shui actions or activities are to enhance qi or to boost qi in a home. For example such as activating #8 under Flying Star Feng Shui. Where especially #8 has to do with the current water wealth location. 2. Neutralising Sha Qi or Poison arrows There are also imbalances caused e.g. by a pointed roof aimed towards our home e.g. a lone street lamp slicing into our main entrance etc... 3. Commonsense approach to Feng Shui Fortunately, from what I can gather, yours has to do with a toilet above the main entrance door. This has much to do with "commonsense" that there is a higher probability that since the toilet is above the door and if the sewerage pipe(s) are located just above it, then, there could be an issue (not often) but a higher chance that it may leak downwards. Otherwise, generally, this third category is not the "worse" type of "bad" Feng Shui. It is equivalent of the idea that we should not have our bed above the kitchen. For "fear" that there is also a higher probabilty of a fire starting out in a kitchen, also. It is equivalent to the notion that some were told that it is not favourable to have the masterbedroom above the garage. For the same reason that in the unlikely-hood that if vehicle or car catches fire... the flames could reach the masterbedroom. Thus, as one can see, your concerns are associated with "commonsense approach" type of Feng Shui concerns or issues. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, You can actually click on the " ADVANCE SEARCH" on the top left hand side of this forum (just below the SEARCH button):- Step 1: Type in " beam " Step 2: Select the conference " Photo Tours of Interest with Pictures " Then, press to confirm and you should find several messages on "An alternative to a flute".... Go review several of these messages to find out what are the often used items e.g. a pair of flute or decorative arches etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Since it is a non-religious item (more towards decorative item), a simple "throw-away" would be acceptable. If you have a big plastic bag, simply place it into the bag, tie it up and throw it away. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Jean, Generally, there should not be an issue as each intermediate terrace has it's own space. And in Feng Shui, each intermediate terrace owns a site. And can be distinct from each other. The major concerns would be any water course e.g. large drain(s) on the side of the home or a large drainage behind the home etc... Nevertheless, each site should be considered separately and since often no two sites are the same, a proper FS assessment should be made specific to that plot of land. Thus what I had mentioned, now or in the past are general statements or general comments, only. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Tristan, In my opinion, the best way is to understand in-terms of "harmony with the environment". Or use Feng Shui on this primary basis, first. For example, we have our own birth-date and thus "birth-chart". The home or apartment also has it's own birth-chart. "It is said that we human beings must try to harmonize ourselves to our environment but not the other way around". Here, we must first "take care" of any imbalances in our environment. Thus under Feng Shui, we have two major schools: Shapes and Forms and Flying Star Feng Shui. Shapes and Forms Feng Shui would suggest that our house or block is on solid foundation. If we are at a hill, we have to make sure that the foundation - continues to be stable. And not just being stable at the point where we move-in. But, to be continously stable. A simple cutting down of trees or soil erosion can easily make a safe home, unsafe! For the interior of the home, we should first consider the "birth-chart" of the home e.g. using Flying star Feng Shui. For example, if under Ba Zi, a person is a weak metal person. And his or her best element is EARTH element (yellow, cream or beige). But because unfortunately, the bedroom has some nasty stars like #5 and or #2 and or #9 in combination, it would not be wise to enhance the bedroom with one's ba zi best elements. Here, it is a simple rule: " We must harmonise with our environment and not the other way around. " We cannot simply impose our "elements" onto the environment. If we apply this concept, I believe, one can easily understand or have a firm foundation ofthe degrees of either: MUST or BEST be done NICE to Have (Usually, it is nice to be able to match the home colours ot our Ba Zi or that this room is favourable to us under our Eight house chart etc..) Thus, sometimes it can be truly UNFORTUNATE if we stay in a "wrong" home where what would seemed NICE TO HAVEsometimes, we are unable to introduce such nice-to-have as it does not fit our environment i.e. the home. Some of us may be more fortunate because not only are we able to enjoy our MUST haves but we can equally apply our NICE-TO-HAVE's in our home. Not all can do this. This could perhaps explain that thisisanother reason why some people are RICHER while others are poorer. Often, the rich gets richer because, money does buy good Feng Shui! Or usually, with or without Feng Shui, try buying a home: Naturally, a person perhaps paying 2million dollars for a home will certainly get better Feng Shui because most of the time the frontage or other external shapes and forms may be better than say one who purchases a home that costs only 1/2 a million dollars. (This is a simple anaolgy - it could be the other way around if good Feng Shui is applied!). Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Judy, It is good that you review this three previous messages that had been posted in the forum:- Conference: Feng Shui Tips & Guidelines Part I - Facing direction of a home by: Cecil Lee (Cecil Lee, support@geomancy.net) on Thu, 22 Apr 2004 Part II - Facing direction of a home by: Cecil Lee (Cecil Lee, support@geomancy.net) on Thu, 22 Apr 2004 The easiest way is to go to the above conference and review the above three messages. It will certainly throw light to your question and hopefully give you clear and concise answers. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Angie, There are two sides of the coin to this:- 1. Generally, from a hobbist point of view, many things can affect the lifespan of fishes: such as the ph-level, water content, age of goldfish(es). 2. From a Feng Shui point-of-view, often, this is a blessing in disguise: as such deaths often are said to be 'sacrificial' to our own well-being. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Previously, I had posted information in this form on what to do for initial getting of keys and what to do during move-in. As both information are found under the same attachment: please click on the attachment to this forum message. Generally, Chinese has lots of dialect groups. Distinctively the major dialect groups: Cantonese and Hokkien "things-to-do" can be found in the above attachment.For other dialect groups; everythingelse comes in-between the best practises found in the file. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Further to what I had mentioned, below; In previous replies to your messages, I have mentioned that you can search for dates in early 2004. Thus, in the attached two screens, one can see that if one used the ADVANCED SEARCH feature on this forum, one can do a SEARCH either on Key Words e.g. Period 8 and/or enter date-range. I can literally "chop-off-my-head" if one cannot find messages pertaining to Period 8 or how-to fly to period eight within the pages mentioned above. For example, simply enter date range of say 1 Dec 2003 to 1 Mar 2004 as shown in the attachment. Warmest Regards, Cecil