We are glad to announce that we have relocated to London! We now serve clients in not only Asia but also London and South East England.
It’s been our pleasure to serve our readers and customers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southern China and Southeast Asia. In the future, we will continue working with our partners to meet the growing demand of authentic Feng Shui advice in these regions. Our relocation to the UK is a great step forward to share the knowledge and practice of traditional Feng Shui to more people.
What does it mean to the readers of the blog? We will continue to publish articles to share Feng Shui knowledge. What’s more, we are developing a completely new online Feng Shui course with content that is unmatched by other Feng Shui tutors. More details will be available in the coming months.
Zodiac Signs are tools to achieve harmony in energy. How? Read this to find out.
In the last article I have briefly introduced the 12 Asian zodiac signs and their origin. This time, we shall see how they are used in the calendar system and why they are so important in Feng Shui and fortune telling.
Zodiac Signs in the Calendar
In the Feng Shui calendar system, there are 12 Earthly Branches (地支). Each Earthly Branch correspond to one of the 12 zodiac signs.
You probably know that this year (2020) is the Year of the Rat. This comes from the fact that this is a Zi year (子年) in the 12 Earthly Branch cycle. Whenever it is a Zi year, it is the Year of the Rat. The year after Zi must be Chou year (丑年), which is the Year of the Ox.
The Earthly Branches are also used to represent years. In the Gregorian calendar, there are 365 days in 12 months in a year. In the Feng Shui calendar, there are also 12 months, each represented by a Earthly Branch.
The Feng Shui calendar system is not the same as the lunar calendar that the so called “Lunar New Year” or “Chinese New Year” is based on. The lunar calendar is mainly based on the moon, a lunar month lasts for 29 to 30 days only.
On the other hand, in the Feng Shui calendar system, a month lasts for around 30 days. As seen from the earth, the sun moves around the earth and completes a cycle in a year. If we divide this orbit into 12 zones, each zone is a Feng Shui month.
The first month of a year in Feng Shui calendar, which begins in early February each year (usually the fourth day of February), is called the Yin month (寅月). Yin corresponds to the Tiger sign. The next month is Mou month (卯月), which corresponds to the Rabbit sign.
The 12 Earthly Branches and the corresponding 12 zodiac signs are also used in the next two lower levels of calendar and time system, i.e. day and hour.
There is a 12 Earthly Branch cycle of days, from Zi day (the Rat day) to Hai day (the Pig day). The 24 hours in a day are also represented by the 12 Earthly Branches, each consists of two hours. The Zi hours starts from 23:00 to 00:59 the next day, the Chou hours begins from 01:00 to 02:59. The Wu hours (午時) is from 11:00 to 12:59, it spans over the noon, this is why the word Wu (午) also means “noon” in Chinese.
The Importance of the Earthly Branches and Zodiac Signs
The Earthly Branches are important, not only because they represent the time but also because they are related to the natural cycle of energy change.
In a day, midnight is when the sun is right below the ground, down at the bottom. At noon, the sun is up on top of the sky, directly above us. The sun’s energy as felt by people should be the weakest and the strongest respectively. The magnitude of the solar energy changes from one extreme to another in the hours between midnight and noon. So the solar energy gradually increases from midnight (Zi hours) to noon (Wu hours), then diminishes from noon (Wu hours) to midnight (Zi hours). This cycle repeats everyday.
The same goes for the energy change in a year. Zi month is around December in the Northern Hemisphere. It is almost the end of Winter, an absolutely cold time.
On the other hand, Wu month is around June, in the Northern Hemisphere, which is in summertime. The 12 Earthly Branches represents the change of solar energy in a year, as felt on the earth.
The birth chart of a person, in the form of Bazi, consists of four Earthly Branches and four Heavenly Stems (天干). We can tell if a person’s energy is balanced by checking the Earthly Branches and Heavenly Stems.
Then how about Zodiac Signs? As they are the signs of the Earthly Branches, Feng Shui masters could use them to restore balance of a person’s energy. For example, if the Fire element is favourable to a person, he may consider wearing a horse-shaped pendant (horse equals to the Wu Earthly Branch) on a necklace to increase his level of “Fire” energy.
Likewise, the zodiac signs could also be used in a house to improvement the Feng Shui. Of course, expert advice by a Feng Shui master is need when doing so.
Now you know why Zodiac Signs are not only important in Asian culture but also significant in Feng Shui and fortune-telling. They are tools to achieve harmony in energy.
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Doormat and rug are commonly used in interior design. They serve both functional and aesthetically purposes. A good looking doormat or rug could help to keep your house clean and make it beautiful.
Yet, do you know doormat and rug could also bring bad effects in Feng Shui?
The effects of mats and rugs mainly come from the shape and colour. We shall examine these two factors one by one, but before that, let’s know a little more about Flying Star Feng Shui.
The Bad Feng Shui Flying Stars
Some shapes and colours could contribute to bad Feng Shui that could affect health. It is all related to the Five Elements (WuXing) attribute of the Flying Stars.
According to traditional Feng Shui theories, there are some bad Flying Stars that could affect people if they are located in some critical locations in a house, e.g. the main entrance, kitchen, toilet and bedroom.
These bad Flying Stars belong to the Earth element. If there is any stuff belonging to the Earth element that is co-located with these Flying Stars, the power of these bad boys could be magnified.
In addition, stuff of the Fire element could also have similar effect, since the Fire element generates Earth element.
Another element that may be bad in this context is Wood. If you have some basic ideas about the Five Elements theory, you may wonder why, as the Wood element depletes Earth.
Yes, in a sense Wood depletes Earth. Trees consume the nutrients in soil. However, wood could also penetrate into soil, which is seen as the Wood element adversely affecting Earth.
When doing Feng Shui, if we want to restrict the power of the Earth element, it is prudent to avoid the Wood element. Although Wood could overcome Earth, the vigorous battle between the two elements may cause undesirable effects. It is just like pouring water onto fire, the water may put out fire, but rapid release of smoke and steam, which are also harmful, may be resulted.
Shapes and Feng Shui
So, what are the shapes that could magnify the bad effects of the bad Flying Stars? The earthy shapes do, like square and rectangle.
Another shape that could add to the bad effects of the negative Flying Stars is triangle, which belong to the Fire element.
Since Wood could interact with Earth in an undesirable way, the long and narrow rectangular shape is not preferred too.
On the other hand, circle and shapes with curves and round corners are relatively safe.
Colours and Feng Shui
Similarly, colours of the Wood, Earth or Fire element could also build up the power of the bad Flying Stars. These colours are green (Wood), yellow and brown (Earth) and red, orange and purple (Fire).
On the other hand, white, grey, black, silver and gold are more preferred colours in respect of mats and rugs at home.
A Real Case
I have a friend who moved to a new apartment in 2012. He placed a lime-coloured rug in the living room. He chose this colour because it’s so refreshing.
Not long after he moved into his new home, his wife had started to develop eczema. Medical treatment was applied. At my advice he also removed the rug. The symptoms had finally improved.
The Take Away
I must stress that the above recommendations about shapes and colours could be considered together with an analysis of the natal Flying Star chart of the house. If a red rectangular rug is placed in the living room but there is no bad Flying Star in this location, bad effects may not be observed.
Yet, since most people do not have the ability to analyse Feng Shui by themselves, it is advisable to avoid the non-preferred shapes and colours.
In the case when you cannot completely avoid it, for example, the use of a rectangular rug under a rectangular tea table (it would be strange to use a circular rug here), at least stay away from the colours belonging to the Wood, Earth and Fire elements.
That’s all for this Patreon-only Feng Shui newsletter. See you next time, until then, stay health and happy!
Explaining the bad effects of roads in Feng Shui with a real case. Avoid residences with busy roads nearby!
We examined the nature of roads in Feng Shui in the last article. This time, let’s go into details of the bad effects of roads.
Pollution is Bad Feng Shui
The busier a road, the greater the noise that it brings. We all know that roads are sources of noise pollution. Roads with busy traffic are especially annoying.
Another by-product of vehicular traffic is exhaust gas. Needless to say, the exhaust is bad to health.
According to Feng Shui theories, noise and air pollution are “Sha”, i.e. bad Feng Shui. The presence of noise and bad air could cause bad Feng Shui that affects health. If the source of pollution is located in a direction where the bad flying stars are located, the consequences would be even worse.
A Real Case
I have came across a real case, in which a young guy lived in a housing estate in Hong Kong. There was a busy highway outside his building. This highway was very close to this gentleman’s home, just outside the windows of the living room, and this was where the bad Flying Stars located. He had absolutely no problem with making money after he moved into this home, but his health got worse over time. Two years later, he was diagnosed with cancer.
I think it could be fairly say that, even if the highway did not cause any Feng Shui problem, the noise and waste gas emitted by the vehicles had adversely affected the health of the occupants in this building. From Feng Shui point of view, the power of bad flying stars could add to the adverse effects and may contributed to the health problems faced by the occupants, if any.
Now you know, roads are usually not good for health from Feng Shui point of view. If possible, choose a residence that is not close to any busy roads.
Some say roads mean water and bring wealth in Feng Shui? Is it true? Let me tell you.
Many people, particularly Chinese, consider roads as good things in Feng Shui. Most of them think that roads could bring money, so it is good to have roads near home. Is it true? Let’s find out.
So why do modern people think that roads mean water? I guess the analogy comes from the fact that there are vehicles running on the road, just like boats moving in the water.
This is an unfortunate mistake. The power of water does not come from its ability to move objects. It’s the energy in the water that matters. Roads do not have the same energy, that’s why ancient Feng Shui masters did not regard roads the same as water.
Road Means Water?
In ancient times there was no motor vehicle. Transportation was done either by boat in the seas, rivers or canals or by vehicles drawn by horses. However, ancient Feng Shui books only mentioned the “real” water as a symbol of wealth. The Feng Shui measures implemented by the masters in the past were most related to “real” water, not vehicles or roads.
Water Means Money?
Even for water, it does not mean wealth all the time. In most occasions, water is related to money. However, Water is also a source of power, if it is used improperly, it would bring bad luck instead of fortune.
We have seen many real cases recorded in Feng Shui books written in hundreds or even thousands of years ago, in which bad happenings were brought by water found in the wrong place and in the wrong form.
I hope this article helps to explain why roads should not be considered as water in Feng Shui. In the next article, we shall discuss what roads actually mean in Feng Shui. In fact, roads could be quite bad in Feng Shui. Wonder how and why? I’ll explain in the next article!
Metal bells have been used by monks to treat prayers’ health problems. This article explains why and how you could do it at home.
Have you ever wondered why there are usually big bronze bells in temples in Japan and China? Apart from religious reasons, these bells could also be justified by Feng Shui theories. Let me tell you why.
Metal is Medicine for Many Feng Shui Problems
According to traditional Feng Shui theories, many bad Feng Shui issues are related to Earth, one of the five elements. For example, among the nine flying stars, the two bad stars have the Earth character.
Wood is the element that “attacks” the Earth element. Should we use Wood to combat Earth? The answer is no. When Wood meets Earth, it is similar to a war between two armies. The Wood may be strong enough to combat Earth but just like all wars, damage would be inevitably caused.
This is why the best treatment to the problems caused by these flying stars is to relieve instead of “attack” them. Earth produces Metal, says the traditional Feng Shui theories. Using metal is just like depleting the Earth element. For this reason, many Feng Shui masters suggest their clients use metal whenever Feng Shui problems arise.
Bronze Bells Could Treat Bad Feng Shui
Traditionally, temples were the place where many people pray for good health. As I mentioned in my last article, it would be difficult to do Feng Shui if the orientation and layout of the house was known. The monks wanted to help but they did not know the orientation and layout of the prayers’ houses. So, the monks placed large bronze bells in the temples, so that payers could ring these bells and get rid of their health problems.
Bronze bells in a temple
How to Use Metal in Modern Homes
If you encounter health problems, you should consult medical doctors. Yet, as an additional way to help, you could consider using metal. Try placing metal bells or wind chimes beside your bed, and make them sound frequently. If your health problem is caused by the flying stars of the Earth element, the power of the metal may improve the Feng Shui.
A true life example of a client making improvement in health condition just by making a small change at home. The rationale behind is explained.
You think Feng Shui is difficult to apply? Think again.
This is a recent case. My client who suffered from migraine for years that she could hardly have restful sleep. She consulted a few doctors, took medicine as instructed, yet the symptoms were not relieved.
She then turned to alternative treatments. She tried aroma therapy and acupuncture. She felt less painful but the problems could not be completely removed.
She was introduced by her friend who was my client. As she lived abroad and could not provide the basic information required, such as floor plans and the orientation of the house measured with a compass, I could not formally offer Feng Shui advices.
Small Changes to Living Environment
Nevertheless, I asked her to at least try to make some changes to her living space. She then moved her bed within her room, from beside the wall to the near the windows.
One month later, she texted me and said her migraine symptoms were much improved. If this could be considered as a success brought by Feng Shui, what actually helped her?
Feng Shui Brings Chi Improvement
Let me explain what difference a simple change in your home settings could bring to the Feng Shui of your home.
According to traditional Feng Shui theories, good and bad Chi (energy) could be found in different directions inside your home. We call these directions “mansions”. Some calculations are required to find out the whereabouts of the good and the bad, all based on measurements by using a compass.
If we could not use a compass, there is no way we accurately tell which mansion is good and which is bad. Yet, by relocating the furniture within your home, you may have moved the furniture from one mansion to another. If a health issue is related to a mansion with bad Chi, moving your bed to another mansion with relatively better Chi could help.
Besides, the orientation of a person lying on the bed also affects the health. Just like your house, your body’s orientation affects how you interacts with the energy in the environment. So, even if you cannot relocate your bed, say the bedroom is too small, try turning yourself 180 degrees, so that your feet (instead of your head) point to the headboard of the bed. This changes your body’s orientation when on bed, and may potentially improve the your Chi.
I would like to remind you that, no body can tell if such simple changes could solve health problems, unless an accurate measurement of the orientation of your home is obtained. Yet, if you suffer from health problems that could not be solved after medical treatment, it may worth to try to make small changes to your living space. Even if it does not work, you could reinstate everything.
In the coming Year of the Rat, East is the worst direction. A bad flying star will move to the East. This notorious flying star is related to disaster, disease and bad luck.
Another Bad Feng Shui Direction – South
In 2020, another bad flying star will occupy the Southern direction. The nature of this flying star is similar to the previously mentioned one but the magnitude of the bad energy is lower.
Do’s
If the main entrance is in the Eastern or Southern corner or facade of your house, you may place six or seven metal coins nearby. The bad energy belongs to the Earth element, metal could be used to reduce the impact of the bad flying star.
If the toilet, kitchen or bedroom in your house is in either one of these two bad Feng Shui corners, in the coming Year of the Rat you should place the metal coins in these places.
Don’ts
A new year deserves a facelift of your house but remember, avoid carrying out building works in these two bad Feng Shui directions.
If works are unavoidable, for example a repair of spalled concrete is needed, try to begin the works in other directions and gradually extend to the bad Feng Shui areas. You may also place six or seven metal coins in the working area to use metal to reduce the impact of the bad flying stars.
Next time, we shall begin to examine the do’s and don’ts of people of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Hopefully with good Feng Shui at home as well as good perfonal energy, your 2020 Year of the Rat will be a prosperous year!
Explains which direction has the best energy in Feng Shui in 2020 the Year of the Rat.
Welcome to 2020! As the Year of the Rat is coming soon, many people are eager to know how to boost their luck. Same as previous years, I shall explain what you should be aware of when doing Feng Shui in this year.
The Best Feng Shui Direction in 2020 Year of the Rat
According to traditional Feng Shui theory, there are nine flying stars that occupy the eight directions and the centre mansion. They change their locations every year. By knowing the whereabouts of the stars with good and bad energy, we know which directions are good and bad.
In 2020 the Year of the Rat, the direction where the star with the best energy occupies is Northwest.
Do’s
If the entrance of your house is in the Northwest corner or facade of your house, congratulations, it means that you have a chance of having a good year!
If your bedroom or study room is in the Northwest corner, it is also good Feng Shui.
Don’ts
Please note, however, that you should also check the natal chart of your house. If there are bad flying stars in this direction, you may have a mixed experience of good and bad luck in this year.
Besides, if the toilet is in this corner, the bad energy of the toilet may also be triggered. If this happens in your house, try placing six or seven metal coins in the toilet to reduce the effect of the bad energy.
In our next post, we shall examine the bad feng shui directions in 2020 the Year of the Rat and how you could deal with them.
There are many little tweaks that you can apply to your home to make it better. Today I am going to introduce a simple yet important thing, i.e. to avoid sharp edges and corners.
Sharp Corners are Bad Sha
In traditional Feng Shui theories, Sha is how we call bad energy. A very common Sha in modern buildings is sharp edges and corners.
Sharp corner is Feng Shui Sha
In Hong Kong, the city where I live, architects used to avoid sharp corners on the external walls of buildings. The reason was that round corners look better. Besides, pointing a sharp corner to your neighbour was not a friendly act.
Round corner is better
Unfortunately, this is a tradition that is no longer appreciated by modern building designers. Sharp corners do not look good, and they cause bad energy. If you can see a big sharp corner of another building right outside your window, chances are that corner is causing negative effect on the health of your family members.
Sharp Edges are Bad Too
Similarly, sharp edges outside and inside your house are also not good. It is quite common to find beams with sharp edges on the ceiling soffit. This is bad if found in bedroom. Even worse if the beam is located right above your head. Health problem of is prone to be caused.
The Remedies Remedies
So what can you do if you find sharp edges or corners?
Try to cover them up. You may build a false ceiling to hide sharp beams. For sharp corners outside your window, it make good use of window curtains.
Try to avoid sleeping in a room with sharp corners and beams. If it is unavoidable, at least do not allow your bed to be faced by them.
Hope the above tips help! Like our Facebook page to receive more Feng Shui Tips.
We have reviewed the best direction and the worst direction in 2018. This time, let’s talk about some miscellaneous things you need to take care of.
The San-Sha You Should Avoid
San-Sha means “the Three Killings” in Chinese. It is associated with bad luck, particularly in the business and career aspect. In Chinese, we usually say a bad position in the company is a “San-Sha Position”.
In 2018 the Year of the Dog, the San-Sha direction is North. If your desk or room is in the Northern corner of the office, chances are you may face challenges in this year. Things that are usually pieces of cake may become unmanageable in 2018.
The Tai-Shui You Should Respect
Tai-Shui means the “God of the Year”. In 2018, the Tai-Shui direction is Northwest. Same as the worst direction in 2018, you should avoid carrying out any demolition or building works in this direction.
If you were born in the Year of the Dog, you would be the first among all people in the same building to experience the bad energy, if there is any building works in this direction in the building. If the building’s door opens into Northeast, it is also not good for occupiers who were born in the Year of the Dog.
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to counteract the bad energy of San-Sha and Tai-Shui. Be patient and well plan before you take action is the best advice a Feng Shui master could give.
Again, please be reminded that the above takes effect in Spring, i.e. usually on 4 February every year, since Spring marks the beginning of a year according to Chinese Feng Shui theory.
Last time we examined the worst Feng Shui direction in 2018, this time, let’s talk about the good direction. Each year, the Flying Stars locate in different directions. By knowing the whereabouts of the Flying Stars, we know the disposition of good and bad energy.
Best Feng Shui Direction in 2018
Southeast is the direction with the best energy in the coming Year of the Dog. The Flying Star in this direction has the strongest energy that brings luck, joy and prosperity.
Now, the problem is, what should you do to make the most out of this direction? Well, if the entrance door of your house is in the Southeast side, then you don’t need to do anything to take advantage of it. As you open and close the door everyday, the dynamic energy could give enough push to the prevailing Flying Star.
Similarly, if there is a water fountain in this direction, you could also expect to see some good influence. Water is associated with wealth. The use of a water fountain, with water flowing every second, has very good effect on the Feng Shui energy.
What Not to Do in this Feng Shui Direction in 2018
You should avoid affecting the Flying Star in this direction in a negative way. For example, it is advisable not to carry out demolition or building works in this direction. Besides, if the toilet or kitchen is in this direction, the Flying Star may be adversely affected. This is because the toilet and kitchen are where the water closet and stove are located. The dirty water and fire could reduce the positive energy of the Flying Star.
New Year Begins in Spring
Remember, according to Chinese Feng Shui theory, the new year begins in Spring, which is usually on the 4 February every year. What mentioned above are effective from that day onward.
