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I have made my annual predictions public since 2004. It has become part of my yearly research and advice to my students from all over the world. People have emailed me and told me they are eagerly awaiting the release of my predictions each year.

The year of the Dog will be replaced by the year of the Pig based on the 12 Chinese Zodiac sign sequence. The Chinese custom will celebrate New Year on the first day of the year based on the lunar calendar; however Feng Shui and Bazi will start the New Year on February 4, 2007 based on the solar calendar.

Every year, it’s very nerve-racking for me to write up the prediction; sometimes I just hope my more ominous predictions aren’t right! I sincerely hope everyone will have a prosperous year with no major setbacks and surprises with my prediction.

Year 2007 is the year of the Pig, Ding Hai year, the yearly hexagram is Jin gua, the annual flying star in the central palace is #2, the annual Shen Shas which can cause trouble are San Sha in the West, Li Shi in the Northeast.

Jin gua is the 35th hexagram in Yi Jing, Li trigram on top of Kun trigram, the bright Sun is shining upon the Earth. Jin Gua is a hexagram which means advancing forward and moving upward.

This year, it will be important for those government officials to show their patriotic duties to stabilise the uncertainty, to manage the state affairs for the benefit of the people. They will be rewarded for their righteous effort. It will be important to understand if you take your responsibility seriously, you will be rewarded, recognised and promoted in your career.

The teaching of Jin gua is the moral principle we must adhere to when we are taking measures to advance and to achieve our personal goals. We must act like the Sun, shining and warming those under us and work for the benefit of everyone. When we make the advance, our motive must be righteous without any personal selfishness. If we follow the moral principle we will feel peace at heart even in difficult times. Don’t worry about winning or losing, you will succeed as long as you can adhere to the moral principle.

Before we think of advancement, we must gain the trust and support of the general public; don’t rely on luck, don’t let your insatiable greediness overtake your conscience, you must have a detailed plan, you must proceed with care.

The outlook for the year based on the yearly Jin hexagram and its yao changes according to Huang Zhi Qing Shi.

January and February - difficulties, a breakthrough and solution is needed.

March and April - lack of results, unfinished business.

May and June - travelling, visitors, changes, uncertainty and instabilities.

July and August - peeling off, erosion from within with danger of collapsing.

September and October - blockage, the honest good guys are losing and the bad guys are laughing.

November and December - happiness, jubilation and preparation for events to come.

Wars, terrorism, unrest and demonstrations have occupied and affected our daily life since the turn of the century. Active conflicts continue around the world, including civic wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chechnya, Somalia, Senegal, Colombia and Sudan and continued turmoil from 9/11, the Afghanistan and Iraq Invasions, the Arab and Israeli conflicts and the nuclear crisis in Iran and North Korea.

There are a lot of similarities between 1939 – 1945 and 2001 – 2007. September 1939 was the beginning of World War II in Europe. September 2001, was 9/11 and the beginning of the War on Terrorism. The yearly hexagrams are:

1939/2001 Jian gua (Xun/Gen)

1940/2002 Jian gua (Kan/Gen)

1941/2003 Gen gua (Gen/Gen)

1942/2004 Qian gua (Kun/Gen)

1943/2005 Pi gua (Qian/Kun)

1944/2006 Cui gua (Dui/Kun)

1945/2007 Jin gua (Li/Kun)

In August 1945, the US detonated an atomic bomb over the city of Nagasaki, Japan. September 1945, the World War II ended.

It is worrisome that we might see a nuclear bomb detonated on a city to end the lingering wars we have today. With the annual 5 and Li Shi both in the Northeast, it’s troubling to note that North Korea is situated in Northeast Asia and Iran and Afghanistan are situated in Northeast Africa/Middle East. I hope the wars and conflicts will end with a peaceful solution, not a nuclear bomb.

From the Bazi point of view, Ding Hai year is fire over water, it’s a Wei Ji gua which indicates incompletion.

Hai is Zheng Kuan to Ding, Ding is Zheng Tsai to Hai, with the hidden combination of Ding and Hai (Ren), there can be corruption between government officials and businesses.

Hai is one of the 4 horses associated with movement and travelling, be careful with driving. Travel agents may be busy especially with cruise ships.

For those born in Wei year (Ram), Mao year (Rabbit), Yin year (Tiger) and Si year (Snake), there is a possibility of residence change.

For those born in Wei hour (1-3 pm), Mao hour (5-7 am), Hai hour (9-11 pm) or Yin hour (3-5 am), you may see good results in your examination or career.

From the Zi Wei Dou Shu point of view, the annual Wealth palace will be in Wei and the Career palace will be in Yin so you can place your picture and a piggy bank in these two sectors of your house to activate the wealth and career.

With San Sha in the West this year, we need to pay attention to the respiratory, immune system and kidney illnesses, especially young women and girls.

Extreme care should be used if you try to disturb the West, it can bring about tragedies as serious as death and bankruptcy. Be careful if the house door or bedroom is located in the West, or if there is any disturbance, or outside sharp object or sha qi coming from the West.

To minimize the “San Sha” effect, you can place a real plant or tree in the Western sector inside or outside the house, you can also put a little bucket of water and 3 metal Kiluns (facing West) together with the tree. (There is a high level Feng Shui technique “Fighting the San Sha” to bring in money, contact me if you need such a service to turn a difficult situation around).

2007 will feature another seldom talked about shen sha in Feng Shui. This year the “Li Shi” will be colliding with the annual star 5 yellow in the Northeast.

Extreme care should be exercised if you decide to disturb the Northeast; it can bring death to the male owner or young male of the house. Equipment placed in the Northeast sector may run into problems easily. Be careful if the house door or bedroom is located in the Northeast, or if there is any disturbance, outside sharp object or sha qi coming from the Northeast.

Tai Sui will be in Hai Northwest, simply placing a pair of Kilun facing Northwest may help to guard against the bad energy from that direction.

This year’s annual Flying Star chart will have number 2 in the centre, 3 in the Northwest, 4 in the West, 5 in the Northeast, 6 in the South, 7 in the North, 8 in the Southwest, 9 in the East and 1 in the Southeast.

Every home can be a safer home if we know how to deal with the yearly stars and shen sha and avoid doing the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is better to be prepared than sorry later.

To minimize the annual 5 yellow in the Northeast, the “salt water and coins” cure can be used.

To minimize the annual 2 black to avoid sickness, simply place a metal calabash in the centre of the house.

To minimize the annual 3 jade-green to avoid arguments and being emotional, put something red in the Northwest.

To minimize the annual 7 red to avoid lawsuits, put something blue in the North.

The Southwest will be the best sector in 2007 with the annual 8 white, simply put a citron crystal there for a better year financially.

Put 4 stalks of Chinese lucky bamboo or a plant in the Southeast to enhance the possibility of career advancement, improved academic studies or heightened romance.

Put a glass of water in the West for the possibility of career advancement, improved academic studies or heightened romance.

Putting a plant in the East can bring about events for celebration.

Wishing everyone a prosperous, successful and safe 2007.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright by Peter Leung. http://www.fengshuisos.com/

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The Dragon is the animal guardian spirit of the east and can be symbolic of helpful people. Because the east represents wood, we use dragons made of metal which strengthens water, which in turn nourishes the wood. It is said that “without water the dragon is only a dead fish.”

The Dragon should be placed on the left hand side of the inside of the house when standing inside the house looking out at the facing. It should be placed at an angle facing slightly inward to symbolize the protection of the dragon energy of the east, embracing you. It is also helpful to make a small tai chi at your desk, by placing a dragon on the left at an embracing angle, and the Ki Lun on the right. At the doorway of your home or at your desk, the dragon should be placed at a higher level than the Ki Lun.

Ki Lun

Ki Lun is a pair of gentle creatures that can be used in place of the wilder more threatening Tiger. The idea is to face the paws out to grab the money and pull it inside. The Ki Lun can be used to counteract the negative effects of the 5 Yellow star, the yearly San Sha, and Tai Sui. Inside your house, place them at the right hand side of the front, facing slightly inward to symbolize the protection of the (Tiger) energy of the west, embracing you. At your desk make a small tai chi by placing a pair of Ki Lun at the right hand side on an angle facing slightly inward to symbolize the protection of the Tiger energy of the west, embracing you, and placing a Dragon on the left hand side.

Dragon Headed Tortoise

If there is no actual physical structure behind your home to give it support from the back, place this symbolic animal at the back wall of your home, preferably the sitting direction, with his head pointing towards you, not outside. If you are sitting at your desk and are unable to have a wall behind you when seated, you can place this animal on a ledge or shelf or on the floor behind you. It can give you “backing” and protect you from back stabbing and office politics.

Legged Toad

This remedy should be looking inside the house, never out towards a door or a window. Metal is always used to cancel the harmful energies of the 5 Yellow Star. The metal 3 legged toad also thrives on eating “poison” so it can be used to correct inauspicious areas where the 5 Yellow star combines with either the 9 Purple star, the 7 Red star, or where they combine altogether.

Green Elephant

This remedy is for opening the lines of communication. We place the elephant on its side, because the elephant has the exceptional ability to hear for many miles but only when his ear is to the ground. Lay an elephant on its side on a table in your living room, or by your telephone or computer keyboard for better communication.

The color Green relates to the liver which when out of balance can cause us to feel anger. Green is also the color of calming and soothing green pastures. This remedy can be used in a room with the 2 Black star or with the 2 Black and 3 Green flying star combination.

Abacus

This unique Feng Shui cure is used to protect you from outside sha that is facing you, or anything that you do not want to see, such as sharp corners coming at you. Instead of mirroring back any bad energies to someone else, the Abacus can be used to create a symbolic forest in front of you for protection.

The Abacus is divided into two sections. The beads on the top have a value of 5. The beads on the bottom have a value of 1. We must arrange and affix the beads in the middle, to create alternating values of 3 and 8 all the way across the abacus. When the numbers 3 and 8 come together they combine to represent wood, or a “forest.”

Calabash

Also called Wu Luo, this special metal gourd is used to protect our health. It should be open on the top in order to attract and trap any negative energies in locations where the 2 Black flying star has arrived. A calabash can also be placed in each bedroom of your home on a bedside table.

Pagoda

This Feng Shui remedy enhances our ability to study. It can be placed on the student’s desk, or in a room that contains the combination of the 1 White and 4 Green flying stars, or in the Southeast direction of the house.

Emperor Coin Set

This ancient coin set prevents the qi from running from a staircase straight out the door. Place these coins beneath the carpet at the threshold of the steps, or under the doormat at the entrance of your house. You can also carry these special coins in your wallet or your pocket for personal protection.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright by Peter Leung. http://www.fengshuisos.com/

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“Water” is shallow, people will be poor

“Water” is deep, people will be wealthy

“Water” is assembled and collected, the population will increase

“Water” is dispersed, the population will decrease

When comparing the presence of “Mountain” and “Water” in any location we will find that a “political capital” will have more mountainous presence than water. On the other hand, a “financial capital” will have less mountainous presence than water. With only mountain but no water, the people will be cruel, truculent, ferocious, poor and lacking. With only water but no mountain, the people will be arrogant with haughty manner, indulge in luxurious, debauchery/erotic lifestyle. We need the balance of “Mountain” and “Water” in Feng Shui.

Mountain should not be rocky, rugged and unpleasant. Water should be deep, broad, clean, clear, slow flowing, roaming, weaving, gathering, curvy and incoming to be considered for wealth, abundance, prosperity and good fortune in the practice of Feng Shui.

One fundamental tenet of Feng Shui is that qi is circulated by gentle breezes, dispersed by wind, guided by mountains and landforms, and stops at the boundary of water. Water collects and retains qi, the vital life force necessary for well being. Water is yang in relation to mountain, which is yin. The nature of the water element is to nurture and sustain.

For good fortune to manifest, water must activate the appropriate energies, sometimes working in concert with a supporting enhancement in a secondary location. Misfortune may arise when water is placed improperly. Various methods of water placement exist. Some practices are widely known, while others remain closely guarded secrets. The methods presented in our course emphasize the latter. Castle Gate, Mountain and Water Dragon Fan Gua, Jiu Xing Water methods are highly potent techniques, yet the steps to implementation are rarely revealed in the West.

A prior understanding of Xuan Kong Feng Shui is essential to the accurate and most effective employment of the methodologies that are taught. However, the appendix section contains charts and information on the 24 mountains, the He Tu arrangement of the trigrams (bagua), the Nine Eras and other relevant material for ready reference. It is recommended that the choice of direction for water placement at a site be in accord with as many techniques as possible.

Use these secrets wisely, taking note of any cautionary rules.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright by Peter Leung. http://www.fengshuisos.com/

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From medical TCM pathology, it is a liver/stomach problem or heart/kidney problem. If we are researching from a 4P perspective, Wood, Earth should be the vital elements we look at. If we can get a hold of records from mental health care professionals, we maybe able to do further research on this.

From the Form School angle, I would look up at the ceilings above the head of the bed for low, slanted ceilings, too bright or too dark ceilings, coffin ceilings, children bunk bed and exposed beams. I would avoid having these above my bed.

I would look at the bed as well; a lot of people place their beds at an angle because of the favorable direction theory they have learned in 8 House. I would rather see the headboard solidly against a solid wall and away from any electrical sockets. I have seen cases where the headboard is nowhere near a solid wall and the occupant of the bed has had troubled sleep.

I would also look under the bed to see what is underneath it. You can store soft materials like clothing, but avoid putting any mirrors under a bed, or any picture or object that’s associated with movement.

Outside of the house, I would check the SE to see if any sha chi coming from that direction, especially linked triangular shaped objects.

From Flying Stars, I would pay attention to the number “4″, such as 3/4 or 4/8 combinations. Sometimes you can look at 5/9 or 2/7/4/9 combination.

From 8 House, I would look into “Men Chu - Liu Sha” for mental instability.

From face reading, I would pay attention to the eyes and face shape.

From palm reading, I would look for little red/white dotted palm (liver palm), boney hands/fingers especially the outer edge of the thumb, or the head line sloping downward toward the Qian palace (the opposite side of the thumb).

About the Author and Permission

Copyright by Peter Leung. http://www.fengshuisos.com/

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1. Does symmetry = balance?

I have seen many floor plans where the architect deliberately placed doorways or windows directly opposite each other. Sometimes there is a whole succession of windows along a wall, and the opposite wall will be a mirror image. I have seen entrances or exterior facades where columns, hedges, and pathways create long straight lines toward a main door. In looking at these designs, the symmetry is obvious. But from a Feng Shui stand point, this is not necessarily harmonious or balanced. Think about nature, and winding meandering paths through gardens, and groupings in odd numbers. This is very different than the perfect pairing of windows, doors, or other architectural features. Two windows exactly opposite each other may feel like balance through symmetry from a designer’s training. But this arrangement allows for ch’i (air currents) to either move too quickly through a room and/or the room leaks its vitality too soon.
2. High ceilings:

A room may feel dramatic and larger (intended effect) when the ceilings are high. Most people initially feel good in this kind of room. But the function of the room will determine the appropriateness of high ceilings in Feng Shui theory. It may be hard to concentrate in a room with high ceilings, and it may be difficult to get good sleep as well. Sometimes the good energies which need to be cozy and contained in a small room, will get dissipated in a room with high ceilings.
3. Beams:

The look of exposed beams can also bring personality to a room from a design point. But open beams in a bedroom are known to cause health and relationship problems in Feng Shui theory (in all schools of Feng Shui.)
4.Views from front to back:

A major selling feature in many homes is to create a spectacular view from the entrance, all the way through to the back (showing a garden, or views of a valley or ocean.) But this is not the home you will sell to an adherent of Feng Shui. Once again, the premise is that incoming energy will make a bee-line for the back, escaping too quickly. The mundane result of a house losing its energy is that the occupants will have a hard time saving their money.
5. Angles and odd shapes:

When a building or a single room has an odd shape, (not a square or rectangle) this can make the ch’i boomerang around the room, causing lack of focus, ill health, or arguments. I have often been in very odd-shaped buildings or houses, where the real orientation (of what is the front and what is the back) is also very confusing. Just because a building looks striking from afar doesn’t mean it is a comfortable place to work in. I once saw the design for a new building by some famous architect and it honestly looked like a crumpled piece of paper! This can’t possibly be good Feng Shui. **Keep in mind: there are some buildings which get classified as being good for money, but not good for health and relationships. The ideal is to create a building that is good for both, but given a choice, the priority should be more in favor of people over money.
6. Staircases:

Sometimes the design of a grand, swirling staircase can make a huge statement for the room or entrance. But energetically, a staircase is a conduit for energy. It will swirl and activate whatever it is around. If the stairs are located in a positive section of a building, they can make it even more positive. If they happen to be in a bad location, then the movement they stir up will only further irritate the area. This can only be understood by Feng Shui practitioners who can calculate the “unseen” influences.
7.Aesthetics:

Sometimes a home or commercial property just looks and feels great, and all the visual features are in sync with good Feng Shui principles as well. But every structure has been built facing a particular compass degree, and within a certain time frame, and those two coordinates may produce a house-type that can attract tremendous misfortune, even though it “looks” good. This is the level of Feng Shui that architects find most startling. How could it be that their gorgeous new home can create lawsuits? Or miscarriage? Or accidents? Or divorce?

The good news is that more and more architects are considering working with Feng Shui practitioners, so that the blending of their talents can truly create a superior space– visually, functionally and energetically.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2002 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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Right now there are not a lot of houses which specifically need the Wood element to correct the Flying Star combination of elements in a room. (Unseen influences). But here is an example of where a live plant may be helpful: A house which was built between 1944-1963 AND facing North or South, will have energy at its center which translates: water dominating fire. The way to mitigate this imbalance is to weaken water and strengthen fire and it is done with the Wood element. (Wood makes fire stronger.)

If someone had a floor plan, where the center of the house was open enough to place a live plant (big hallway, living room, etc.), then a plant may help with this imbalance. The problems which can result from water dominating fire include heart or eye problems. Some practitioners debate about whether or not you can treat the center of a structure, unlike other directional areas of the floor plan, but it certainly can t hurt!

Large, tall trees behind or in front of a property can become “virtual” mountains if they are substantially taller than the structure. Some houses and buildings specifically benefit from having a real or virtual mountain on one side of the house, so the tall trees can act as a substitute for a real mountain or hill.

Trees, bushes, and thick plantings surrounding a property can also act to shore up energy which would otherwise flow away. An example of this is a house with significantly lower land level on some part of the property. Planting a hedge or even positioning a row of potted plants can help keep the chi on the property and close to the occupants. This can improve both health and finances. An old-age Feng Shui belief is that a house with a severe slope behind it will be a difficult house to conceive sons in.

Some Feng Shui books refer to trees as possessing spirits and the need to be very careful in terms of what type of tree is planted and whether or not it should ever be uprooted. In many Asian neighborhoods, residents often unnecessarily remove trees in front of houses because of an oversimplified and superstitious way of relating to Feng Shui. There is a notion that a tree in front of a door will block chi or be bad luck. Obviously, if the tree is huge and literally blocks easy access to the door, then there is a problem.

If the tree casts so much shade that an area inside or outside the house is chronically dark, then a good trimming is in order. If the tree is buckling pavement and threatening to damage the house s foundation, then you have problems which supersede Feng Shui theory–or create other Feng Shui problems which are much worse (like a cracked foundation or strangled plumbing.)

Dead or dying plants should be removed as quickly as possible, although I have never promoted the theory that dried flower arrangements have bad Feng Shui. One client has her wedding bouquet mounted to her bathroom wall and it not only looks nice, but also provides her with the happy memory of her wedding day on a regular basis. I can t believe that this is bad Feng Shui in any shape or form.

An odd-shaped lot, like a pie-shaped lot which narrows in the back, can be partially remedied or squared out with proper landscaping. When it is difficult to grow healthy greenery on your property, it may be an indication that the chi in the ground is lacking healthful energies. Some Form School Feng Shui Masters will note the moisture and dark richness of the soil as a routine part of their evaluation. One type of plant which tends to attract ghosts (don t ask me why!), is the banana tree. They often seem to be on the properties of clients who complain of ghosts.

Popular Feng Shui books also like to make a fuss about plants with sharp leaves, as though they were the worst manifestation of “poison arrows.” Except for an actual cactus, I have not seen many plant leaves that I would be the least bit concerned about. For those of you who live near West L.A., drive by a house on the corner of Bundy and Exposition Blvds. You will see large cactus all around the outside of the house close to the windows. I think it is a perfect natural security system.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2001 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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The look of exposed beams can be architecturally stunning, but when large looming beams hover over a person’s bed, they can create an unbalanced flow of chi (air currents) within the room. This can have a predictable affect on the person sleeping below. For example, if a large exposed beam hovers over your waist, it could undermine fertility or cause digestive problems. A large beam that crosses over the knees could trigger or worsen knee problems. When the beam travels length-wise over the middle of the bed, the couple sleeping below can feel divisive. It is as if an invisible curtain divides the connection between the two people.

Feng Shui is a 3,000+ year old metaphysical practice, originating in China, but relevant to everyone since it deals with energy, nature, laws of physics and the environments we all create. The harmful effect of exposed beams is well-documented and a basic feng shui principle is that flat, beamless ceilings are much healthier to sleep under.

What do you do if you have exposed beams in your house? Well, if the room is big enough to handle a four-poster canopy bed, the fabric draped over the frame can work as a faux ceiling and deflect away the downward pressure of the beam. Some people are actually able to drop the ceiling in a remodel and thus eliminate the exposed beams entirely. This is only recommended if you will feel comfortable with the lower height of the ceilings.

Exposed beams in other rooms of the house, such as a den or dining room, should not be a concern. The beams are only a potential problem if you sleep under them or work long hours under them.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2007 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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What makes apartments more challenging to enhance or correct than houses: There is no land or outside environment to remedy or control. Sometimes the most effective remedies for health and prosperity are things you do to the space just OUTSIDE your home. With an apartment, the focus has to be totally with the interiors.

There are some limits with apartment living when it comes to your neighbors. Sharing walls with people can subject you to sounds and smells that you would have an easier time separating yourself from in a house (although not necessarily!) Clients in houses have told me numerous upsetting stories about neighbor disputes from all sides.

Some ideal Feng Shui remedies involve structural changes. These too are usually limited or not allowed at all in apartment living. Sometimes it doesn t hurt to ask. When I was married and in our first apartment, we had a very dark entrance at the top of the stairs. My husband asked the landlord if he could install a skylight at our own expense and the landlord agreed. It was easy and cheap for my husband (the architect) to do, and the landlord knew it was an improvement to the property.

APARTMENTS ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THAN HOUSES

The front and back of any structure has to be identified before complete analysis can be made. In Feng Shui, we call the front side “facing” and the back side “sitting.” This is not always obvious. In fact, most of the time, an apartment FACES its window side. The brighter, more yang side of the apartment is often looked at as the face and windows the eyes looking out.

Apartments often have less than ideal entrances. They are usually dark (coming from the building s interior hallway). In small apartments, the kitchen is sometimes the first room you see when entering. It is generally better when the kitchen is not the first room you see because of a Pavlovian effect. It is also better when a kitchen has an exterior window.

Aside from some of the things just mentioned, apartments can have just as good or better Feng Shui than a house, depending on other compensating features. Is there a lucky floor you can choose in a multi-level building? Feng Shui numerology suggests picking a floor that matches your personal Trigram. (Based on your birth date) Since I value practicality over everything, my suggestion is to be as far away as possible from the garage entry gate or the building s trash dumpster! The top floor will have the best views and this can make the same size apartment feel bigger. This is one reason why they are more expensive.

MORE FENG SHUI MYTHS EXPOSED:

If you have heard that you should never put a fountain or an aquarium in the kitchen, this is incorrect. This misinterpretation of the elements is that the presence of water will extinguish the fire that a kitchen symbolically represents and somehow this will destroy your prosperity.

Sometimes the kitchen ends of being a good location of the house for water and it can benefit the whole house. Remember, any advice which says “always do this” or “never do that” is going to be general advice at best, and sometimes totally irrelevant to your unique space.

ANOTHER MYTH:

“When your fish die in your aquarium, it means that they absorbed something negative that would have happened to you.” I doubt this! I think it means that you didn t take care of them properly.

AND ANOTHER MYTH:

“Don’t keep books in your bedroom; they are too stimulating.” This is another pseudo-FENG SHUI nonsense theory.

AND YET ANOTHER MYTH:

“Don’t place your bed’s headboard against a wall shared with a bathroom.” This is another New-Age pseudo-FENG SHUI recommendation. Don’t take seriously.

MYTH #345

“Don t have a skylight in your office as it provides a way for wealth to leak out of the room.” Not true. Why would a skylight leak wealth any more than a window? Chi actually glides along all surfaces: floors, ceilings, and walls. Skylights can be great additions to spaces that would otherwise be too dark (yin). That in and of itself is counter-productive to creativity and prosperity. The preceding FENG SHUI myths came directly from a little book which was written by a well-known FENG SHUI practitioner in Southern California. It is a veritable gold mine of trash FENG SHUI and I am so grateful to the author for putting so much bad advice all in one organized book from A-Z. As I write my own book, which will expose all the fake FENG SHUI being perpetuated, I don t have to rack my brain to remember all the myths I have heard over the last ten years. This little book has helped me enormously in my research!

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2003 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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What is an element? Elements are both literal and symbolic. In all of Chinese Metaphysics, which includes feng shui, Chinese Astrology, Chinese medicine, and martial arts, we have something called Five-Element Theory.
The Five Elements are Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal. These elements have distinct relationships with eachother which are considered either harmonious or destructive. For instance, water destroys fire. But Wood nurtures or feeds a fire.

Water is best represented by real water, but large surface areas of blue or black can vibrate some of the water element.

Wood is best represented by a live plant, but an entire green wall or green carpeting can also work as the wood element.

Fire is the one element where using real fire could be dangerous, although a stove or oven positioned in the right location can work as fire literally. Fire is the one element where the color is usually substituted and that is any shade of red.

Earth is best represented by real earthen objects made of stone or soil, clay, granite, or concrete. Earth colors range from light to dark tones of yellow, orange or brown.

Metal is often represented with decor or furnishings made of copper, brass, bronze, iron or steel. Metal colors are gold, silver, white or gray.

Some colors, like faint pastels, can go virtually anywhere in a house and not have a negative influence. But a large maroon area rug or a burgundy bed spread could qualify as fire. You would want to enlist the services of a highly trained Flying Star feng shui practitioner in order to know where the extreme colors can be a benefit, or at least not cause harm.

As an example, red color in the right location can actually help diminish a legal problem or vulnerability toward theft. But fire put in the wrong location could trigger a miscarriage or sickness.

Colors can also be seen as a bit subjective and a good feng shui consultant will never insist that a person use a color that the client does not personally like. Whenever we have to see something that we don’t like, it can make us constrict and eventually depress the immune system.

So, there are no hard and fast rules about good colors or bad colors. They all serve a purpose and play off of eachother. It is the groupings of colors that can create a feeling or mood just as much as an individual color. For example, olive green is a nice color, but most people would find it “ruined” if placed next to hot pink. Olive green placed next to brown or gray can be very warm and relaxing however.

The eye sees certain colors faster than others, such as yellow or red. This is exactly why our “slow down” and “stop” lights are yellow and red. Some of the biggest companies use yellow or orange in their signage and logos because they know there is a universal comfort level with earthy colors. Americans also like blue in particular. It can emotionally represent trust, something stable, and cleanliness. Check out the color of your Tide detergent box and you will see both earth and water colors used in the marketing of that product. Or a big furniture company like IKEA uses the yellow and blue color for their company logo.

Color can also be used to change the yin/yang ratio of a room. If a room is very dark it is categorized as yin. The occupants of that room can become depressed or have low energy. Bringing in more cheerful colors is just one way to remedy that room. For a room that is too bright or overly active, the colors can be brought in to cool off the room and make it more mellow.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2003 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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From a feng shui perspective, if you sleep all night in a negative or unbalanced room, then there will be a residual affect on you. If you pass through a door numerous times per day, you will also merge with the “chi” of that space.

By placing physical objects in a room, to correct its imbalance, the changed space will change its affect on you. This might be similar to a person who has long been deficient in certain vitamins, with predictable health problems, regaining their health and inner balance once the person supplements their nutritional deficiency.

What surprises many Westerners, is that humans can be affected by objects or materials outside of their bodies. �How can a metal bed frame affect my moods or health? How can a water fountain affect my income or legal battles?� This phenomenon is just an extension of the principle that we are very porous beings. While we may filter or deflect some energies, mostly we absorb what is around us.

I have seen many types of people affected by a particular environment in similar ways. It may not matter if the person is healthy or unhealthy, �spiritual� or not, they will react similarly to the feng shui ingredients of their environment.

I have always downplayed the psychological aspects of feng shui, but even emotional/subjective experiences will eventually turn physical. As an example, if you were subjected regularly to something in your environment that caused you personal stress (like the hideous color of your neighbor�s house), then eventually it would affect your nervous system or glandular system, contributing to minor or major health problems.

Some feng shui remedies are so subtle that it is astounding how well they work. A clock with a metal-moving pendulum can change the energy of a room, as well as a mirror, a vase of water, a live plant, even the location of a picture on a wall. Natural crystals, prominent colors, the shape of furniture, and the dimensions of a room can also influence the flow and vibrancy of that space. These are just a few examples of perhaps hundreds of feng shui remedies, which can be as powerful as they are inconspicuous.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2003 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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But what about an apartment building with any number of occupants? Does the chi (energy) have an intelligence to understand that these tenants are not related to each other? Should the apartment building be viewed as one giant house, where everybody inside is just occupying a room that happens to be their individual apartment? Or should each apartment be viewed as its own universe, with its own distinct orientation? These are the kinds of questions that feng shui practitioners have different opinions about. The distinctions in the analysis can include whether or not the apartment building has one big main lobby or entrance that everyone uses or in the case of certain condos and townhouses, where each person has their own separate entrance from outside. And would a common parking garage matter?

I have always taken the approach, where I make a mental note of where someone is within a building (the big picture) and then I help the client micro-manage their own apartment, with its own unique orientation, especially since this is all the client has control over. Feedback from clients confirms that often similar types of people will occupy the same building. Creative types might be an example. Perhaps you are a chef and the person who lives above you is a kitchen designer!

It is valid to note where someone�s individual apartment is within a building. If I can use the metaphor that the building is like a state or country and the individual apartments are like cities or towns. You will have the greatest potential to succeed and be healthy and happy if you are in the cleanest and most prosperous city, as opposed to the most polluted or poverty-stricken town. Over and over again, I have clients confirm for me that the people who occupy the best part of a building are doing better than those in the worst parts of the building. If I discover that my client is in a bad part of the building with no practical or affordable way to move, I try to see if they can make better use of the best parts of their individual space.

On the consulting side, it is very funny to see the range of priorities and expectations that different clients have. Some people explicitly say, �Don�t tell me anything bad about my place or I will just focus on that!� Others say, �Don�t hold back to be nice, I want to know all the flaws!� And when house-hunting with a client, some will request, �Don�t let me even put an offer on a house that isn�t naturally excellent feng shui� and others will say, �We love this house; please tell us that if there is anything wrong with it that it can be fixed!� There is an old Chinese expression often used by feng shui practitioners when our clients give us ultimatums: The words are �Oy vey.
About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2003 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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Over the years that I have been consulting, I have seen with total predictability that some bedrooms encourage creativity and the children who sleep in those rooms are quite precocious, talented, studious, musical or artistic. A bedroom where the feng shui is negative can make a child afraid to sleep in their room, be moody, depressed, chronically ill, or hyperactive.

But what may be perfectly acceptable for a child could be too chaotic for an adult. Many children like their rooms to be colorful and very “yang.” In the same way that kids like loud, grinding music and lots of stuff around them (neon posters, lava lamps, etc.) This same active energy could send an adult into a migraine.

Their bedroom is their “studio apartment” and like adults, children should avoid:

� Large mirrors in their bedroom, including mirrored closet doors.
� Sleeping under a low window.
� Sleeping with their bed aligned directly with the entrance door.
� Having their bed aligned directly with a toilet somewhere in the house.
� Sleeping under beams or very low, slanted ceilings.
� Sleeping in a bad direction based on their birth date.

Children should be taught at an early age how to be clean and tidy. I have seen bedrooms of children and teens that looked like the inside of a dumpster and this doesn�t help anyone. Often, a really good closet system can help a child keep stuff off the floor or crammed into tight spaces.

Children who have problems with ear infections, glandular or urinary problems are often in bedroom where the water element is not strong enough. Metal strengthens water, so the parent should place some heavy metal pieces in the room, even under the bed for safety�s sake.

Children who have difficult digestion, menstrual problems or perpetual loneliness may have a bedroom with too much earth energy, which can also be reduced with hefty amounts of metal. A metal bed frame counts for metal also.

Children who have frequent episodes of muscle, joint, or bone problems, including hand injuries need to have more fire in their room, such as red color.

These are just a few examples of how children can benefit from feng shui adjustments to the most important space they occupy.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2003 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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In the olden days, wealthy people would leave the kitchen relatively raw. The wealthier they were, the less time they would be in the kitchen themselves; rather, servants would do all the food prep. Nowadays, people spend thousands of dollars remodeling kitchens that they barely use!

Since the stove is an integral part of the kitchen, it represents the fire element and the location of a kitchen for feng shui purposes can indicate some of the family dynamics.
As an example, the direction of northwest is associated with the metal element. Fire (from the stove or oven) can symbolically melt metal; therefore, the kitchen in the northwest part of a house (or apartment) can put pressure in that area�which emanates throughout the entire house. What it can do, specifically, is cause the father in the house to have a lot of pressure on him and/or his children may be disobedient or rebellious.

When there is a kitchen in the center of the house, it will excite whatever kinds of energies exist there. The vast majority of houses should not have the fire element in the very center of the house.

At the same time, there are a lot of “feng shui kitchen myths,” which have made people panic for nothing. Some of those superstitions include:

� Having a sink opposite a stove is a clash of water and fire. FALSE. While it is true that water and fire clash, the sink is not really the water element most of the time. Their proximity to each other in the kitchen layout should not be cause for alarm.
� The kitchen should only be in the south part of the house. FALSE. This is too rigid. It is true that the direction of South is inherently related to the fire element, but that does not at all mean it is the only good direction for a kitchen. Each house is unique.
� The cook should not have their back to the entrance of the kitchen. FALSE. While this myth almost makes sense from a practical standpoint (the cook should not be disturbed or surprised from behind them=accidents), I have yet to correlate anyone specifically having frequent kitchen accidents just because of this common floor plan arrangement.
� If you put a mirror on the wall that the stove is up against, it will reflect double the food being prepared and that brings wealth. FALSE. I have had a number of clients try this, only to be frustrated with the amount of grease splatters on the mirror, looking weird and not increasing their wealth.

The truth is that there is no rigid formula regarding where a kitchen should be located or what color scheme it should adhere to. What is generally true however, is that the immediate sight of a kitchen upon entering a home can lead to a Pavlovian response to eat whether hungry or not.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2003 by Kartar Diamond. http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

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Bells - A beautiful sounding bell with quality resonance helps soothe the sickness qi. It can also help to clear up muddied thinking. It is the most effective of the various types of metal qi. It is said that when a bell chimes, it opens a line of communication to heaven, and is therefore good fortune. A bell on the door can serve as a warning that someone has entered the space. Merchants sometimes use bells to announce the arrival of a new customer. Folk lore has it that having a bell near an entrance will keep thieves away.

Wind Chimes - are best used outdoors where the wind can play their music. My favorite wind chimes are of the pedatonic variety. The resonance is beautiful. They are useful countermeasures for negative earth qi and offer powerful assistance to metal qi. Please note that for the windchimes to be an effective metal cure, they should be made of metal rather than wood.

Mobiles - are wonderful objects to bring more yang qi to any environment, be it the garden, a shaded path, or a room indoors. They are also useful to help soften sharp corners in a room. Hanging plants are also good for this, too.

Plants - are used to bring forth wood qi in areas of study and creativity. Live plants are best because they give off good qi along with oxygen.

Light - is the most natural form of fire qi. Light brings yang qi into the space. If the light is too strong and there is glare then it will interfere with concentration. If the light is too little then it will be difficult to use good judgment and difficult to focus on studies. Full spectrum lighting is good in these low light areas. I prefer to point the light at a wall and let it reflect back to the point of use rather than have the light shine directly onto the person. Uplighting is good to help lift the qi in dense or dark areas.

Mirrors - are sometimes used to double objects, like cash registers or customers entering into a restaurant or store. I’ve experimented with this technique over the years and have not found it to be very effective. Other times they ar used to reflect back sha qi. I personally prefer to use mirrors to reflect beauty, particularly if there is a good star coming in a window through a lovely garden. Mirrors are not good in bedrooms because they can create too much yang qi in an intentionally yin environment. Mirrors in the bathroom are good because they are utilitarian and will help create a more yang environment.

Water - is the substance that collects qi. One of the ways water is used in Feng Shui to collect prosperous qi so that the qi may be distributed throughout the home or office to help bring wealth. This can be done by installing a water feature outdoors and directing the flow toward the building. Another way to use water in Feng Shui is to stop bad qi from entering the home or office. This can be done by placing a water feature outdoors and then directing the water flow away from the building. Indoor water features such as fountains and aquariums are also used to collect and move good qi through the building. An important point to remember is that the water must interact with the air or it will not be able to collect the qi.

Large Objects - are used to create indoor “mountains”. Big dressers, sideboards, chests, book shelves, and even heavy tables are welcome homes for the mountain dragons to rest upon. If you have a good mountain dragon in your bedroom it is good to place your good, strong headboard on that wall for better health. Boulders or large rocks make good miniature mountains outdoors. They are very powerful landscaping objects.

Mandarin Ducks - mate for life so it is said that having a pair of these ducks in your bedroom will help attain marital bliss. I recommend, however, that you place them in the form of art, rather than the real thing. Live ducks in the bedroom could be a cause rather than a cure for marital strife. I am curious to hear from you if these ducks work to enhance your marriage. This is one of my resarch projects, so your input will be tabulated. Thanks.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright � 2006 by Judy Morris. http://www.fsrc.net/

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Since my first introduction to Feng Shui in 1987, I have had the privilege of discovering the finest teacher in the world, Master Joseph Yu http://www.astro-fengshui.com . He has no qualms about teaching the truest form of Feng Shui to Westerners. There is no “dumbing down” in his attitude toward students. Since 1997 I have been teaching Feng Shui in public classes and private classes in the United States and Sweden. What I have learned from my students is that they are not satisfied with one-size-fits-all solutions. In order to begin to whet their appetite for Feng Shui knowledge, they have caused me to study harder and faster than I ever thought I would or could. This has been the reason for my capacity to teach Feng Shui intensive workshops. The knowledge came from Master Yu, the impetus came from my students.The most effective system I have discovered is the Xuan Kong School. We call it the “Time-Space School.” The Eight House system is also very good; however, I appreciate this system most when I cannot determine the facing of a structure. Although I teach both systems, there is nothing like learning from a master. So, if you get the opportunity, don�t hesitate to attend Master Yu�s classes. I send my students to Master Yu and continue my own studies with him. Feng Shui is a “hot item” these days. Unfortunately, the industry has too many half-baked practitioners marketing themselves as “professionals” or “masters.” This trend, of course, is typical of anything “new” to us. So, how do you tell a true professional from an amateur? One way is to listen for questions they will ask you. A professional will want to know, at least, the following: � What is your birth date? � What are the birth dates of others living in the home with you? � What is the compass degree of the facing of your home or office? (If you don�t know, the practitioner should take this reading when s/he arrives.) � When was the structure built? � What do you want your home or office to provide? When the Feng Shui professional arrives to do the audit you may notice the following actions: � Taking a compass reading. � Looking at the outside environment and noting water views, mountain views, other structures surrounding the home or office. � Locating the center of the home or office. Feng Shui is an honorable and effective system for promoting balance and harmony in your work and home environment. An ethical practitioner will work with you until the balance is achieved and harmony is experienced to the degree it can be through Feng Shui. We must remember that although moving the sofa won�t necessarily be the thing to change an attitude, that movement can impact the environment in such a way that you can come to terms with an attitude.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright � 2006 by Judy Morris. http://www.fsrc.net/

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The Ming Gua can be equated with its trigram counterpart. The 8 trigrams are located in their corresponding �palaces� or �guas� and in addition to having names, family relationship, element designation, physical areas (example: eyes, feet, hands) they are responsible for, and personalities, they have a numerical designation.

In Feng Shui we work with 9 numbers. There are eight trigrams. The number that is not assigned a trigram is the number 5. He is the emperor and actually resides in the center of the ba gua. If you are a male and your Ming Gua calculations add up to 5, then your Ming Gua will be assigned the number 2. If you are a female and your Ming Gua calculations add up to 5, then your Ming Gua will be the number 8.

When you are calculating your Ming Gua consider whether your birthday is before or after February 4. The Chinese Solar year uses 15 degrees Aquarius as the first day of the new year, which is on or around February 4. If you were born February 3-5 be sure to check your ephemeris for the exact date and time of 15 degrees Aquarius as it may vary.

The formula for calculating your Ming Gua is as follows:

Male

1. Add the numbers in your birth year. For example a male born in 1946 is 1 + 9 + 4 + 6 = 20

2. Add the total until you get a single number.
2 + 0 = 2

3. Subtract the number from 11.
11 � 2 = 9
(Note: if the number you get is 10 then add until you get a single digit number.) (Note 2: if the number you get is 5 then use number 2 as your Ming Gua.)
Female

1. Add the numbers in your birth year. For example a female born in 1946 is 1 + 9 + 4 + 6 = 20

2. Add the total until you get a single number
2 + 0 = 2

3. Add 4 to the total.
2 + 4 = 6

(Note: If you get a two-digit number, add them until you get a single-digit number.) (Note 2: If you get a 5 use 8 as your Ming Gua.)

Great! Now you have your Ming Gua number. What does it mean?

As I stated earlier, your Ming Gua is the type of qi that surrounds you. It is not �you�, however. Your Ming Gua will tell you which trigram and its associations you relate to the best, how each of the eight magnetic directions impact you, and help you understand interactions with others based on the five element interactions.

Although the information below is not exhaustive, it will get you started in the correct manner to best utilize your space. The Best Directions are listed from most effective to next best effective.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
1 Kan Ears, Blood Water Black, Wavy
Kidneys ,Liver Dark Blue
Best Personal Direction for Sleeping is with your head to the North. Other good directions are East, South or Southeast. Best Personal Directions for Working is to face Southeast, South, or East.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
2 Kun Abdomen Earth Brown, Square
Belly, Womb, Yellow, Tan
Reproductive Organs

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping is with your head to the Southwest, West, Northwest, or Northeast. Best Personal Directions for Working is to face Northeast, Northwest, West, or Southwest.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
3 Chen Feet, Throat Wood Green Rectangle

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping is with your head to the East, North, Southeast, or South. Best Personal Directions for Working is to face South, Southeast, North, or East.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
4 Xun Thighs, Hips Wood Dark Green Rectangle
Buttocks

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping is with your head to the Southeast, South, East, or North. Best Personal Directions for Working is to face North, East, South, or Southeast.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
6 Chien Head, Mind Metal Gold, Silver Round
Lungs White, Bronze

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping are Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, or West. Best Personal Directions for Working are to face West, Southwest, Northeast, or Northwest.
Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
7 Tui Mouth Metal Gold, Silver Round
White, Bronze

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping are West, Southwest, Northeast, or Northwest. Best Personal Directions for Working are to face Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, or West.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
8 Gen Hands, Spine Earth Brown, Square
Small Bones Yellow, Tan

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping are Northeast, Northwest, West, or Southwest. Best Personal Directions for Working are to face Southwest, West, Northwest, or Northeast.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
9 Li Eyes, Heart Fire Red, Purple Triangle

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping are South, Southeast, North, or East. Best Personal Directions for Working are to face East, North, Southeast, or South.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2006 by Judy Morris. http://www.fsrc.net/

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