DIY Feng Shui in 2008(I)

Most people concede that living next door to a rubbish dump or beside a nuclear power station has the potential to exert a negative influence over one’s environment. Can Feng Shui change so much in our life? The year of 2008 is the year of "Earth Rat element", will bring in confusion and instability as far as world economics are concerned, Beware of volatile and unpredictable stock markets. We like to show you how to DIY feng shui for your home in 2008 and hope the information will help to minimize any unforeseen negative energy and improve the chances of well-being, fortune and comfort.

An Example of DIY Feng Shui: Mr. A is born in Jan. 15, 1968. First, Mr. A needs to check the table (please reference 8^th newsletter) “Numerology of Both Genders” and find out Mr. A’s numerology is “5 Yellow Disaster Star”. The result comes out in 2008 for Mr. A’s lucky colour is "white, gold, powder purple and beige " and lucky numbers are “85, 65, 56, 58 and 456”. He needs to be careful about his spine, digestive system and avoids unlucky number “2 and 3”. The numbers 235 is very unlucky for Mr. A and will bring him death or major illness in 2008. On the other hand, his lucky numbers are 85, 65, 56, 58 and 456. Lucky aspects of the 2008’s Feng Shui for Mr. A is Centre.

Second, Mr. A knew his flying star--"#5 Yellow Disaster Star" and should review the impact & influence at second table. This Star is also called the "Major Sickness Star". It belongs to the element "Earth". As its name implies this is a most dangerous omen, especially when combined with any other un-auspicious phenomenon. When aced with this situation it is best for Mr. A to avoid any dangerous sport, avoid going up heights and avoid water sports.

It is time to start to DIY feng shui of your home.

First, knowing how to take an accurate compass reading

Hold your compass at waist level.

Remove of all jewelry on hands and wrists.

Remove metal belt buckles.

Stand at least 3-5 feet from your property.

Stand away from cars or large metal objects.

Take at least 3 readings from different parts of the property.

Position your back square to the property.

Second, drawing a floor plan of your home or office.

This can be hand drawn but it should be more or less to scale. Define all the interior walls that indicate the different rooms. Then, you need to divide your floor plan into 9 grids in proportion as shown below. Most people assume the front is the direction your front door faces, try and imagine you are in Tom’s home (while you are there can you do some ironing and dusting please) as you stand in the centre of Tom’s home you will be in his dining room with the living room and hallway and kitchen either side, he has five large windows and one small facing north, there is a road outside and a public footpath also his front garden, but he does not have a front door there. On the east wall he has a main door with porch and one window, which looks onto the next-door neighbours house.

Hopefully you will get the idea by now, because Tom’s front door faces east it does not mean this is the front of his home, his facing direction is north, this is where the most “Yang” (activity) energy is, the road, footpath, people and cars going by, the widest part of the building, if you were the architect designing Tom’s home from scratch you would definitely put his front door there. This part is very important, as when you calculate any school of Feng Shui you need to know which way your property faces. If you take Tom’s house again (make sure you lift the ornaments and dust underneath) although he may have a driveway leading to the garage and front main door, for example assume at the back he now has a main road, pedestrian footpath, lots of people and activity and even a lovely stream, you guessed it, this would now be his front direction as this is where all his Yang energy is, this is not uncommon when you think about it, drive down any main road you will see many homes with back gardens facing the road and yet they will always think this is the rear in Feng Shui terms. This can be hard to judge even for the most professionals especially if you are on the top floor of a block of flats or a large office building.

So what is facing and sitting directions?

The facing direction is the front that faces the “yang” (active) energy, the sitting direction is actually more important this is the area that has the most “yin” (quiet) energy. The sitting direction determines your properties Trigram. So if your property faces 350 degrees north, the sitting direction is 170 degrees south, so the Trigram for this property is “Li”. Now we know that this is a “Li” property we would know that the best color to paint this property on the outside would be fire colors, red, orange, purple etc.

How do people know which is Yin (sitting) and which is Yang (facing)?

Yang (facing): This is the most active energy, energy that is lively:

v A busy road.

v A public footpath.

v A flowing river.

v The side of a property that has the most windows.

v Your street sign.

v The south (bright) is Yang and the north (dark) is Yin.

v A children’s playground or primary school.

v The main entrance is usually (not always) the facing direction.

v A nice view.

v The architects intention, try and guess how he felt the sitting direction would be.

v A living or family room is normally on the facing side.

Just because your home may face a children’s playground this does not automatically mean this is your facing direction, you need to consider all the factors given on this page.

Yin (sitting direction): This is where the least energy resides:

v A back yard usually is your sitting direction or an alleyway.

v Tall dark trees at the back of your grounds.

v Smaller darker rooms.

v The north (dark) is Yin energy.

v The quiet side of the property.

v The kitchen and bathroom (not always) is normally at the back.

v Bedrooms are normally on the sitting side.

v Utility or washrooms are normally in the sitting direction.

v The sitting direction could look onto a large building or a row of houses.

v The side of the property that is not that attractive to the eye, i.e. down-pipes from the bathroom, gutter pipes placed sideways across the main-wall.

You will need to take a view on all of the above; a good test to find your facing direction is, if you had to take a photo of your home or office which angle would you take it from? Would you take the picture of the front door that has nothing on that wall except the main entrance or would you take the picture of the side that has the most windows and is more pleasing to the eye.

Third, knowing the direction of your front door is a key to understand how to DIY 2008 feng shui as follows:

1. The East direction of your front door

The direction will bring money prosperity in 2008. Remove any water features around the front door area and avoid any blue colored door area.

2. The South-east direction of your front door

The direction will bring money luck, as well as minor ill-health in 2008. Remove any water features around the front door area and avoid any blue colored door area to minimize the ill-health effect.

3. The South direction of your front door

The direction causing uneasiness in life and could affect the health of the middle female in the family in 2008. Place light-blue door-mat and a bottle of still water at the door area, change the water often, to minimize the effect. Remodeling is not advisable around the front door area.
4. The South-west direction of your front door

The direction related to minor injury, that will affect the eldest female in the family. Place light-blue door-mat and a bottle of still water at the door area, change the water often, to minimize the effect.
5. The West direction of your front door

The direction brings in gossip and libelous talk in 2008. Arguments and bad relationships between the youngest female of the house and their relatives are highly indicated. Place red door-mat at the door area, remove metal objects at the door area. If TV is around this area, put a lamp-stand next to TV to minimize the effect.
6. The North-west direction of your front door

The direction will cause minor ill-health in 2008. Place green plant at the door area, and place a green door-mat at the door area but do not place any red-colored items near the door area to minimize the effect.
7. The North direction of your front door
The direction will bring money prosperity in 2008. Place light-blue door-mat around the door area to enhance the effect, however, remodeling is not advisable around the front door area.

8. The North-east direction of your front door

The direction influences study or research work in 2008. Place a red door-mat around the door area to enhance the effect.
Fourth, paying closely the nine squares of your house and determining precisely the sitting and facing direction is critical to performing a good Feng Shui. You will be able to see in which direction each room falls - some rooms will share compass directions. You will also be able to see if there are any missing or protruding corners. A bay window represents a protruding corner whilst an L-shaped house or room will have a missing corner and therefore direction. A missing corner detracts from the luck of the corner that is missing, while a protruding corner strengthens the luck of that corner.
Fifth, identifying the different areas of flying stars in your house in 2008

SOUTH-EAST CORNER	SOUTH CORNER	SOUTH-WEST CORNER
EAST CORNER	CENTRE	WEST CORNER
NORTH-EAST CORNER	NORTH CORNER	NORTH-WEST CORNER

Every house throughout the world will have these changing annual stars and you will need to pay attention on flying stars to cause harm ranging from, sickness, wealth problems, legal problems, gossip, relationship problems and just overall bad luck and of course their ability to give auspicious good luck in wealth, health, romance, education and overall good well being.

#1 White Star

In 2008 the #1 white Star visits the center palace of the house and the #1 star (water) relates to wealth. If you activate certain areas of the home it can bring in new opportunities, gains in financial investments, academic achievements and scholarly pursuits. If this is a child's bedroom or study area, you should place a gold Tsai Shen Yeh statue and a set of three Chinese i-ching coins tied with red ribbon as this protects wealth and also creates wealth in 2008. Business is that rely on sales or related to industries selling properties, stock or similar should be cautious this year and make sure you place cures in the south and northwest part of your building especially so if they have a main door here. The best months are April, June, September and November. Take extra care in the months of May, July, August and December and check back here to further analyze these months.

#2 Black Star

In 2008 the #2 black Star visits the northwest palace of the house and the #2 star (earth) relates to sickness. The northwest in 2008 is not a very nice area at all. If your front door, bedroom, office, lounge or other well-used room is located in the northwest, this will inevitably activate its malicious effects. This star affects the health of those under its influence bringing with it sickness, disease, bad luck, stress, stomach and digestive problems, bloated feeling, gossip, back stabbing, family harmony and distress. This is especially for people who are a Numerology of #1, 3 or 4. You need to place more round metal decorative objects without menacing looking to dissipate its negative influence in the northwest corner of your home or room. More importantly, do not decorate red colour or triangle shapes items and avoid burning candles or leaving bright fiery coloured lights on for too long during the year 2008. Better months are March, May, July, October and December. Take extra care in the months of February, April, June, August, September, October, and November.

#3 Green Star

In 2008 the #3 green Star visits the west palace of the house and the #3 star (wood) relates to gossip. Beware of possible theft, arguments, disputes, hot tempers and legal problems. Try and keep the west of your home as quiet as possible and avoid renovations. You can place a light, a red floor mat, a table lamp with a wooden stand and a peach/red shade in the west. Do not use metal (metal colour is OK) to control this energy for you will aggravate it. West facing properties with front doors to the west must be careful not to allow the doors to slam and do not renovate or dig in the west, south and north for 2008.

#4 Green Star

In 2008 the #4 green Star visits the Northeast palace of the house and the #4 star (wood) governs romance, travel, creative, academic and artistic talents, wisdom and intelligence as well as self-development. Do not use fire or metal in this area or colours white, silver. If you want to enhance this wonderful star use a very special yin water(fresh still water) feature or colours blue or black, this is a good area to have a pair of Mandarin Ducks; Dragon headed Tortoise or photos of you and your partner/family.

#5 Yellow Star
In 2008 the #5 yellow Star visits the South palace of the house and the #5 star ( Earth) relates to disease, sickness, lawsuits and major loss of wealth. It is a very volatile star. You must place a six Dragon Pagoda in the south of your home or office to avoid severe problems because it is a powerful enhancer, for protection against legal problems, arguments, disputes and loss of wealth in 2008. Also place more metal decorative objects (provided they are not menacing looking, round shape metal is good) to dissipate its negative. On the other hand, You must not place red objects, bright lights, candles, loud music or red coloured furnishing in the south of the home and houses with gardens to this corner of the property should avoid digging or building work. Take extra care in the months of February, March, May, July, September, November and December.

#6 White Star
In 2008 the #6 white Star visits the North palace of the house and the #6 star (metal) relates to career, wealth, politicians, leaders and anyone involved in the property market, so for those with a main door, office/study in the north will benefit greatly. If the #6 star is located in a bedroom it can cause problems with the liver and/or legs. So place some blue cloth like a rug or duvet cover to dissipate its energy. A traditional cure and enhancer is to place a statue of a Turtle in the north 2008 especially if your property faces north. This particular Turtle is sat on a bed of wealth ingots so he also enhances wealth as well as protecting health which is nice. The turtle is the ruler of the north, symbolizing endurance, strength, and longevity and the reason why we have included this standard in our 2008 normal kit. Strict advice for 2008 is that if your property faces north you must not renovate the building in 2008 especially in the south and north. Take extra care in the months of March, April, October and December.

#7 Red Star
In 2008 the #7 red Star visits the Southwest palace of the house and the #7 star (metal) relates to assault, deceit, violence and robbery. This is a fighting star. Whilst some good will come from this star the #7 Red still portends a high risk especially in the months of February, April and May. If you have a door in the southwest or even a window you should be looking to update security, smoke alarms and checking electrics. If you have a main door in the southwest, you should hang a Ba Gua mirror with a Chinese i-ching coin on the rear for added protection in 2008 and also use more blue in your decoration. If you have an office or door in the southwest be careful of people trying to deceive you, robbery, arguments and loss of wealth, always look at the very small print and be careful as this star normally causes problems with people you know and thought you could trust.

#8 White Star

In 2008 the #8 white Star visits the East palace of the house and the #8 star (Earth) governs relationships and brings to good fortune and exciting times even with the conflict of elements. Beware of overworking as this can cause you health problems. This is a very strong wealth, success and romance area for 2008 so try and store your important financial papers here like pensions, stock portfolio etc in the west. Hang a faceted crystal sphere in this area of the house near the window or door. Hang it above head height and twist now and again. The energies of the annual 8 can be activated by human activities. Use this room as frequently as possible unless you have received professional advice against it.

#9 Purple Happy Star

In 2008 the #9 purple Star visits the Southeast palace of the house and the #9 star (Fire) relates to fame and acknowledgement, growth and improvement. This is the star of future wealth and has an auspicious influence in career opportunities and promotions. Couples with bedroom in this location will also enjoy good relationships this year. Be aware of the negative influences during the April and July and hang a set of six Chinese coins tied together with ribbon here to weaken the undesirable influences. Healthy green leafy plants or blue flowering plants such as violets are good for this area.

Tips For the different areas of your home’s Feng Shui in 2008
Northeast Corner
Decorate this sector with a vase of growing plants filled with water in the northeast corner of your home to enhance both romance & academic endeavors.

· East Corner
Place a table lamp or cup of water in the East corner of your home to improve financial luck and attract helpful people.

· North Corner
Place your own photographs or items made of metal in the North corner of your home to improve both career luck and business deal. In addition, place a cup of water besides to increase financial luck.

· Southeast Corner
You may place a pot of live plant that is associated with wood element in the Southeast corner of your home to develop good couple relationships

· South Corner
Decorate metal items in the South corner of your home to suppress its negative energy.

· Northwest Corner
Decorate metal items in the Northwest corner to suppress its negative energy.

· Southwest Corner
Place a bowl of water to enhance personal luck especially for sales oriented individual but avoid placing metal items in the Southwest corner of your home to suppress its negative energy.

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