In this section, I will periodically put up commonly asked questions or practises and the possible answers to them.
Q: What happen when my water basin is opposite my fire stove? Heard that clashes and can cause divorce. Is it true?
Ans: In view of the formation, if it is possible to rearrange or renovate, it would be better not to have the water basin and fire stove facing each other. However, this is base on the assumption that there is a possibility. It is not always the case as written in books or advised by certain masters. Such information can be easily found in 八宅明镜 or 阳宅集成 and many English feng shui books. To jump to such a conclusion is not correct.
In authentic feng shui, one must look at the location, the usage, frequency of use, domination of one over the other and etc. You may be surprise that sometimes a little clash will be good instead for certain cases.
Many people relate clashes to husband and wife and usually may end up in separation or divorce. Take a good look at thousands of homes with basin and stove not clashing and yet still there were divorce. Therefore it is not always true. Clashes can also focus more on health or children or a certain person overall etc
Remember, it is still not alright to have stove and basin clash. But don't jump to conclusions. Find out what's going on.
Q: I have sharp corner shooting arrows at me/ the horizontal pillar is above my head/ back. Is it bad for me?
Wherever you're sitting now, take a good look around you how many sharp corner are there? Easily half a dozen, aren' t there? In fact before you had this information or read 'the' book, you were everyday being well shot at, didn't you? Were you during then suffering from the effects of poison arrows?
When we talk about forms, shapes are also a representation of various 'Wu Xing' 五行. In forms, one must consider whether they fall in the right place or not. What does it indicate at that location? How long you'll be there? How do they complement or contradict etc.
Therefore, one need not be paranoid over 'poison arrows'. You can be aware and try to avoid if possible. Paraoid and awareness are 2 different thing. By the way, I sometimes sit under a horizontal beam reading/ working.
Q: How do I know whether the master is genuine or not, even if genuine whether it works or not? Any acid test?
Ans: A master in feng shui is skilled in metaphysics. He can be an expert in any school of feng shui or strictly in bazi or both. Firstly, you can disregard any mention of lineage because when I tell you my masters are prominent, reputable in the practise from Hong Kong and Taiwan but were already dead or not verifiable, it is like not mentioning at all.
Even if verifiable, a student seldom is above his master in this trade.
Then ask him how he applies his feng shui methods. (It doesn't matter if he mentions flying star system or Bazhai or San He....of course you have to be more alert if he mentions these):
1)As long as he mentions about colors as remedies, placement of crystals/toads/ Qi Lin/ Pixiu/pagoda etc, then you have to be careful. Colors can be part of the remedial process but is not the actual remedy. All the above mentioned, you can find out more about their derivation. They are not part of the authentic feng shui classics.
2)The need to draw 2 charts to check the history of home (shows that he is not sure about facing of house or period of house). Shows that he is doing a comparison and trying to dedue from there.
Unsure masters can go both ways. Either he can be right or can be very wrong.
3)That #2 sickness star (must) need to use metal to cure (he is still not familiar with Wu Xing). This fsm is obviously a flying star practitioner and is totally dependent on such skills. Avoid. Flying star is an indicative method and is not conclusive in remedial recommendations.
4)That he will give you a report in 1-2 weeks time. A genuine master works on the spot and provides all the important remedies immediately. He will gladly accept any questions and patiently explains to you. By the time he leaves, you'll have a good understanding of your house environment and feng shui and can observe simple DIY to upkeep your home/office.
5)If he's using flying star, ask him to explain what it means by “三阳水向尽源流,富贵永无休。三阳六秀二神当, 立见入朝堂。(part of the classics)" Some won't know how to answer or utter some irrational meanings. Others may use the 24 mountains and explain through 天元, 地元,人元. Then this means he has adopted the wrong concept which is dangerous. You can record down his answer and check with me whethr its correct or wrong.
There are many ways and scripts to test them of which as a 地师 they should be well verse. If you encounter any of them currently or in the past and wish to verify, you are always welcome to ask me.
Secondly, you can ask and observe how they choose a date for you. Usually, they will pick a date from the 通书/胜. (Doesn't matter if they use fingers, 万年历, apps). The better test are those that refer Tong Shu, when they pick a date base on the auspicious or 神煞, you should be aware. Ask them why they use that date. Picking a date for important occasions must be auspicious for both the house and people. Cannot just use a Tong Sheng.
Thirdly, ask them to tell something about how the house affected your past/ current situation (if you already staying). This is one of the most difficult part. This will really show their true experience. Most of the masters avoid or are afraid to tell too much about your house past bad effects because it will reveal their standard of knowledge/skill or their capability. They will cite reasons as not to 泄漏天机 in order to excuse themselves. They may quote a general down luck period and go on with the present and the future. Sometimes if they can tell a few and happen to miss by a year/month or 1 out of 3 or 4 events are wrong, it is acceptable. They don't have all the time to investigate/ scrutinize every issue as it is a general house audit. Some may be bazi issues. Some may be house issues. Some both. However, if they keep telling about your character, what element to wear or suitable and only about the future, the answer about their skill is obvious.
There are many more. You can know more by asking me through email.
Q: I was told that toilet in the centre of the house is not good for the occupants. Is it true?
Ans: There are many HDBs and Condos with toilet in the centre of their house. Thousands of household went on for years as usual or good FS. One cannot jump to a conclusion on this otherwise all the units in the block/s will have bad FS.
Q: I often argue with my spouse, was it due to the #3, #2 etc referred in the flying star system?
Ans: Not necessary. If it is so, many units below or above you which has the similar facing, thus having the same allocation of stars under flying stars will have this same problem. (There might be a shouting match or competition in your vicinity). This can be due to other factors or a combination of them. From main door, living room design, mbr room design, door position, bed position and etc has to be considered. If anyone is to tell you that the arguments are ONLY because of these stars and that you can improve SW location or activate #9 star, then they didn't fully understand FS.