(I made this Happy Birthday David and Kung Hei Fat Choi greetings during David's surprise birthday party last weekend)  

Due to insistent public demand , I have decided to make this rather delayed (but still useful) post on the feng shui cures and enhancers for 2008, the Year of the Earth Rat.

Since not all of the readers here are Asian (or are familiar with Chinese symbolism), let me give a little introduction.

Every year, as the earth revolves around the sun, there are energies that influence our living space. These are symbolically called "stars" (they are not real stars). Every year, they "fly" into the 9 sectors of your home (center, south, north, east, west, southeast, southwest, northeast and northwest) bringing either good or bad influences into your living environment.

When the stars  "fly" into a sector of your home, they may create an imbalance in the elements of that sector, thus it is important to put certain "cures" to counteract the "affliction" of that area. Some stars are said to be auspicious, and when they fly to a certain sector in your home, you can put some "enhancers" to benefit from the auspicious energy of the star for that year. (Note, you can also may computations for the day and month, but for this blog, I am only referring to the annual stars.)

For 2008, the Year of the Earth Rat, the sectors that need cures would be the South (misfortune), Northwest (illness), west (quarrels), southwest (burglary). It is recommended that you do not disturb these areas with loud sound, and major renovations like digging, knocking down walls, drilling, banging and the use of noisy equipment.

If these sectors are not often used  (ex. spare bedroom, store room) or if this is where your bathroom is located, that is good news for you. 

If these sectors happen to be your living room, bedroom, dining room, office or places where you spend a lot of time at, do not worry. Just put some "cures" in order to minimize or balance the negative energies of this sectors. This is especially important if your front door faces any of the above direction.     

If you have to make renovations, or your garden happens to be in these areas, start your work or digging from the east or southeast as the good chi from this direction will be carried into the afflicted sectors.

If you have to do some renovating in this sectors, put a 6 rod metal windchime (hallow) between your home and the area where the work would be done.

Here are the 9 different sectors and the cures and enhancers recommended. I am only putting here the basic and simple things that you can do to put some balance or to counteract the negative influences. I have also placed here some simple enhancers that can be used.

When doing this, I always add that feng shui is only 1/3 of your luck. The other two are heaven luck and intelligent work. Heaven luck is enhanced by prayer, meditation, spiritual practices and going to holy places. Intelligent work refers to your career or vocation and how you conduct yourself in your work and relationships. So do your feng shui right, behave with integrity and do your work the best you can, treat people fairly and most important nourish your spiritual life and you will have an auspicious year .

SOUTH:

Do not sit with your back to the south, rather face this direction so you will get the support of the Grand Duke which resides in the north in 2008.

Hang a 6 metal windchime (hallow) and make sure that is makes a sound every day.

Put a salt water cure (see below).

If you want to use Chinese coins, you can tie 6 Chinese coins with a red ribbon and hang it in the south.

You can put metal decor, as long as they are not menacing looking.

Do not use fire colors like red, pink or purple in your decor, instead use white, silver, copper, gray and gold.

Do not use bright lights for long periods of time and do not light candles here.

If this is your bedroom, place a brass wo lou beside your bed. Or, at least put a bowl of water on the south side of your room and make sure it is always clean.

Try to keep this quiet by not playing loud music, banging doors and windows. etc...

Since our front door faces south, I installed these cures at the start of the Year of the Rat. Note: the Year of the Earth Rat started on February 4 (10:00 HK Time) but the Chinese New Year was celebrated February 7 (11:44 HK Time). 

NORTH:

The north has a beneficial star this year, hoewever, as mentioned about, the Grand Duke is in the north this year, so do not sit face this direction specially (ex. if this is your office or dining room). Instead, face south and have the support of the Grand Duke behind you.

Do not disturb the ground of this sector. If you have to do some majot renovation here, put the 6 rod metal wind chime between your home and the area being renovated.

If this is a bedroom, you may need to put the color blue (ex. rug, blanket, comforter) to dissipate metal star.

To enhance the beneficial star in this sector, use earth colors like yellow and brown.

Put some crystals here, specially faceted ones to enhance business luck.

 Another enhancer would be a statue of a turtle sitting on money since turtle "rules" the north.

EAST:

The east has the very auspicious star of wealth and romance this year.

Putting crystals here will enhance the beneficial star. If you have a window here, hanging a sphere faceted crystal would be very good.

If you are looking for romance, put a pair of rose quartz mandarin ducks here.

Put some fire colors like red, pink or purple.

Open windows and keep this area active. Have bright lights here and keep it clutter free. 

WEST:

The conflict star is in the west this year.

Try to keep this area quiet and do not disturb the ground with noisy renovation.

Do not put metals (including wind chimes) specially heavy ones as it will aggravate the negative star.

Use fire colors (red. purple. pink) and bright lights (even a lamp with red shade will be good).

If your front door opens into this direction, be extra careful when you sign contracts. Do not slam the doors and windows.

If you want to use Chinese symbolism, place a statue of Kwan Yin, goddess of compassion to protect your home from conflicts. If you are Catholic, a picture or statue of the Blessed Mother will work.

CENTER (of the home):

A good star flies into the center of the home this year, but because the element of the center has a destructive relationship with this star, it will be good to put some enhancers.

Introduce the color blue, black, gray colors here.

If you want to use Chinese symbolism, a statue of the god of wealth Tsai Shen Yeh will be a good enhancer. Placing some coins here will also work.

SOUTHEAST:

This is a very good area this year so if this is the living room, bedroom or dining room of your home, this is good news.

Having healthy plants and fresh flowers in this area will enhance the good chi.

SOUTHWEST:

A troublesome star flies into this sector this year so if important areas of your home are located in this sector, you would need some cures.

If your front door faces this direction, it is recommended that you double check your security alarms and door locks regularly during the year. That also goes for windows in this sector.

Introduce the colors blue and black and avoid fire colors, bright lights and candles.

Avoid metals specially metal wind chimes in this sector.

NORTHWEST:

This area is very afflicted this year. If this is not a regularly used area in your home, that is good. If it is a bedroom, living room, office or dining room, please take note of the following cures.

Put a salt water cure (see instruction below).

Put metals here (but not menacing looking ones), round shaped metal decor is even better (ex. a silver bowl).

If this is a bedroom, put a brass wu lou beside the bed.

Try not to have any fire colors and bright lights here as it will aggravate the negative chi. Instead, put white, silver, gold or copper.

If you want to use Chinese cures, put a gold 3 legged toad, 6 chinese coins tied with a red ribbon, even a gold ingot can be placed here.

NORTHEAST:

An auspicious star flies into this area in 2008. Keep it clean and clutter free.

Enhance this area with pictures of yourself with your spouse and pictures of your family to enhance relationships.

Introduce the color blue and black here.

You can also put a yin water feature (water in a bowl) but make sure that it is kept very clean.

Do not use fire colors (red, pink, purple) and metal colors (white, silver, copper, gold) in this area and do not have bright lights and metals here.

Fresh flowers  and green plants (make sure they are healthy) can also be placed here (I recommend putting them in blue pots).

A crystal globe in this area enhances creativity and is good for students.

If you want to use a Chinese enhancer, put a dragon headed tortoise and/or a pair of mandarin ducks for romance luck.

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Instruction for Salt Water Cure:

Get a clean glass jar.

Fill 1/4 of its height with sea salt.

Put 6 coins (Chinese coins are best, but I have also used pennies and they worked fine too) on top of the salt. (Note, if you are using Chinese coins, make sure you put it yang side up. The yang side is the side with 4 characters.)

Carefully fill the jar with water until the rim.

Carefully put the jar in the south or northwest. Keep it uncovered. Make sure that it will not be disturbed by pets or children. Make sure it will not spill on your floor or furniture as this absorbs negative chi (it is a good idea to put a plastic plate under the jar because if the area is severely afflicted, there will be deposits forming in the rim of the jar). Always make sure that you keep the 1/4 - 3/4 ratio of salt and water by adding water when it evaporates. Do not put your salt water cure inside a cabinet or cupboard as it will defeat the purpose of putting it there. You can however hide it behind a picture frame for example.

Have a safe, happy and auspicious Year of the Earth Rat everyone! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Thank you much, Ate G!!! and AMEN, AMEN and AMEN to these statements: "When doing this, I always add that feng shui is only 1/3 of your luck. The other two are heaven luck and intelligent work. Heaven luck is enhanced by prayer, meditation, spiritual practices and going to holy places. Intelligent work refers to your career or vocation and how you conduct yourself in your work and relationships. So do your feng shui right, behave with integrity and do your work the best you can, treat people fairly and most important nourish your spiritual life and you will have an auspicious year"