Every residential and commercial building is affected by energy whether you can see it or not. Each year, millions of people buy, read, or come across books on how to go about setting up the arrangement of items, furniture and special features in the living space. 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, in Chinese, it is called the Yin Metal Rabbit, or ‘xin mao’. Before we begin evaluating the Feng Shui cosmic energy for the year, we must understand that Feng Shui affects our mood, psychology, luck and many other factors in life. By going with the flow of our own cosmic system, and aligning the energy around us, we can live a much more harmonious and auspicious life. The old saying goes “One Destiny, Two Luck, Three Feng Shui”. Feng Shui has a definite bearing on our lives whether we choose to believe in it or not. Obviously education and the things we choose to do also affect our luck. If you are in a good cycle, with Feng Shui, you can enhance the good luck, on the other hand, if you are in a bad cycle, Feng Shui can help you reduce the negative impacts of bad luck.
The following is a summary of what everyone can do with limited knowledge of Feng Shui. Please note that if you are uncertain about the Feng Shui configurations of your house, hire a professional to evaluate your house. Aside from annual Feng Shui energy, you may need to take into consideration the use of other traditional Chinese methods such as Flying Stars, Eight Mansions and so forth. The annual star also has an impact on the Flying Stars which is determined by the time factor. The use of trinkets, ornaments and statues may be considered. Although some may consider them superstition, certain animals such as the Dragon, Kirin, and Pi Yao Dogs, if placed properly, can have powerful defensive qualities. If you intend to make Feng Shui changes for 2011, be sure to do so after February 4th 2011.
The Grand Duke of Jupiter (82.5º – 97.5º East)
Every year, the Asians who are into Feng Shui are always concerned firstly about where the “Grand Duke” resides for the year. It is an area where there is energetic imbalance due to its interactions with the planet Jupiter and the cosmos. This is an area that should not be disturbed. For the Year of the Rabbit lilian too, the Grand Duke is located in the East, therefore, avoid renovations and major activities in this area of the house. The inauspicious 5 star also moved into this sector which makes the east sector an even more difficult area to deal with. Things to beware of and remedies in the East sector:
• Avoid red and earth colors in this sector.
• Place six coins in a row or metal objects here.
• Brass, bronze, silver or gold dragon ornaments are also recommended.
• Pi Yao Dogs (preferably two) are of very popular ornaments used to appease the Grand Duke.
• If you have a different sector of entry into the house, try to use that instead of the east sector. If the east entrance is unavoidable, try not to bang or slam the door upon entry.
• Calabash or Wu Lu Gourd can also be used.
Annual One White Star (Northeast)
This year, the Romance Star flies to the Northeast sector. For those who are interested in enhancing their romance aspect of your lives, or increase the possibilities of meeting people, place metal and water objects in this area of your living space. The sound of metal such as a metal chiming clock or music box can do the trick. Water is also advised for this area. If you were to choose one or the other element, definitely go with metal since the Northeast area represents earth. With metal, you are providing a bridge between the earth and water energy of this area.
Annual Two Black Star (South)
The Two Black Star is often referred to as the sickness star. For 2011, this is not a good area at all as the sickness star is enhanced by the fire from the south. If the south area of your house is the bathroom, guestroom, laundry or storage room, then it is of less concern to you. In Flying Star Feng Shui, when the 2 and the 9 come together, there is a higher potential of misfortunes.
Remedies:
• Place six metal coins in this area.
• Avoid major building work or renovations. If you need to do so, hire a professional to select a date for renovations.
• Brass ingot can be used to protect wealth.
• Metal Wu Lou Gourd (Calabash) is also recommended to reduce the effects of the sickness star.
• Avoid colors of red and the use of fire (eg. Candles and electronic equipment) in this sector.
• Some books that I have come across in Hong Kong recommended placing wood in this sector to fight the earth energy. Personally, I’d rather reduce the bad energy before fighting it.
Annual Three Jade Star (North)
This star is not as bad as the Two Black Star nor the Grand Duke yet you have to be aware of arguments and disputes in this area of the house or business unit. The remedy for this area is simple. Since the Three Jade Star possesses wood energy, utilize red colors and fire-related objects to reduce the strength of the wood. Avoid using water features in this sector for the year unless and Feng Shui consultant has diagnosed this area properly utilizing Flying Stars. Do not hang wind chimes or place metallic instruments in this area.
Annual Four Green Star (Southwest)
This is often referred to as the academic or scholar star. It governs not only academic and artistic talents, but also other parts such as career, travel, wisdom, education and interpersonal relations. Unfortunately, this star flies into the Southwest sector which possesses earth energy, as a result, the academic star is weaker for this year due to its conflict with the earth energy. In order to raise the energy of the academic star, you will need to place four bamboo sticks in a water vase. Do not place plants with earth in this area as you can end up creating conflict in this sector for those who are studying. Avoid placing metal objects as it will weaken the academic star. Having a wooden bookshelf or pagoda in this area is also auspicious.
Annual Five Yellow Star (East)
As mentioned earlier about the Grand Duke, this sector is not suitable for major activities. It is not all doom and gloom when we deal with Feng Shui. The key is identifying the bad sectors and finding the proper remedies. Many traditional Chinese cures involve the use of salt water or six Chinese coins in this area. Those methods may work but it is more important to avoid disturbing this sector. Utilize more metal in this area. Please refer to the above description on the Grand Duke for remedies in this area.
Annual Six White Star (Southeast)
The Six White Star is a good star for those who want to enhance their career luck. This is also considered to be a military star which is favourable for those who are politicians or officers. Since the Six White Star possesses metal energy while the Southeast possesses wood, we would require a bridge in order to enhance the metal. To do this, place both fire and earth related items together. Logically, you would have the wood feeding the fire, and the fire strengthening the earth, then the earth can strengthen the metal. You can also place a real quartz crystal or crystal spheres in this area to activate the energy of the White Star.
Annual Seven Robbery Star (Center)
This year, the ‘Broken Soldier’ star is imprisoned in the center palace. This star represents robbery, deception, theft, gossips and back stabbing. This star must be taken care of or there may be possibilities of loss of wealth and break-ins. Do NOT use red colors in the center of your house and try to avoid candles and electronic equipment here. Metal chimes and metallic instruments must also be avoided here. The best remedy for this sector is to place water here. If you intend to use water features in this sector, ensure that the water flows slowly. Water that is crashing or vibrant in this area would accidentally activate the robbery star. If in doubt, you can always upgrade your security and alarm system.
Annual Eight White Star (Northwest)
Out of all the stars, the eight star is the most auspicious since it is governing the flying star for this period until 2023. The auspicious earth energy of the eight star resides in a metal area where its fortunes are reduced for 2011. For those who like to place crystals at home, this is the area where it should belong in for this year. The best quality of handpicked quartz crystals is recommended and they have to be place properly and visible in the northwest for 2011. Wealth and fame will also be found in this area of the world and I will cover this next month in my annual predictions for 2011. If your bedroom is located in the northwest, you can also consider placing an amethyst crystal here to strengthen the Eight White Star. The northwest should also be free of clutter. Many Chinese tend to place 8 white pebbles aligned in a shape of a cross like the image shown in the stars chart. The white pebbles can also strengthen and solidify the earth energy in this sector.
Annual Nine Purple Star (West)
This is supposed to be a very auspicious star since it is considered a ‘future’ wealth star with an auspicious influence in this current period. For 2011, the Nine Purple Star, representative of fire energy is in conflict with the metal energy of the west. To make matters worse, the Annual Three Killings reside in this sector. Do not place metal objects in this area as you may end up disturbing the negative energy of the Three Killings. It is best to hold back renovations or major activities in this area of the house for 2011. Remedies for this area would include water and wood objects. Green plants or fresh flowers grown in water would be your best solution. If you are interested in placing Chinese ornaments to take care of the Three Killings, many would use 2 kirin dogs facing the Three Killings.
Summary
This report presents you with many options in terms of what you can do to disperse the negative energy for 2011 and enhance specific sectors of your home. This is by no means a cure-all method as the Annual Flying Stars is only one aspect of a complete system of Feng Shui. In order to maximize the use of Feng Shui, you may wish to consult a professional Feng Shui practitioner who would be able to calculate the Flying Stars of your house based on time, and incorporate the Eight Mansions theory to locate sectors related to your health, wealth and career. Remember that energies of the house change often and is by no means static. The incorporation of a professional Four Pillars of Destiny reading can provide a greater accuracy in determining all your favourable and unfavourable directions.