Feng Shui Tips for the Working Person

After discussing the different FENG SHUI TIPS FOR THE WORK PLACE (1 and 2), I now would like to share the different Taoist Deities or Immortals and Buddhas or Bodhisattvas who can help you with your career and work environment.

Some of the things that I’m going to mention here are things that I’ve discussed in the past, but I believe that they are worth repeating.

For me, one of the most powerful Taoist God who also happens to be a Chinese Buddhist Buddha is the ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’, the Monkey God or Monkey King called Sun Wukong. I have written about Sun Wukong several times in various posts, but if you wish to know more about him you can read a post solely dedicated to Sun Wukong. But it is worth repeating here that Sun Wukong is a very good strategist, furthermore, one of his intrinsic qualities is that he is loyal to those who shows reverence to him and worship him. Having an image of Sun Wukong either as a tabletop image or pendant will give you a competitive edge in all your undertakings. Furthermore, Sun Wukong is also a very powerful protector so having his image will ensure that your chances of getting backstabbed or swindled are greatly minimize. But more than that, Sun Wukong is also a very powerful wealth god so having his image will ensure good salary and help ensure career advancement.

Another powerful Taoist and Buddhist god is Kuan Kong (also called Guan Gong, Kuan Ti, or Guan Ti). Kuan Kong is a historical Bodhisattva and Taoist immortal. I’ve also written intensively about Kuan Kong, and you can know more about him by reading my previous post about Kuan Kong. His difference with Sun Wukong is that Kuan Kong is more appropriate for people who are in power or significant position. But other than that they’re almost the same in qualities, attributes, and the type of blessing that they bestow upon those who tap into their powers.

If your workplace environment is very tense and needs a lot of harmony, you should have the image of the Maitreya Buddha, better known as the Happy Fat Buddha. The Maitreya Buddha, will ensure that there is harmony in an otherwise tense and stressful environment. You can either place an image of the Maitreya Buddha on your table or wear one as a pendant. The Maitreya Buddha will also help ensure that you focus on the positive aspects of a ‘problem’. Furthermore, the Maitreya Buddha is also a very powerful wealth god, so he can ensure good money luck. If you want to know more about the Maitreya Buddha please read my previous post by clicking here.

Just a word of caution, I mentioned here several times that you could put the images of Kuan Kong, Sun Wukong, and Maitreya Buddha on your table. However, you have to ensure that when on your table that you don’t ‘show disrespect’ by constantly hitting them with your papers, calculators, etc. If possible, it is better to place them somewhere that they won’t be disturbed.

Feng Shui Tips for a Safe Travel

In my previous post – SIGNS OF A BAD TRAVEL LUCK, I talked about signs and/or omens of bad travel luck. I will now share with you the things that you can do before your travel to avoid these omens and to ensure a safe travel.

In the old times, a Taoist and Buddhist will never travel without consulting a Feng Shui expert or the Tong Shu, a Chinese Almanac, to check what are the auspicious and inauspicious travel date. However, this practice is slowly fading away, even amongst Feng Shui believers. Nevertheless, I still check on auspicious or neutral travel dates, but I personally avoid inauspicious travel dates.

Other than looking for the auspicious or neutral dates, I also do the following ritual before I travel:

I go to the temple to light some incense for a safe travel. I also pray for my family who is going to be left behind.

On a piece of yellow paper, I put my name and names of my travel companion. Details of my travel like departure date, flight number, destination, address abroad, arrival date. Then I put this under an image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva in our altar at home.I burn the said once I’m back.

I start praying the three full mala of the Kalachakra Mantra –OM AH HUM HO HAM KSHAMALA VARAYA HUM PHAT – three times a day, three days before I travel. I continuously to do so while I’m abroad and until on the day arrive.

Just before the flight, or the cruise, I visualize Sun Wukong at the front of the plane or ship, and is the one in control. To know more about Sun Wukong, please read – GETTING TO KNOW THE ‘GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN’ MONKEY GOD CALLED SUN WUKONG!

I also always make sure that I have my WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT with me. If you don’t have this you can also wear any Sun Wukong pendant. A Kuan Kong will also do. Aside from the WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION pendant, I also have my Kuan Yin pendant, Kalachakra Pendant, which is one of the symbols found in the WISH FULFILLING AND BUDDHA’S BLESSING MANTRA PENDANT.

Feng Shui Tips to Activate Mentor’s Luck

No one can do things on his or her own. No one is able to achieve success on his or her own. Not only its is absolutely wrong and egoistic to say that I made it on my own, no matter how much the person really believes this, but it is also one of the greatest lie fabricated by mankind. On our way to success, no matter how intelligent you are, no matter how hard you work, we will need somebody to help us get to the top.

We all need somebody to help us. We all need a mentor. Mentor here doesn’t only refer to people who are in power who can teach us things or help us in achieving our goals, although it’s the primary aspect of Mentor’s Luck, mentor here also refers to people who may not be our senior in stature, age, experience, but are around us can is able to contribute to our success.

In Feng Shui, there a lot of ways in which we can activate our Mentor’s Luck, and by doing activating our Mentor’s Luck we start to attract people who may help us along the way.

One of the primary and basic tip in activating Mentor’s Luck is by being positive ourselves. By being truly positive, we start to exude a powerful positive aura, which in turn will attract people who are also positive.

We actually often here people complaining and saying things like: ‘Why am I such a magnet for losers?’ or ‘Why do I always attract bad employees/employers? Or ‘Why do I end up with horrible lovers?’ Well, the answer is because Feng Shui and personal energies attract the people that we project.

So the first and most basic tip is to become positive ourselves!

After doing the first step of exuding a more positive attitude ourselves, we can further boost our Mentor’s Luck by doing the following:

CRYSTAL CLUSTER. Another simple way of activating Mentor’s Luck is by putting a crystal cluster on the Northwest section of your room, home, office, or table. A crystal cluster, which has several ‘points’ of energy has the power to cleanse the energy of the Northwest section, which in turn controls our Mentor’s Luck.

Use Citrine cluster for business or financial mentor luck; Amethyst cluster for someone who can impart to you intelligence and skills in life, rose quartz cluster for relationship mentor luck, and clear quartz cluster for an inner peace guru.

PICTURES. Placing pictures of powerful individuals in the Northwest section of your house or room. Pictures or images carry their own energies, thus praying in front of a Buddha, Bodhisattva, Deity, Immortal, Goddess, or Saint (for Christians) is a very powerful tool to achieve your wishes. However, when I said pictures, I’m not referring to the god of your religion but I’m referring to people who you want to emulate. This can be pictures of famous people like HH the 14^th Dalai Lama, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, etc. I used to have a picture of Steve Jobs on the Northwest corner of my room, however, since his passing I’ve decided to take it out, because it’s too much Yin energy. Unless, of course, the person is a living Buddha before his/her passing, it’s best not to use a picture of a person who has passed away.

A friend who works as the country head of one of the largest NGO in the world was having a lot of problems in implementing their projects. She found herself losing patience and wanting to quit. She shared that she can just be like Mother Teresa, patient, truly loving, yet persuasive and powerful. I then advised her to put an image of Mother Teresa on the Northwest section of her condo unit, and in the Northwest corner of her office. She did! Needless to say 3 months after she placed the picture she gradually felt the effects of having the picture of Mother Teresa. The implementations of their projects are now smoother and they don’t meet as many hindrances!

Maitreya Buddha also known as the Happy Fat Buddha or Laughing Buddha

IMAGES OF BODHISATTVAS, IMMORTALS, OR DEITIES. Placing images of some powerful Bodhisattvas, Immortals, or Deities in the Northwest section your office or house is another great way of enhancing Mentor’s Luck. Furthermore, if an image of Bodhisattva or Immortal, or a Deity is used, other than enhancing your Mentor’s Luck by blessing the Northwest corner of their energies, you also tap into their blessing. I think this is the best way of activating Mentor’s Luck.

Furthermore, wearing their images as a gold or jade pendant will also bring out Mentor’s Luck blessing from them.

Use the image of the Maitreya Buddha also known as the Great Happy Buddha, Happy Fat Buddha or Laughing Buddha, if you’re working in a very place where there’s an absence of harmony and happiness. If you wish to know more about Maitreya Buddha please click here.

The image of Kuan Kong is highly recommended if you’re the head of a department. One of my previous post will help you know more about Kuan Kong.

The image of the ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’ Sun Wukong also known as the Monkey King or Monkey God is good if you’re in marketing, advertising, sales, or any other field that needs a lot strategy making and creative thinking. To help you better understand why Sun Wukong is best for people whose career involves marketing, advertising, sales, and strategy making, do read my post about him by clicking here.

Understanding Mercy and Compassion: The Transformation of Avalokitesvara to Kuan Yin.

In my previous post I wrote about the Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin (also spelled as Kwan Yin, Quan Yin, Gwan Yin, Guan Yin), who is also known as the Buddha of Compassion. Now, allow me to share with you a brief ‘history’ of Kuan Yin.

People who have read my earlier posts knows of my devotion to the ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’ the Monkey God or Monkey King called Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong is a Taoist celestial being who became really wild whom the Buddha pacified. However, it was really Kuan Yin who paved the way for Sun Wukong to be a Buddha. She did this out of her extreme compassion for Sun Wukong who at that time was already condemned for an eternal imprisonment. Kuan Yin did this not just for Sun Wukong but also for other immortals. Westerners largely look at this story as some sort of fantasy, but to Taoist and Chinese Buddhist they have high regard for the said story and believe it actually happened in the celestial world. However, the point here is not whether the story is true or not, but it hopes to illustrate the depth of Kuan Yin’s mercy and compassion that she was able to subdue one of the most powerful Taoist Immortal/Deity. It should be noted that it was implied in the story mentioned above that should Kuan Yin had to ‘fight’ with Sun Wukong, her power would not have match that of Sun Wukong. However, her real power is not with her strength as a Bodhisattva, although, I must clarify, she is very powerful, but more than her physical and celestial strength, is the power of her mercy and compassion that is said to be infinite!

However, Kuan Yin or Kuan Shi Yin (Guan Shi Yin) which means ‘The One Who Hears the Cries of the World” has a very unique transformation. Kuan Yin is Avalokitesvara in India and Cherezig in Tibet. Nevertheless, Kuan Yin is the female transformation of the said Bodhisattva. I need not talk about who Avalokitesvara in detail now because Kuan Yin is Avalokitesvara (also spelled as Avalokiteshvara), Avalokitesvara is Chenrezig, Chenrezig is Kuan Yin, they may have different names, and in the case of Kuan Yin she may have a different image but they’re one and the same. All the attributes of Kuan Yin are that of Avalokitesvara and Chenrezig, all the attributes of Avalokitesvara and Chenrezig is that of Kuan Yin!

Image of Avalokitesvara (also spelled as Avalokiteshvara).

Nevertheless, allow me to state that Kuan Yin in the form of Avalokitesvara first started in India, the land where Buddhism really started. He/She is a Bodhisattva, which is traditionally considered a little less important compared to the Buddhas. However, Avalokitesvara gained reverence equal to that of Buddhas and to some extent, specially amongst Chinese Buddhist, exceeds that of the Buddhas because as the Historical Buddha Sakyamuni himself shared through various sutras, Avalokitesvara should have been a Buddha already, however, he refused Buddhahood and wished to remain a Bodhisattva for the welfare of all sentient beings.

The transformation of Avalokitesvara to Kuan Yin is in itself a very interesting story. There are various stories about how Avalokitesvara became Kuan Yin.

One story is that in relation to Tripitaka Monk Xuan Zang who traveled to India to get some Buddhist texts that he can share with his countrymen. When he wrote about his journey he always refers to the Bodhisattva of Compassion as a female Kuan Yin, some people believes that this is one of the first time that Avalokitesvara is addressed as Kuan Shi Yin, which later was shortened into Kuan Yin. In his account of the manifestations of Kuan Yin she always appear as a miraculous being and always under miraculous circumstances.

Another story is that of Princess Miao Shan. I’ll skip the story at the moment, and I’ll share her story as written in Wikipedia at the bottom of this post.

Still, another story about Avalokitesvara’s transformation to Kuan Yin is quite simple and not as popular because it lacks the theatrical and flair of the other stories.

When Buddhism was first introduced to China, the religion is largely Taoism, which has Immortals or Deities that are very powerful and ‘masculine’. The compassionate deities and immortals are mostly female deities. Because of this the Chinese had difficulty in fully comprehending the attributes of Avalokitesvara.

Buddhist monks prayed to Kuan Yin to ask for her guidance. Some text says that Kuan Yin spoke to some Buddhist monks through their dreams and instructed them to introduce him as Kuan Yin with a female form. Other text states that they were able to divine this through an Avalokitesvara/Kuan Yin oracle. Whether it was through a dream or through an oracle, it was clear that the Buddhist monks who brought Buddhism to China started the female manifestation of Avalokitesvara. As we know this image became popularly known as Kuan Yin.

This raises the question as to why when experiencing Avalokitesvara’s miracle or vision, people see her as Kuan Yin. According to the explanation of a Chinese Buddhist monk, this is because Avalokitesvara will always appear in the form that people will understand or easily relate to.

I personally believe that the last story is the real reason why Avalokitesvara became Kuan Yin. It is because they need to put an image of mercy and compassion, and because of this Avalokitesvara transformed into Kuan Yin.

Avalokitesvara as Kuan Yin became so popular that even Tibetan Buddhist who is extremely familiar with Avalokitesvara, as a male Bodhisattva would still mention Kuan Yin. In fact, the biggest image of Avalokitesvara in the world is that of Kuan Yin which is found China.

The biggest image of Kuan Yin in the world is in China.

This also answers why some images of Kuan Yin depicts her as a flat-chested handsome young prince.

One of the semi-masculine form of Kuan Yin.

You can read my other posts about Kuan Yin entitled KUAN YIN: THE ONE WHO HEARS THE CRIES OF THE WORLD and PAYING HOMAGE TO KUAN YIN, THE BUDDHA OF COMPASSION.

If you’re interested to know about the Legend of Princess Miao Shan please read on the following that was lifted from Wikipedia.

Another story from the Precious Scroll of Fragrant Mountain describes an incarnation of Guanyin as the daughter of a cruel king who wanted her to marry a wealthy but uncaring man. The story is usually ascribed to the research of the Buddhist monk Chiang Chih-ch’i during the 11th century CE. The story is likely to have a Taoist origin. Chiang Chih-ch’i, when he penned the work, believed that the Guanyin we know today was actually a Buddhist princess called Miaoshan (妙善), who had a religious following on Fragrant Mountain. Despite this there are many variants of the story in Chinese mythology.

According to the story, after the king asked his daughter Miao Shan to marry the wealthy man, she told him that she would obey his command, so long as the marriage eased three misfortunes.

The king asked his daughter what were the three misfortunes that the marriage should ease. Miaoshan explained that the first misfortune the marriage should ease was the suffering people endure as they age. The second misfortune it should ease was the suffering people endure when they fall ill. The third misfortune it should ease was the suffering caused by death. If the marriage could not ease any of the above, then she would rather retire to a life of religion forever.

When her father asked who could ease all the above, Miao Shan pointed out that a doctor was able to do all of these.

Her father grew angry as he wanted her to marry a person of power and wealth, not a healer. He forced her into hard labor and reduced her food and drink but this did not cause her to yield.

Every day she begged to be able to enter a temple and become a nun instead of marrying. Her father eventually allowed her to work in the temple, but asked the monks to give her the toughest chores in order to discourage her. The monks forced Miao Shan to work all day and all night, while others slept, in order to finish her work. However, she was such a good person that the animals living around the temple began to help her with her chores. Her father, seeing this, became so frustrated that he attempted to burn down the temple. Miao Shan put out the fire with her bare hands and suffered no burns. Now struck with fear, her father ordered her to be put to death.

In one version of this legend, when Guanyin was executed, a supernatural tiger took her to one of the more hell-like realms of the dead. However, instead of being punished by demons like the other inmates, Guanyin played music, and flowers blossomed around her. This completely surprised the head demon. The story says that Guanyin, by merely being in that hell, turned it into a paradise.

A variant of the legend says that Miao Shan allowed herself to die at the hand of the executioner. According to this legend, as the executioner tried to carry out her father’s orders, his axe shattered into a thousand pieces. He then tried a sword which likewise shattered. He tried to shoot Miao Shan down with arrows but they all veered off.

Finally in desperation he used his hands. Miao Shan, realising the fate that the executioner would meet at her father’s hand should she fail to let herself die, forgave the executioner for attempting to kill her. It is said that she voluntarily took on the massive karmic guilt the executioner generated for killing her, thus leaving him guiltless. It is because of this that she descended into the Hell-like realms. While there, she witnessed first-hand the suffering and horrors that the beings there must endure, and was overwhelmed with grief. Filled with compassion, she released all the good karma she had accumulated through her many lifetimes, thus freeing many suffering souls back into Heaven and Earth. In the process, that Hell-like realm became a paradise. It is said that Yanluo, King of Hell, sent her back to Earth to prevent the utter destruction of his realm, and that upon her return she appeared on Fragrant Mountain.

Another tale says that Miao Shan never died, but was in fact transported by a supernatural tiger, believed to be the Deity of the Place, to Fragrant Mountain.

The Legend of Miao Shan usually ends with Miao Chuang Yen, Miao Shan’s father, falling ill with jaundice. No physician was able to cure him. Then a monk appeared saying that the jaundice could be cured by making a medicine out of the arm and eye of one without anger. The monk further suggested that such a person could be found on Fragrant Mountain. When asked, Miao Shan willingly offered up her eyes and arms. Miao Chuang Yen was cured of his illness and went to the Fragrant Mountain to give thanks to the person. When he discovered that his own daughter had made the sacrifice, he begged for forgiveness. The story concludes with Miaoshan being transformed into the Thousand Armed Guanyin, and the king, queen and her two sisters building a temple on the mountain for her. She began her journey to heaven and was about to cross over into heaven when she heard a cry of suffering from the world below. She turned around and saw the massive suffering endured by the people of the world. Filled with compassion, she returned to Earth, vowing never to leave till such time as all suffering has ended.

After her return to Earth, Guanyin was said to have stayed for a few years on the island of Mount Putuo where she practised meditation and helped the sailors and fishermen who got stranded. Guanyin is frequently worshipped as patron of sailors and fishermen due to this. She is said to frequently becalm the sea when boats are threatened with rocks. After some decades Guanyin returned to Fragrant Mountain to continue her meditation.

An Unknown But Powerful Taoist Wealth Deity Called – Liu Hai!

In my previous post entitled – FENG SHUI TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR WEALTH LUCK – I wrote about one of the most powerful and recognized Feng Shui tool to attract wealth luck, the THREE LEGGED TOAD. I was quite surprised by the number of comments and email I received inquiring about the 3-Legged Toad. For me aside from putting the Three-Legges Toad around the house, one other powerful and effective way of tapping into its ‘power’ is to wear a 3 Legged Toad pendant, preferably made in gold to make it more auspicious.

A lot of people will vouch for the effectivity of the 3 Legged Toad and while its a powerful wealth charm or amulet, it’s really just one in a slew of wealth enhancer symbols.

Some of the other famous wealth enhancers used in Feng Shui is to tapped into the power and wealth blessings of Wealth Deities. Some of them are The Monkey God called Sun Wukong who is reverred as ‘The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’ which was featured in THE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT; Kuan Kong (Guan Gong); Maitreya Buddha (Happy Fat Buddha or Laughing Buddha); some forms of Kuan Yin; Cai Shin Yeh; Tua Peh Kong to name a few. Putting their images in the house will help enhance your wealth luck, and wearing them as pendants will also help bestow wealth blessings on you.

The ones that I just mentioned above are some of the most effective and famous Wealth Deities. However, I find it surprising that a lot of Feng Shui experts has ‘ignored’ Liu Hai. Liu Hai is a relatively unknown, though I think he should be really famous, Taoist Wealth Deity.

His images show significant resemblance to the images of Chinese images of the Maitreya Buddha (Happy Fat Buddha or Laughing Buddha), and I think this largely cause the unpopularity of Liu Hai.

Liu Hai is an alchemist and court minister in China during the 10 Century. I think the ‘alchemist’ part is largely due to the fact that he is also a very good Taoist priest. It is said that at one time the Emperor’s court, during Liu Hai’s time, is running out of gold because of a war. They were physically winning this war but the scarcity of gold might impede their victory. The court facing the possibility of what in the modern days would be called ‘bankcruptcy’ or ‘recession’, the Emperor asked his senior ministers to look for a Taoist or Buddhist monk who can conjure a wealth blessing to his reign. It was said that they called several Taoist and Buddhist monk and while their was some improvement in their wealth luck, its not as fast as the court needed it to be. It was out of desperation that the ministers called for Liu Hai.

Liu Hai at that time is a shunned scholar. They think him a little eccentric because he would usually be seen going to the village well and stay there for a long time, laughing on his own, and seemingly playing with a something that is not visible to other people. And although he lives in relatively a very simple way of life, he is quite famous to some of the people who are in dire need of gold or silver (the currency at that time) because he thus gives them enough money, and he seems to not run out of it.

When he arrived at the court and was summoned before the ministers and the Emperor, it was said that he was so jolly that he appeared to be insane. When he was told of the need to have more gold coins, it was recorded that he requested for a big chest to be brought to the court. When he was presented with the chest, he then requested that it be opened. He then opened his gourd and seemingly whispered into it. The minister was said to have seen a small golden toad with ‘weird features’ to have come out of the toad and went out of the court, a few minutes after, the creature was said to have come back with smaller ‘creatures’ carrying ‘gold pellets’, they then soon filled up the whole chest with gold that the court fashioned into gold coins.

Liu Hai is said to have a name for his pet 3-Legged Toad. He calls the toad Chanchu.

Liu Hai Luring Chanchu with Gold Coins. A lesser known version of the story of Liu Hai is that Chanchu is a poisonous 3 Legged Toad and Liu Hai tamed him by luring him with gold coins.

Personally, I believe think that the story could have been embellished a little. However, what’s known is that Liu Hai is the only Taoist master who ever lived who is able to summon the 3 Legged Toad, in fact, if the were to be believe, it is said that he constantly travels with the ‘head’ 3 Legged Toad.

In Feng Shui, I can personally vouch for using the image of Liu Hai as a wealth deity. I also recommended Liu Hai to a cousin, and he said that the day after he has ‘invited’ the image of Liu Hai in his condo unit, he got the raise that he has been longing for. More opportunities to increase his finance luck has also been constant.

I don’t know where to get a Liu Hai pendant, because I believe that wearing one may prove to be very auspicious. I have been looking for one but can’t seem to find any. However, inviting his image in the house will also prove to be very auspicious. Unfortunately, getting an image of Liu Hai may not be as easy as we want it to be. I got mine in a small shop in Xiamen, China. I then found two more images of Liu Hai in Singapore which I bought to keep for people who might want to get his image for themselves. I have since then pass the images to a cousin and a friend of my mom.

When inviting the image of Liu Hai, try to get one that has the image of the 3 Legged Toad. If you’re able to get a Liu Hai without an image of 3-Legged Toad you can just place an image of the 3-Legged Toad in front of Liu Hai.

5 Quick Feng Shui Protection Tips

I always tell my friends that prevention or cure is better than enhancing one’s positive Feng Shui luck. However, putting or wearing Feng Shui cures sometimes may create more harm if you’re not totally familiar with your Bazi chart. Full birth date and time should always be taken into consideration, on top of that, the Flying Star and house directions should also be taken into consideration.

However, there are some basic but effective protection and cures that can be used regardless of your birth date and house direction.

1. BIRD FEATHER/S

Hanging bird feathers on your door is one of the most effective Feng Shui protector and cure for minor problems and afflictions. It has the capability to drive away minor negative energies and deflect minor poison arrows. Try to get bird feathers that are colorful but note that a black colored feather doesn’t necessarily mean that its bad. It need not be a real bird feather, fake one will also do. If using a real one please make sure that the bird was not killed for this purpose.

2. BLUE RHINOCEROS

A Blue Rhinoceros is one of the most effective cure against the Flying Star #7. However, even if you’re not familiar where the Flying Star #7 putting a Blue Rhinoceros is still an effective cure against violence and robbery. Wearing or carrying a Blue Rhinoceros is also an effective cure and protection charm. Please make sure that its blue and not any other color.

3. PIYAO

A Piyao (also spelled or called  Pi Yao, Pi Xie, Pixie, Pi Xiu, Pixiu) is powerful protection charm also. I’ve written about this in an earlier post so I’ll won’t write much about it. If you want to know more about it, please click here.

4. IMAGE OF AN ELEPHANT

An image of an elephant is also a good Feng Shui tool against violence and robbery. Furthermore, an image of an elephant also brings about stability and harmony. You can place this in any part of your house, but it works best in the living room facing the front door. The image of an elephant can also be worn as a pendant or bracelet or carried as a key chain, mobile phone charm, or bag charm.

Putting an elephant with the blue rhinoceros makes this cure more powerful.

5. THE MONKEY GOD – SUN WUKONG KNOWN AS ‘THE GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN’.

The image of the Monkey God – Sun Wukong is one of the most powerful tool to avoid and fight negative energies. You can put Sun Wukong in any part of your house except in the bedroom of married couple and the kitchen. Preferably though it should be place in your living room facing the door.

Wearing an image of Sun Wukong is also a very powerful wealth and protection pendant. You’ll constantly have the blessing and protection of Sun Wukong when its worn as pendant.

I personally can attest to its effectiveness because I’ve personally experienced Sun Wukong’s protection and blessing several times in my life. However, sharing my own story here might be bit a little self serving. However, I also know of somebody who firmly believes that his whole family was saved by Sun Wukong when fire struck their house at the middle of the night.

Allow me to briefly share the story with you but before that many of my readers know my devotion to Sun Wukong. My reverence, belief,  and devotion to ‘THE GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN’ is so deep that I even designed a WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT that has His image as the main feature of the pendant. Friends and family who wears the pendant swears by its effectivenes.

THE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT

However, before I became a devotee of Sun Wukong, I really don’t know anything about Him. But a friend introduced me to Him. This is the same friend whose story is what I’m about to share now.

My friend’s family has always been a devotee of Sun Wukong. However, an incident that happened several years ago strengthen this devotion, specially to the younger members of their family. My friend who lives with his parents at that time has several images of Sun Wukong in their. The ‘main image’ is on their altar in their living room. There’s another one in their home office and another one in the 2nd floor living room.

One night, while they were sleeping in separate bedrooms, they were all awaken by a loud knock on their doors and they all heard a voice who warned that their house is on fire. After this, they all heard a blast and the lights went out. Panicked, they all went out of their room, some of them carrying a flashlight, to investigate the matter. They soon found out that the fire is on the first floor of the house. My friend’s brother and father were the first one downstair and found out that the fire is within the home office. They both went in, but realized that they have nothing to kill the fire. Just when they were about to get out somebody handed them a fire extinguisher to which they killed off the fire.

When they were all already pacified they started to talk about what happened. They inquired as to who knocked on the door to warn them about the fire. This is when they realized that it seems that all of them were awoken at the same time, and all of them were awoken by that loud knock and warning. The weird part is his parents swears that they heard the warning in Chinese, my friend and his two other brothers swears that its in Filipino, their only sister seems to be the only person who is not sure whether he heard the warning in English, Chinese, or Filipino.

Furthermore, the eldest son knows that it was his father who handed him the fire extinguisher in the office, but the father can’t seem to be sure who handed him the fire extinguisher. He thought it was one of his other sons, but they’re all busy trying to attend to something. On top of that, their house help claims that they were also woken up the loud knock on their door and a voice in their local dialect warned them that there’s a fire. They all agreed that they were saved by God or by a God. They were just too happy to bother to find out exactly who, but recognized that they experienced Heaven’s blessing that night.

The following night their mother dreamed of the fire incident. But this time in her dream she saw Sun Wukong as the person who woke them up and who handed the fire extinguisher. The following they decided to offer incense to the image of Sun Wukong on their altar and in the office and upstair living room. That’s when they noticed that the image of Sun Wukong in the office has burnt base. Even if the fire happened across the room and the other side of the office where the image of Sun Wukong is totally untouched by fire except that it was ‘dirtier’ because of the fire extinguisher.

You can know more about Sun Wukong by reading my previous blog post – GETTING TO KNOW THE ‘GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN’ THE MONKEY GOD CALLED SUN WUKONG.

 

 

The Three Celestial Guardians.

The 3 Celestial Guardians, the most effective cure for the Star of 3 Killings, has become really popular in the last couple of decades. For Feng Shui enthusiasts the reason is pretty obvious. If you want to avoid the 3 Killings, then tap into the 3 Celestial Guardians. However, the truth is some people are not really familiar that the Three Celestial Guardians really consists of three different celestial animals or beings. They’re namely the Pi Yao, the Chi Lin, and the Fu Dog. These three figured prominently in Chinese architectures as guardians and bringer of luck. They’re not really used as collective protection against the negative chi of the Star of Three Killings. In the olden days, Feng Shui practitioners will use just a pair of these celestial protectors to ‘fight’ the 3-Killings. It was a famous Singaporean Feng Shui consultant who first incorporated the use of the 3-Celestial Guardians to ‘fight’ the effects of the Three-Killings. He was ‘ridiculed’ and criticized for his actions and was said that he did this to become ‘famous’ and to go down in Feng Shui history as somebody who was able to contribute something substantial.

Time proved that he was correct, because the practice of putting a pair of single kind of celestial protector is only meant to subdue to effects of the 3 Killings, however, putting the Three-Celestial Guardians as one totally ‘crushes’ the effects of the Three Killings, so much so that you don’t have to worry about it. In fact, unlike the Tai Suey and the Five Yellow Star, even with the aid of a Pi Yao and Five Element Pagoda you still have to avoid them, with the 3-Celestial Guardian you can just totally ignore the Three Killings. You don’t have to worry about it. That’s how powerful the 3 Celestial beings in dealing with the 3-Killings.

The Three Celestial Guardians, as mentioned earlier, is compose of the Pi Yao, Chi Lin, and Fu Dog. They’re some of the most ubiquitous and most revered protectors of the Chinese. You’ll see them in temples as some of the first line of guardians, you’ll also see them in the homes of the powerful and rich people and you’ll see them in offices (private or government).

 

The Pi Yao is also called as the Pixiu (Pi Xiu), Pi Xie (Pixie) or Piyao. Better known in Feng Shui for appeasing the Tai Suey (Tai Sui) God if offended, it is one of the animals in the 3 Celestial Guardians. At first glance, it resembles a ferocious, angry lion, however, if you take a closer look you’ll notice that it’s actually a winged creature that has the head of the Chinese dragon. A Pi Yao is really a fierce creature, its large fangs is known to ‘kill’ demons and negative energies.

Pi Yao also called Piyao, Pi Xie, Pi Xiu, Pixiu, Pixie is powerful celestial being.

 

The Chi Lin (also spelled as Chilin, Qi Lin, Gi Lin) is a hooved, celestial, mythical creature often called as the ‘Chinese Unicorn’. The Chinese believes that a vision of Chi Lin would mean that there’s going to be an arrival of a wise SiFu (teacher) or great illustrious leader. In fact, it’s said that when a Imperial Feng Shui consultant or astrologer dreams of a Chi Lin or saw a vision of a Chi Lin, it would mean that there will come a new great leader or emperor. For emperors or empresses who are expecting a child, and they dream of a Chi Lin, they will take it that their child will be a great leader. It is said that the mother of Chin Shi Huang Ti’s mother ‘saw’ a Chi Lin outside her window the day before she gave birth. For those who are familiar with Chinese history, Chin Shi Huang Ti is one of the greatest leader in China, albeit some people think he is also one of the most cruel emperor. Furthermore, the Chi Lin is also believe to be able to dispel negative energies and make them into auspicious one. In fact, in some Chinese dynasties, the Chilin is rank as the highest form of Celestial being.

The Chi Lin (also spelled as Qi Lin, Gi Lin, Ky Lin, Chilin, Qilin) also has a scaled body.

The Fu Dog or Foo Dog are Chinese Imperial Guardian Lions, some people will say that its technically wrong to call dogs because they’re not. It is also debatable whether the Imperial Guardian Lion or Fu Dog is a celestial being or whether it’s base from ordinary lion given extra characteristics for Feng Shui and Auspicious purposes. It also unclear whether the word Fu is from the the Chinese word Buddha, or the Chinese word Luck, which sounds the same. Whatever, its origin, the Fu Dog is also a very ubiquitous protector symbol in China. They will usually come in pair. The Fu Dog may not enjoy as much reverence given to the Chi Lin and Pi Yao, nevertheless, they’re considered as one of the most powerful protectors.

The Fu Dog or Foo Dog is a Chinese Imperial Guardian Lion.

It should be noted that the Pi Yao and Fu Dog when used as a protective ornament at home to deal with the effects of Tai Suey and as protection from bad spirits respectively, they should always be a pair of them. Chi Lin, may go solo. However, in dealing with the 3-Killings, you can have just one of each.

Wearing a Pi Yao pendant can also pacify the Tai Suey should you offend Him by facing or staying the Tai Suey corner. It can also bring wealth luck because the Pi Yao has a big mouth and no anus, which symbolizes that luck will enter but unable to leave. It is said that the Jade Emperor made the Pi Yao his wealth catcher and has made the Pi Yao into a being that can only eat gold and silver.

Always get a Pi Yao pendant that has an active stance.

As much as possible don't get a a Piyao with a lazy stance, such as the one depicted in the picture. Although, this will also work , try to get the one that has a Yang posture.

The Chi Lin when worn as pendant will bring wisdom and pacify arguments or bickering. Furthermore, if you don’t know the Feng Shui or unfamiliar with the Chi of a place, the Chi Lin will help protect you should there be bad Feng Shui and/or negative energies. It will also ward off negative energies and turn them into positive one.

A Chi Lin pendant is a powerful cure if you're not sure of the energy and/or of the Feng Shui of a place.

On the other hand, the Fu Dog, when worn as pendant will also ward off negative energies and protect you from bad spirits. The Fu Dog is a nice amulet to wear when going to the hospital or a wake.

Because, I know how impractical it is to wear the images of all 3 Celestial Guardians and the need to wear other Feng Shui charm, I decided to design my own Feng Shui cure and enhancer that incorporates the 3 Celestial Guardian and other cures for the Flying Star afflictions. I called this the WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT. At the front of the pendant is a very powerful wealth and protector deity in Taoism and a Buddha in Buddhism called the Monkey God Sun Wukong, – The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven. Click here if you wish to know more about the Monkey God, Sun Wukong.

Front image of the WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT is that of - THE GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN SUN WUKONG. The pendant is made of 14k Yellow Gold.

At the back are the 3 Celestial Guardians, and the Five Element Pagoda and a Ksitigarbha Fireball.

At the top is the Chinese character for - THE GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN. Followed by the 3 Celestial Guardians, and below is the Five Element Pagoda which deals with the Five Yellow Star and the Ksitigarbha Fireball which deals with the Argumentative Star.

Since writing about it, I’ve received a lot of email asking me as to how can they avail of the pendant. Unfortunately, as of now, because of the high price of gold, and because its quite thick and big, about an in length, and half an inch in width, its quite heavy, the price is quite steep. My jeweler, at the moment, is unable to make a silver one to make it more affordable. However, if you’re in Manila, Philippines, and wish to avail of the pendant I can lend you the mold for free. You just need to pay some deposit for the mold, and you’ll get your money (100%) back once you return the mold. You can use the mold to look for a jeweler who can make the pendant for you. I can just help you consecrate the pendant.

 

THE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT

I’ve always wondered why Feng Shui experts hasn’t come up with a “All-in-One” Feng Shui enhancer and protector. I think wearing a lot of charms is simply not practical and may cause a toll on the pocket.

Since I have my own training on Feng Shui and the power of symbols, I decided to make my own WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT. The truth is you need to be an expert to design this one. All you have to do is know the consistent annual protectors and incorporate it in one pendant and just make sure you’re not violating any Feng Shui rule.

Anyway, after doing some research and after looking for a good craftsman, I was able to come up with my very own WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT.

THE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT - Front Side. It has the image of the powerful and highly revered Taoist and Buddhist God 'THE GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN SUN WUKONG'. In Buddhism he is known as the VICTORIOUS FIGHTING BUDDHA.

The front of the pendant has the image of The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven Sun Wukong also known as the Monkey God, Monkey King or Victorious Fighting Buddha. Having the image of The Great Sage is like being close to Kuan Yin also because it was Kuan Yin who pave the way for Sun Wukong to become a Buddha. The Great Sage is also both greatly revered as deity/immortal of Taoism and a buddha of Buddhism, so technically you have a link to the powers of both religion.

Try to know more about The Great Sage by reading my previous post – GETTING TO KNOW ‘THE GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN’ MONKEY GOD CALLED SUN WUKONG. By reading the post that Sun Wukong is a good strategist and protector, which makes him a Wealth and Protector God. Also, because of his affinity with Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Sun Wukong, indirectly becomes a powerful healing buddha also.

At the back of THE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT are the image of the 3-Celestial Guardians which deals with the 3 Killings; 5 Element Pagoda which deals with the Five Yellow Star; the Ksitigarbha Fireball which deals with Argumentative Star.

It should be note also the Three Celestial Guardians has the Piyao also and this basically pacifies the Tai Suey God.

At the back of THE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT is the title 'GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN' in Chinese character, followed by the 3-Celestial Guardians with the Piyao and at the bottom are the Five Element Pagoda and Ksitigarbha Fireball.

I’m not a commercially practicing Feng Shui consultant. I decided to invest on studying Feng Shui because my family believes in it and we realized that it will be more practical and cheaper if one of us just study Feng Shui to avoid the high cost of the consultations and to avoid being ripped off with expensive Feng Shui charms that may not be essential.

I decided to make the WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT for myself and my family. But soon friends and other relatives requested for it also. If you’re interested I can also offer it to you all you have to is email me at sanaakosirickylee@gmail.com or leave a comment.

The gold one can get really expensive but its also available in silver.

I’m also currently looking for a jade supplier and a sculptor who can craft the WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT into a jade or other precious and/or semi-precious stones. It would be nice to have a JADE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT or maybe a CITRINE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT or an AMETHYST WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT. It is also to address the love of Chinese to wear Jade. But whatever we use its the symbolism that makes it work. I just want to find ways to make it more affordable.

Getting to Know the ‘Great Sage, Equal to Heaven’ Monkey God called Sun Wukong!

In my previous posts about Feng Shui – 2012 YEAR OF THE WATER DRAGON FENG SHUI FLYING STAR FORECAST, FENG SHUI-CHINESE ZODIAC FORECAST FOR 2012 YEAR OF THE WATER DRAGON PART 1 AND PART 2: and 2012 CHINESE NEW YEAR FENG SHUI RITUALS TO USHER IN THE YEAR OF THE WATER DRAGON – I made mention of the monkey god Sun Wukong as one of the most powerful wealth and protector deity and as the deity featured in the specially designed WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT.

A lot of people are not familiar with the Taoist and Chinese Buddhist Monkey God called Sun Wukong and a lot of Westeners think that having a Monkey God is a preposterous idea. However, the truth is Sun Wukong or the Monkey God is one of the most wonderful and powerful Taoist immortal and Buddhist deity. However, Sun Wukong is also one of the most misunderstood Buddhist deity. A lot of people thought that Sun Wukong is merely a Taoist God or Immortal, but the truth is Sun Wukong embraced Buddhism and thus is also revered in Chinese Buddhism. I say Chinese Buddhism because I’m not sure whether he’s recognized in Tibetan Buddhism. But note that there’s also a Monkey God in Hinduism.

In the Taoist story of creation, Nuwa is the goddess who created the universe. It’s believed that she purposely left a blessed celestial rock that through the passage of time and exposure to different forces and energies became the Stone Monkey [Chinese Character:石猴  Pronunciation: Shí Hóu] .

The Monkey God being a creature out of a celestial rock is naturally intelligent. He banded with other groups of monkey. But has always been discontented about the way they live their life. One time in search for a bottomless source of water, they came across a strong waterfall. They believe that the true power of their future lies behind the curtain of water. However, no one dared to be the first person to enter the curtain of water (waterfall) for fear of the current and the unknown. Stone Monkey volunteered to his group but demanded that should he survived the crossing of the curtain water he should be honored as the king of the monkeys. All the monkeys agreed and Stone Monkey crossed the curtain water and found a cave behind the curtain water filled with fruits and flowers. He called this place the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits [Chinese Character: 花果山].

An artwork depicting the monkeys in out side the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits.

He called in his fellow monkeys, told them about this great place and encourage them to live there. He also reminded them of their agreement that he should survive the crossing he will be then honored as king. The other monkeys-young and old-honored this agreement. As the King of the Monkeys, the Stone Monkey gave himself the name: Handsome Monkey-King [Chinese Character:美猴王 Pronunciation: Měi Hóuwáng ].

However, the Handsome Monkey-King being naturally impatient got tired of his Mountain and Flowers and Fruits. He decided to that he wants to learn more about Taoist magics. He left his monkeys and the Mountain and flowers and Fruits to look for a ‘master’. After traveling for more than ten years and after passing several ‘exams’ a master adopted him, gave him the name Sun Wukong [Chinese Character: 孫悟空 Pronunciation:Sūn Wùkōng], and then train him with some magic and supernatural skills. He soon mastered the Transformation Magic and was also trained in Cloud Riding and he is also able to jump 54,000 kms. in a single flip. However, he played with his Transformation Magic and boasted his skills with the other students. When his master found out about this he was banished.

Sun Wukong then went back to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits where he found out that his fellow monkeys were attacked and the younger monkeys were kidnapped by a monster. He then went to look for the said monster, freed and avenged his monkeys. He was greatly satisfied with his success but realized that he need a weapon worthy of his powers, for the monster that he attacked has scimatars.

In search for this weapon, he arrived at the lair of the Dragon Kings of the Ocean. The Dragon Kings kindly received him but Sun Wukong abused their kindness greatly inconvenienced them. He demanded for a weapon and for an outfit worthy of his power. After several choices he finally found the most powerful weapon in the Dragon Kings of the Ocean stockroom. The weapon is called the Magical Golden Hooped Rod which weighs 8.1 tons. Much to the surprised of the Dragon Kings was able to carry the weapon, something that hasn’t been done before. The Magical Golden Hooped Rod is really heavy, but once you’re able to carry it you are able to command it to change it size, does Sun Wukong command it to become as small as needle so that he can hide it behind his ears. As mentioned, not contented with just getting the weapon, he also demanded the Dragon Kings of the Ocean to give him magical clothes worthy of his power. They then gave him Golden Chain Mail ( Mail is a type of armor consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh), Phoenix-Feathered Cap, and Cloud-Walking Boots.

With his new found abilities, weapon and magical clothers, Sun Wukong decided that he wants to be truly immortal. He then went to hell and erased his name and that of his monkeys from the book of hell. This made him and his monkeys truly immortal.

When the Jade Emperor found out about this he called on Sun Wukong intending to punish him. However, upon the advice of the other Heavenly Beings the Jade Emperor decided to just give him a non-existing position in the Heavenly Kingdom. He was made caretaker of the Heavenly Horses. Where he got the title Keeper of the Heavenly Horses [Chinese Character: 弼馬溫 Pronunciation: Bìmǎwēn]. But Bimawen soon became bored again and challenged the Jade Emperor.

Angered, the Jade Emperor sent Heavenly Beings to subdue Bimawen. However, Bimawen’s power is so great that the Heavenly Beings that was sent to subdue him were no match to his skills, thus they are unable to subdue him. The other Earthly Immortals found out about his and they started addressing him as the ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’ [Chinese Character: 齊天大聖 Pronunciation: Qítiān Dàshèng]. The Great Sage greatly enjoyed this title and immediately adopted it.

However, with the help of Sakyamuni Buddha, The Great Sage was subdued and imprisoned. However, he begged the Boddhisatva of Compassion (Goddess of Mercy) Kuan Yin to release him. Kuan Yin realizing The Great Sage’s power decided to have The Great Sage accompany the Tang Buddhist Monk Xuan Zang in his journey to the West to acquire some Buddhist scrolls. Nevertheless, Kuan Yin knows that The Great Sage with his  tremendous power will be hard to subdue. Thus Kuan Yin instructed Xuan Zang to trick The Great Sage into wearing s Heavenly Headband. Using some prayers the Heavenly Headband will cause pain to The Great Sage. Xuan Zang is to used this whenever The Great Sage becomes out of control.

The Great Sage became the protector and disciple of Xuan Zang. Thus earning him the name Pilgrim or Ascetic [Chinese Character: 行者 Pronunciation: Xíngzhě]. Xuan Zang did have to used the Heavenly Headband but he soon was humbled and subdued. Other than being the disciple of Xuan Zang, Pilgrim became the Xuan Zang’s main protector also. More than that he is also the wittiest disciple of Xuan Zang (there are 3 more disciples). He often acts as the strategist of Xuan Zang.

The story of the Monkey King or Monkey God which is depicted in the novel Journey to the West has been made into movies countless of times.

An artwork depicting Sun Wukong fighting a devil.

Another interpretation of the Monkey God or Monkey King.

Despite of the numerous challenges that they came across during their journey to the West, they were still able to finish the ‘order’. Because all of this Sakyamuni rewarded all of them giving Pilgrim the title of Victorious Fighting Buddha [Chinese Character: 鬥戰勝佛 Pronunciation: Dòu-zhànshèng-fó].

One of the extremely rare art work depicting The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven - Sun Wukong as a Buddha. The Victorious Fighting Buddha.

This story is greatly detailed in the novel of the fictionalized account of the legendary pilgrimage of the Tang Buddhist Monk Xuan Zang. It is unfortunate, that Westerners regard it as a fiction. However, to most Taoist and Buddhist believed that the story really happened in the Heavenly Realm.

I personally have a deep devotion to The Great Sage Sun Wukong. But that’s another story for another post.

In writing this I hope you’ll have a better understanding of who Sun Wukong is and why I decided to have Him as the main deity of my specially designed – WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT. He is no ordinary Monkey God, he is ‘The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’.

The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven - Sun Wukong is the main deity of the specially designed WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT. This is because othe than being a powerful protector, the Monkey God is also the main strategist of the pilgrims who journeyed to the West. He often the one who thinks for the group.

At the back of the WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION are the Chinese character for 'THE GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN' and the images of the Three Celestial Guardians (provides protection against the 3 Killings), Five Element Pagoda (provides protection from the Five Yellow Star or Flying Star #5) and the Ksitigarbha Fireball (provides protection against the Argumentative Star). I'm also thinking of looking for a jade supplier and a crafts man who can craft the WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT on a Jade. Chinese people has a natural affinity towards jade and a lot of people have been looking for a JADE WEALTH AND MASTER PROTECTION PENDANT.

2012 Chinese New Year Feng Shui Rituals to Usher in the Year of the Water Dragon!

First, the title of this post is not entirely correct because when ushering in the Chinese New Year using Feng Shui, you eventually do Taoist and Buddhist rituals as well. You might be asking why Taoist and Buddhist rituals? That is because Chinese, without directly meaning to do it, has really mixed both religions. But that’s something I’ll discuss further on a another post.

For now, suffice to say, that a lot of us are greeting each other ‘Kung Hei Fat Choi’. You’ll hear this either from Filipinos or Filipino-Chinese. Most non-Chinese believes that this is actually Happy New Year in Chinese, but the truth is its – WISHING YOU PROSPERITY AND WEALTH!

Every year there are rituals done by Chinese to usher in the Chinese New Year. This is basically standard practice but may vary a little from time to time depending on the elements of the year. For example, this year the Water Dragon Four Pillars or Bazi chart is extremely lucking of the fire element, thus we need to add more fire into the ritual.

1. If you have had an extremely bad 2011 Year of the Metal Rabbit, it would be good to get an haircut 2 to 3 days before we usher in the Year of the Water Dragon w/c is the day of the Chinese New Year. For this year, we usher in the Chinese New Year on January 23. 2012.

2. It’s important that you a create an atmosphere of positive energy. You do this by doing a Spring Cleaning. Throw away all things that you don’t need. Don’t be attached to useless worldly things. Take note, that Spring Cleaning is not only done at home. Do this at home, office, stores, even your car.

3. A day before Chinese New Year, gather all your Feng Shui charms at home, clean them, and place them in front on your altar. If you don’t have an altar take them out for about an hour and expose them to sunlight.

4. On the 2nd day of Chinese New Year (January 24, 2012) gather all your Feng Shui charms that are in front of the altar and ‘re-energize’ them by tying a new, clean red ribbon around them. Then place the charm in the locations where they’re needed for the year of the Water Dragon. Please check the Flying Star of the Year.

The simple act of tying a clean red ribbon around your old but clean old Feng Shui charms re-energizes it. You need not buy new Feng Shui charms every year.

5. Make sure that all the lights in your house are turned on. Do this from the eve of Water Dragon to the day of the Chinese New Year. Basically, from Jan. 22, 2012 to Jan. 23, 2012. While this is done this year, for this year, it would be great if you can extend this to Jan. 24, 2012 noon time. This is because the four pillars / bazi / paht chee chart of the year shows that there is no fire and light represents fire. By keeping our lights on, we ensure that we usher in the element of fire.

6. Make sure all the door and windows of the house are open. Unless, it faces SouthEast. This is because the Flying Star #5 (aka 5 Yellow Star which brings extreme bad luck) and the Tai Sui (also spelled as Tai Suey) God of the year is in the SouthEast.

7. If possible, go to a Buddhist or Taoist temple and light an incense between 11pm (Jan. 22, 2012) and 1am (Jan. 23, 2012). If this is not possible, the next best time to go is between 7am and 9am of Jan. 23, 2012. However, if it’s not possible for you to go out, every member of your family should light three red incense on your altar. For Catholics, you can light a candle. Just make sure you don’t burn anything.

8. VERY IMPORTANT: ALL PEOPLE BORN UNDER THE SIGN OF THE DOG MUST STAY INSIDE THE HOUSE ON THE EVE OF CHINESE NEW YEAR. BUT PLEASE DO GO TO A TEMPLE OR A CHURCH BETWEEN 7AM AND 9AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.

9. On Jan. 22, 2012 prepare the following:

Get 1 liter of water, put it on a basin or jar and put three different flowers in it. Make sure that the flower has no thorns. Put the jar or basin in front of your altar. If you don’t have an altar please put it on Northeast corner of your house. Sprinkle your house with this flower essence water between 7am and 9am of Jan. 23, 2012.

Get a tikoy, three pieces each of nine different fruits, onion leaks with roots (if possible), Chinese Cabbage or Pechay with roots (if possible), 1 RED bowl of rice grains, 1 RED bowl of salt, 1 Red bowl of sugar, 1 RED bowl of cooking oil, three bottles of beer or three shot glasses of liquor, 3 whole garlic with roots (if possible), 28 pieces of sweet candy (please make sure its not mentholated or has mint or eucalyptus flavor). Put these items on your dining table and leave it there for three days.

10. On Jan. 23, 2012 the whole family should all try to wear red and enjoy a meal together before 9am.

11. Please also try to light a candle on the eve of the Chinese New Year. This is again to make sure that you simulate the fire element which is totally missing from the Bazi Chart of the 2012 Year of the Water Dragon.

Lighting candles will simulate the fire element which is totally missing from the 2012 Year of the Water Dragon Four Pillars chart.

12. The eldest or the head of the house should give out Ang Pao or Red Envelopes with money to all the people in the house. It need not be a big amount.

13.  On the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, it will be great if you can offer incense and fruits to a deity and ask for wealth blessing. Because this is the first wealth day of the year. It will also be good to invite a new wealth deity this into the house. Some of the Wealth Deities are Tua Peh Kong, Kuan Kong (also spelled as Guan Gong), Sun Wukong (Monkey God), Dzambhala (also spelled as Jambhala), or Maitreya Buddha (better known as the Happy Fat Buddha).

Tua Peh Kong also called Tua Peh Kong is a famous Taoist Wealth God.

Guan Gong or Kuan Kong is both wealth and protector god. He is both honored and worshipped in Taoism and Chinese Buddhism. In choosing an image of Guan Gong its very important that you look at the face. The 'fiercer' the face the better.

Sun Wukong (aka Monkey God or Great Sage, Equal to Heaven) is also a weath and protector god or deity. He is both reverred in Taoism and Buddhism. One of my future post is about how he started as a Taoist Immortal and then converted to Buddhism.

There are several different forms or manifestations of Dzambhala (also spelled as Jambala or Dzambala). Dzambala is a Buddhism Wealth God. The one in the picture is the most common or most famous manifestation of Dzambhala which is the Yellow Dzambhala.

The Happy Fat Buddha is in reality called the Maitreya Buddha (also known as the Future Buddha). He is a great symbol of a wealth. In choosing a Maitreya Buddha please take note that he should really look well fed and happy.

14. On the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, we celebrate the Jade Emperor’s Day (more about the Jade Emperor on future posts). Chinese Buddhist or Taoist people should go to the temple and light some incense and offer fruits. Rooster and Rabbit born people whose Feng Shui forecasts for this year is not very positive should go to the temple and asks for the Jade Emperor’s blessings and protection. For Catholics, you can go to church and pray to an image of Christ the King.

15. The fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year is also termed as Chap Goh Meh. A lot of Taoist priest will be doing their Tai Sui Blessing on this day. It will also be nice to donate blood on this day to help clean out your negative or bad karma. People born under the sign of the Dog and Dragon will also greatly benefit if you donate blood or attend a Tai Sui blessing.