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| If we rewind to the end of 1999, and try to recall the panic that had apparently set in, regarding the impending doom at the turn of the century, you will also recall what a hoax it all turned out to be. The world did not come to a standstill, planes did not crash, and the lights did not go out as anticipated by many high-tech geeks. |
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| Why? Because, despite all that we think we know, one must realize how singularly insignificant each one of us are, really, in the context of this universe. The coming of 2000 was simply a transition from one year to another in the Christian Calendar, a mere passing through time, which was defined by man, not by any physical phenomenon. It could be called the year 420 and things would still be the same. In Chinese terms, we moved not an inch; we were in the same year, month and season, for that matter, this was true of the Hindu and Islamic calendar as well, as may have been the case with the other calendars in the world, excepting the Christian calendar. |
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| All that really happened was that the Roman calendar used a different first numeral to define a given period of time. Nothing more and nothing less. It was no different from any other midnight. Except for the HYPE. If we could apply the same logic to the issue of period change, looming so heavily over us, we might consider the fact that our forefathers have passed through eons of time and thousands of “period changes” without realizing it and that may continue to happen. So, for the moment, let us be realistic, drop the hype surrounding the “period change” and analyze what really happened. |
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| Consider that the last period change that took place was in February 1984. Do any of you remember anything really significant happening on that fateful 4th of February 1984? Was it really different from any other day? What happened or COULD have happened due to the change in the period would have possibly taken some time to manifest itself, maybe days, months or in some cases even years. Why? Because of special circumstances that surround each number, each star, external formations, level of activation etc. |
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| What I am about to discuss, is nothing new to all of you reading this, many of whom are students or practitioners, or the simply curious. Some of you may also be eminently knowledgeable about Feng Shui. I am simply going to put into perspective, the knowledge already with us, with particular relevance to “period 8”. I will be viewing old knowledge in a new light. |
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| To simplify matters, let us understand that we are now transiting one clearly defined block of 20 years and passing into another. |
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| Unlike the Roman calendar, the Xuan Kong system is not a merely numerical system that gives a number to time, but it actually identifies a certain type of QI, that prevails at certain points within a 180 year cycle. Each set of the 9 - 20 year cycles that make up this 180 year period are identified with a particularly distinct type of energy. Each type of Qi is identified by various characteristics, direction being only one of them. This cycle is known to repeat itself with the same set of particular energies that follow a precise pattern. We can liken that to the four seasons in a calendar year. Spring is always followed by summer, then by autumn and lastly winter, before it turns to spring again. |
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| These are true cycles, not simply numerical in nature. The demarcation of the 12 calendar months is numerical or technical while the four seasons, each of them having its own quality like temperature, humidity, and ratio of light to dark hours etc. is the actual change taking place. |
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| I will recap a bit and with due apology, go back to basics, a process that I have always found beneficial. In Module 1 itself, we learn about the 9 different periods (numbered simply from 1 to 9) called GUAS, each of them having a name, direction and trigram allocated to it, (except the # 5). Later, in Module 2, we associate colors, gender, body parts, family members and other attributes to each of these so called numbers that identify each period. These are referred to as GUA ATTRIBUTES. |
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Thus, Period 7, represented by one broken over two solid lines,  was called DUI. |
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| The associated body part was the mouth, so we knew that period 7 would involve a lot of talking. |
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| It also referred to a young woman, and hence we saw the rise of the young women and read lots about the “eighties woman” and then the “nineties woman” and so on. 7 relates to Yin Metal, and one can relate it also to the technical industry, the rise in computer technology etc. |
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| The waning period of 7, which also means bandits, robbing and destruction more related to thievery, has shown us wars, fighting, use of nuclear and technical rather than heavy firearms. This has increased as the period 7 comes to an end and the 7 star starts waning. If one were to look a bit deeper, one could see that a lot of that trouble stems from the West, coincidentally the Dui. |
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| So: What does Period 8 then hold for us ? |
| While period 7 was more of visible and sudden but showy wealth, period 8 will see the establishment of true wealth, as 8 is one of the WHITE stars, always good. I will remind you here that the quality of the stars, and their effects change through time. So, while we say that 8 or GEN is always good, we know that in its own timing or in Period 8, it is going to be particularly good. |
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| On the other hand, 7 which was great only when it was in its own timing, in period 7, is now about to lose its shine in period 8. In fact, as we go further into period 8, the 7 is going to bare its evil nature with even more ferocity. Look particularly at those 7’s that are enhanced or affected by water - that is where the real problem is going to lie. |
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| What do we expect will happen to all the 7 facing stars that were so good till now? Especially if they were hanging around at the door? And had water nearby? |
| I can say this much - that I have observed since the end of 2000, the 7’s at the door are beginning to lose their shine. My clients who have been using and thriving on the 7’s benevolence are now beginning to face problems. |
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| The remedy - try to use other doors and keep the 7 water stars as quiet as possible to deactivate them. On the other hand, if you have 7 mountain stars hanging around, put in some active element that will disturb the peace and deactivate the 7 mountain star. Common practices are placement of water (within the rules of direct/ indirect spirit), placement of noisy things like washing machines, TV sets, chiming clocks, and treadmills. Anything that will make the atmosphere sufficiently yang. |
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| The next question is WHEN ? |
| I would say, it’s happening already, and in fact, as I said, I have seen the deterioration of the quality of the 7, ever since 2000 end. While looking at premises in trouble, I have often asked the client if their problems have begun around the end of 2000 and if they reply yes, I know it is the fading 7 star. |
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| But this is not so in all the cases. I have clients who are yet benefiting from the 7. |
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| WHO ARE THEY? For that it is essential to look at elemental relationships. Did I not say “back to basics”? |
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| So ,In the productive cycle, metal produces water, so one can safely assume that metal (7) will be good for water. But by water, what do you mean. The water in the tap, the rain water? What? It can mean many things; it could be the person of Gua # 1. The 1 water star correctly activated, an incoming or visiting 7 could help in the North, (original Loshu # 1) or what is known as the Kan palace, or it could enhance a sector having a #1 star, in any form, base, facing or sitting. Enhancing the #1 WHITE all time great star is good, in any period. |
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| On the other hand, if it is aggravated by negative landforms like a mountain star 7 in a room with a real BROKEN MOUNTAIN outside the window, it could be really evil, more so when the occupant is a wood Gua (3 or 4) individual. This is because Metal destroys wood ! |
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| Now that I have given you the guideline, figure out the rest. |
| THINK: 9 can control the effects of the 7, more so. Because in period 8, it is the Sheng Qi star hence even more powerful. |
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| So, not only must one look at the basic elemental relationship, but also its timing factor and related strength. Remember, 1, 8 and 6 are always good, but even better IN TIMING. 2, 3, 5 and 7 are always bad UNLESS they are in timing. 4, it depends. |
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| Some more basics: And perhaps a rude shock to those who have branded the # 5 as evil. Do you remember the formation of the Parent string? It shows the affinity certain stars have to each other. |
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| 1 is the first star of the upper Yuan. |
| 4 is the first star of the middle Yuan. |
| 7 is the first star of the lower Yuan. |
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| Yuan force | UPPER | MIDDLE | LOWER | | ALSO USABLE | 1 | 4 | 7 | | ALSO USABLE | 2 | 5 | 8 | | ALSO USABLE | 3 | 6 | 9 |
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| This is why; in period 7 we were able to use the 1 and 4, in combination, as good or usable stars to support education, and good romance etc, with correct use and support. They have an affinity to each other in the stated group. |
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| Similarly, you can use 2 and 5, both earth stars, to support 8 also an earth star. Don’t take this as a license and start activating 2 and 5 with water or red carpets as is commonly believed as yet. Not unless you want to be broke, sick or dead. They are not good in themselves, but serve a particular purpose, and must be used as precisely that. Used correctly, 5 is the king maker, the number used to make emperors. Hold it; don’t rush off to get fire mouths facing a 2, just because you are unable to get an 8 fire mouth. |
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| Similarly, you can actually use “bad” stars to destroy or control other “bad” stars. |
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| For example, 3 and 2 are not necessarily bull fight; one could actually control a destructive 2 by activating a 3 as wood controls earth. We have now to reset our thinking to a new version of stars. |
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| 7 is no longer the king, it is replaced by 8. |
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| 9 looks betterand better than before. It is now Sheng Qi, the rising star, right? |
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| 6 and 1 are good as ever, but 4 will not be cool like it was in period 7. |
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| 2 and 5 are not as bad as before but you still need to look out for the 3, if it appears alongside in the same palace. |
| Keep in mind however, that when it specifically combines with the 8, it forms the Early Heaven WOOD combination 8-3, and contrary to popular belief, is not always harmful to children. |
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| Now, about changing the period. |
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| This process involves several factors. I will deviate here a bit and tell you about the different types of flying star charts and which ones are good and not so good in order of preference. |
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| The best are those simple charts that have the prominent facing water star and the prominent sitting mountain star. These are the best as both the facing as well as the sitting palaces are well “anchored”. Since the facing and sitting stars are in their correct palaces, one can use the 8 in both facing and sitting positions. Correctly. |
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| Don’t be tempted to place the fire mouth on the sitting 8 and face it to the facing star 8 though, as 8 gets hardened by fire, it becomes dry and unyielding. Instead, sleep in the mountain star 8, and keep the main door in the water star 8 LOCATION. |
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| The next best is double facing, and then double sitting. |
| For those who have gone all excited on the double 8 that may be waiting at the door, please stop and think if it is really going to be as good as you imagine. |
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| We know that activating a water star with water also will de-activate a mountain star due to the presence of water. So when you place water in the east, to activate the facing star 8 in the double facing configuration of East 1 period 8, you have inadvertently deactivated the mountain star 8. So while you get the money in, what happens to the people luck? Indications are in the sitting palace and look what you have. |
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| 7 7 ? Horrible in period 8. What is to be done with it? This is what makes it a particularly second rate star chart. |
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| The same process follows through for double sitting configurations. |
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| Last of all on the list, are the “up the mountain down the river” structures. |
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| Not all the up the mountain down the river are special formations. |
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| Please, this is very important. Only the special formations are passable, the best of the bad lot, so to speak. The simple up the mountain down the river ones come with their built in defects of the mountain star in the facing palace and vice versa. |
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| The special formations at best, are the saving grace of the up the mountain down the river structures. They will work only if they are supported by the correct external land formations - real water and real mountains. This can also be supported by slope of the land conforming correctly. It cannot work unless BOTH the supports are in place. |
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| SMALL TAICHI |
| This is the last reminder. The doors must open up in the correct parts of the small taichi. The stoves and beds must be placed correctly considering the small taichi. |
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| Now back to the PERIOD CHANGE discussion: |
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| Before you rush to change the period or attempt to do so, please consider the following: |
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Is it necessary?
Is it possible?
If not what are the possibilities.
What are the constraints?
Does it fulfill the magical combinations like 1-8-6 etc.? |
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| Let us take all these one by one: |
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Is it necessary ? |
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| A. Remember the all important rules relating to the importance of the prominent star. |
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| WATER STARS ARE BEST ACTIVATED BY ACTIVITY AND WATER IF PERMISSIBLE. |
| It is important to activate the prominent star of the period correctly, hence if it is possible to activate the prominent facing star (that is 8 in period 8) by way of the entrance door, (ACTIVITY) within the existing period 7 chart and support it with water provided it satisfies the rules of Direct Indirect spirit. |
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| YOU DO NOT NEED TO CHANGE SUCH A CHART; IT WILL WORK WELL IN PERIOD 8. |
| A good example of this is the N1 Period 7 chart that has 6-8 in the North palace, and one CAN well place water in the North. Purpose achieved. |
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| B Is the present formation a special combination like a pearl or a parent string? |
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| In this case you may need to remove the combination by changing the period as we know how bad a special combination is when it is out of timing. Actually it is bad anyway, in or out of timing; it is just that IN timing it is temporarily redeemed. |
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| C. Is the prominent star of the period or the Sheng chi star trapped? |
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| The SE/NW and NW/SE CHARTS in P7 haves 8 in the central palace, which may or may not render it usable, one has to check out this aspect. It largely depends upon whether there is an outlet for the 8 to escape or be let out. Remember here that only the FACING 8’s can be released. With a sitting 8, there is no way to release it. |
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| D. Are you able to get good Ba Zhai along with good stars? |
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| This is very important, as eventually, the Ba Zhai factor will give its own effects in the long run. By Ba Zhai, I mean considering the HOUSE GUA first, then the individuals Ba Zhai. |
| I have been asked this question several times over and over again: |
| What works more Ba Zhai or flying stars? This is my answer: |
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| I have framed this answer from the feedback from clients and colleagues and many different persons depending on their experience and have found out that what you use best, works for you. |
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| I find that Ba Zhai gives you immediate reaction with moods and sleep. The money etc comes later. But the all important rule is that you use the HOUSE GUA, then the personal GUA if you want results with Ba Zhai. |
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| Flying stars give you instant results - within the month, and in using the monthly stars you should hit and run before the negative Ba Zhai, if any, has the chance to work against you. |
| There are no fixed rules, and a lot will depend upon case to case circumstances. |
| Therefore, in reply to the first question, is it necessary. The answer is DEPENDS on the precise circumstances. |
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| For example a North 1 facing house in period 7 already has the prosperous facing star 8 in the front. In addition, being the Kan palace, it is easily activated with the use of real water, an ideal situation as it then contains the magical combination of 6, 8 and 1 (original Loshu - 1) Why would one want to change such a facing combination especially in period 8. In fact, such a combination will be better in period 8 than in period 7 as in period 7 it only indicated future or soon coming good luck, as the Chinese say, but would not have really shown any accumulation of wealth, that will take place only in period 8. |
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| Secondly, look at the location of the door. Remember Qi distribution? If the door is located in the Kan sector, well the house is perfect for the next 20 years. If not, consider moving the door to the Kan sector. |
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| When? Ideally it should have been done last year. Remember, the trick here is to RETAIN the period. We do not at any cost want to alter the period. The good news is that changing the period is not as easy as one thinks. |
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| Since we have just gone into period 8 we cannot say if or not a period can be changed so easily, but I have a case from period 6 that was assumed to be period 7, wrongly, of course, that clarified my thinking on this matter. The property was East 2 facing and the date given by the client was 1984 September as the occupation date. I flew the stars as period 7, but on close inspection found no match to the events taking placed. However, when, on a whim, I flew period 6 stars, they matched the events perfectly. I asked the client to re-check the date and he came up with September 1983. |
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| 2. The next consideration is that “ Is it possible ? ” |
| We should not make any suggestions to our clients that may be impractical. Please bear in mind the aesthetic appearance of the results of the suggestions that have been made and ensure that they look good after implementation. Take into consideration that fact that they must be lived with for a whole 20 years. Appearance is very important and if a house has good Feng Shui, you can always tell by its balanced harmonious appearance. If something that you have suggested looks exceptionally strange to the eye, rest assured the Feng Shui value is depleted. We are dealing with energy to blend in harmoniously, and that exactly is our aim, not to look disruptive. |
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| Make sure that the door looks part of the design. Tilted doors need not look “crooked” there are several ways to do it in style. Use the tilt as a feature not as an obstruction. Very extreme tilts, more than a few degrees, really create a shar qi and can kill you with forms. |
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| Think, can a tilt of a door, not more than 4 feet across, really transform the quality of energy entering a house that has a façade of 30 feet across? Unless a third or more of the façade, (door plus adjacent wall), is at a respectable tilt, I doubt that any change of facing can really be effected. |
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| 3. What are the constraints? This is something that not many have taken into account. |
| Look at the annual shars. You have planned the changes to the minutest details but the facing lands up to be the direction of the grand duke or year breaker for that year. What do you do? Wait till the next year. Plot out the charts for the shars for the next few years to help you along. |
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| I have made a chart for ready reference: |
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| SHARS CHART FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS |
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| Year | Five yellows | Three killings | Grand duke | Year breaker | | 2003 | South east | West | SW 1 | NE 1 | | 2004 | Center | South | W2 | E 2 | | 2005 | North west | East | NW1 | SE 1 | | 2006 | West | North | NW3 | SE 3 | | 2007 | North East | West | N 2 | S2 |
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| The next important consideration is the external landforms. |
| What are the effects of the external landform in the new facing positions? Do you attract the 8 Roads of Destruction or the Peach Blossom Shar Roads once you tilt the door to a new facing? Are you going to be adversely affected by any external landforms? Is there a road hitting the new door, some lamp post, ugly tree or broken mountain in the new position. Are the prominent stars correctly supported in the proposed set up? |
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| Work out all these possibilities in order to make up your mind. |
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| A tip : Choose a heavenly stem over a branch while selecting a new facing. Why? Because a stem does not get affected by the annual shars of Grand Duke and the Year Breaker as well as a lot of the other harms and destructions that we learn about. This choice is possible only when you have to chose between say ? and ?. (N2 and 3) When the chart relates to the first sub sector, ??you have to take what you get. |
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| Consider the external formations around you, with reference to the new stars that you are going to attract once the period change is affected. Is there as height which was supported by says a mountain star 8 in P7 that will now be supporting as mountain 5 in the new configuration? |
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| Remember that this is irreversible, so you need to consider it very carefully. Once the time has passed, you are not going to be able to turn back the clock. |
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| LASTLY: How does one actually change the period, how much do you need to do to really make the change take place. |
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| HOW do you think that the energy will actually change and take on a new period? How far do you need to go? |
| One method that we have been taught is to “lift the roof for 15 days, expose the house to sun and elements and then replace it to capture the new period. Is this possible? What are our options? In this method, traditionally one also has to change the floor. Change heaven (roof) and earth (floor). REALLY. |
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| The other method is to leave the house unoccupied for a period of 100 days, but once again, is that really possible. Can you guarantee ABSOLUTE stillness for that long? No rats, cockroaches? |
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| The modern options suggested are to change the door in lieu of the roof. This “symbolically” changes the period. Like Monopoly money is symbolic, I guess. |
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| Another option is to renovate more than 1/3rd of the premises. |
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| BUT: How effective are these methods? |
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| I have no clear cut answer to offer you as I have had varying experiences that I will share with you here. |
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| 1. Independent house in Pune, a major town in India, chart changed by changing the door : The premises consisted of a house on a corner lot, with roads on two faces, the West and the North. The architectural façade was West 2 facing, period 7 construction. For various reasons, I suggested closing the West facing door and suggested the use of the North facing door. In a few months, I started to get the feeling that the events taking place in the house more or less matched the stars of a North 2 facing property rather than that of a West 2 facing house. This is a case of how stars actually changed by using another door. |
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| 2. Tetley Tea headquarters - London : here the ownership of the company has changed 4 times since the company moved into the premises, sometime in the mid sixties. The stars operating till date are of period 6, although the present owners have purchased it in 1996. The latest owners having “moved in” in period 7 DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PROPERTY WILL BE ASSESSED AS A PERIOD 7 ONE. On analysis, it appears that the stars that are indicative are of Period 6. |
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| 3. House stars changed from N2 facing to N1 facing, both period 7, simply by tilting the door and stove . The energy shift was felt immediately. The change felt was tremendous and brought to my notice by the clients non-believer wife. |
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| The rule therefore is no rule. Do your best, as much as you can and hope for the best. If all methods fail, do your best in the circumstances and work with what you have. |
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| Water placement : |
| This is, to my mind a MAJOR CONSIDERATION. |
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| One of the joys of working with period 8 is the ability to use water to enhance the prominent star of the period. While strictly speaking one did not use water in period 7. We were advised on holding up the construction of swimming pools till period 8. Water is now freely usable in period 8. |
| Do not forget the rules of direct and indirect spirit. |
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| Swimming pools need special consideration of placement as you have to consider period 9 and the stars there as well as on cannot be expected to demolish a pool and relocate it in period 9 once again. Keep in mind that the entire water usability will change in period 1, when the direct/indirect rules flip over and 6 7 8 and 9 loshu positions will not be able to see water. That is going to be a real mess. |
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| Take stock of all the areas where one is able to place water using the direct/indirect rules. Look at the water star in that position. If it is a good water star, place water. If the mountain star is good DO NOT PLACE WATER OR YOU WILL BE DROPPING THE GOOD MOUNTAIN STAR IN WATER. Exercise caution and restraint. I have so many people asking me if they can activate stars with water. What on earth is activate? You have to USE. Merely placing a pot of water in water star 8 location will not help unless it is your main door, or there is sufficient activity there. The area has to essentially be YANG. What good will an 8 facing star do in a corner of the living room? |
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| HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE STARS TO BEHAVE IN PERIOD 8. |
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| At first glance, the period 8 charts look horribly unusable. Then wait, look again. Are they unfamiliar or unusable? Just unfamiliar. These combinations were not part of the charts in Period 7 that we dealt with, with so much familiarity and ease, so before getting disoriented, remember that each chart has exactly the same number of stars in the same proportion, ie. 3 of each star from #1 to #9 (3 base, 3 facing and 3 mountain stars are present in every chart.) |
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| The aim is to use the good stars correctly. |
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| To deviate once again : |
| What is good and what is bad is the question. I will frame a few concepts for your consideration: |
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| Remember the rule of the Main and subordinate star ? |
| Now at a door, the main star naturally is a facing star. |
| Look at the number in the facing star position. Let us assume its an 8. What is the other star: assume that the mountain star is a 2. Is that good? Most of you will say no, as we perceive it as a sickness star. But remember, the water has actually deactivated the efficacy of the mountain star by creating a YANG ambience. Now, though the 8 is active which renders the 2 inactive, it is not redundant. In reality, it lends support; either positive or negative to the main star, and being earth, the 2 naturally supports 8 which is also earth. |
| The Power of the prominent star and when the crossover of power takes place is the next consideration. Where the 7’s are previously powerful, they will be now be less powerful but this will happen slowly and in turn, the 8’s and 9’s will start picking up their power. |
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| 1 and 6 are going to behave more or less the same, but as we go closer to 1, the 1 will be stronger and as we move away from the 6, the 6 may weaken its influence, that’s about it. It still makes a great HETU combo. |
| 2 and 5 are beginning to look better. They support the 8 and are all in the same position in each Yuan, the middle stars, hence they have a compatability or affinity to the 8. |
| 9 is hot. It is now Sheng Qi in Period 8. Try to activate it more than ever. |
| 7 can be ignored and left in store rooms where they can mind their own business. Make sure they don’t see water as then they will show their true colours as bandits. |
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| LIFE PALACE : |
| One very unconventional but important consideration is what I will describe as the “condition of the life palace” |
| When selecting the house facing, apart from good pachai with good stars, look out for your life palace and try to keep the stars in that palace “healthy”. This means that your stars should not be challenged or drained away by another star in any way. The palace itself must not be damaged or compromised either. This ensures the well being of the individual in question. |
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| This is my opinion and is based on my personal experiences. Each practitioner has their own individual style and speciality, therefore this is not to be regarded as gospel truth but a recounting of my personal experiences. |
