The Way to the Heart is through the Face

One of the most common reasons why people turn to Face Reading is for relationship issues, or problems. When it comes to romance and matters of the heart, Face Reading can indeed be a tool as a means of evaluating the type of person one is getting involved with, and how committed they are to the relationship at hand.
Certain features can indeed determine better relationship luck:

Eyebrows
• Long eyebrows denote a sentimental and empathetic personality who values ties with other people, while short eyebrows denote a hasty and temperamental personality.
• For females, it's desirable that they have New Moon or Willow Leaf eyebrows. The former indicates that they'll be supportive and understanding towards their husband, while the latter denotes good affinity with the opposite sex, and the ability to care for the home.

Nose
• A long, straight, and tall nose on a female indicates her ability to enhance her husband's luck and bring out his potential.
• Since the nose represents the Wealth and Spouse Star for females, a good-quality nose on a woman indicates good husband luck.
• A nose that is very high and tall, in proportion to the rest of the face, indicates a very strong ego - and the inability to bend or back down to a partner's will!

Temples

• The temples at the sides of the forehead, near the corners of the eyes. This denotes the Spouse Palace for both men and women.
• Clear and fleshy temples denote a good relationship with the spouse, while scars, dents, veins, moles or discolouration suggest problems and arguments.

Cheekbones
• It's not desirable for a female to have high, prominent cheekbones - especially when coupled with a high, strong and bony nose. It means a controlling and domineering personality, one that will 'control' the husband too much.

Eyes
• Long, slender eyes with clearly defined pupils and whites bode well for romantic relationships. This denotes a person with a clear heart and mind, unencumbered with worries or excess emotional baggage.
• Eyes that are too small denote problems with communication and empathy. These people will not express what's really on their mind, which can lead to long-term issues.
• Too-large eyes indicate an emotional, sensitive nature. They will need a lot of attention, especially those with big, round eyes that appear watery. It can be emotionally exhausting and draining for the partner.

These are just some of the simple ways to read a face for relationship outlook. In more advanced forms of Face Reading, there is Combination Position or Multi Position Face Reading, which combines the various disparate features to arrive at a more detailed and exhaustive evaluation.
As such, the balance has changed. As evolution can't be help, the wise approach is to go with the flow and modify our own expectations when it comes to relationships. Along with the change in the "power" balance between men and women, we have to accept the inevitable change of not just financial responsibility, but also in terms of who gets what done However, many women who are strong individuals and who need to accomplish their own goals other than the traditional ones of being a wife, mother and homemaker, commonly want the best of both worlds. They want to pursue a successful career and yet hope to be completely coddled and taken care of by their man. However, we know from a BaZi (and practical) standpoint this does NOT work!
In the meantime, all the best in your attempts at Face Reading... and remember to enjoy the process!

No, you're not turning into the Incredible Hulk..

No, you're not turning into the Incredible Hulk..

But those green veins on your face have something to say

A student came up to me with a question regarding the faint green lines or veins that can sometimes appear on the face. Aside from the random general beliefs that elderly people may have about green veins that appear on the face (that may have its origins in old wives' tales more than anything else), it also has significant meaning in terms of Chinese Face Reading (Mian Xiang).

It all depends on which part of the face the green veins or lines appear. Here are some examples:

• Green veins that appear on the temples indicate a person who is short-tempered. Additionally, if married, it indicates problems with the spouse. (In Face Reading, the Spouse Palace is located at the temples.)
• Green veins that appear on the 2 top corners of the forehead (also known as the Sky Horse Palace) indicate obstacles that can occur during travel. It could denote minor or major hassles. Hence, if you see this on your face before a trip - ensure that all your travel documents are in order! It could also mean that you may run into problems and accidents while 'travelling' from one place to another - so be careful when driving and on the road.
  
• If the veins appear on the tip of the nose, it indicates a potential loss of wealth. Therefore, you'll need to be careful with all your investments at that particular time.
  
• Green veins on the bridge of the nose denote the possibility of health issues. These troubles could either directly affect you, or the people in your household.

These are just part of the tip of the Face Reading iceberg! There's plenty more to learn and discern, especially once you start studying Face Reading. Also, bear in mind that the veins on the face may not always be green - it can sometimes be reddish, blue-ish, or even purplish-black. As you go deeper into Face Reading, you'll learn that the colours of the veins can also tell a lot about the difference in a person's luck.

The good news? These veins are rarely ever permanent! They tend to appear at certain points and disappear, and maybe reappear again at some other time. As such, practicing the art of Face Reading will help us identify or pinpoint a particular issue or luck outlook affecting us at a certain point in time. So, there's never a wrong time to whip out your mirror and pay attention to what your face is really trying to tell you!

To clash or not to clash - that is the question

This week, let's take a look at the concept of the "clash" of the Earthly Branches in BaZi. Recall that each natal BaZi chart contains four Earthly Branches -- namely the four animal signs in the Year, Month, Day and Hour Pillars (in addition, there are the Earthly Branches of the Luck and Annual Pillars). A clash to the Earthly Branches means that one (or more) of the Earthly Branches encounters a direct, opposing branch. This can occur within the natal BaZi chart itself or between the branches in a natal chart with the Luck or Annual Pillars.

Now, the main thing is that a clash of course is not to be feared and does not necessary mean a bad thing! In general, however, clashes do indicate changes, usually abrupt and obvious ones. As clashes indicate head-on changes, their effects are obvious and typically obviously felt - so it is a good idea to usually prepare ourselves when we predict a clash occurring either in the Luck or Annual Pillars.

Whether a clash is deemed good or not is usually dependent on how "favourable" the victorious element of a clash is. For example, in the clash of a Rat (Water element) and a Horse (whose main Qi is Fire), the victorious branch is typically the Rat (as Water puts out Fire). This is one determinant. We also have to examine whether the more favourable element is removed or introduced. Continuing with the Rat/Horse example, let's assume that there is a Rat branch in a natal BaZi chart and a BaZi evaluation tells us that the element of Ding fire is needed. In the Luck Pillar of the Horse, generally the introduction of Fire via the Horse, even though it is "rejected" by the Rat (hence, manifesting as the Rat/Horse clash), is good for the person in question. There will be unsettling changes in store of course ... but the discomfort will be beneficial for the person's life.

For today's article, let's also examine the effects of the clash to different parts of the BaZi chart. As the Year Branch indicates the external-most part of the chart, a clash here indicates a change in the external environment of the person in question. These external changes can manifest in circumstances as relocation, migration or travel for the person undergoing the clash. A Clash in the Year Branch can also mean accidents or mishaps which hurt the external body. As the Year Pillar also denotes the relationship with one's grandparents and childhood friends, a clash here may also mean separation from (or in some cases, the death of) such parties.

The Month Branch is the foremost indication of one's key character since it denotes the immediate family environment when one is growing up. As such, any clash here means not only a crucial change in the person's key attitudes but possibly a change in the parental home or parental relationship. In addition, as the Month Pillar is also an indicator of one's immediate work environment and relationship with the superior, a clash here denotes such a corresponding change - he or she may be transferred to a different department or alternatively, his or her superior may be replaced!

A clash to the Day Branch is usually much-feared as it typically denotes marital or spousal problems. However, a clash to the Day Branch could simply mean a change in residence or renovations to the home. Alternatively, it could also mean hurting the lower part of the body or perhaps even surgery.

Parents especially, should be wary of a clash to the Hour Branch as this denotes issues (for example, separation) with one's children. As one's subordinates are also akin to one's children, a clash to the Hour Branch can also denote a turnover in subordinates or even the type of work that a person does. Besides these, a clash to the Hour Branch can cause a feeling of unease and unsettling thoughts for the person experiencing the clash.

Face Reading for Everyday Life

I often get questions from students and clients about how Chinese Face Reading (Mian Xiang) can actually 'help' or be used in our day-to-day living. The quick answer is: in a variety of different ways. Face Reading is a fun and simple exercise, and the only 'material' you need is a face on which to practice! There's a reason why this practice has stood the test of time from the time of the Yellow Emperor in China around 2,500 B.C. - because it has proven results. In the more advanced levels of Face Reading, practitioners don't only read the face, they study the entire physiognomy of a person.

Face Reading, then, can be seen as the 'hidden' or subtle weapon that you can use for your own benefit - anywhere, anytime. For example, consider the modern professional rat race - resumes or curriculum vitae can be altered or 'padded' to greatly exaggerate or improve upon the actual truth. A more effective way of knowing whether you're hiring the right person for the job will be to study the facial characteristics. That way, you know if what they say really tallies with who they really are.

Interpersonal relations at the workplace can also benefit from Face Reading. Dealing with colleagues and playing the game of office politics can be absolutely exhausting and demotivating - making it hard for you to focus on your job and give it your all. But consider how much worthwhile it would be if you knew how to maneuver around your difficult, unpredictable boss - or how to deal with a pushy colleague who demands the world and gives nothing in return. Studying their faces and observing their facial features and traits will give you that edge. You'll feel in control of your relations with others, not be controlled by others!

Even in business dealings and sales and marketing, Face Reading can be invaluable. Does your client need to be persuaded with detailed facts and figures in a quiet coffee shop, or be wined and dined in a fancy restaurant, followed by a rousing karaoke session with 5 or 6 of your colleagues in attendance? Or, for example, if they have big eyes, they probably need to be 'touched' (figuratively speaking, that is!) before they buy. If they have small eyes, then maybe they want to hear about the numbers involved before they say a word. Do they look like they're prepared to buy, and therefore worth your time, or are merely casual observes who are not inclined to commit at this point in time? These are just some of the ways Face Reading comes in handy.

What Face Reading does is provide you with the information on a person's character, and give you pointers on how he or she would like to be approached. For those of us who already do Feng Shui and BaZi consulting, it helps us zoom into the issues our clients are currently facing. Most of the time, it's usually clearly written on the face! Depending on their needs, you will not even have to expend time and energy measuring every sector of their house, or analysing every aspect of their BaZi chart.

There is plenty to be learned from Face Reading. The best way to start is by studying the individual features in Fixed Position Face Reading - the eyes, mouth, nose, and ears, for example - and then 'graduating' to Combination Position Reading. The latter involves taking into account several features or factors of the face for a more in-depth reading. Of course, taking a class in the subject will provide you with invaluable lessons you can use for the rest of your life (quite literally, in fact).

All the best with your practice of Face Reading - but most importantly, have fun!

Building or moving into new house ?

Building or moving into new house ?

you are a Feng Shui practitioner, you are going to get this one question asked of you all the time, in the most inconvenient of places and quite frequently, by people whom you have never met till that very moment of their question: "Can you tell me if the house I am planning to buy has good Feng Shui or not?"

I am sure you will agree with me that being a psychic would usually help in these circumstances since you, the Feng Shui practitioner, will usually not be presented with any information at all with regards to the property.

Prevention is better than cure - so it is always better to undertake a Feng Shui consultation of your property prior to buying a house. So, what I will try and do today is give you one or two guidelines that will help when you are out hunting for your dream home.

One other thing before we proceed, certain houses need no cure (I will elaborate more on this later) and with other houses, there is simply no cost effective way to make them Feng Shui compliant; it would simply cost too much. A great deal (i.e. of running into either of such houses) depends on your luck.

Fortunately, finding a totally disastrous house is quite a rare possibility, so don't get ahead of yourself with worry just as yet

Feng Shui - The Real Thing

Your immediate environment exerts the largest influence in the overall Feng Shui of your home - where you are LOCATED is one of the key factors to consider when buying a new home. When engaging a Feng Shui consultant, assuming you have some leeway in this, ask him or her where in your town or city is a good spot to build or purchase a home.

Different areas of a city or town have Qi (energies) that are sourced from different mountains (we call these dragon veins in Feng Shui). The real study of Feng Shui revolves around how to locate the 'correct' spot where the Qi will support your endeavors. Keep in mind that one man's meat is still another's man poison - a spot may not be as suitable for you as it would be for your neighbour.

Obviously, the structure and formation of mountains and Qi flow in the environment (meaning Classical Luan Tou Feng Shui) is out of reach of the average Feng Shui enthusiast at this point in time. However when you engage your consultant, you need to check with him your area's Landform Feng Shui and which choice plots you are able to tap to these Qi.

Many people are under the mistaken assumption that landform Feng Shui is primarily about looking out for "poison" arrows and "Sha Qi" features from your neighbors. To some extent, these are the basics to look out for but keep in mind that we are taking into consideration the MACRO Feng Shui of your property - the WHOLE area. It only makes sense to pick an area that is good from the beginning to work with.

Land And House Selection Criteria

Let's take an example of an area, you arrive to find that the area is extremely windy - BAD Feng Shui. Why? Because wind disperses the Qi. In Kuo-Pu's Burial Book, known as the main source book of all Feng Shui studies today, it is clearly stated that the Wind disperse the Qi. So, if your area has very strong winds, you can be sure that the Qi in your area is not very positive, so give this area a miss.

-> Merciless Tiger and Dragon Embrace

"Merciless what?!", I can already hear the worried cries for help now. The Tiger and Dragon refer to the left and right surrounding hills or even houses. If they do not 'embrace' your land area and instead is outward moving as in the diagram below, this land is one that will not be very suitable. The Qi in this area cannot be contained and you are better off looking elsewhere.


-> Piercing Water

Water in the practice of Feng Shui can help enhance Qi and can just as well do the exact opposite and cause harmful Sha Qi. If the water path (usually in the from of drains or gutters) directly in front of your main door rushes in a straight line, it is known as "Wu Qing Shui" -Merciless Water. This type of water not only drains the Qi of your house, but ultimately emits Sha Qi. If you see such a structure, it would be futile to try and fix this property.


-> Bright Hall

The bright hall refers to the generous space in front of your property. Check that you do indeed have a bright hall and that it is not TOO tight or TOO spacious. If it is too tight, no Qi can accumulate, if it is too broad, then Qi disperses without having a chances to collect. When faced with such structures, move on and keep looking.


-> Hills at the Back and Water in Front

Contrary to popular belief, it is not always necessary to have mountains at the back and a water feature or a lake at the front. This really depends on the overall structure of your landform. Sometimes it can actually be better to face a good mountain to receive Qi directly from the dragon veins.

How Can BaZi Help You To Find the Right Job?

How Can BaZi Help You To Find The Right Job ?

Have you often stopped long enough to wonder why is it you do what you do for a living? We all know people who work simply for the sake of ‘having a job’ or for the fact that it pays the bills. Maybe you’re one of those people. Have you stopped to consider... are you truly passionate about your job?

Consider this - you spend the majority of your day at work. Wouldn’t you be much happier, or at least a lot more content and fulfilled, if that job involved doing something you LOVE? Wouldn’t it be easier NOT to watch the clock every evening waiting for that moment to head back?

As a BaZi consultant, I know that BaZi can help you identify the career path to which you’re most suited. But in my personal experience, I’ve come across many clients who are working in a particular line or industry because: a) their parents pushed them into it, or b) their friends were in this field/industry as well

We’re each of us unique, however, and have different reasons for wanting to work. It would not be fair to yourself, or to the people you love, to sacrifice those interests and passions simply to hold down a job that makes you miserable. It would be better if we could find a way to merge our passions, and our practical need for money and security, into a job that pays the bills AND contributes positively to our sense of self and wellbeing

Curious about how BaZi can help? Let me share with you ideas on how it works:

- Look at the Day Master. The Day Master reveals your basic personality and character traits that are obvious to you, and to others.

-> For example, a Water Day Master is fluid, and needs to constantly be on the move. They thrive on change. So putting a Gui Water person, for example, in an accounting position and having them sit in a chair from 9-5 each day behind four closed walls is a surefire recipe for... disaster.

-> An Earth Day Master thrives on having security and a solid ground. Constant change would make them nuts! Someone with a lot of Earth in his/her chart, or is a Wu Earth Day Master, for example, would be positively miserable in a sales job.

- Look at the chart structure. By studying the entire BaZi chart, we can also pinpoint how people with different structures gravitate towards different jobs.

-> People who are Resource Structures will love ‘thinking’ jobs, roles that allow them to exercise their analytical skills. Generating new ideas is a piece of cake for them!

-> People with Direct Officer or Seven Killings structures will love to lead and take control. They will flourish when they have a sense of authority at the workplace.

These are just two very simple examples - but they already go a long way toward helping a person decide on what job role and industry might suit them, and eliminate the ones that don’t. Imagine what happens when you have the time to study your entire BaZi chart, or get it read by a consultant?

Using BaZi can help you save time, and eliminate the need to spend years fiddling about in various jobs before deciding what’s right. Those of you who are parents won’t have to spend significant chunks of your life savings on putting your kids through school studying something they detest, or something to which they’re not personally suited.

So do consider giving BaZi a try - it will, at the very least, open your eyes to new perspectives from which you can improve your career. Wishing you all the best on your career explorations

Homebound Feng Shui

This week, let’s look at the immediate and short-term when it comes to Feng Shui. The majority (if not all) of you reading this live in an existing home and are probably not in the midst of searching for another place or looking to build another home in the very near future. So this week, let’s take a closer look at the abode that we’re ALREADY living in and the present effects of our home on our current well-being and endeavours.

Where do we start? In our day-to-day living, the best reference point for the NOW is of course the annual flying stars. If you haven’t already, check what the annual flying star at your main door is and you’ll have a picture of what’s generally in store (well, since Feb 2009 already) for all the occupants in your house this year. For example, if your main door is located in the West this year then you’ll be experiencing bouts of sickness, excessive worrying and over-thinking since Star 2 this year. However, since Star 2 is *also* a wealth star, we can also surmise that there are also increased opportunities for wealth and it’s likely that these opportunities are partly to blame for the less-than-rosy health outlook of your home’s occupants for the year.

As Feng Shui concepts work like layers of an onion, check also what star is visiting your bedroom this year. This will give you additional information that relate only to occupants to that room. Not everyone who lives in the same house will experience the same exact luck, right? Let’s assume your bedroom is happily located in the Southeast sector this year. Hence, the star that has flown into your room is Star 8 which brings increased income that comes from a regular salary. Putting 2 and 8 together (pardon the pun) now gives us 10... and voila, we get the scenario of a good year for generally routine hard-work that results in a slow and steady increase in wealth (and one probably involving new partners/acquaintances). Of course the health issues from having a West main door are still there but we do know that life isn’t perfect, right?

If you work from home either by default or at least partially, then you can add on the effects of the visiting annual star where you do your work as well. Your home business or work will be affected by not just only the annual star at your main door but also but the annual star(s) affecting your home office or area that you work in.

And if all this isn’t enough to quench your Xuan Kong Flying Star thirst, you can also read the effect of the annual stars on the natal flying stars of your home. As usual, don’t fret interpreting ALL the sectors of your home; just focus on the interaction of the annual flying stars with the natal stars of your main door, bedroom, home office/study and perhaps, the kitchen. The annual flying stars are, after all, the triggers to the potential of your home as determined by the fixed, natal flying stars. Lastly, don’t forget that all of these effects (including the effects of the annual stars solely) are of course dependent upon the external forms surrounding your home so do a check on these as well.

What if you don’t like the outlook that you see (especially since it’s midway 2009 already and your experiences this year so far confirm your analysis)? Well, use your “Man (Human) Luck” then! Change main doors if you can - closing up your actual main door and entering through the garden sliding door is an example. Or else, move bedrooms, sleep on the living room sofa, or even swap bedrooms with your maid for the year! Remember, where there’s a will, there’s a way. And in dire circumstances where really nothing can be done within the house, there’s always the option of putting up elsewhere to tide over the year.

The Rule of Five in Face Reading

On a deeper level, the art of Mian Xiang (Face Reading) also involves reading a person’s body movements and subconscious behaviour, in addition to studying and interpreting both the obvious and subtle physical facial features and qualities.

Similar to the study of Feng Shui and BaZi, then, there are also ‘Special Structures’ in Mian Xiang that enables us to assess the greater capacity of a person.

There is, for example, the structure known as ‘Five Exposed’ (五露), which indicates a person who is extremely successful, and is able to leave behind a legacy of his/her outstanding success. The ‘Five Exposed’ is characterised by these facial traits:

• Bulging, protruding eyes
  Shells of the ear ‘reversed’
  Mouth that doesn’t completely close
  Exposed nostrils
  Large Adam Apple that juts out

But what happens if an individual only has FOUR of the five exposed features listed? Then be forewarned: this indicates the potential for a nasty accident. And with only ONE or TWO exposed features? It’s usually a sign of poverty.

Another structure of interest is that of the ‘Five Hidden’ (五藏). (You must be wondering how one’s eyes, ear, mouth, eyebrows, and nose can be hidden!) A person with the ‘Five Hidden’ usually has many hidden talents, great insight and intelligence, and is a skillful strategist. This structure is denoted by these traits:

• Soft but clear voice
  Hidden feelings and thoughts which others have difficulty discerning
  A piercing gaze
  Deep wisdom
  Internal strength that is not known by others

Know of anyone who fits into either one of the above-mentioned structures?

Back to Mian Xiang Basics

If fancy-schmancy terms are not your thing, there is always one reliable way to assess a person’s luck - through the eyes. When the eyes are clear, bright, and lively, the person’s luck cannot be bad. And if you match that with a face that appears bright, clear and radiant - that person is experiencing some very good event in his or her life.

Like all Metaphysics subjects, practice makes perfect. Do not be fooled by your friend’s smiling face - if the eyes are lackluster and lacking spirit, with a hint of red veins, combined with a dull complexion lacking a healthy glow - something’s not quite right.

On the other hand, once at a coffee shop I spotted a friend of mine walking into the shop. His face seemed to glow like an angel’s, even from the slight distance. "What did you just do," I asked later. "You’re glowing!"

He smiled. "Just closed a deal, my friend. Many zeroes worth."

Oh well.

What's Spirituality Got To Do with BaZi ?

Due to the nature of the subject, BaZi practitioners are sometimes viewed as having extra "powers," with some being viewed as being spiritual, and perhaps, more enlightened than your average Joe or Jane. After all, BaZi practitioners are able to decipher the personal characteristics, the best direction in life based on inherent skills, strengths and weaknesses while taking into account the personal fulfillment of the person whose chart is being read, as well - all this with just the date and time of birth of the said person! In addition, with accurate information on the client and his/her present circumstances, choices and upcoming decisions, a competent BaZi practitioner is also able to accurately foretell the sequence of things to come in the future.

It’s no wonder then that the BaZi practitioner is commonly seen as having extra-sensory powers or divine guidance from the spiritual realm. As BaZi deals with a person’s life and "luck" of the individual in question, it’s no wonder that the field is often misunderstood as something mysterious and related to the divine. As a result, some people who might be curious in getting a reading or in picking up the study of BaZi (or other Chinese Metaphysics subject, really) might be wary of the seemingly religious or spiritual overtones of the subject.

However, are BaZi practitioners *really* a spiritual lot?

Truth be told, BaZi is a technical study just like any other academic subject. The difference is of course the subject nature itself - in this case, the study is on the individual’s destiny, personal characteristics, surrounding circumstances and thus, possible life path. BaZi really is an extremely practical study. It deals with the earthly existence and circumstances of the individual with no sole reference to religious or spiritual aspects whatsoever. Practitioners would know that seemingly unrelated aspects of life such as education, gut instincts and well-being can be grouped under the "Resource" category-the same category that medicine, religion, metaphysics and spirituality belong to! From a BaZi perspective, these are all different aspects of life which serve the same purpose for a particular Day Master.

A BaZi analysis CAN of course reveal the depth of spirituality of the person in question, but this is just like any revelation of one’s other life aspects such as nature of romantic relationships, method of wealth accumulation, inherent skills etc. We wouldn’t label BaZi a tool for solely any of these aspects (eg. career guide, relationship guide, health report), would we? Why then should BaZi be considered a religious tool or study?

BaZi, in fact, deals with the nitty-gritty of life

Of course, studying something as vast and powerful as BaZi will usually raise awareness of the awe of the universe. After all, BaZi deals with one’s life and destiny, and through studying and understanding the subject, often one can’t help but ponder over WHO or WHAT is the ultimate force that metes out each and every BaZi chart and as such, each individual’s destiny on earth. Metaphysical studies *can* sometimes lead to an awakening of one’s spirituality in cases where religion or spirituality had never been at the forefront of one’s psyche before (and for people who are already religious or spiritual, perhaps BaZi studies would further reinforce their faith or personal belief).

However, the fact remains that on its own and at its purest (some practitioners DO tend to mix everything together-a whole other story altogether), BaZi is an extremely practical science based on the logical understanding of the influence of planetary positions and configurations of the universe. The insights, guidance and information revealed by the applications of BaZi are very "real", practical, often priceless and completely devoid of any specific religious or direct spiritual association.