Over the years, I have come across various websites that offer 'secret' cures that are relevant to a specific year. Or websites that offer a different cure each year. Many of these websites of course make money selling product. And need their customers to keep buying.
However, the truth is, cures used do not have to be fancy or expensive to be effective. In fact, one master (not selling products on his websites) recommends a blue piece of paper for Water to 'drain' the negative effects of Metal 7 and a red paper for Fire to 'burn up' the negative effects of Wood 3. He also suggests that you do not use the area of the house with Earth Star 5. Of course in old China when feng shui was used primarily by the aristocracy and homes where quite large, it was easy enough to move the bedrooms to a different sector of the house.
Many of us in the 21st century do not have this luxury. So the hope is that by nullifying negative influences, that we can then continue to use the area with an unfortunate influence without suffering adversity by applying the appropriate harmonizers. Perhaps that year may not be as great as another, but at least it is not a disaster as might otherwise be anticipated.
Of course a blue piece of paper can simply be tacked to a wall, or taped to the back of a piece of furniture, or even stuck on a nail with a picture or mirror hung in front of it so the piece of paper is not even seen but still exposed to the air flow of the room (that is, do not stick in a draw or cupboard). Though blue or red paper may be sufficient, I have always preferred to reinforce the Annual Cures I use with imagery. That is, to control the Metal 7, I have always liked the Blue Rhinoceros. Something about this unique looking animal figurine that appeals to my sense of aesthetic. Also, it is easy to move from compass direction to compass direction each year.
Although in my Annual Cures newsletter, I list a variety of choices, all you need is one for each sector, which can then be cleansed at the end of the year and moved to the new sector. If you do not already own a selection of items to be used each year, and need help deciding which ones to purchase, let me suggest the following:
Water 1: As Water 1 is not an Element of misfortune, nothing needs to be done. However, placing an enhancement will enable us to 'tap' into this favorable energy to bring benefits into all areas of life. As Metal makes Water, I use a Gold Arowana (an ancient species of fish known for its longevity, paternal care, and like the koi, a symbol of prosperity). I also hang 10-Coins on a Red Cord, again, for the metal which gives birth to Water, the circle shapes which represent the Metal Element, and the number 10 which reduces to the number 1.
Earth 2: Though the cures recommended for Earth 2 are the same as Earth 5, I have preferred a traditional 6-Coins on a Red Cord and a Brass Wu Lou (Gourd) as the Wu Lou has always been considered a protection against illness.
Wood 3: Though a red paper or keeping a bright light on is sufficient, I have always preferred a Red Laughing Ho-tai Buddha and a cylindrical Red Candle.
Wood 4: As Water feeds Wood, a Lucky Bamboo plant in a bowl of clean water is excellent. As I have a child who is a student, I put a Calligraphy Set in the appropriate compass direction in his room. For my son who is looking for Career Luck, I put a Brass Abacus in the appropriate compass direction in his. For the compass direction of the whole house, I put a figurine of the Dragon and Phoenix for relationship harmony, which can be used to attract a harmonious relationship for those who are currently single.
Earth 5: Though the most basic remedy is to use a wind chime or a pendulum clock with a metal pendulum (moving metal), I like to use two. As hanging a wind chime does not fit my decor, I prefer the Salt Water Cure as a more industrial strength remedy and, as a temporary cure, one that I toss in the trash at the end of the year - vase, 6 coins and whatever salt remains. I also like to use the 5-Element Pagoda, which I have filled with earth taken from around my home.
Metal 6 in the East: Another beneficial number bring good fortune to the compass direction of the house that it is visits each year, and requiring no remediation. To enjoy additional good fortune from Metal 6 it is suggested to use a Metal Dragon figurine, a Gold Tortoise with a Coin in its Mouth, or my favorite, a Non-metalic Gold Buddha.
Metal 7 in the South East: Though a blue paper is sufficient, I have always preferred a Blue Rhino and a 30mm Blue Lead-glass Crystal Sphere which I either hand or just put on a table in the area visited by the Metal 7.
Earth 8 in the Center: Earth 8 is also referred to as Lucky Money 8 and, like all numbers, is activated by activity. This means just walking through the compass direction of the house being visited by Earth 8 brings good fortune. Understandably, there will be much activity if it visits the front door, or as in 2010 is in the Center of the home. Nevertheless, rather than wait until someone walks through this area, having a water feature such as a Table Top Fountain or an Aquarium with one or more fish constantly swimming in circles, will keep the money qi flowing even when no one is at home. You can further enhance this area with a vase of fresh flowers, opening windows to keep fresh air circulating, and one of my favorites, the Cinnabar Egg as the Fire Element feeds the Earth Element and the intricately carved egg symbolizes abundance in the present and prosperity in the future.
Fire 9 in the North West: As this is usually a fortunate area of the home, it can be energized with fresh flowers or anything associated with either the number 9 like a 9-Fish Scroll or the element of Fire. In my home, I anchor this fortunate influence by placing 9 Amethyst Crystals along with a Coral Gem Tree.
Front Door: If Earth 2, Wood 3, Earth 5 or Metal 7 are in the compass direction of my front door, I also put a Ba-gua Mirror outside the house above the front door. At the end of the year, I toss this Ba-gua Mirror, along with the Salt Water Cure used for the Annual Earth 5, into the trash.
Grand Duke (Tai Sui) in 2010 between 52.5° and 67.5° of the North East: The Grand Duke is the year Ruler and this year is in the Tiger direction. The usual recommendation, besides do not face the 15° subsector where the Grand Duke resides, is to place a Pi Yao in the opposite compass direction (this year placed in the South West along with the cures for the Earth 5), facing the 15° subsector containing the Grand Duke in the North East. Some people will place a pair of Pi Yao and others will use a Qi Lin, and others, any fierce looking animal.
Three Killings (San Sha) in 2010 in the North with the Wood 4: To protect against the misfortunes traditionally associated with the Three Killings, which represent misfortunes of accidents, illness, and financial loss, the suggestion is to place Three Guardian figurines. These can be three Qi Lin, or a trinity of the Fu Dog, Pi Yao and a Qi Lin. These go in the sector where the Three Killings are found each year and they face in that direction. My Three Guardians are placed on a small oval teak stand. Placing plants in this direction is also beneficial.
Year Breaker (Sui Po): This is the Animal Sign in the opposite compass direction from the Animal Sign of the year. These two Animals are said to Clash. In 2010, the year animal sign is the Tiger, which is in the North East, and the Year Breaker is the Monkey in the South West.
Do Not Disturb: Whether Year Breaker, Grand Duke, the Three Killings, or Yellow Earth 5, it is best NOT to do construction on areas of the house in any of these directions, and avoid digging in the garden. If the area that construction or digging needs to be done includes any of these directions, begin the project in an auspicious direction and work your way into the area considered inauspicious. Or put up a curtain, folding screen, or hang a wind chime between the house and the area of construction or excavating. Best of all is to postpone disturbing any of these areas until the following year. In 2011, Yellow Earth 5 and the Grand Duke will be in the Rabbit direction East, the Year Breaker and the Three Killings will be in the opposite direction Rooster West.
Recycle Yearly Cures: Each year, I gather all remedies and enhancements together on serving trays in January, a few weeks before the end of the year. I then place them all in a sunny area of my back yard, and sprinkle with sea salt. Then, at the end of the day, I wipe them down with a damp cloth, and bring the trays back into the house. Prior to the beginning of the Solar New Year (February 3 or 4), I energize each item by holding them in both my hands before placing them in their new locations. If you prefer, you can energize with the Three Secret Reinforcements or any other method you are most comfortable with. Salt Water Cures (vase, 6 coins and remaining salt) and or Ba-gua Mirrors used for Annual Cures I toss in the trash.
Gong Xi Fa Cai - May you have a happy, harmonious, healthy, and wealthy year ahead.
