Attracting prosperity into the home

By Dinna Chan Vasquez

The front door of a home is very important, says feng shui expert Joy Lim of Charms and Crystals, as this is where all the good energy comes into the home.

?The front door must be clean, well-lit, welcoming and used,? says Lim.

If the door is facing north, she says passing through it must be avoided. If there are no other doors, Lim urges the owner to use a 5-bat rat charm, a 5-element pagoda and Chung Kwei, a deity that, according to Chinese lore, protects people and places from demons and evil spirits. Ching Kwei is considered an effective guardian against thefts and burglaries and people with bad intentions.

If the door is facing east, Lim warns that the Year of the Ox could bring danger. A good precautionary measure is using charms like chi-lin, rhinoceros and rabbit rhino charm with 3 chi-lin. Chi-lin is a a heavenly creature with the combination of a dragon head and a horse body to produce a harmonized mixture of excellent qualities between the two auspicious animals.

Lim is known as the feng shui adviser to the stars. Her clients include stars from rival networks such as Kris Aquino, Korina Sanchez, Boy Abunda, Ara Mina, Carmina Villaroel and many others.

The number 9 takes center stage this year and Lim says it is best to activate the house?s center with an ox with a bell and teapot and surrounded by bejeweled wishing crystals.

?The bell symbolizes a protection charm that warns the ox in case of danger while the teapot will give him strength. The crystals signify a harvest of good luck,? she explains.

Lim says it is very important for everyone to leave all their anger and angst behind and learn to adopt a more positive attitude. This is a means to attract prosperity, she adds.

Another way to enhance one?s prospects is to write wishes on wishing papers and burn these papers on New Year?s Eve (Jan. 25).

?Remember that you can wish for anything, even if it seems impossible,? says Lim.

Another reminder for the Chinese New Year is to avoid the use of sharp objects as this symbolizes surgery.

For the dining table, Lim says it is good to avoid white plates. A red tablecloth is good for welcoming the New Year. It is also advisable to avoid wearing black or white for 15 days after the New Year. Lim suggests bright-colored shirts with lucky symbols.

For more good luck, Lim suggests taking a bath before midnight on Jan. 25 with pomelo soap, drying off with a yellow towel and spraying on sandalwood cologne afterward. If you have access to pomelo leaves, she says it will be good to boil the leaves and use the water for bathing.

?Pomelo soap and sandalwood cologne are effective against negative energy,? says Lim.

If you are a Rat, Rabbit, Tiger, Goat and Rooster, Lim says red is an excellent color to wear on the New Year.

A silver box in the northwest of the bedroom, house or living room will help attract money to pay the bills while putting this same lucky charm in the southwest direction will bring a good and loving boyfriend or partner.

Buddhas are really lucky. A medicine Buddha is best for those who are sick or those whose loved ones are ill. Lim says this should be placed in the western direction or bedside of the sick person.

A money yellow Buddha, which should be placed at the entrance of the house, is also believed to be a charm for attracting money. A happy Buddha mantra brings wealth, protection and good health to the family while a golden ruyi Buddha is for those who want a promotion and is looking to activate career luck.

But Lim says the most important thing to do before Jan. 26 is to clean up and de-clutter the home. She urges feng shui practitioners to replace broken stuff and give away or throw anything that they don?t need. Particular notice should be given to windows and to take out anything that blocks the main entrance.

?One good tip is to donate your unused things to charity. The more you give, the more blessings you will receive,? she adds.