About The Complete Illustrated Guide to Feng Shui, by Lillian Too

This is a well-written, informative book with many colorful illustrations, and dazzling photos to make feng shui concepts crystal clear. Subtitled, "How to Apply the Secrets of Chinese Wisdom for Health, Wealth, and Happiness," this is a comprehensive and fascinating book for anyone who is interested in feng shui. And, author Lillian Too is well-respected as one of the world's best feng shui authorities.

Ms. Too mixes well-researched history and practical advice in over 200 pages that start with an introduction to feng shui. The author begins, "Feng Shui offers a method of living life in harmonious relationship with the earth's environment and with its energy lines." That's one of the best possible explanations of traditional feng shui, and its use of compass directions and land masses to determine auspicious.

Chapter by chapter, Ms. Too builds on the reader's knowledge of the landscape, weather, man-made structures, and design concepts. She also provides practical, real-life examples of how feng shui works.

For example, if you're building a home, Ms. Too explains that a south-facing door is the best choice, as that direction is the source of wealth and warmth. According to the author, when the Hyatt Hotel in Singapore was having business difficulties, they repositioned their entrance doors to a more auspicious direction. Business improved immediately.

This is sound advice; I've seen similar results when a household deliberately uses the side door to their home instead of the front door (or vice versa) to improve their finances or luck.

Likewise, Ms. Too offers a fascinating analysis of the Winter Palace of Russia's Peter and Catherine--with floors and tables in the lucky pa kua shape--contrasted with Czar Nicholas' palace and the terrible feng shui of the entryway staircase.

Every page of this book offers something interesting, and it's well grounded in time-honored feng shui traditions. Often, Ms. Too shares tips that you can apply immediately. For example, she recommends wind chimes in the north and northwestern area of your home to improve your children's luck, and to get favorable attention from helpful people.

Above all, there's nothing sensational in Ms. Too's approach. As she concludes this book, she suggests "Try applying the tips and suggestions contained in this book, and watch subtle but discernible changes occur."

No matter what kind of feng shui you prefer--Compass, Black Hat Sect, or Intuitive--if you're serious about studying and applying feng shui, this is a must-read book and well worth owning for general reference. You'll probably consult it often.

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