As the Year of the Metal Rabbit starts, ancient tradition advises everyone to catch his/her breath, stop for a minute and calm their emotions. This year is a time for negotiation and contemplation, as forcing any issue will be of no use. To gain the best results from this year, one needs to focus on home, family, security, diplomacy and relationships. Though the year promises tension and conflict, feng shui is always there to balance our chi and channel the good ones.

Maxima Tiu, a feng shui expert, says it is vital to determine the right directions in one’s house. It is advised to use a reliable compass and use the floor plan to properly position the feng shui cures and enhancers.  Her store, Charmed, in Binondo, Manila, provides a variety of charms that fit everyone’s needs and budget.

“After you determine the directions in your house, use the Flying Star Chart to determine the right charms to be placed,” Tiu said.

Each year the annual flying stars change positions as good and bad stars fly into different sectors. One should practice feng shui, since it is vital to know the location of these stars both to subdue the bad luck brought by afflicted stars and to activate the lucky stars with symbolic enhancers. To start, one must first consult the Flying Star Chart, which identifies the specific areas that you should focus on, as well as feng shui cures and enhancers to be used.

For the Year of the Metal Rabbit, the Violent Star, where all theft and money problems occur, is located at the center of the house, while at the southeast part is the Heavenly Star. The Afflicted Illness Star is in the south, while the Romance Scholastic Star is in the southwest. The Yellow Misfortune Star, which attracts negative force, is on the eastern area; the west has the Lucky Multiplying Star, while the Lucky White Star, which deals with money as well, is at the northeast. The north has the Argumentative Star and in the northwest is the Auspicious Wealth Star.

Using this as a guide, here are some basic household feng shui charms that will help you get by on the Year of the Rabbit.

Mandala, which is a Sanskrit word for “circle,” comes in different kinds depending on need and use. For 2011, the Medicine or Health Mandala, which is for good health and prevention of sickness, should be positioned in the southern area of the house where the Afflicted Illness Star is located.

The Gods of Wealth Mandala, on the other hand, must be in the southwest of the abode to attract prosperity, health, wealth and good fortune. A Business or Coin Mandala could also be used to enhance one’s business profit and opportunities.

The 8 Lucky Swallows Plate, which brings prosperity, harmony, wealth and good fortune, must be at the east direction of the house. When used at the office, it should be positioned at the back of the office table and must be facing the door.

The 5 Elements of Pagoda with the wealth of life sign is used for money luck. It must be positioned in the eastern part of your house where the Yellow Misfortune Star is located.

“This is for protection ng wealth natin sa bahay. You can place it in the living room or in the bedroom.  But it is more advisable in the living room, since the area symbolizes the mouth of the father. Kaya huwag kayo papasok sa kitchen or sa backdoor dapat sa main door talaga. Ang dining room at kitchen naman ay ang part ng bahay ng mother,” explains Tiu.

The 3 Killings, which must be at the center of your house, is made up of Pi Yao, the money catcher; Fudok, to fight the bad energy; and the Chi Lin, which protects the energy.

“Itong tatlo hindi pwedeng maghiwalay, kasi itong tatlo ang nagbibigay ng proteksyon. Lalo na with the people under the signs ng dog, monkey at rat. This should be placed at the door,” Tiu stresses.

The Crystal Wealth Bowl, on the other hand, is a life and long wealth enhancer. It is made of different currencies or coins put all together and accented with seven crystals for luck, for health and for peace of mind. For 2011, the feng shui enhancer could be placed at the northwest area of the house.

The Tree of Life Crystal Globe balances the shortage of the earth element in the Year of the Metal Rabbit. It brings harmony, wisdom and plenty of opportunities to one’s life.

Another feng shui enhancer that’s vital for one’s monetary plans is the Tree of Life with 6 Birds. This invites a variety of income sources and transforms all negativities into positive outcomes. The six birds are the protectors of the tree.

The Santiago household charm, which provides protection to the family, must be positioned in the northeast where the Lucky White Star resides.