Feng shui for your car

Chinese New Year is upon us once again. Given the prosperity of our Chinese-Filipino brothers in business, it’s high time that Filipinos with even a drop of Chinese blood in their veins follow the principles of feng shui. I have practiced some of the principles of feng shui for a couple of years now, and I can conclude that it does no harm to follow them. Hard work, perseverance and prayers are all necessary, but a bit of spiritual luck never hurts.

Feng shui is defined as the “Chinese system of geomancy believed to use the laws of both Heaven (Chinese astronomy) and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi (or chi).” The system is usually used to orient the parts of a building or house and to lay out other items within it to encourage a positive flow of chi. As mentioned in “Avatar,” everything is made of energy, so it would make sense to guide positive energy towards you, and ward off negative energy.

The principles of feng shui are not limited to buildings. Apparently, they are quite applicable to cars as well. According to Master Aldric Dalumpines (www.punsoy.com), there is a feng shui for cars—called “fung che” (“che” is the word for “vehicle”).

So what is the best way to prepare for the Year of the Snake, as it applies to your automobile? The good news is that 2013 is the Year of the Water Snake, and since water symbolizes money, there will be a flood of money available—if you know how to swim. For the Philippines, it translates to election spending, earnings from the new sin tax, and a foreign grant or two.

Basic fung che

Master Aldric advises that after buying a new car, have it blessed according to your religious beliefs. Some Catholics believe in driving their cars to Antipolo or Manaoag, while Buddhists may visit the Ma Tzu temple, a rough equivalent to the Lady of the Good Voyage.

In choosing your license plate number, don’t just consider the number coding but also its spiritual implications. Don’t get a plate with a 4 or 7, as they mean death and conflict, respectively. According to Master Aldric, the code of luck for numerals is: 0 means money, 1 is sure good luck, 2 is easy prosperity or earning even while sleeping, 3 means forever, 4 means death, 5 means me, 6 means the road to, 7 means conflict, 8 means double prosperity, 9 means doubling.  The meaning of your car plate can be translated literally, for example the coveted number 168 will read, “Good luck road to double prosperity.”

For those who are stuck with the dreaded numbers, don’t fret because there is a way to remedy this—the feng shui charm shops will make sure of it. Put a Yee Lu Fat or 168 Chinese character sticker (you can find it in sticker stalls in the malls) on your backlight or car plates to avert bad luck.  We actually have     these 168 Chinese stickers on our race cars.

Remove all clutter in your car, as clutter creates negative energy.  Clutter is the No. 1 enemy of good feng shui, as it traps energy, and this in time creates pressure, depression, and tension.

Master Aldric also advises that you should buy your cars on days with a full moon, to give you the most luck with your vehicle. Other spiritual advisers suggest scattering some salt discreetly in your car, as this will absorb bad vibes from people that will be riding with you. You would also need to regularly vacuum away the negatively-infused salt and redo the process to continually have a “cured” car.

Lucky colors

Even though lucky colors are dependent on your birthday (to know your lucky color from Master Aldric check out the notes below), in general, 2013’s lucky color is green. Lighter is better for younger ones and darker for the elder ones. (Please use objectivity when you define younger and older.)  Although white is the most popular choice, Master Aldric’s advice is not to get a white car unless this is your sign’s lucky color.

Replace your bobblehead dolls with Classic Yeelufat or the 168 Chinese character for safety on the road, and to help avoid accidents. The left-hand waving maneki neku or Japanese feng shui money cat not only attracts money but also honey. Putting this in your car will attract more luck and make for a better love life, with good chi. The Chinese money frog will likewise attract more success and good opportunities.

What not to put in your car

Avoid putting in your cars or homes stuffed toys or images of snakes, pigs, lions or tigers.  They attract negative vibes because of their symbolism of taking lives. I had to remove many toys, blankets  and anniversary gifts, which include images of tigers and lions, even the lovable Tigger. Never put any images or items that are against your sign. For example if your sign is a horse, don’t put a rat item in your house or car.  Tigers should avoid monkeys, roosters should avoid rabbits, and oxen should steer clear of sheep. Likewise, don’t put anything that represents your sign for this will also negate the positive chi and will lead to bad luck.

Like any supernatural system, feng shui is subject to what you believe in and is subject to interpretation.  What seems sound about feng shui is that much of it is based on logical and worldly sense, even if you don’t believe in a universal force behind everything. (Sorry, Master Yoda.) Now if only there was a way to use the powers of feng shui on Metro Manila traffic.

Aldric Dalumpines is an expert feng shui consultant and economist, who caters to individual and corporate clients on economical and effective feng shui ways.  He is the resident feng shui expert of My Home Magazine and has authored three feng shui books.  He is the founding president of the Asian Geomancy Society.

Find out your lucky color from Master Aldric.  Go to Facebook/chicdriven for details. For comments and suggestion please e-mail me at [email protected], follow me on Twitter@chicdriven or like us on Facebook/chicdriven.  Visit our blog for more details and behind-the-scenes at www.chicdriven.com.