Hi sarahh

My first suggestion is to check books out from your library to see if you understand them before buying them. Lillian Too has some great easy reading books on basic feng shui as well as 8 mansion and flying star. There is also a great one from Eva Wong "A Master Course in Feng Shui" don't let the name scare you. It just means it goes more in depth  from the basic DIY books. Another one I found really helpful is "Flying Star Feng Shui" from Stephen Skinner. Here's an article from LT's site on flying star you might find helpful.

http://www.wofs.com/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=52&task=view&id=321

She has a lot of helpful info on her site as well as in her forum.
silkconcepts

I, as well, like Lillian Too's articles.  Her website is filled with useful information.  

Be careful, however, when buying "cures" and other items from ANY Feng Shui site.  

My Chinese friend, Dan, reminds me that Feng Shui has been around for a very long time.  Most people, over the centuries, had no access to some of the luxurious items sold on Feng Shui sites.  "So," he says, "Why buy a pair of fancy wu-lou when a pair of gourds will do just as well?"  I think this is good advice.  Maybe something that you make or find in your own environment will have just as much validity as something you buy from some retailer.  

Here are some of the ordinary things I found:

A soldier on a white horse - on a mug with a hinged cover.  One of my kids found it at a garage sale.

I made my own 5-element pagoda...it was easy, I just looked at the ones I found online and created my own.  

I ran across a bunch of bamboo flutes with windchimes hanging off of them.  It wasn't hard to figure out what to do with them!  I paid $2 each.

At an end-of-summer K-Mart sale, I found some terrific garden ornaments for $5 each:  a three-legged frog, a turtle, some mandarin ducks and several stepping stones.  

Since it was headed for the garbage, I snapped up my grandma's old crystal chandelier and took all the crystals off of it.  (It was pretty beaten up and had been in the garage for years.)  I laugh every time I see the exact same shapes sold online for some riduculous amount!

The point is that Feng Shui has its roots in simple folk.  So, take the advice you receive but look around you for the simpler ways to make it work for you.  Chances are, you'll feel more at home with the items you place in your home.

I agree tootsiewon.  

Feng Shui is about creating harmony and balance within your environment. It wasn't about the purchasing of knick knacks. If you're into the objects that are sold on these sites then more power to you but if not then get items that blend with your environment. Chi will not flow well if you're dissatisfied with the things around you.

Those are some great examples Tootsiewon of things you can find.  my mom found me a cat statue with both paws up at Goodwill last month.  You definately can find things out there.  But it is hard to not buy into the 'quick fixes' when if you just get it flowing it works out.

Hello yoyocue!
I hope you still visit ...I noticed your replies and I think you might be able to help me with a few questions on the Four Pillars, also Eight luck Pillars, if you won't mind?
My questions involve interpretation.  First, let me give you this: (my chart)

Phase            Hour                     Day                Month             Year
                     7:29                     24                   Feb.                  1964
Stem             +earth WU         -wood YI         +wood JIA      +earth WU
Branch           -wood YI            (empty)          +fire BING      -wood YI
                    -water GUI         (empty)           +earth WU     -water GUI

Now, I did my 8 luck pillars also, and this particular 10 year cycle began when I was 37,  so I'm towards the end of this one as I am now 43;
 
37 years old - 47 years old
Stem:    Water
Branch: Earth
Next 10 year luck period 47 years - 57 years old
Stem:   Metal
Branch: Metal

Okay.  so I can interpret that from the lack of metal in my Four Pillars, means it is my favorable phase(?)  Metal is favorable for me.  Now, how then can I figure on my unfavorable phase?  Would it be wood? Because I have mostly wood?
I see that my DayMaster is -wood YI, and is vibrant.  So, according to this, I would have a strong chart?
If you could also tell me, if this is a correct reading: (I am not so sure I got this one correct)

DayMaster is wood (vibrant)
Rescource star is water (retiring)
Performance star is fire (ready)
Power star is metal (inactive)
Wealth star is earth (weak)
Parallel star is wood (vibrant)

If you could tell me that I have read this correctly, then I will know at least I'm understanding what I have been reading.  I have no one to help me when I get confused, so I'm hoping that you might be able to, or anyone else who happens to read this.  Of course I have other questions, but I don't want to load you up on them at this time, hahahahaha. I am looking for a house, and over the past year my health has been a big issue.  After I began reading about Flying Star Feng Shui, I realized the house I am living in now is not good for my health, nor is my bedroom location.  I am willing to make some changes for good health, etc...if I can know that what I have learned so far, I am understanding.
I am so grateful if you could help, or anyone else could help.
Lisamarie
P.S.  Of course, I could pay for a reading, but I do not know who to trust.  If you have any referrals, please let me know.