Free ‘water dog’ reading and more from Joy Lim

MANILA, Philippines - As I walked into the Charms and Crystals shop at the Hobbies of Asia building along Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City, there I saw feng shui expert Joy Lim having just finished her interview conducted by a local television show.

The space was filled with all sorts of colorful and shiny things, from the large golden Buddha near the entrance, to the bracelets displayed in the glass cabinet, and the gold smiling snake on Joy’s table.

I sat there going over the questions in my head and even before I could ask anything, Joy asked me my birthdate. I guess I would be getting my first feng shui reading, I thought. As a water dog, she told me that I would be very lucky this year of the water snake. In my head, I asked how and why? She then told me that the most basic thing anyone should do to increase their luck is by knowing the compass direction of their animal’s house.

Dogs are in the Northwest, Joy says, and that with the use of a compass I should find out where in my house or in my room that direction is. She adds that elements in every direction are important and based on the Pa Kua, the Northwest is “Big Metal.”

Northwest is also travel luck, mentor’s luck, and heaven’s luck, meaning “if you want a good life, unexpected blessings, luck na hindi mo pinaghihirapan, then you need to take care of the northwest part of the house.”

“Anything that destroys it, you can’t have it there,” Joy continues. “What destroys metal? Fire. So there shouldn’t be anything red in the northwest because it is like having hell in your life.”

Joy adds that it’s also important not to have the toilet in that direction because all toxic and wastes are there.

“But if it’s there, what can you do?” Joy says. “You don’t destroy it physically but what you can do is put something red in there.”

If, however, there is no need to neutralize any bad element in the northwest, or in the direction of your particular animal’s house, you can use charms and crystals to activate your luck. In my case, since the northwest is travel luck, putting flags of different countries it in that direction is like pressuring the universe.

"You will be surprised, you’ll be traveling for free,” Joy says. “God is fair. Lahat tayo pinanganak ng hubad, walang dala dalang silver.”

And of course, putting anything metal in the northwest doesn’t hurt. In fact, Joy says, you can even put a picture of a car there if you’re thinking of getting a car this year.

Year of temptation

Joy emphasizes that the water element is a very good sign financially because it symbolizes money.

“Economy will be good,” she says. “And as it’s an election year, it will be a peaceful one. “

Enemies, she adds, have the potential to be friends again this year.

But while the overall expectations for this year is naturally good, personal health and natural disasters are areas that will be areas of concern.

“I have to say this year will be worst compared to the previous years especially in the eastern part of any country or any place,” Joy says.

In the family, the mother—due to the presence of the illness star—and the eldest son should take greater caution this year and that saying prayers for them should always be first before considering turning to charms to ward off the bad elements.

The year of the water snake also happens to be a year of temptation. The snake, Joy says, is a symbol of beauty, mystic, and charm so those in relationships are advised to take better care of it.

Joy says that it’s good to befriend those who are born in the year of the snake, but also warned that they are also very bad enemies.

But as feng shui is all about elements, Joy warns that it is not necessarily a good year for everyone born in the year of the snake, especially if your element is fire.

Before Joy left to rush to another appointment, I asked her what is the difference between getting feng shui tips on the Internet and seeking advice from someone like her, who’s one of the most popular and sought after experts in the country.

“It’s important that you know where you seek advice,” Joy says. “Eh ‘di sana lahat sa Pilipinas mayayaman na. People might think it’s expensive. But me, I actually give free consultation. Ganoon ang buhay, if you are gifted with something, kung ipinagdamot mo, it will stay with you forever. So always share whatever blessings you have. The secret here is how to activate the luck.”