You were born when the qi of Lakes was dominant. West is the direction of the lake, which belongs to the element metal. The front door of your house should face west so that the energy of your element will flow unimpeded into your residence. This is an auspicious direction, so a western room on the 2nd floor of your house could be a study, a den or a bedroom. The west is governed by the two Stellar Attendants who stand to the left and right of the Big Dipper--the throne of Shang Di, the Celestial Lord.

Your master bedroom should be placed in the northwest sector of your house, the direction of heaven, which shares the element metal with the lake. The time you spend in this room will be rejuvenating. This is the direction of sheng qi, "vital breath," the most auspicious portion of your home.

Mountains reside in the northeast, and their earth harbors the metal of the lake. Northeast is the direction of long life for the lake person. The dining room should be located here.

East is the direction of thunder. The metal of the lake hews the wood of thunder in the mutual destruction order of the five elements. For a lake person, east is the direction of death, and you should spend as little time as possible here. This section of the house is never appropriate for living space, and should be used for storage.

Southeast is the direction of wood which is cut by the metal of the lake. Thus, southeast is a direction of malignancy. Were the master of the house to spend much time here, a distressing event might occur. But the malignancy can be countered by locating the kitchen here so that the fire of the stove will burn off the sha, or killing qi. This section of the house may also be utilized as a bedroom for other members of the household, such as an older child, or as a guest bedroom.

South is the direction of fire, which melts the metal of the lake. This is the traditional location in a Chinese home for the ancestral altar. The southern section of your house might be haunted and is not appropriate for a bedroom, or any room that is occupied at night. A bathroom or kitchen would be appropriate here.

The southwest is the direction of earth, which harbors the metal of the lake in the mutual production order of the five elements. The study, office, or den/living room should be located here. The Celestial Physician governs this room, so a bedroom here is the ideal place to recuperate from illness.