The element of the mountain is earth, which dams water, impeding its flow. For a water person, the mountain direction is the traditional location in a Chinese home for the ancestral altar. The northeast section of your house could therefore 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.

Your office, study or den/living room should be placed in the eastern sector of the house. This is the direction of thunder, the herald of the coming rain, which will replenish your element and enhance the work you conduct in this room. The Celestial Physician governs this room, so a bedroom here is the ideal place to recuperate from illness.

Your master bedroom should be placed in the southeast sector of your house, the direction of the element wood. Since water nourishes wood, 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.

In a water house, south is the direction of long life. The dining room should be located here. South is the direction of fire--water nourishes wood and wood fuels fire, so your element and this direction are mutually beneficial.

Earth dams water, preventing your element from flowing and causing it to stagnate, so this direction is extremely detrimental to your health. In a water house, southwest 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.

The element of the lake is metal, which is corroded by water. In a water house, west is the direction of injury and misfortune, and permanent residents of this sector will be prone to accident. The western section of the house is still appropriate for temporary living space, such as a guest bedroom, as long as residents do not use sharp instruments or appliances.

The element of the heavens is also metal. In a water house, northwest is the direction of malignancy. Were the master of the house to spend much time here, a distressing event might occur. But the malignancy may be countered by locating the kitchen here so that the stove can burn off the sha, or killing qi. This section of the house may also be utilized as a bedroom by guests or other members of the household, such as an older child.