Q I received a pair of tortoise from my friend. One is made of ceramic and the other is metallic. Please guide me with the placement and significance of having tortoise in the house.

Meghna Mahanta

A. A tortoise is considered very auspicious as the advanced branch of Feng Shui, known as the Flying Stars, is derived from the engravings found on its shell. You can place the metal tortoise with its feet dipped in water in a silver or blue plate in the north of the living room. This helps attract business opportunities. The ceramic one can be placed in a green or blue plate with some water in it, in the east of the living room or the garden.

Remember to change the water everyday. This is considered an auspicious symbol of good health as it suggests longevity; the normal breathing pattern of a tortoise is 15 times slower than that of a human being.

Q. I am going through a very bad phase in my career. I will be taking my MBA entrance exams this year and am interested in pursuing a career in either hotel management or news reading. Please advise me on my prospects and what I should do to improve them. Also, I am unable to concentrate on my studies. My date of birth is 04.10.83, at 9.51 am.

Pratul Barkataki

A. You are a weak wood person and need nourishment from the water element. Water represents finance, banking, media and communication. Hence, you should do well in news reading and media.

You have a bright future from next year onwards as your weak wood element is being strengthened from 2006. So surround yourself with wood and water elements and their respective colours like green and blue. Keep your study material in the northeast of your room and face this direction while studying.

Q. I was born on 07.07.73 at 11.48 am in Calcutta. I have studied engineering from Jadavpur University in 2001. I am working with an engineering project firm, but the pay is quite poor. Please suggest tips that will help me get a good job with a better salary. Also, let me know my strong, weak and nourishing elements, favourable colours, lucky numbers and direction.

Raja Baruah

A. According to your pillars of destiny, four elements of earth are extremely prominent in your chart. Next year, fire and earth will be in power. Earth represents direct wealth for you and this means you can expect a promotion next year. You must keep the leading earth element happy by surrounding yourself with and wearing earthy colours like beige, cream, yellow and brown. Your auspicious directions in order of preference are east, southeast, north and south.

Q. My daughter and son had joined an art camp during the Puja vacations. They have made a number of paintings with different techniques. I have recently redecorated their room and would like you to guide me as to where I should place their paintings. They are six and eight years old. Do the number of paintings also matter in Feng Shui?

Sushmita Ghosh

A. The western part of the room is connected with creativity. So, your children?s imaginative and creative art can be displayed on the western wall of their room. You can also display their art according to the colours that are dominant in them. For example, vibrant colours should be displayed on the southern wall, while the north wall calls for cool and dark tones of blue and black with gorgeous strokes of silver and gold. The eastern wall can have paintings of nature with loads of greens. The north can have one picture, while the fire energy of the south is given a boost with nine paintings. This helps them gain name, fame and recognition related with school activities. East is the family area, which is energised with a group of three pictures, while the west, the kids? very own zone, is best strengthened by displaying a group of seven paintings.