I am new to Feng Shui. Can anyone advise me on how to establish directions in a studio apartment. ie. for main door, do I read it as the main door of the building or of my apartment; if my living room and bedroom are combined, how do I work that out? I'm sorry if this is really basic, but I'm a bit lost.".

There is a non-computerised module using html at Using a compass which teaches you how to establish directions for a home. To find out more, you can check this page.

In brief, even if it is a studio apartment:-

1. Obtain an ordinary compass.
2. Stand at the centre of the studio apartment.
3. Use the ordinary compass and look at the direction of your main entrance door. (The mid-point of the door). Read the compass direction.  The direction the compass is facing is considered the house's direction. For example if the compass points to South, 180 degrees, then the house is considered a " South House " under the Eight House Theory.

To find out more on how to use a compass, it would be good if you could follow the advice provided under Using the Compass Here, you should also take readings from an empty plot of land outside your home to `check' on the compass direction. Some apartments are above a electrical substation or other `magnetic' influences where the compass direction may differ by a few degrees or more.

Cecil Lee
Center for Feng Shui Research
February 1999