“Tea,
coffee or me?” Sifu Sabrina asks, pouring her beverage from a pot into a porcelain mug.
My heart ricochets against the walls of my rib cage as I shift in my chair at her dining table inside her condo. “I’ll have what you’re having.” Wow, those copper-tinted eyes. That luscious mouth.
Sabrina fills two mugs with steaming Arabica coffee
and puts them on a tray. “Let’s talk in the living room.” With a waggle of hips, she carries the tray and
deposits it on the coffee table in the living room. “Make yourself at home, I’ll
change into something more comfortable.” Her bare feet pad away on the carpeted
floor.
Two minutes later, Sabrina re-appears in a white lacy
dress and settles on the beige couch across me, ensconcing herself in an armchair. “Alright,
fire away, Ewe.” She takes a sip from her mug, puts it down and tucks one leg
under her buttocks, crossing the other over the former. A veil of
jasmine hangs in the living room and enough heat to warm the condominium.
“Can you give me your feng shui advice for a successful Ox Year?” I harrumph. “Start with Grand Duke Jupiter.”
“Tai Sui this year will be General Yang Xin.” She ponders for a moment and the air-con breeze sways the ends of her hair, making them dance. “Ox and Sheep are in direct conflict with Tai Sui; Dragon and Dog are in indirect conflict. These four zodiac animals should carry a Piyao amulet or a Tai Sui amulet with them.”
“Can be the old one still be used?”
“No, the old one has out-lived its usefulness. Wrap it in gold prayer paper and dispose of it.”
“Direction of Tai Sui?”
“North-east.” As Sabrina continues to talk, I sip my coffee. “That means no renovation in the north-east sector of the house. If your front door faces that direction, never slam it; instead hang an auspicious symbol above the doorway; if the head of your bed faces north-east, change its placement.
“Also, sitting in the office ... face your back towards Tai Sui, instead of facing him, which is confrontational. Of course, take heed of other precautions such as driving carefully, avoiding risky investments, taking care of health and seeking compromise in business dispute instead of going to court.”
“Next,
when is Li Chun?” I put my mug down on the coffee table and give her my best
puppy eye.
"Ah, yes, the beginning of spring, and the ritual of depositing money in a bank.” Sabrina rests an elbow on one knee and places her chin on her palm. “Technically, it falls on February 3 at 11 pm, too late to go to the bank. But depositing can be done the next day on February 4 before Li Chun ends at 9 pm.” Sabrina’s gaze holds mine hostage for a few seconds, her eyelashes fluttering. “Hopefully, this symbolic act will result in manifold returns.” She runs a hand up and down her silky-looking leg.
A screw tightens up in my chest. “Best times?”
“Generally, from 9 am to 11 am. Rat, Ox, Snake and Rooster should avoid this time slot, however.”
I take several deep breaths. “Now, the mother of all rituals -- welcoming the God of Wealth?” And another, and another…
“Cai Sen will be coming from the east, 16 February, Tuesday, 00.00 hours, using military time or 12 am. So, set up your altar – either in the condo balcony or front porch or garden – to face east. Customary offerings should be auspicious stuff: pineapple, oranges, mushroom and hair weed. The best time slot is from 12 am to 1 am for Rat, Ox, Tiger, Dragon, and Boar. Another good time is from 11 am to 1 pm, especially for Horse and Sheep." Sabrina sits upright, pulls the hem of her dress down and puts a velvet throw pillow on her lap. "The Rooster cannot welcome Cai Sen this year.”
My pulse returns to normal. “Why?” The screw in my chest loosens.
“Too technical for you to understand.”
“My relative says Tai Sui is baloney! Not a deity! It's just a mass of energy radiating from the planet Jupiter."
Sabrina opens her mouth, as if to say something but then she presses her
lips together and raises two middle fingers.
Wide-eyed in shock, I stare at her and she stares at me staring at her.
Sabrina takes a sip of her coffee to mask her scowl and plonks the mug down. "Tell your relative to pooh-pooh this Tai Sui thing at his own risk. He may regret it later.”
/end
No comments:
Post a Comment