Omens, portents, signs
Vasthu Sastra by T. Selva
WAS it all coincidence? You make the decision about C. Deborahs e-mail that she sent
after reading my last column on omens involving cats and lizards.
In the first incident when she was living in Taiwan, a black cat crossing her path stopped
and looked at her. I was stunned and felt something was not right. Sure enough, my
husband was a victim of hit-and-run at the same time in a different place.
In the second case, I was walking to a shop and a black cat crossed my path. Later on
the same day, my sister-in-law called me to say her father-in-law had died, said
Deborah.
She said in the third incident, her husband was supposed to go for his final chemotherapy
session and when they were leaving their apartment, they saw a black cat. I knew it was
a bad sign and when we met the doctor, he said my husband required more chemotherapy
to combat his cancer, she said, adding that her husband died two years ago.
Deborah said there were other times when she received bad news after seeing a black cat;
she is convinced omens involving these animals are not false notions.
Following my last column, I received over 120 e-mails and calls from readers sharing
experiences and also wanting to know about the significance of the appearance and/or
actions of various animals.
Below are some more interpretations of such omens.
Omens involving crows
Since ancient times, crows have been regarded as intelligent birds, hence the importance
placed on their behaviour.
Crow-related omens depend, in some cases, in which quadrant it is in and at what time it
caws or performs an act.
A crow cawing outside a house in the morning or evening indicates a visitor;
Being hit by a crows droppings is, believe it or not, a good sign!
A crow with food in its beak is an indication the property owner will receive health or
wealth-related news;
A crow flying overhead is an indication of favourable news;
Feeding a crow is auspicious as it will reduce possible ill effects in a persons life;
Seeing a crow flying from the north-east at sunrise is an auspicious sign;
It is a good sign if a crow appears from the east as an owner is leaving the house;
A cawing crow on a southern fence is inauspicious;
If a crow beats at a person with its wings or attempts to peck the person, he or she
will experience ill luck and have a hostile encounter with friends;
It is inauspicious if a crow takes anything from a house;
A crow cawing on the rooftop is an indication of unpleasant challenges;
A crow cawing as someone is leaving the house or starting work portends loss;
A flock of crows flying over the house is an indication of trouble;
Crows assembling around a house is inauspicious and an indication of coming
hardship;
A crow flying into a house at night indicates forthcoming news of bereavement;
A crow that steals food from the kitchen is an indication that the propertys resident
will face defeat at his or her task on that day.
Omens involving dogs
Dogs are mans best friends, as they say, and they are regarded as intelligent and
domesticated animals.
Besides being a pet or a guard dog, their peculiar behavioural patterns should not be
ignored because they have messages hidden in them.
It is auspicious if a dog brings a persons shoes to him or her before the start of a
journey;
A dog licking its owners feet is an indication of success and fame; if, however, it
licks its own feet before the start of its owners journey, its an indication of obstacles;
It is auspicious to see a dog with food in its mouth at the start of a journey;
If dogs are seen fighting in front of a house before the start of a journey, it indicates
that the purpose of the journey will not be achieved;
A dog urinating in a vehicle is auspicious;
It is inauspicious for a dog to weep in a house compound as it indicates trouble
ahead;
A break-in is likely to occur in a house if a dog scratches its walls;
A dogs howls indicates forthcoming unpleasant news;
It is inauspicious if a dog lies with its head on the front step of a house.
A dogs sneeze is inauspicious.
Other omens
In ancient times, people believed many signs could foretell the likely result when
commencing work or a journey. People have learnt that these signs should not be ignored
as they could warn of danger.
A strong breeze or wind just before starting a journey or on work is auspicious;
It is auspicious to meet a spiritual leader or priest at the start of a journey;
Meeting a newly wed couple before the start of a journey is auspicious;
It is auspicious to see a funeral procession coming from the opposite direction during
a journey;
It is inauspicious to see a funeral procession going in the same direction as you;
If a person stumbles at the start of a journey, the trip should be postponed as it can be
an indication of failure;
If someone stops you and asks for directions at the start of a journey, it indicates
obstacles;
If propertys prayer lamp extinguishes by itself before the start of a journey, it
indicates difficulty;
It is inauspicious for the bride to see a funeral procession while she is on her way to
her wedding;
It is inauspicious for the bridegroom to see a funeral procession while returning from
his wedding.
Vasthu talks
The columnist will give a talk on how to apply Vasthu Sastras principles and live in
harmony with the environment in order to gain health, wealth, happiness and peace of
mind on June 11 at 7.30pm at Cinta Sayang Gold Resort, Persiaran Cinta Sayang, Sungai
Petani, Kedah.
Admission is by contribution of RM10 to the Malaysian Hindu Sangam Sungai Petani
branch. To register, contact Parames at 013-435 9015.
A similar talk will be held on July 2 at 3pm at the Excelsior Hotel in Ipoh. Admission is
by contribution of RM10 to the Taman Klabang Tamil school in Chemor. To register,
contact Guna at 012-508 4678.
T. Selva, The Stars Maritime Editor, has spent years researching this ancient Indian
science of construction, better known as Indian feng shui. He is a student of 7th
generation Vasthu Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from Chennai, India. He can be
contacted at tselvas@pd.jaring.my
