Compass

[Oleanda]

I bought a compass this morning, didn't have time to look at it properly in the shop, but since getting home, where ever I am in the house it points in all directions. Am I being completely stupid here, is there likely to be something in the house that is throwing it off kilter? I don't want to go all the way back to the shop only to be told there is a simple explaination.

[mibn2cweus]

Your house isn't over a cyclotron, is it?

[Oleanda]

I know that the sun rises in the east, sets in the west, and the pole star is in the north, but none of this helps on a dull day in a strange location; and if houses can have such a profound influence on compasses, how can people use them for Feng Shue? I think I shall just take it back to the shop.

[Mr.Tamzarian]

Yes, but even on a cloudy day, if you are familiar with your neighbourhood, you know roughly where all these points are. Like I said, how accurate do you need to be? You must know roughly where the points of the compass are when you go outside.

[TerryJ]

It seems like this thread has gone on too long. But let me add another piece of trivia: look for an old tree in the vicinity - moss grows on the north side. Wait for the arora borealis, it too comes from the north. Birds fly south as winter approaches - FLOL

Finally, a man asked the real estate girl which way was north as he didn't like to be awakened by the sun. " I didn't realize the sun rose in the north" she said. "Everybody knows the sun rises in the east and aways has done" said the man. "Oh, well, whatever - I don't keep up with such things" admitted the girl.

(small drumroll)