Feng-shui

This paper has been based on core authentic information from the following original source:

http://www.168fengshui.com and http://traditionalfengshui.com
The Master Larry Sang is the authority and authentic Feng-Shui Consultant and may be contacted at:
http://www.amfengshui.com/master-larry-sang/
Master Sang has a Ph.D. for his work in transcribing the Yi Jing. Prior to the inception of the American Feng Shui Institute, Master Sang held seminars that were jointly sponsored by the University of Southern California and The Northrop University. He also held seminars at the Samra University of Oriental Medicine. Master Sang published his first book The Principles of Feng Shui in 1994

By kind courtesy of Chris Shaul at www.168.fengshui.com

Fengshui is as old as 3000 BC. Chinese medicine deals with health, the Chinese astrology heals with lifestyle and karma and Chinese fengshui deals with environment.

Fengshui is a word that relates to EARTHLY HARMONY. By balancing the “QI”, energy flow of the main kinetic energy that keeps the momentum, revolution and atmospheric orb in harmony, by study of the environment the eastern Chinese medicine was able to create balance in the environment.

“Feng” means wind and “shuui” means water.

In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with good health, thus good feng-shui came to mean good fortune emanating from good health while bad feng-shui would mean bad luck, or misfortune emanating from illness, or lack of energy or lack of direction or chaos even, or misunderstandings or disruption.

Feng Shui is based on the Taoist vision and understanding of nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and filled with Chi, or energy.

The ancient Chinese believed that the land's energy could either make or break the kingdom which literally means the home and environment, so to speak.

The theories of yin and yang, as well as the five feng shui elements, are some of the basic aspects of a feng shui analysis that come from Taoism. As in Vedic Astrology, there are nine eight directions to a home from the centre of the home:

The troubles of living nearby Casino’s, government buildings, structures, graveyards, cemeteries, hospitals, straight roads, bring discomfort. Houses constructed nearby commercial industrial estate create buzzing intrusion to the peaceful habitat of the dwelling. Government buildings for example reserve most vital energies and drain our romance.

Life nearby the rivers, lakes, canals, open forest, and water flow are best habitat of longevity, health and prosperity.

The aim of Feng Shui is to promote positive energies by creating channels of “QI” for them to come through. By balancing the environment and clearing the clutter, the space provides a person with wisdom and clear thinking. Indirectly, this can bring health and wealth. On its own it accomplishes nothing.

Principle of fengshui may be summarised in Bagua.

Feng shui can be used to decide the location, construction, and architectural features of buildings, the placement and style of furniture, colors and decorating schemes, and the location of plantings, paths, and other outside features. By creating a more pleasing atmosphere, feng shui has been credited with improving family communication, restoring employee cooperation, and increasing a store's sales.

Object has energy and each symbol carries energy. Thus the yantra, tantra and the idol carry energy. So much of the truth can be extracted from the feng-shui wisdom of the Chinese ancients.

Here are some fine examples:

Peacock is regarded as mythological bird. Peacock feathers and peacock keeps peace and brings prosperity in the house.

Statues like Ganesh and Budha in sat pose brings immense prosperity and health and wealth whilst in a standing pose brings burdens.

Budha with hands up brings good luck.

Incense keeps evil spirits away.

Lighting candle keeps environment pure and free from invasion from alien forces for example and this has been proven in many practical live examples.

Offering flowers of red colour in the south direction reach the ancestors as flowers of other colours reach the family tree.

Keeping a family plant like the bonsai tree in the south direction helps to please ancestors. A water feature brings peace to the ancestors.

Objects that are lucky are: chopsticks, mirror above dining table, teapot, spoon, lantern, wall scroll, yantra, mantra, clean frame, fan, peaceful water flow, coins, jewellery, wooden crafts, vases, pots and bamboo shoots. Some of the unlucky items may include dolls, glass, octagon glass, bags and much more. It is all subjective and personal and there is no proof of other objects.

However in my experience, keeping a cat has proven to protect the home from evil spirits. Black Dogs are lucky for those who are harassed by government, or cantankerous people.

Metal is good in Northern western corner for it promotes its own energy. Metal in the west brings money.

Salt under the sink diminishes the negative energies of the westerly drains.

Limes and salt are classic Vastu remedies that I practice and accomplish instant results. The salt needs to be placed in small stainless steel containers and lime on the salt. I personally prefer placing these in nine directions of the house.

One will notice that the sector that has most issues will have the lime turn blackish.

One may change limes every month.

I prefer not to place any objects unless it has some defined meaning, beauty and charisma. Each Object has energy. If the energy is good then the chi will become positive.

Also, the manifest and the un-manifest are two circles that meet and become the infinite symbol. The infinite figure 8 in horizontal pose is a good luck amulet.

Keeping the infinite symbol in the entrance area will bring clarity.

Other things like keeping frog holding a lucky penny in his mouth by the entrance and the western corners is considered lucky.

Keeping coins on each door of the house keeps flow of money steady.

Whenever I work on a case I work for good intentions and most of my cases do NOT bear commercial tag at all.

It is my divination, my intuition applied with the integrated knowledge of the Vedic Astrology, Vastu, Feng-shui and Tibetan nine ki astrology.

From combination of all skills, we arrive at some of the more relevant and intriguing points of key critical factors affecting one’s health, happiness, and wealth. In terms of assessing and analysing one’s habitat, one’s birth chart must be evaluated in fullest and only then can one undertake to understand one’s house, one’s place of habitat. One may be totally surrounded by clutter of karma. But one may be unhappy due to the misfortunes of the forefather or sudden deaths show proof of disharmony.

For me, these are the most important points in habitat:

1. Entrance door and the water inflow to the house. All entrance doors are considered as the main source of energy entering the house. So, brighter entrances are better than duller entrances and cluttered entrances are not good for good “QI”. Water flowing from the eastern directions bring warm energies and water flowing from the western direction bring cold energies. Disaster is when water flows in and out from the south western sector. Entrances must NOT be blocked.

2. Hob facing south brings good food as hob facing the east. Hobs facing the south-west bring disaster.

3. Mirrors are essential part of feng-shui corrections and mirrors are used to reflect light to the darkest corners.

4. Plants represent spring freshness and life. It is nourishment and comfort to the environment. Plants that are tall bring harmony.

5. Key to many people’s problems is bed position. Sleeping facing directly opposite the door puts one in the path of the chi and causes stress. Sleeping away from the door watching the window is best. The ‘Chi’ energy must not cross over the bed and must not pass through the bed otherwise one will have bad dreams and will be constantly tired. One who sleeps facing south-westerly will be most disorganised. One who sleeps facing the west will be in control of one;s life. One who sleeps facing the east will progress in career.

6. Best room for children is in the east as western rooms are for the master of the house.

7. Living rooms and dining rooms in the southern sector bring relaxing energies and living room in the north brings cold energies loneliness and depression.

8. Bathrooms and toilets that are in the northern sectors bring stale energies and ill health and must be rectified by keeping salt and lime under the toilet flush and under the sinks. The drains of the western sector of the bathroom are not conducive to good health and must be altered if possible. From the centre of the bathroom, the drains must be in the north east, east south east but not south, south west, west or northwest. These directions are negative directions for drains. The toilet seat must never be left up otherwise bad energies travel the home and bring some misunderstandings and arguments.

9. Colours of the house when dark bring more romance and less lively energy.

10. Water features promote prosperity. When the entrance is wide one can place water fountain or water feature around the hallways or corridor.

11. Office may be in the east or west but facing the door so that one is able to see the entrance clearly.

12. I do not personally believe in placing “ba-gua” mirror since better than having an object with million contradictions is to have simple symbol of divinity like for example elephant or ganesh or aum.

13. I prefer NOT to clutter space. I prefer breathing space and avoid placing large square or rectangle tables around small spaces. Placing round tables in small spaces makes the space bigger and airier.

14. There is much said about heavy duty furniture. They bring lot of sadness from the elders and this has been proven in many households.

15. Bag of coins kept in the north western corners is lucky.

16. Keeping gold ornaments in the western or north western sectors of the home is also lucky.

17. Of all my cases, NARMADA shiva lingam, is of immense energy when kept in the eastern sector of the house.

18. Keeping plants to cover the sharp edges of the walls helps to deplete “sha” or piercing energy.

“Sha” is defined as ‘clutter’ or ‘messes. Destroying messy relationships, messy people, messy disoriented place, cleanliness and orderly arrangement brings “QI” energy back into the environment.

Examples of “sha” [negative energy] include dead plant, dead flowers, dust, and broken furniture, pictures that hold painful memories, too much furniture, and others. Beautiful living space means that the “yin” and the “yan” bring energy to revitalise - rejuvenate as well as energy to recuperate and rest.

When trying to understand the question, what is Feng Shui, it is important to know that Feng Shui is based on the principle of “QI” that is broken down into the Yin and the Yang. Balance, harmony, consistent change, and the interdependency of all things are but a few of the deep meanings within this simple representation. Yang representing heat and light is rising and Yin representing cold and darkness descends. These are just two of the many examples of logic and insight to be discovered within this image. [source reference: http://www.168fengshui.com]

The concept of Yin and Yang is one of the most fundamental and profound theories of Feng Shui. It is the Chinese perspective on ‘chi’ and ‘ki’ energy balance and perpetuity of the cycle of karma.

Conceptually and metaphorically speaking, the philosophy of Yin and Yang offers a comprehensive way of looking at the world and how it affects one.

It is possible to rectify and adjust the incorrect and imbalanced relationship one has firstly with others and secondly with one’s surrounding such that one habits in a favourable rather than an unfavourable condition and circumstances. So, for example, at the time of full moon, most persons become more Yang or active or sensuous or more social.

Conversely, at the time of new moon, most persons become more Yin or more placidly spiritual and more quiet and more sombre and more inwardly alone. Everything in human life is either more Yang or more Yin and that nothing is ever wholly Yang (bright, active or day) or wholly Yin (dark, dull, or night).

The basics of this deep and extremely significant diagram are pretty subtle yet profound. Yin and Yang is a foundation theory for Feng Shui that supports many other theories including the Five Elements Theory and the Environment.

Yin and Yang are dependent opposites that must always be in balance and harmony almost like the three constituents of the nature in Ayur-Veda namely vatta, pitta and kapha.

The opposites flow in a natural cycle always replacing the other. Just as the seasons cycle and create times of heat and cold, Yin and Yang cycles through active and passive, dark and light, etc.

Yin and Yang evolved from a belief of mutually dependent opposites that cannot live without the other. More interestingly, there are little cons in every pro and vice versa. Nothing is total or absolute and nothing ever remains the same. The Eastern view of opposites is the opposite of a Western view.

Western philosophy tend to look as things as black or white, right "or" wrong, etc. There is a separation and un-relatedness in the Western perspective.

Whereas, the eastern view is not opposites, rather it's perspective. Everything is as evolving and cycling. There is neither right nor wrong, but rather there is balance, transformation interaction, dependent opposition and most importantly transition in perspective of the nine ‘Ki’ astrological square of the cosmic representation of the nine directions: the eight directions from south to the north and the centrifugal centre point.

SOURCE: http://www.168fenghui.com

Symbolism

Yin and Yang can further be explained as a duality that cannot exist without both parts. Here is a list of some of the many opposites that are contained in such a simple symbol.

Yin - (The Black Portion): Passive, Cold, Death, Winter, Female, Night, Even, Moon, Water and afternoon/night.

Yang - (The White Portion): Active, Hot, Life, summer, Male, Day, Odd, Sun, Fire, morning.

Within Yang, there is a spot of Yin and vice-versa. Just as in the heart of winter, a seed lays in wait to become life, so is Yang waited within Yin for its turn. In a hot summer, a sudden desert storm can bring coolness. This too is an example of how Yin is found in Yang.

They are curved and they alternatively advance and accommodate into each other, depicting the alternation in cycles and transformation in perspective.

The early philosophy of nature, the complementary alternating forces of Yin and Yang, dark and light, female and male, which maintain the balance of the cosmos, are the foundation of Feng Shui.

The easterly aspect of the home is yang and therefore full of energy fire and hot with the sun. The sun reaches its highest peak at the noon and is the northern hemisphere of the YinYang.

Directionally, the Yin is at its peak in the southern hemisphere.

Logically therefore, the house must be planned such that ideally the MAIN WATER which is the input to the house as “blood” circulation of the human habitat is the most important feature of the circulatory “QI”. Westerly drains cause coldness and dampness in finance whereas easterly drains bring hot, warm water circulation. Eastern drains are healthy as are the southern-eastern drains because both are just appropriate degree of sun required to drink water or to consume water metaphorically in a spiritual body.

We can apply the same analogy to the time, seasons, directions and any other cycles of the change one may anticipate.

For example, moon is a planet of coolness and moon always resides in the southern hemisphere and during the moon period of vedic astrology we counsellors recommend people to look south, southwards and southern hemisphere for success.

In a similar way, Sun is ruled by eastern, south eastern and north eastern hemisphere. Here the sun is pleasant not so hot and bearable.

Therefore drains of eastern, south eastern, and north eastern are all favourable drains.

Drains of the south western hemisphere are the worst drains in a house. They drain the energy of the house and create imbalance in the health, wealth and the career squares of the house. Important to note is that in both Hindu Vedic astrology and Chinese Feng-Shui, wealth is regarded as HEALTH.

Health is the first embodiment of wealth, knowledge the second and wisdom the third. After a wise man realises that money is of no use, one becomes awakened and aware.

Feng shui cannot be carried out in isolation and Karma and astrology have to be carried out side by side with the analysis of fengshui and fengshui is merely a guide not an end.

Eight directional forces from the SOURCE: www.168fengshui.com

Sun 4 SE Element: Soft Wood Family Relationship: Eldest Daughter Symbology: Wind Body Part: Hips & Buttocks Group: East Group	Li 9 S Element: Fire Family Relationship: Middle Daughter Symbology: Brightness, the Sun Body Part: Eyes & Heart Group: East Group	K’un 2 SW Element: Earth Family Relationship: Mother Symbology: "Mother Earth" Body Part: Abdomen & Reproductive Organs Group: West Group
Chen 3 E Element: Hard Wood Family Relationship: Eldest Son Symbology: Thunder Body Part: Throat Group: East Group	Center 5 Element: Earth Family relationship: Husband-wire	Tui 7 W Element: Soft Metal Family Relationship: Youngest Daughter Symbology: Marsh Body Part: Mouth area Group: West Group
Ken 8 NE Element: Earth Family Relationship: Youngest Son Symbology: Mountain, Youth Body Part: Hands, Spine, & Small Bones Group: West Group	K’an 1 N Element: Water Family Relationship: Middle Son Symbology: Water, the Moon Body Part: Liver, Kidneys, Inner Ear Group: East Group	Ch’ien 6 NW Element: Hard Metal Family Relationship: Father Symbology: Heaven, Leader Body Part: Head, Lungs Group: West Group

DIAGRAM ADAPTED FROM THE PRINCIPLES OF FENG-SHUI BY MASTER LARRY SANG. Master Larry suggested that there are eight directional “QI”:

East Group	West Group
North	Northeast
South	Northwest
Southeast	Southwest
East	West

The Yin and Yang for the Home balances in the centre of the house and in my experience, placing NATRAJ in the middle of the house has made immense huge impact on the “QI” ENERGY of the house/flat or apartment.

In putting 9 out of 10 as results, I have accomplished great success particularly for those who undergo through Shani maha dasa or Rahu maha dasa.

The night stays in the inner rooms (the energies of the house are concentrated in the bedroom and living room), thus it is a Yin stronghold. On the other hand, the day stays in the outer rooms (the energies of the house are concentrated in the drawing room, study or the porch).

According to the rules of Fengshui, the directional placement and arrangement of the house has to be in a way that Yin and Yang are placed properly such that the chi energy which is similar to the pranna or the life force flows throughout in harmony and least discomfort. For example, as Yang is light, the house should open towards a source of light and not towards a source of water as the prosperity may 'flow' away. The source of the light is therefore south, southeast, and east. Some Chinese people strongly believe that entrance doors facing south west from the centre of the house is unlucky because it is direction of dissolution and destruction.

The entrance door must face the east, the south east, the north east, the south but never the south west.

The entrance door facing the west brings immense romance and love.

The entrance door facing the northwest brings plenty of leadership and money and business and usually favours the business people.

The north east, the south east and the east are considered as the sides of light of the sun placidly blessing the home. The dawn rises from the north east.

There are many other factors like the five elements (metal, water, tree, fire and soil); nine ‘Ki’ directions and the magnetic fields of the ‘Chi’ energies that work closely with Yin and Yang in Feng Shui together with the individual astrology.

There are sectors to Chinese astrology and each sector belongs to segment or cosmic direction. The following may be taken as a guide only:

Career – East; Family – Northeast and north; Construction of business – Northwest; Expansion or prosperity – West; Mystery/ Spiritual – Southwest; Gender – Southeast. Some say that the husband wife relationships tie in the centre.

Unlike the Vedic astrology, the north and south are completely eliminated and the central point is considered to the issue point or the moving karma in the wheel of karma.

Five elements have their propensities to interact with the directional forces and directional energies.

There are twelve animals occupying twelve houses. So, each of the six sector comprises two animals and two sub-sectors known as the bagua.

It is true that half knowledge is dangerous.

Many fake ‘feng-shui’ practitioners out there make quick money out of people. The realm of true feng-shui is in the mystical aspect of the karma, lifestyle, birth charts, placement of planets, the earthen soil itself and the location.

I have had clients whose locations were not suitable either because their homes were built over cemetery or monastery but they were not aware.

Therefore, undertaking the history of the land is very important. It tells us of the soil being healthy or not. What is the point of having a luxurious expensive home if there is no health in it?

One’s intention towards re-constructing the “QI” energy balance is vital therefore.

In Vedic astrology, the fire and the water are most significant aspects of the human life breath, health and wealth. The fire is the pranna that is the five kinds of pranna the pranna that is the life energy, the pranna that is the fire of respiration, the pranna that is fire of circulation, the pranna that is the fire of digestion and the pranna that is the fire of sustaining life.

This last pranna is the basis upon which the homeostasis is maintained in a human body and the basis upon which the body is alive.

Wind pushes the fire and wind is the cause of fire so logically the Chinese are right in suggesting that it is the wind and not the fire that changes time, into effect. It is the wind that causes water to move. It is water that causes currents and from there on it is the rain that brings us abundance. Without rain our earth will become dry.

When setting up your home, make sure than that there is a free flow of ‘Chi’ energy.

Good airy home brings natural harmonies, Inspiration, warm and informative love, warm and loving atmosphere, and clarity.

Clutter brings mess and chaos.

Ensure that a breeze flows freely around the house such that the western windows and the northwest windows bring in fresh air at night as the Yin settles into the house. When one enters the house, one feels the welcoming smile, a laughter, a cry, a sorrow, a clutter or silence.

Sometimes, houses are dark, such houses are usually below the ground levels. Sometimes, such houses bear no laughters!

Sharp Edges when pointing towards us will make us feel uncomfortable. Ideally plants, statues or decorative accessories are used to soften the sharp edges of columns, furniture and shelves in the home.

Corners of rooms are often dark. The energy too may not easily circulate in these areas. It is beneficial to place a bright and colourful object like a painting, a lush green plant, a pedestal lamp or mechanical device like a ticking clock, etc, in such corners, which prevent the stagnation of Chi. Beams can be oppressive and will suppress the Chi of persons, therefore avoid positioning he bed, dining table, your favourite chair or study desk under a beam.

When Chi does not flow smoothly in life, difficulties grow, and one can suffer inexplicable reverses in professional, financial, and relationship spheres.

Feng Shui Numbers Primer

1 is considered both lucky and unlucky. As the first of all numbers, it is associated with the energies of birth and other beginnings, but its ideogram looks like a bar across a door, which is inauspicious in Feng Shui.

4 is considered very unlucky because it sounds like the Chinese word for "death" and is therefore associated with loss, death, and misfortune.

5 is lucky because it is the number of the Chinese elements: fire, water, earth, wood, and metal.

8 and 88 are both very auspicious numbers. 8 is associated with prosperity and creativity and resembles the infinity symbol. There are also eight immortals and eight triangles of the I-Ching or Book of Changes, an ancient Chinese system of divination. Eighty-eight resembles the Chinese pictograph for "double happiness."

9 is extremely auspicious and considered incorruptible. It is associated with heaven, longevity, and fullness. It is also the centre number of the Ba Gua, an octagon-shaped compass based on the eight triangles of the I-Ching, with the yin-yang symbol in the middle, used in Feng Shui.

13 is considered fortunate because it is the number of lunar months in the year.

Unlike Vaastu more than directions, Feng Shui stresses on arrangement.  Feng Shui alterations can help you set your relationships right too.

The main thing to ensure is that the design and appearance of one's property is in harmony with the surroundings.

The property should be maintained in such a way that a sense of order and beauty in relation to the environment is affected. The house should be designed such that good relations with neighbours result. Such good relations boost the positive energy of the area.

Electricity wires and pollution very close to one's property give off a lot of Sha and can not only adversely affect the value of one's property but also one's health.

The entrance to the house can be made a rich source of Chi. Opportunities enter the home through the front door; hence it should be made to look inviting. The front doors and even its surrounding areas should be neat and clean and kept in good condition so as to exude Chi.

The look and feel of the insides of the house directly results in Chi or Sha, depending on the atmosphere created inside. Light and airy homes give off Chi whereas a dark, damp and heavy atmosphere means that the house is overflowing with Sha. Surely no one would pay a good price for the house if such were the case.

Windows are important inlets for Chi. Hence; they should be large, preferably wall-to-wall. The current trend of providing such windows in city apartments bodes well for the Chi level in the house. Light, warmth and breeze should enter the home lighting up all dark corners and banishing Sha.

An un-kept home cluttered with all sorts of unnecessary items is a breeding ground for Sha energy. Removing such unwanted objects not only gives one more space to move around increasing the Chi level of energy but also obviously drains out all the Sha energy.

One should avoid buying houses in dead-end streets. The residents of such localities are always at odds with each other. Hence, nobody is prepared to pay a good price for houses in such areas. Similarly, cemeteries, junkyards, and prisons close to one's home literally swamp the house with negative energy, or Sha.

Symmetry is an important principle of Feng Shui. The shapes of wall within and without a house should be in perfect alignment. A house, or rooms, with many angles reflect brokenness and this quality can lend itself to the lives of the inhabitants of such houses.

There is a place and a space for each to belong sacredly. There is a beautiful spot whereat the sand shining makes a silver lining with the sandy shores and the sea. Every mist at the dawn and the dusk sacredly almost divinely assembles thousand birds and ushering lights into a new canto of an epic and heroic poem – the human living, the living of life of life, the life of divine serenity, the infinite promise of such a hopeful morning and the definite solace of such a beautiful nightingale.

I would not suggest that Feng-Shui speaks of complications. Simplicity, it speaks of re-arranging your home such that there is better harmony in health, happiness and prosperity.

In my perception of happiness, true divine happiness emanate from health. Health is necessary. Good health in a house comes from good healthy food, good healthy environment, and good healthy lifestyle.

I am not a commercial Feng-Shui consultant and I am not a commercial astrologer. My main purpose in the subject matter is through my practical experience in Vaastu and my integration of conducting many successful cases in my servitude to HUMANITY in helping and putting right many of the homes in which I have come across clutter.

I do NOT believe that there is a perfect knowledge or a perfect science in the human environment and lifestyle. However in making small changes in one’s homes, such that we feel that the space of the passage of the air is freer, health and wealth proliferates axiomatically. In all my imperfections please forgive me.

Composed by Jyotikar Pattni

February 23^rd 2012.

The details of references to charts and key Yin Yang philosophy have been adapted from the authentic resources of:
www.168fenghui.com ; www.amfengshui.com and www.traditionalfengshui.com

ANY ISSUES WITH THE COPYRIGHT PLEASE TAKE IT UP WITH CHRIS SHAUL AT www.168fengshui.com

Please DO NOT misuse or abuse any of this material.

Input information as core authentic Feng-shui facts in compiling this paper, has been afforded to us at www.hanss.co.uk by Chris Shaul at www.168fengshui.com and Master Larry Sang at www.amfengshui.com

A full acknowledgement is hereby made to Master Larry Sang and Chris Shaul both of whom are authentic Feng_Shui experts and specialists with highest respects.