Feng Shui. for the 21 st Century by Judith Wendell

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1 Feng Shui for the 21 st Century by Judith Wendell a stuctured distance learning program by Design Arts Seminars, Inc

2 Feng Shui for the 21 st Century In this course, Judith Wendell makes Feng Shui tenets accessible to a modern Western-trained audience and provides design professionals with practical tools to select or evaluate any space, building, or site. While items pertaining to health and well-being are addressed throughout the course, a chapter specifically addresses how Feng Shui and Green Design principles often overlap, while a separate chapter focuses on how Feng Shui and Barrier-Free Design principles interface. Disclaimer This program is intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Reasonable efforts were made to include accurate and upto-date information but Design Arts Seminars, Inc. makes no warranties or representations of any kind as to its accuracy, currency or completeness. Neither Design Arts Seminars, Inc. nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this program shall be liable for any damages, including without limitation, direct, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages, arising out of the use of - or any errors or omissions in - the content thereof. Feng Shui for the 21 st Century by Judith Wendell

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5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction and Philosophy behind Feng Shui and the Schools of Feng Shui...9 I. The Roots of Feng Shui and its Popularity in the West Today...11 II. History of BTB Feng Shui Tradition and Its Relationship to Other Forms of Feng Shui...14 A. The Bon Tradition and How the Black Sect Originated in Tibet B. Black Sect Feng Shui Compared to Compass School C. Compass School / Black Sect Comparison D. Summary of the Black Sect Approach III.The Philosophy behind Feng Shui - The Tao, Chi, and The Development of Yin/Yang Theory...15 A. The Tao the Way or Path B. Chi the Breath of Life C. Yin & Yang Complementary Opposites Chapter 2: The Bagua...21 I. A Timeline on How the Bagua Evolved...23 A. Fu Hsi Bagua B. King Wen Bagua C. Black Sect Bagua

6 II. Applying the Bagua to a Floor Plan...24 A. The Three Door Method B. The Ever Changing Trigrams C. The Eight Trigrams Categories & Meanings Chapter 3: The Five Elements or Transformations...35 I. How do the Five Elements Interact?...37 A.The Generating or Producing Cycle B.The Overcoming or Destructive Cycle C.The Diminishing Cycle D.The Elements 1. Water a.still Water In and Out of Balance b.moving Water In and Out of Balance 2. Wood 3. Fire 4. Earth 5. Metal Chapter 4: The Method of Minor Additions The Nine Basic Feng Shui Adjustments or Cures...43 I. Bright Objects and Light Reflecting Objects...45 A. Light B. Mirrors C. Crystals II. Sound...47 III. Living Objects...48 IV. Moving Objects...49 V. Heavy Objects...49 VI. Elements of Power...50 VII. Bamboo Flutes...51 VIII. Colors...52 A. Water B. Wood C. Fire D. Earth E. Metal IX. Others...54 Chapter 5: Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots...55 I. Lot Shapes and their Meanings...59 A. Square Front to the Street with Rear Slant 1. Back right-hand side longer than left 2. Back left-hand side longer than right B. Frontage and Back End Differ in Size 1. Long Front, Narrow Back 2. Short Front with Longer Back End C. L-shapes D. Triangular Shapes E. Irregularly Shaped Lots II. Understanding the Meanings of Irregularly Shaped Buildings...61 A. How to Determine Projections and Missing Areas B. Dowsing

7 III. Adjusting Missing Areas...65 IV. Possible Effects of Missing Areas in Each of the Areas of the Bagua...65 A. Jen B. Hsun C. Li D. Kun E. Tui F. Chyan G. Kan H. Ken V. Outside Adjustments for Missing Guas...67 VI. Inside Adjustments for Missing Areas...68 Chapter 6: Exterior Feng Shui...71 I. Water Near or On a Site...74 A. Moving Water B. Lakes, Ponds and Pools: Adjustments for when Water is Inauspicious II. Roads and Streets...76 A. Straight Roads B. Roads that Curve C. T- Intersections D. Dead End Streets E. Cul-de-Sacs F. Hilly or Sloping Streets G. Homes Below the Road H. Other Factors Affecting the Property I. Factors Directly Outside or On the House or Building J. Gardens and Landscapes K. Classic Chinese Trees and Flowers, their Meanings, and the Gua they Enhance L. Balancing the Five Elements in the Garden Chapter 7: Internal Structural Design Elements...89 I. Hallways...91 II. Doors...92 III. Windows...94 IV. Stairs...96 V. Fireplaces...97 VI. Beams...99 VII. Columns and Pillars...99 VIII. Ceilings...99 IX. Slanted Walls X. Closets Chapter 8: Command Position and Personal Best Directions I. The Main Points to Follow to be In Command II. Ming Gua the Compass School s Formulation for Being in Your Personal Best Direction Chapter 9: Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door I. The Front Door The Mouth of Chi A. First Impression B. Raising the Chi at the Entry

8 II. Seeing Past the Front Door III. Rooms A. Master Bedroom B. Other Guidelines for Bedrooms C. Infants and Children s Bedrooms D. Kitchen Stove E. Dining Room F. Living Room G. Bathrooms 1. Hsun 2. Kun 3. Kan H. Home Office I. Garage J. Basement and Attic Chapter 10: Feng Shui for Business I. Placement of the Bagua and Its Symbolism on a Desk II. Important Features of a Desk III. Placing the Desk IV. The Business Layout Chapter 11: Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability I. The Gaia House A. Design for harmony with the planet B. Design for peace of spirit C. Design for health of the body II. The International Feng Shui Guild s Green Manifesto ( III. The Five Green Elements Plus Air A. Water B. Wood C. Fire D. Earth E. Air F. Metal IV. The Chair You re Sitting In Chapter 12: Universal Design and Feng Shui I. Definition of Universal Design II. Seven Principles of Universal Design in Relation to Feng Shui A. Principle One: Equitable Use B. Principle Two: Flexibility in Use C. Principle Three: Simple and Intuitive Use D. Principle Four: Perceivable Information E. Principle Five: Tolerance for Error F. Principle Six: Low Physical Effort G. Principle Seven: Size and Space for Approach and Use III. Viewing Universal Design from the Perspective of Specific Challenges and Feng Shui A. Sight B. Sound C. Touch D. Smell & Taste

9 IV. Defining Aging in Place as a Subset of Universal Design V. Universal Design Elements that make Aging in Place Possible A. General B. Circulation C. Exterior D. Entrance E. Bathrooms F. Kitchen G. Lighting and Color VI. In Conclusion Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology Appendix II: Rituals and Adjustments Glossary Bibliography...233

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11 Chapter 1: Introduction and Philosophy behind Feng Shui and the Schools of Feng Shui I. The Roots of Feng Shui and its Popularity in the West Today II. History of BTB Feng Shui Tradition and Its Relationship to Other Forms of Feng Shui A. The Bon Tradition and How the Black Sect Originated in Tibet B. Black Sect Feng Shui Compared to Compass School C. Compass School / Black Sect Comparison D. Summary of the Black Sect Approach III. The Philosophy behind Feng Shui, The Tao, Chi, and The Development of Yin/Yang Theory A. The Tao the Way or Path B. Chi the Breath of Life C. Yin & Yang Complementary Opposites In order for this learning experience to as pleasurable as possible, we encourage you to contact us as soon as a question arises. For course contents, photo credits and copyright-related questions, please contact the author directly using our web-based contact form: For all other inquiries, please info@designarts.net or call When calling from outside the US, please dial (+1) Introduction to Feng Shui

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13 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 1: Introduction and Philosophy behind Feng Shui and the Schools of Feng Shui The timeless art of Feng Shui has long been used in China (and in its local cultural forms in Tibet, India, Japan, and other Asian cultures) to ensure the harmonious flow of energy or Chi through an environment. The belief that properly flowing energy promotes health, happiness, and prosperity has been borne out over thousands of years in every culture. Today, more and more people are discovering its power. Modern science tells us that everything seen and unseen, animate and inanimate, is interconnected on a molecular level. In reality, there are no inner and outer. Your environment affects the condition of your body, as well as your business. The tools of Feng Shui are based on the ancient wisdom of the I Ching or Book of Changes. There are several different schools of practice, but they all share the following underlying concepts: Everything is energetically alive. Everything is interconnected. Everything is constantly changing. In other words, Feng Shui recognizes that our environment reflects who we are at any moment. As we change, our environment may have to change with us in order to accurately reflect and support our growth as human beings. In turn, based on this concept of interconnectedness, if we make changes to our environment it will, in turn, change and influence our life. The principles of Feng Shui are based on thousands of years of practical wisdom. They give us clear guidance on tried and true ways to arrange our surroundings so they support us mentally, physically, and spiritually. I. The Roots of Feng Shui and its Popularity in the West Today Feng Shui, which literally means wind and water, is the Chinese name for an intuitive, practical art that seeks to bring people and their environments into harmony. Every living thing needs these two elements to survive, so Feng Shui is the perfect abbreviation for a healthy environment. The goal of Feng Shui today, as it was in ancient times, is to create auspicious environments for living and working. This translated ancient Chinese poem describes desirable living conditions. When all these factors are present, you have good Feng Shui. Introduction to Feng Shui 11

14 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Introduction to Feng Shui 12 The winds are mild. The sun is bright. The water is clear. The trees are lush. This is also considered the perfect harmony between Heaven and Earth. It is said that humans are an important part of that harmony or what connects Heaven and Earth. The head connects to Heaven and the feet to Earth. Thus, the conditions of the Heavens (atmosphere) and Earth affect us as profoundly as we affect them. All species innately know that their survival is contingent on creating an environment that protects them from the elements and from their natural enemies. All traditional cultures have their own systems of what is known as Feng Shui or the art and science of living in harmony with nature. In the West, the word is geomancy from Gaea, meaning Mother Earth, and Manteia, meaning a system of divination. Holy sites were built on ley lines or energy channels in the earth. Priests, shamans, and healers were engaged to find these places of power. Mayan temples and Egyptian pyramids served to connect with the cosmos and were built in accordance with the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. Vaastu Shastra is the Hindu tradition of building in harmony with the physical and metaphysical (Prana or Life Force) forces. Records of Feng Shui go back to the fourth century b.c. but more than likely its practice goes back millennia earlier. At least 8,000 years ago Shen, or Tibetan shamanism, spread vastly. The Chinese believed their survival on Earth was dependent on the creative and destructive powers of nature. The shaman was the intermediary between these powers, which were often represented by dragons and other creatures inhaling and exhaling Chi or Life Force. The changing seasons, the earth s natural landscape, the path of rivers, the winds, the vegetation, and the sun were all observed. The ancients knew that aligning with and taking advantage of the natural elements would ensure a better life. The principles of Feng Shui, which is sometimes referred to as the art of placement, developed through the positioning of burial sites. Placing one s ancestors in an auspicious location was considered to be very important. If the burial site was well situated, your ancestors would protect you. These sites were placed below the ridge of a mountain so they had a solid backing

15 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? and a good view of the surrounding area. This is referred to as the classic arm chair position or Command Position, which we will discuss later. As we can see in all forms of ancient Chinese art, the landscape was venerated. Great care was taken not to disturb the earth s flesh in the process of constructing any building. This is why the Great Wall of China is so long and winding...so it would not injure the earthly dragon. The growth of cities led to the formal development of Feng Shui or geomancy (man s relationship to Earth). Why Feng Shui is so popular in the West today is a combination of many factors. First, when relations with China opened up in the 1970s (as a result of President Nixon s trip in 1972) Westerners began to get a lot of exposure to this vast culture. Then, as more and more corporations built offices in Hong Kong, many experienced the influence of Feng Shui first-hand. Whether they believed in it or not, Western corporations went along with this philosophy in order to get Chinese people to work for them. On contemporary Mainland China, laws forbid Feng Shui. These laws are not often enforced. Although many regard Feng Shui as superstition, some of those same people seek the advice of a Feng Shui expert in private. With the integration of Hong Kong and Americans interest in Asian culture, there has been an academic resurgence in the study of Feng Shui in China. The Wall Street Journal of February 9, 2009 states, In Hong Kong, masters of Feng Shui routinely weigh in on money matters. And after a year of huge financial losses, they re finding an especially receptive audience. The article continues, The economist also goes through certain forms of ritual, too, but our forecasting capacity, while scientific in a certain way, is limited. Didier Duret, the chief investment officer, said later, Having a Feng Shui master here gives another perspective, and I can t say one is better than the other. Many traditional Feng Shui masters moved to England via Hong Kong and started practicing there with great results. Then, in the early 1980s, Master Lin Yun brought the Black Sect Tantric Buddhist (BTB) form of Feng Shui to America. This is the tradition and school of Feng Shui on which we will focus in this course. As we have become a more health-oriented culture, we continually look towards ancient methods for answers. With the popularity of yoga, acupuncture, Tai Chi, Qigong, etc., Feng Shui became Introduction to Feng Shui 13

16 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Introduction to Feng Shui 14 recognized as another healing form in a holistic approach to living well. II. History of BTB Feng Shui Tradition and Its Relationship to Other Forms of Feng Shui A. The Bon Tradition and How the Black Sect Originated in Tibet Indian Buddhism entered Tibet in the seventh century B.C. and encountered the pre-existing Bon tradition, which included the Black Sect. The ancient roots of Bon religion derive from a profound respect for nature and emphasize the healing of physical, environmental, and spiritual afflictions. As Indian Buddhism was being established in Tibet, many native Bon elements were incorporated into the incoming religion, resulting in a distinct religion known today as Tibetan Buddhism. In turn, Buddhist influences are abundantly evident in Bon religion as it currently exists. Bon monasteries have survived throughout Tibet despite long periods of persecution. His Holiness the Dalai Lama s recognition of Bon as the native religion of Tibet and one of its five core spiritual traditions is an important acknowledgement of Bon s significant role in Tibetan history and current affairs (www. bonfoundation.org). B. Black Sect Feng Shui Compared to Compass School As the Black Sect moved into China around 1100 a.d., it incorporated Chinese traditions, as well as China s culture and philosophies. Aspects of Chinese culture, such as Taoism, Confucianism, folk religion, and healing all emphasized Feng Shui knowledge. When Master Lin Yun introduced these teachings to the West in the 1980s, he created a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern understanding. Distinguishing the Black Sect Feng Shui approach from other forms of traditional Feng Shui is that it does not use a compass and the cardinal directions as a way of interpreting a given place in terms of wider universal factors. Rather than fixed directions or compass positions, the Black Sect model uses relative directions. These directions are determined from where Chi (pronounced Chee), meaning Life Force or energy, enters your property, home, or place of business. This is referred to as the Mouth of Chi. The other main difference between Black Sect and traditional approaches is that Black Sect emphasizes the intuitive, intangible, and subjective, as opposed to the solid, objective aspects of an environment. As a result, the

17 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? compass-based schools focus on renovation and the addition of physical objects, while Black Sect Feng Shui emphasizes transcendental methods and personal Chi adjustments, as well as physical additions. The BTB school is in keeping with the original Form School of Feng Shui (before the compass came into existence) when one looked out on the land and could see the best place to position a home by what was nearby and how the Chi flowed. C. Compass School / Black Sect Comparison Compass Visible most important Absolute direc ons Uses physical compass Mundane solu ons Astrological Chi Black Sect Invisible most important Rela ve direc ons Uses compass in the body, mind, heart Transcendental solu ons Environmental Chi D. Summary of the Black Sect Approach 1. Follows the Chi 2. Gives great importance to the invisible 3. Does not use cardinal compass directions 4. Uses the Mouth of Chi to orient the bagua (discussed below) 5. Emphasizes intention and transcendental solutions There are several different schools of practice based upon different approaches, understandings, and calculations. It is interesting that they all base their level of effectiveness on the practitioner and their experience of Chi. III. The Philosophy behind Feng Shui The Tao, Chi, and The Development of Yin/Yang Theory A. The Tao the Way or Path The Tao (pronounced Dow ) means the way or path of life. The Chinese say, Everything in accordance with the Tao. The Tao is the process of nature; how things are created, sustained, and changed. The Tao evolved out of observing nature and the cycles of the seasons. It is a wholeness stemming from a Introduction to Feng Shui 15

18 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Introduction to Feng Shui 16 balance of interacting opposites spawning each other; as summer leads to fall, winter, spring, and back to summer. Tao is a concept found in Taoism, Confucianism, and generally in ancient Chinese philosophy. The concept of Tao differs from conventional Western philosophy or science in that it is an active and holistic conception of the world, rather than a static one. In Taoism, Tao both precedes and encompasses the Universe. Tao is equated with unity. In ancient China, the keeper of the Imperial Library, Lao Tzu, was famous for his wisdom. He wrote the Tao Te Ching (also called The Tao, The Dao, or the Dao De Jing), which is one of the most influential books in history. It is the source of famous Chinese sayings such as, Those who know do not speak, those who speak, do not know, and Even a 1,000-mile journey starts with a single step. B. Chi the Breath of Life The Chinese character for Chi or energy depicts steam rising over rice, which provides nourishment. Chi, translated as breath, is the most important concept in Feng Shui. Chi is considered the life breath that nourishes and gives vitality to all things. This concept of Universal Life Force is found in other cultures as well. The Japanese refer to it as Ki and breath or Life Force; in India it is called Prana. Feng Shui is sometimes compared to acupuncture, which invigorates bodily Chi with needles placed at vital points along meridians or energy lines. With Feng Shui we use physical adjustments such as furniture placement and transcendental adjustments involving symbolism to direct Chi flow in an environment. Chi creates mountains and determines the directions of rivers. Chi gives plants their colors and shapes. Chi is the unifying principle that links everything together. It is the invisible force behind everything. The positioning of a sacred site on a vein of good Chi in the Earth, which is aligned with powerful forces from Heaven was, and is, the power inherent in places like Stonehenge and Avery in England. In our bodies, Chi is our true self, or that which animates the body, mind, and speech. If Chi stops flowing healthfully to an organ of the body, the body gets sick; if Chi stops flowing to your arm, the arm can become paralyzed. Body movement, facial expression, and speech all determine our Chi. The Chinese feel that Chi can

19 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? determine our destiny. Chi is with us from birth to death. It is what allows us to continually recognize others as they age. Prior to Chi taking a form, this formless energy is called Ling. The scientific view is that our world is full of atoms. The transcendental view sees Ling as tiny airborne particles in the Universe that enter the womb at conception. When a baby is born, its Ling becomes Chi, and when someone dies, their Chi returns to Ling particles. In the Chinese way of thinking, we all have limitations based on our karma (what we bring forward from previous actions or lives), destiny, fate, and luck. Yet all these things can be influenced by the cultivation of Chi. Meditation, Feng Shui, Chi cultivation exercises like Qigong, or visiting a sacred site or beautiful place in nature can enhance human Chi. In an environment the flow of Chi should be vibrant. Yet, depending on the type of activity going on, it may be appropriate for the Chi to be more or less active. An important principle to follow is to never allow Chi to become stagnant. Stagnant Chi is usually the result of clutter, dirt, negligence, or disease. By the same token, you rarely want Chi to move too quickly, because it could result in lost opportunities, losing money, or general chaos. Basically the Shamanic belief is: everything is alive. The scientific belief is: everything is energy. E = MC 2 Energy and matter are equivalent. Matter is dense energy. The moderation and enhancement of Chi flow are the underlying aims of Feng Shui. Good Chi flow in a residence improves the Chi of the residents. Good Chi flow in a business environment improves the Chi of the employees, clients, and bottom line. In a business, Feng Shui can help to: Attract new customers / business opportunities Enhance the company s reputation and profile Increase productivity Relieve employee stress and improve relations Create reception areas that increase business Design meetings and conferences for more successful outcomes Get a fresh start by eliminating negative energy in the environment Ensure that business cards, Web site and other print materials reflect the company s intentions Introduction to Feng Shui 17

20 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Introduction to Feng Shui 18 Feng Shui can be beneficial to an individual if: Life feels stuck There are financial issues Someone has recently moved Health problems are present There has been family discord There is a life transition, such as marriage, divorce, or a new job There is a desire to re-energize life with a fresh start C. Yin & Yang Complementary Opposites Out of the Tao come yin and yang complementary opposites that together make up all aspects of life and matter. An understanding of yin/yang theory is foundational to understanding the bagua and subsequently to understanding Feng Shui. Yin literally means the shady place or north slope and yang the sunny place or south slope. As the sun moves across the sky that which was in shade becomes bright, and vice versa. These two aspects of all things are only relevant in relationship to one another. In addition, each one contains some small amount of the other. Nothing is purely yin or yang. In the yin/yang symbol, one side is white (yang) and the other black (yin) and each side has a dot of the other within it. It should also be noted that the reason the two sides are depicted like a teardrop (as opposed to simply dividing the circle in half down the middle) is to symbolize the fact that these forces are always in movement. When something becomes fully yin, the only alternative for it is to become its opposite or yang. This movement continues until yang expands to its limit and turns into yin. This continual motion is happening in multidimensional time and space and too vast for the mind to understand. Here are a few words that can help us to grasp this concept of complementary opposites or opposites that only exist in relationship to each another. There is no ideal, balanced state of yin and yang, as they are always in flux. At some places or times, it is preferable to be more yin or yang. For instance, at night a bedroom should be more yin and thus restful. A classroom needs to be more yang to keep the mind active, but if it is too yang there will be continual distractions. Generally speak-

21 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? YIN dark passive cold spiritual emo onal intui on earth invisible intangible transcendental inner YANG light ac ve hot material physical intellect heaven visible tangible mundane outer and classic text of ancient cosmic principles; the second was that of divination. The text describes an ancient system of cosmology and philosophy that is intrinsic to ancient Chinese cultural beliefs. From yin and yang, nature further divides into the four directions and the four seasons. By adding a yin line to a yang line and vice versa in all the four possible combinations, life on earth unfolds. The four combinations then further divide to become the eight directions, which form the foundation for the Feng Shui template called the bagua, which means eight sections. ing, a home or office should be more yang than yin. There is a need for vitality in a place; otherwise, it becomes depressing and unproductive. The ultimate yin environment is a cemetery and winter is the most yin season. These binary opposites of yin and yang emerge from Universal energy/chi and are depicted as a broken line for yin and a solid line for yang. These symbols are originally found in the I Ching or Book of Changes. In China, the I Ching had two distinct functions. The first was as a compendium Introduction to Feng Shui 19

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23 Chapter 2: The Bagua I. A Timeline on How the Bagua Evolved A. Fu Hsi Bagua B. King Wen Bagua C. Black Sect Bagua II. Applying the Bagua to a Floor Plan A. The Three Door Method B. The Ever Changing Trigrams C. The Eight Trigrams Categories & Meanings In order for this learning experience to as pleasurable as possible, we encourage you to contact us as soon as a question arises. For course contents, photo credits and copyright-related questions, please contact the author directly using our web-based contact form: For all other inquiries, please info@designarts.net or call When calling from outside the US, please dial (+1) The Bagua

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25 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 2: The Bagua I. A Timeline on How the Bagua Evolved The bagua serves as the Feng Shui template or map to areas of our life that correspond to our physical environment. All forms of Feng Shui use a bagua, yet there are differences in how it is applied and interpreted. A. Fu Hsi Bagua mention fishing and cooking). His prewriting device, called the Eight Trigrams, was a combination of straight and broken lines, apparently taken from the marks on a turtle shell. Fu Hsi is considered the father of the Chinese Tai Chi philosophy of yin and yang and the I Ching. He is the first person in recorded history to invent a definition of the theory of everything (modern physicists have the superstring theory). To him everything was a combination of trigrams (such as yin/yang/yin or yang/ yin/yin). Fu Hsi s bagua, or arrangement, of the eight trigrams represents an idealized universal cycle of creation and dissolution. B. King Wen Bagua The Black Sect Feng Shui Bagua evolved from a system starting about 2800 b.c. The traditional story goes something like this: Fu Hsi lived between b.c. (but some say 4000 b.c.), and was one of five legendary emperors. He is credited with being the inventor of Chinese script (not to The Bagua 23

26 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The bagua remained unchanged until King Wen ( b.c.), the founder of the Chou Dynasty, was imprisoned for seven years by Emperor Chou Hsin, the corrupt Shang tyrant. During his time in prison, King Wen created a new arrangement of the trigrams, referred to as the Later Heaven Sequence. King Wen s arrangement allows for the concept of time and consequently how life moves through the seasons. In this bagua, the trigrams move outward from the center. Thus it is considered that our actions create karma or affect our lives and the lives of others as we move outward into the world. C. Black Sect Bagua The Black Sect Bagua changes the orientation of King Wen s in that it considers us to be in the center or Tai Chi. In this bagua, the orientation is from out to in. In other words, we are in the center and the influences are coming toward us. The idea is that we can use Feng Shui to transform our environments (that which surrounds us) and thus ourselves. The bagua can be described as a grid, map, mandala, metaphor, GPS system, chart, or hologram. Bagua literally means eight (ba,) section (gua). When depicted as an octagon the Tai Chi is a center point. It is the yin/yang from which all the other sections are created. Yet the modern bagua is often configured as a rectangle with nine sections, in which the Tai Chi takes up an actual center area. Each of the eight outer sections of the bagua contains a trigram (three lines solid or broken). Each trigram represents a universe of meanings that relate to colors, elements, position in the family, direction, body parts, symbols, and more. II. Applying the Bagua to a Floor Plan The Bagua 24 We will be using the BTB Bagua in this course. This Black Sect Bagua is applied on

27 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? HSUN LI KUN JEN TUI KEN KAN CHYAN The Bagua 25

28 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Bagua 26 what is called the Mouth of Chi or where the main entrance of the building, apartment, or room is. This differs from classical Feng Shui, which applies it in alignment with the cardinal directions. Interestingly, both methodologies are equally valid and effective (although you will find practitioners of either school objecting to that statement). When one is particularly well acquainted with the knowledge of different schools of Feng Shui, these methodologies may be employed together at times to determine the best possible solutions. The Mouth of Chi is where energy comes into a room, home, plot of land, or city. Even if there are multiple entrances, one entry is always considered primary or architecturally designed to be the main door. Imagine you are standing inside the main doorway of your home looking in with the bagua held out in front of you and the sectors called Ken, Kan, and Chyan closest to you. If your door is more or less in the center of your home or apartment, it falls in the gua called Kan, career or path in life. If the door is on the lefthand side of your home (again when you re standing with the main door at your back and looking in) it falls into the gua called Ken, knowledge, or self-cultivation. Lastly, if your door were situated on the right hand side of your home it would be located in the gua called Chyan, benefactors or helpful people. A. The Three Door Method This is called the Three Door Method because the main entrance to an environment is always found along this line at the bottom of the bagua. This line is called the Kan line. Once the position of the front door is established, the rest of the bagua extends into the space from there. According to the shape of the plot, house, or room, one or

29 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? more trigrams may be missing or extended thus weakened or strengthened. We will discuss this further along. will also have a bagua within her personal office, which may correspond to the entire office or building or not. Each bagua is determined by the main door of that locale. B. The Ever Changing Trigrams This orientation may be one way for an entire structure or property, and different in each individual room of a house. This is called the Ever-Changing Trigrams. In essence, the bagua can be used in a macro fashion for the entire property based on the driveway of that property and in a micro fashion for an individual room based on that room s main door. So there may be a wealth area on the property, which is not necessarily the same location as the wealth area in the home. This is because the home s main entrance may be in a direction other than the driveway, so the bagua would have a different orientation. If you wanted to use the bagua on an individual room, say the bedroom, again you stand inside the doorway to the bedroom facing inward to determine where each gua is located. In this way a home or office building is analyzed in multi-dimensions. The president of a company may be in the wealth area of the company s office plan but in the overall building she may be in the relationship gua or sector. Then she One rule of thumb is that the bagua closest to you is the most important. So, in the example above, the president s office would be the most important bagua to her. Where we spend the most time is the area that is going to have the greatest effect on us. So, naturally, the bedroom is a very important area to adjust. By the same token, we can only control the areas that belong to us or are under our jurisdiction. Yes, we may be influenced by the conditions and bagua of an entire building in which we are living, but we probably cannot do much about it. So if we spend our energy balancing our own environment that is what will make the greatest difference in our lives. The Bagua 27

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31 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Also keep in mind that the bagua can be applied or superimposed on any surface including your desk, computer screen, and even your face and palm, as another way to understand your life destiny (although these subjects are beyond the scope of this course). The overlay of the Black Sect Bagua on our environment (whether physically on a floor plan of the site or through visualization), determines how to proceed with the methods of Feng Shui. Before we can really use the bagua, we must internalize the constellation of meanings associated with each section or gua. A chart can only go so far. To be effective, we must be able to walk into an environment and recognize all the possibilities of meaning for any particular area. In order to do that, here is a list of the most potent meanings for each section, starting with the east, where the sun rises, and where spring gives birth to new life. It is important to resist the temptation to use shorthand to describe the guas i.e. the wealth area or the relationship corner. The reason for this is that these limited definitions reduce the possibilities of potential adjustments to balance an area. So, for that reason I suggest learning and referring to the guas by their Chinese names. The Bagua 29

32 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. C. The Eight Trigrams Categories & Meanings Trigram Chinese Name Chen, Jen English Reference New beginning, family Family Member First son / eldest son Quality Excited, planning, vital, potent Element Wood Direction East Season Spring Natural Phenomenon Thunder Parts of Body Foot, liver, gall bladder, hair Characteristics Expansiveness, stimulating Material things Wood furniture, plants, wooden instruments, forest photos Shape Rectangular Color Light green Number 3 Astrological animal Rabbit Hour 5am-7am Month April, early May The Bagua 30 Trigram Chinese Name English Reference Family Member Quality Element Direction Season Hsun, Sun Wealth, fortunate blessings First daughter / eldest daughter Maturing, penetrating, responsiveness, abundant Wood Southeast Late spring, early summer

33 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Natural Phenomenon Wind Parts of Body Hips, thigh, liver, gall bladder Characteristics Changeable, sensitivity, indecisive Material things Tall, long straight things, book shelves Shape Rectangular Color Dark greens, purples Number 4 Astrological animal Dragon, Snake Hour 7am-11 am Month Late May, June Trigram Chinese Name Li English Reference Recognition, Reputation Family Member Second (middle) daughter Quality Clarity, inspiration, visibility Element Fire Direction South Season Mid-summer Natural Phenomenon Sun, fire Parts of Body Eyes, heart, small intestines Characteristics Enlightened, showy, light, heat, spreading, upward Material things Lamps, fireplace, stove, candles, awards Shape Pointy, triangular Color Red Number 9 Astrological animal Horse Hour 11am-1pm Month Late June, July The Bagua 31

34 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Bagua 32 Trigram Chinese Name Kun, Kuen English Reference Relationship Family Member Mother, sister, wife Quality Receptivity, passivity, sacrifice Element Earth Direction Southwest Season Late Summer, early fall (Indian summer) Natural Phenomenon Earth Parts of Body Internal organs, stomach, belly Characteristics Devotional, empty, maternal, server Material things Pottery, stone, horizontal Shape Square Color Pink, brown, beige, yellow, terra cotta Number 2 Astrological animal Ram, Monkey Hour 1pm-5pm Month August, early September Trigram Chinese Name Tui, Dui, Dwei English Reference Joy, creativity, children, completion Family Member Youngest (3rd) daughter Quality Joyful, reflective Element Metal Direction West Season Autumn Natural Phenomenon Lake Parts of Body Mouth, tongue, lungs, large intestine, skin Characteristics Buoyant, creative, congenial, harvest Material things Electronics, decorative metals, mirror

35 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Shape Round Color White, gray, gold, silver Number 7 Astrological animal Rooster Hour 5pm-7pm Month Late September-October Trigram Chinese Name Chyan, Chien English Reference Benefactors Family Member Father, brother, husband Quality Universal, decisive, powerful Element Metal Direction Northwest Season Late fall, early winter Natural Phenomenon Heaven Parts of Body Head, lungs, large intestine, skin Characteristics Helpful, traveling, moving outward, strong Material things Jewelry, mirror, bronze sculpture Shape Round, condensed Color Metallic, gray, white Number 6 Astrological animal Dog, Pig Hour 7pm-11pm Month November-early December Trigram Chinese Name Kan English Reference Career, path in life Family Member Middle (second) son Quality Dark, cold, formless, deep The Bagua 33

36 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Bagua 34 Element Water Direction North Season Winter Natural Phenomenon Ocean, rivers, rain, snow, ice Parts of Body Kidneys, bladder, ears, teeth, bones Characteristics Withdrawn, rigid, undisciplined, downward Material things Fountain, aquarium, liquids, mobiles, pendulum Shape Meandering, wavy Color Black, blue Number 1 Astrological animal Rat Hour 11pm-1am Month Late December-January Trigram Chinese Name Ken, Gen English Reference Knowledge, self-cultivation Family Member Youngest (3rd) son Quality Stillness, hidden, resistant, knowledgeable Element Earth Direction Northeast Season Mud season, between winter and spring Natural Phenomenon Mountains, caves Parts of Body Hands, back Characteristics Secretive, independent, skillful, spiritual Material things Stone bowl, earth, stone, clay Shape Square, mountain shape Color Earth tones and dark blue Number 8 Astrological animal Ox, Tiger Hour 1am-5am Month February, March

37 Chapter 3: The Five Elements or Transformations I. How do the Five Elements Interact? A.The Generating or Producing Cycle B.The Overcoming or Destructive Cycle C.The Diminishing Cycle D.The Elements 1. Water a.still Water In and Out of Balance b.moving Water In and Out of Balance 2. Wood 3. Fire 4. Earth 5. Metal In order for this learning experience to as pleasurable as possible, we encourage you to contact us as soon as a question arises. For course contents, photo credits and copyright-related questions, please contact the author directly using our web-based contact form: For all other inquiries, please info@designarts.net or call When calling from outside the US, please dial (+1) The Five Elements or Transformations

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39 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 3: The Five Elements or Transformations Five Element Theory is basic to the understanding of Feng Shui. In actuality, the Five Elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal) function as agents of change to stimulate the healthy flow of Chi or Life Force. Working with the Elemental Forces in all their symbolic forms is a powerful way to promote harmony, health, and prosperity the desired outcomes of good Feng Shui. The Five Elements are also referred to as the agents of change, five movements, or five phases or stages. Understanding the multitude of meanings and associations of the five Elements gives the Feng Shui practitioner an infinite number of tools to translate the elements influence on an environment and create the intended changes. I. How do the Five Elements Interact? The system of five phases is used to describe interactions and relationships between phenomena. It was employed as a device in many fields of early Chinese thought, including seemingly disparate fields such as geomancy or Feng Shui, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy, and martial arts. The Five Elements have many attributes associated with each, but their dynamic natures are expressed in their controlling or producing cycles. These cycles might also be called controls, restrains, or fathers. The doctrine of five phases (elements) describes two cycles (and one subcycle), a generating or creation cycle and an overcoming or destruction cycle of interactions between the phases. Based on the directional energy flow of one element to the next, the interaction can be expansive, destructive, or exhaustive. It is the understanding of these relationships that allows a Feng Shui practitioner to apply certain adjustments that are beneficial in producing a particular outcome. (see illustration on pg 38) A. The Generating or Producing Cycle Generating or Producing Cycle: Wood feeds Fire; Fire creates Earth (ash); Earth births Metal; Metal carries or produces Water (as in a bucket or tap, or Water condensing on Metal); Water nourishes Wood. Other common words for this cycle include mothers, engenders, and begets. The Five Elements or Transformations 37

40 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Five Elements or Transformations 38

41 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? B. The Overcoming or Destructive Cycle Overcoming or Destructive Cycle: Wood disturbs or parts Earth; Earth contains or absorbs Water; Water quenches Fire; Fire melts Metal; Metal chops Wood. This cycle might also be called controls, restrains, or fathers. C. The Diminishing Cycle There is also a third sub-cycle called the Diminishing Cycle: Wood absorbs Water; Water depletes or rusts Metal; Metal diminishes Earth; Earth smothers Fire; Fire burns Wood. Understanding the elements and all of their manifestations is key to applying Feng Shui principles. Any one of the cycles can be engaged through shape, color, material, or representation to help balance and/or move Chi. Each element has a complete series of associations, including shapes, colors, bodily organs, seasons, directions, etc. (some of which we have seen above in the eight guas) each of which interacts with another. D. The Elements 1. WATER WATER is represented by the colors dark blue or black, wavy or meandering shapes, the northern direction, and winter. It is associated with the kidneys and bladder in the body. Water is fluid, downward moving, cool, and gentle. Water is associated with the emotion of fear. Other parts of the body related to Water are the ears or hearing and the skeletal system or bones. In the personality, Water is associated with spontaneity or shyness. Just as water can take the form of liquid, gas, and solids (ice), in the personality, it can manifest differently at different times or in different people. Other associations for the element Water are acuity, clarity, and focus. The amount and flow of Water in a person or business affects and impacts the quality of opportunities. The virtue associated with Water is wisdom. The Chi of Water has two aspects in terms of character: Still Water and Moving or Dynamic Water. a. Still Water In and Out of Balance Still Water in balance provides you or your business with intellectual capacity, wisdom, and cognitive ability. When it is out of balance, The Five Elements or Transformations 39

42 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Five Elements or Transformations 40 there may be stagnant thinking and probably a narrow point of view in decision making. b. Moving Water In and Out of Balance Moving Water in balance provides good cash flow for your business, as well as social connections, new opportunities, and career advancement. When it is out of balance, things move too quickly and opportunities are lost or slip through your fingers. 2. WOOD WOOD is represented by the color green, rectangular shapes (moving both up and down), family, new beginnings, the eastern direction, spring, and the liver and gall bladder. Wood is expansive and creative. The virtue of Wood is human heartedness. The Chi of Wood can vary from one who is opinionated, stubborn, and inflexible (like big bamboo) to one who is easily influenced (like a floating weed). When Wood is balanced in a person, they listen and evaluate before forming a point of view. When Wood is balanced in the environment, it affords the ability to easily start new projects and have favorable family relationships. Yet, when it is out of balance, it may be a source of frustration or over-sensitivity. When the Chi of Wood is balanced in a person or business, they can adapt to changes easily. New incentives and projects flow with ease. There is strength in decision making. Wood s expansive quality promotes growth and optimism, and impacts expansion. When Wood is out of balance in a person or an environment there is stubbornness, inflexibility, or loss of strength to their message. 3. FIRE The color red, pointed shapes, the south, summer, the heart, and the small intestines represent FIRE. The Fire element in Feng Shui bagua symbolizes your reputation and recognition. Fire is explosive, consuming, upwardly moving, and fast. Fire in balance indicates that a person or business is highly regarded and respected. Word of mouth recommendations abound. When Fire is too prevalent in an environment, there may be slander, angry clients, and explosive employees. Conversely, if Fire is weak, the business or person may lack recommendations or fail to be noticed or to receive positive feedback.

43 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? The virtues of Fire are propriety and courtesy. The Chi of Fire is anger. If someone has a high degree of Fire, they are easily angered; if low, they could be suppressive or internalizing. When Fire is balanced, a person is able to experience anger, yet remain uninjured and act reasonably. A balance of Fire also indicates that one is highly regarded and not subject to slander of any kind. It can also mean someone is highly motivated and productive. 4. EARTH The EARTH element is represented by stability and reliability. The colors orange, pink, brown, beige, and yellow, square shapes (horizontal movement), relationships (with yourself and with others), the spleen, and the stomach are related to Earth. The element Earth is not associated with one of the four seasons, yet it holds three positions in the Feng Shui bagua. The virtue of Earth is credibility, trust, and faithfulness. The Chi of Earth is sacrifice. When the Chi of Earth is too influential, you would sacrifice yourself for others, possibly burning up in the process. When the Chi of Earth is weak or low, you would tend to be quite selfish, thinking only of yourself. Earth is balanced in someone when they care both for themselves and for others. Healthy relationships with self and others are hallmarks of a balanced Earth element. In a business, these relationships would include those with staff, clients, the public, neighboring businesses, and the community. When the Chi of Earth is too influential there is sacrifice, potentially leading to burnout. When the Chi of Earth is weak or low in a business, it would be thinking only of its own interests, leading to isolation and a lack of viability. 5. METAL METAL is represented by the color white, round shapes, the west, autumn, and the lungs and large intestines. Joy, creativity, children, and things coming to fruition are also associated with metal. Metal in its negative aspect can be contracting, cold, stagnant, and heavy. The virtue of Metal is righteousness. The Chi of Metal is virtue itself. It is associated with communication, ideas, the voice, and the mouth. Speaking up for what is just, right, and ethical is Metal in balance. Metal displays itself in excess as demonstrative selfrighteousness. A very low amount of Metal Chi makes a person appear shy, withdrawn, or having a choked quality. When Metal is balanced, we have the ability to complete The Five Elements or Transformations 41

44 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. things in a timely fashion, allowing us to enjoy the fruits of our efforts. Balanced Metal also indicates that we can have helpful people (benefactors) in our lives, helping us to manifest more when needed. The Five Elements or Transformations 42

45 Chapter 4: The Method of Minor Additions: The Nine Basic Feng Shui Adjustments or Cures I. Bright Objects and Light Refl ecting Objects A. Light B. Mirrors C. Crystals II. Sound III. Living Objects IV. Moving Objects V. Heavy Objects VI. Elements of Power VII. Bamboo Flutes VIII. Colors A. Water B. Wood C. Fire D. Earth E. Metal IX. Others In order for this learning experience to as pleasurable as possible, we encourage you to contact us as soon as a question arises. For course contents, photo credits and copyright-related questions, please contact the author directly using our web-based contact form: For all other inquiries, please info@designarts.net or call When calling from outside the US, please dial (+1) The Method of Minor Additions

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47 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 4: The Method of Minor Ad ditions The Method of Minor Additions is the technique of adding an object to adjust the flow of Chi in a site. Channeling, balancing, and enhancing Chi are the purpose of Feng Shui. According to Master Lin Yun there are two ways to solve our problems: logical, reasonable methods and irrational, transcendental, or mystical methods. The Chinese word sying translates to mean form or appearance, and is associated with external or physical adjustments. The word yi translates as will or intention and relates more to the realm of the unseen, the source of things, the Chi behind the physical. It is thought that rational, logical methods have a limit to their effectiveness, while transcendental methods strengthened by the Three Secret Reinforcements (an empowerment covered in the appendix on Rituals) are very potent. Yet, physical and rational adjustments are also enhanced by empowering them with intention and reinforcement. This methodology of the small conquering the large has its roots in martial arts. Another philosophical way of saying this is to use four ounces of power to deflect a thousand pounds of force. So, it is the following adjustments that allow us to change the Chi of an environment, and thus its influence on us, without making structural changes. This is one of the main distinctions of Black Hat Tantric Feng Shui. The Nine Basic Feng Shui Adjustments or Cures These nine sying cures can alter Chi depending on how they are used. You can use them inside or outside a building to improve Chi circulation, to resolve imbalances, or to enhance Chi in the eight guas and Tai Chi. These are the standard cures referred to throughout this course, but once you understand the principles behind them, your own creativity and style will be your best guide. It must be emphasized that it is the yi (intention) for each of these cures that strengthens their viability. I. Bright Objects and Light Reflecting Objects A. Light Light is energy, and we don t have to know a thing about Feng Shui to appreciate that. So, when light is cast on an object or towards an empty space, it brings energy or The Method of MInor Additions 45

48 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. attention to it. Lighting can uplift any environment. Even where an atmosphere is dim, there should always be the potential for it to be brighter, and thus energized to keep it cozy. Outdoor lights are often used to fill an area that is missing in the floor plan of a home or office. If a property drops off in the back, lighting can be used to recycle the draining Chi back up to the house. Even if lights are only on for a short time during the day (i.e. instead of having them on at night when they may disturb neighbors) the energetic effect (when intentionalized ) would make the adjustment effective. When a bulb burns out, replace it as soon as possible. Not only will the light cure be ineffective with a non-working bulb, but burnt out bulbs also purport arguments. In Feng Shui, mirrors are used as much to expand an area as to deflect a negative aspect back to itself. A mirror can symbolically move a room or offer a person a powerful position in that room. Mirrors can enhance a compromised gua and reverse the draining effect of a toilet! A mirror needs to be hung for the person(s) using it. Never hang a mirror so that it s so low or so high that takes off the top of someone s head or cuts them off at the neck (of course this determination is based on average height and the space available). C. Crystals The Method of MInor Additions 46 B. Mirrors Mirrors are considered the aspirin of Feng Shui, according to one master. They heal a lot of woes, but need to be used prescriptively. Like anything else, too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing. Mirrors should be unbroken and perfectly clear. Mirrored tiles tend to break up your Chi, and smoky, antiqued, or distressed mirrors lower or distort the Chi. Magicians know the power of mirrors. The crystal most often used in Feng Shui is an Austrian-cut lead glass sphere that has a hole at the top for hanging. We are all

49 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? familiar with the sight of the sun s rays filtering through a crystal in the window and the diffuse spectrum of rainbow colors it shoots all around the room (if you haven t seen this, buy one and check it out). Just as the light is split by the prismatic effect of the facets, Chi is also redirected through a room or hallway with the use of crystals. Crystals, wind chimes, and water fountains have become clichés in Feng Shui, and I will say here once for the record that these are not my favorite design elements BUT, they do work. The trick is to understand how they work and then to be able to find more appealing, yet equally effective, substitutes, or find creative ways to use them. Crystals are prevalent in lighting fixtures. Whether the chandeliers are formal or funky, they can be effectively used for Feng Shui. Crystals refract things you don t want to enter, they stop energy from running too quickly down a hall or out of a window, and they harmonize a confusing or tight area in a floor plan. II. Sound Like light, sound is energy, and where there is sound, the mind follows. Consequently, sound focuses and directs energy. We all know the effect of something crashing to the ground or the sound of an ambulance. It is impossible not to have your attention move toward the sound. The fine sounds of tuned wind chimes, Tibetan singing bowls, or any beautiful instrument has the potential to adjust our Chi for the better. Wind chimes are used to protect, energize, and direct Chi. It s important for individuals to choose their own wind chimes. They should have a pleasing sound to the person if they are going to adjust Chi in their environment. When wind chimes are used indoors they The Method of MInor Additions 47

50 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Method of MInor Additions 48 often don t sound, but because that potential is always there, they are effective tools. Chimes and bells also make effective low tech security systems. When a bell is put on a door it makes you aware of movement through the door and allows you to be in control of that door. When a chime is hung outside a retail store it harmonizes the energy, waking people up as they pass by and raising the potential for them coming in. Music can have a subtle or dramatic effect on an atmosphere. This course does not cover personal Chi adjustments, but the sound of one s own voice speaking and singing is yet another way to alter Chi. III. Living Objects Plants and fish by their very nature are full of life force or Chi, and alter the atmosphere. Plants not only offer living Chi and healthy oxygen, they are also used to move Chi upward. Quick-growing plants like bamboo are particularly symbolic of upwardly moving energy and very effective when needed to reverse the effect of a draining energy. Plants can be great Chi connectors. For example, if you need to move energy up a staircase, place pots of plants along the way to guide the energy. In some cases plants are used to protect: when nine of them are used around a swimming pool, they are very effective in softening Sha Chi (sharp or poison arrow energy) from an angled wall (see Chapter 6). Round leaves are always preferable to pointy ones that create their own Sha Chi. Cactus and bonsai are not used in Feng Shui as they represent slow growth, constriction, and prickly energy. However, high quality silk plants are used because they look real, and it is preferable to have a vibrant silk plant rather than a sickly real one. Flowers are hard not to love and naturally raise our Chi. Their color, fragrance, and elegant form can transform the simplest room. Dried flowers are one of Feng Shui big nono s. The reason is that they are not just dried, they re dead, or shall we say Chiless (not to mention great dust collectors). Aquariums are Chi activators. A traditional Chinese aquarium will have an odd number of fish, preferably nine (the number of completion). Eight goldfish represent a good luck number associated with wealth. One black fish is preferable to complete the 9 (black in Feng Shui is the color of water and the number one represents the element Water). Fish are also symbolic of wealth because of the similar pronunciation of the words fish (yu)

51 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? and super-abundance (yu) in Chinese. Fish are also one of the staples in a Chinese diet and (so far) are plentiful in its waters. IV. Moving Objects Moving Objects are windmills, mobiles, flags, weathervanes, and fountains. They can be powered by the elements or by electricity. A clock with a moving pendulum, a lighthouse beacon, and a metronome also fit this category. Any moving object can be employed as a Chi activator. Remember, Feng Shui means wind and water ; regulated movement of these is needed for a healthy environment. Water fountains are particularly good Chi activators since water is also a symbol of money, as noted before. It is always good to have a fountain that pools water and flows in one direction so it can be directed toward the house or whatever you want to activate. Like an aquarium, a water fountain needs to be kept clean and in good working order; no noisy motors please. Windsocks and flags work well to raise the Chi of a building or property. They also use our sense of sight to direct Chi. To a lesser extent, mobiles do this indoors. You don t see too many windmills these days, but they are effective for moving Chi, especially in an area like a cul-de-sac where there tends to be stagnancy. A fan can also serve this purpose in a room that is too yin. Just make sure you don t end up blowing the good Chi away. A weathervane can both raise the Chi of a house and be used to deflect Sha Chi pointed in its direction. V. Heavy Objects Heavy Objects are used to stabilize or anchor a missing gua, stabilize unbalanced situations, slow Chi down, or prevent it from sliding away. These objects include stones, statues, and Yu bowls. Boulders, stones, and statues are used to support an area of a property or a room. The addition of weight literally stabilizes uneven terrain. A property on a steep hill would benefit by having a large boulder or statue placed on the downhill side to hold the Chi of the property. A statue, say of Buddha, may be an appropriate symbol for a missing Ken area (self-cultivation) in an outdoor garden or perhaps one of an embracing couple in a missing Kun (relationship) gua. The Method of MInor Additions 49

52 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Method of MInor Additions 50 A Yu bowl is literally a Chinese inkpot for calligraphy, traditionally made of stone or ceramic. With small stones in it, a Yu is used as a transcendental adjustment when weight and stability are needed. Look in the Rituals appendix to find a personal Chi adjustment using a Yu bowl (yes, it was mentioned above that this course would not cover personal Chi adjustments, but this is one to know). When a bed cannot be moved and is in a dangerous position, a Yu bowl can be put under the foot of the bed with a red string (a unit of 9, i.e. 54 ) attached to the Yu and leading to the area of the bed that needs protecting. (FYI, the bagua is symbolically placed on the bed with the Kan line at the foot.) If the particular need is the health of a couple, the spot would be the upper right-hand corner, or the Kun position under the bed. VI. Elements of Power Elements of Power are literally electrical devices on the mundane level. Transcendentally, they are things that symbolize power, such as firecrackers and arrowheads for the Chinese. In other cultures, a symbol of power may be a ferocious mask, a symbolic emblem, or an animal spirit. Electrical equipment is considered a Metal element and is appropriate in the Tui and Chyan guas. In any area that needs energy generated, it is appropriate to place electrically powered machines, tools, or devices, as long as they are balanced with other elements. Symbolic firecrackers (made from red paper with a fake wick, for example) symbolize an explosive force that either protects or generates Chi. They can be placed above the front door on the inside. Usually, fire crackers are taped together in a chevron pattern and hidden behind another design element if they don t suit the style or taste of the client. These symbolic firecrackers will correct a slanted door or protect the location from inauspicious Chi or unexpected events. When placed in the Li gua, firecrackers can ignite or promote recognition. Placed under a mat-

53 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? tress in the center of the foot of the bed (the Kan gua), they will fire up your career. strength, safety, stability, good news, and peace. Generally, these flutes are specially made for Feng Shui and have red cinnabar painted on the inside, calligraphy along the outside, are decorated with tassels, and hung with a red cord. The most important feature is that the flute shows the actual rings of the bamboo and that each section grows longer than the previous one as it moves toward the mouthpiece. This symbolizes strength and the positive progression of life. Bamboo flutes are used in numerous ways, a few of which are: to correct a slanted wall or door, Arrowheads transcendentally act like tacks to nail down Chi. A spiral staircase, especially in the Tai Chi, can have a very draining effect on the health of a business or home. To stabilize the continual spiraling effect, place three small brass arrows (available from Feng Shui suppliers) on the floor (glued down or under a carpet) pointing toward the center of the spiral with the intention to anchor its energy. VII. Bamboo Flutes Bamboo Flutes are used as transcendental adjustments because they symbolize to lift a ceiling beam, to raise the Chi of a bathroom, to complete a gua, to energize, to help heal back pain, and to raise an individual s Chi. It is important to keep in mind that the energy of a flute goes from the bottom The Method of MInor Additions 51

54 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Method of MInor Additions 52 (from its root) to the top or new growth (the mouthpiece). When you want to generate energy in a particular direction, like raising a beam, the mouthpiece should be pointed upward. Specific adjustments are in the Rituals appendix. VIII. Colors Color is an important element in design and Feng Shui. Because color is so prevalent in our environment, we ll focus a bit more on it here as both a mundane and a transcendental adjustment. Color influences how things are perceived. Certain colors can make an object appear larger or smaller. Color changes, depending on what it is in relation to. The same red square will be more vibrant on a black background than on a white one. Much has been researched and written about the psychology and emotions of color. Whether it is used to sell products, forecast fashion trends, or create a particular effect in an environment, color has been analyzed for its every influence. Yet, something that no amount of research can ever predict is the personal preference of every one of us. What appeals or repels us is a matter of individual taste, and while these tastes often change with maturity, in some of us they are hardwired. Colorblindness aside, we all see colors differently from this preferred personal filter. Some people can visualize color very easily. Others may have a sample of a color in their hand and cannot imagine how it will look on the wall or on a couch. Feng Shui uses color in its own prescriptive way. A particular color represents a type of energy or Chi. Aside from any other effect a color may have, it is a useful tool for moving and stabilizing Chi. Color can be used to dampen, drain, or destroy an aspect in a floor plan that does not serve our interests or to energize a positive aspect. There are many books on Feng Shui that suggest different colors for specific rooms. I find that this is sometimes limiting or culturally based. Every room should have a blend of elements, even when one particular element or color needs to dominate. There is always a range of colors, hues, and tints that can be used to accomplish an intended result. Each of the five elements has a primary color associated with it: A. Water Water is represented by blue or black. These colors are more contemplative, calming, and relate to cognitive abilities. They re cool or yin colors and are also associated with the

55 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? kidneys and bladder. Blue relates to knowledge, royalty, life, hope, sky, expansion, higher self, and peace. Black represents power, authority, and respect; it absorbs all colors, is withdrawn, and is associated with sophistication, low energy, or despair, and death in Western culture. B. Wood Wood colors are all shades of green and purple. They symbolize human heartedness. Green represents growth, new life, hope, energy, development, vitality, spring, new beginnings, freshness, tranquility, peace, goodwill, love, and rest. Purple is energy, power, royalty, and spirituality. The Chinese say, It is so red, it is purple, meaning something is the best it can be. C. Fire Fire is bright red, of course, but may be represented by a range of colors that include magenta, burgundy, and crimson. Red is particularly auspicious in the Chinese tradition. It is associated with protection, happiness, fame, strength, small intestine, heart, eyes, and the source of life and energy on earth, the sun. Dynamic and upwardly moving, red is used in many cures (red string, red envelopes, red eggs, etc). Other associations are good fortune, anger, power, courtesy, priority, and stimulation. D. Earth Earth has a wide range of color associations, which include brown, beige, yellow, orange, terra cotta, and pink. The stomach, spleen, and internal organs are stimulated by these colors. Some more specific associations include: Pink, which is associated with relationship, love, motherhood, happiness, and joy. Peach is considered by the Chinese to be the color of attraction and allure. This could range from being social with the opposite sex to being adulterous. Soothing peach colors must be used in small doses and only in particular circumstances (i.e. single people for short-term relationships). Yellow: the golden robes of the emperors were for power, wisdom, patience, and tolerance. Yellow is grounding yet optimistic; it stimulates health and the intellect. Brown can be heavy but also trusting standing the test of time, established, credible, and stable. Beige and tan are more hopeful, more relaxed. Orange (red and yellow) represents happiness and power; it is uplifting and encourages communication. The Method of MInor Additions 53

56 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. The Method of MInor Additions 54 E. Metal Metal is white or gray as well as metallic bronze, silver, gold, and copper. White is associated with purity and contains all colors. In Chinese culture, white is associated with death Chi, and thus can feel cold and lifeless. The quality of these colors is righteousness, and they support the large intestines and lungs. IX. Others Others is the word Master Lin Yun uses as a catch phrase for any other cure or combination of cures. This is especially relevant as society changes, if we move from one culture to another, or when we want to include design and personal preference. When Chi can be read and the understanding for an adjustment is appreciated from that level, a solution can come from anywhere. The potency is in the intention and its empowerment. Two of the senses that we can include in this category are smell and touch. There is nothing like a foul smell to bring the Chi of an environment down, no matter how beautiful it looks. To some extent, the opposite is also true. Even a visually unpleasant place that smells fresh and clean will not be so offensive. Odors have long-term emotional memory connections, so we can easily use the sense of smell as a Chi enhancement. There are many products on the market now in the realm of candles, aromatherapy, incense, etc. There are also many books on the therapeutic effects of scents. The strongest recommendation is that with scent, less is more. A light fragrance that comes and goes is more effective at engaging the mind than a constant or strong scent. Whatever the fragrance, strive for 100% natural organic scents. Their Chi factor is much higher than that of artificial scents, and is infinitely healthier. Touch can affect Chi in the form of the subtle recognition a carpet offers when you enter another zone of the house or the feel of a flimsy door handle that does not imbue confidence when you enter a business, or the softness of the fabric and cushioning on your couch. A very soft couch may say this is an earthly place to feel trusting (Earth element), or perhaps it is a very firm one that says this is a company that pays attention to fine details (Metal element).

57 Chapter 5: Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots I. Lot Shapes and their Meanings A. Square Front to the Street with Rear Slant 1. Back right-hand side longer than left 2. Back left-hand side longer than right B. Frontage and Back End Differ in Size 1. Long Front, Narrow Back 2. Short Front with Longer Back End C. L-shapes D. Triangular Shapes E. Irregularly Shaped Lots II. Understanding the Meanings of Irregularly Shaped Buildings A. How to Determine Projections and Missing Areas B. Dowsing III. Adjusting Missing Areas IV. Possible Effects of Missing Areas in Each of the Areas of the Bagua A. Jen B. Hsun C. Li D. Kun E. Tui F. Chyan G. Kan H. Ken V. Outside Adjustments for Missing Guas VI. Inside Adjustments for Missing Areas In order for this learning experience to as pleasurable as possible, we encourage you to contact us as soon as a question arises. For course contents, photo credits and copyright-related questions, please contact the author directly using our web-based contact form: For all other inquiries, please info@designarts.net or call When calling from outside the US, please dial (+1) Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots

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59 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 5: Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots Now that we are familiar with how to use the bagua and its meanings, let s apply it to land shapes and floor plans. The shape and size of a lot and the building on it are important factors in determining Feng Shui characteristics. Rarely, if ever, is a parcel of land perfectly geometrical or a building octagonal in shape! So, knowing how to determine the advantages of a property and recognize conditions that need mitigating in a floor plan are basic for creating a balanced environment. Of course if you re starting from scratch, this information will provide you (and your client) with invaluable directions in order to avoid myriad problems and to create a thriving home or business. (See illustration on pg 58) Remember the rule that says what is closest to you has the greatest effect on your life. Your personal office will be more influential than the plan of the entire floor, which will be more important than the shape of the entire building; but the shape of the building, in turn, will be more important than the shape of the lot. Further along we will examine how roads, neighboring structures, and other elements can affect you or the fortunes of your client. Complete or regular shapes are round, square, rectangular, and octagonal. Since everything in the environment corresponds to an aspect of life, the wholeness of these shapes has a positive influence. Of course, square and rectangular shapes are the most common and practical to build and build on. I am sure some people consider this a limiting idea that may diminish creativity. The fact is that unusual, interesting, or avant-garde architecture may be a work of art, yet it may also have an imbalanced or negative effect on the wellbeing of the residents. Without seeming too simplistic, a square or rectangular shape for our purposes means that it has no indentations or protrusions, and four 90-degree corners (meaning no slanted walls). Although round or octagonal structures are rare, they do have the advantage of being whole shapes. Of course, the octagon has the special association of being the shape of the bagua. The problem with these shapes is that the interior areas tend to be irregular. A rectangular lot or house is preferable when the entrance is on the short end. When a lot is deep it can hold more Chi. If the entrance is on the long side of the property or building, energy will tend to move too quickly through the space and leave without nourishing the entire space. Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 57

60 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 58

61 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? I. Lot Shapes and their Meanings (please refer to the bagua - chapter 2 - as we discuss these) A. Square Front to the Street with Rear Slant 1. Back right-hand side longer than left: This shape is considered beneficial due to the fact that the front guas Chyan and Ken are 90 degrees, Hsun is more than 90 degrees (better to accumulate wealth), and Kun, although less than 90 degrees, is extended or is a protrusion and thus has an advantage. Yet, by the same token, the sharp angle that this situation creates may be dangerous to the female member of the household and/ or the relationships or partnerships of the business. In general, women can be more prominent in this environment. 2. Back left-hand side longer than right: Here too, the long end or Hsun purports financial gains, but these gains may have hidden negative consequences due to the sharp angle of the corner. Certainly anyone who worked in this corner would literally feel the pinch and anyone who spent time on the other side of the sharp point would be negatively impacted from the pointy end penetrating them. A light, crystal, or plant would benefit this corner by keeping the Chi moving and/or protecting its occupants from its negative influence. B. Frontage and Back End Differ in Size 1. Long Front, Narrow Back: This lot is referred to as the dustpan shape. The two back guas are compromised, and thus Kun and Hsun (partnerships and finances) can be difficult. By virtue of its name, this configuration tends to collect or attract inauspicious energy, be it illness, marital problems, financial troubles, etc., just as a dustpan holds dirt in its narrower back end. 2. Short Front with Longer Back End: This shape is referred to as the money purse. Accordingly, it securely attracts, collects, and builds good fortune however the women of the house (mother/kun and oldest daughter/hsun) may be compromised. Both of these shapes are still considered imbalanced, and the interior slanted walls need correcting. The dustpan lot needs exterior adjustment unless the entrance can be reversed to take advantage of the money purse shape. Assuming this is not feasible, the solution is to expand the Chi at the rear of the lot. This is when we use one of the Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 59

62 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. methods of minor additions in Chapter 4. Lighting the two back corners with the spots or lamps, preferably pointing to the roofline of the building, will enliven the back guas. Flags or tall trees (lighting the trees is also a good idea) are other methods of raising the Chi. In these cases the taller the flagpole or trees the better, and if they are in the front, it tends to add completeness to the lot. the knife s cutting edge or under the pressure of the boot stepping down. Having a door or stove in this long or Sha area is also considered harmful. If any of these things cannot be moved, the transcendental remedy is to place a mirror on the opposite wall to symbolically bring the stove or bed to the other side of the room. Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 60 C. L-shapes L-shaped lots and structures are not unusual and can cause difficulties in areas that are missing a part of the bagua. This situation can be remedied in much the same way as suggested for the narrow back lot: with a light or flag in the corner, where the complete shape would be shining or pointing toward the missing area. Sometimes an L-shape resembles more of a boot or cleaver shape. This tends to happen when there is an elongated section that can be interpreted as a cleaver handle or a deep L-shape. That leaves two shorter ends that resemble the top and toe of a boot. In both cases the bottom of the boot or the knife-edge are considered Sha Chi and it is dangerous to work or sleep in those areas. This is because you are figuratively either on D. Triangular Shapes Sharp corners are associated with arguments, conflicts, and accidents. Where the

63 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? structure is placed on the lot will determine more accurately how a business or household will be affected. When there is a diminishing point of a triangle at the rear of a business, diminishing returns can be expected. When this diminishing point is in the front, it can represent a diminished future or point of view. Again, placing lights, trees, shrubs, or flagpoles in each of the three corners will help complete, energize, and soften those corners. flags). Using any of these in units of nine (i.e., 9, 18, 27), will further fortify the adjustment by using the traditional number of completion. E. Irregularly Shaped Lots A home or building with more than four corners, or with one or more slanted borders, can have a negative or limiting effect on the inhabitants. These shapes should always be evened out with the adjustments already mentioned (lighting, trees, shrubbery, or II. Understanding the Meanings of Irregularly Shaped Buildings The most common aspect of irregular or incomplete shapes is what is referred to as missing and extended or projected areas. Generally speaking, projections or extensions are considered advantageous to the guas where they re located, while missing areas diminish the guas and thus limit the life of the area they are in. Many structures have some combination of missing and projected areas. Even small protrusions or cutouts in the floor plan can affect the Feng Shui of a room. Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 61

64 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. A. How to Determine Projections and Missing Areas The factor that determines whether an area is missing or has a projection depends on the percentage of space the area occupies. Here are a few guidelines: 1. If the area that is projected is less than 50% of the length of the entire side, it is considered a projection. Or conversely, if the indented side is more than 50%, it is not missing, but you have a projection. Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 62

65 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? 2. If the indented area is less than 50% of the side it is considered missing. A projection or missing area can occur at a corner or in the midsection of the side of a building. When the indention is in the middle of a wall (meaning not at a corner), if it measures less than half of the other two sections combined it is considered missing. If it is greater than the combined measurement of the two other sections it is no longer missing. The two other sections then become projections or extensions. When a building has a combination of missing and projected areas it gets a bit trickier, and an area may appear to be a projection on one side and a missing area on the other. In a case like this, we must determine which the more dominant side of the structure is and then evaluate the situation from that perspective. At other times, a determination based on how an area feels is the most accurate. In other words, an indentation may be greater than half of the side of a building but still visually reads like an indentation or missing area, as opposed to the other parts feeling like extensions when you should treat them as such. (See illustration pg.64) B. Dowsing Another way to make this judgment call is to dowse. Dowsing is an empirical science that is often associated with locating water with L-rods, Y-rods, twigs, and the like. In fact dowsing can be used to locate minerals, radiation, lost objects, earth energies, or predecessor Chi. Other tools for dowsing include pendulums and kinesiology (muscle testing). Alternatively, the information can be experienced directly through bodily sensation, without tools, by highly sensitive dowsers. Engineer Raymond C. Willey was one of the founders of the American Society of Dowsers back in His book Modern Dowsing, published in 1970, offers this definition: Dowsing is the exercise of a human faculty, which allows one to obtain information in a manner beyond the scope and power of the standard human physical senses of sight, sound, touch, etc. Dowsing is an ancient practice of divination. According to the American Society of Dowsers, in 1949, a party of French explorers, searching for evidence of lost civilizations in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, stumbled upon a massive system of caverns known as the Tassili Caves. Among the many Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 63

66 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 64 fascinating wall murals, they found a remarkable, huge wall painting of a dowser holding a forked branch in his hand searching for water, surrounded by a group of admiring tribesmen. These wall murals were carbon dated and found to be at least 8,000 years old. There is also evidence of dowsing in ancient Egypt, the Middle East, and in China, and even the Bible refers to it. Although it is beyond the scope of this course, it is important to recognize that in practicing Feng Shui we need to understand the principles so well that they can be put to the side so that one s intuition can be equally effective. Black Hat Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui offers many methods and practices for developing true sight that is not dependent on the eyes. Chi, in fact, is invisible. We

67 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? can only see the effects of it, but it can be experienced directly. III. Adjusting Missing Areas Whatever we call it, the bottom line is we need to fix the situation so that the area of the bagua and subsequent life area is balanced, or at least not compromised. Before considering some possible fixes, this is a good time to review potential issues that may be affected when a particular gua or part of it is missing. It is thought that even a small missing part of a gua can have a significant effect. Of course this is always contingent upon many other factors, namely: personal Chi and wellbeing, karma, right livelihood and actions, education, etc. In other words, what may have a profound effect on one person may not necessarily have the same effect on another. But since it is not known how things will effect us until they do, much of Feng Shui is prophylactic. IV. Possible Effects of Missing Areas in Each of the Areas of the Bagua A. Jen Projects may be difficult to initiate, new ideas may be few, decisions do not come easily, the business or personal family may suffer, moving forward is slow, the eldest son or senior officer is limited in some way, the business or someone in it is stubborn. B. Hsun Hsun and Jen are associated with the Wood element and the liver. Thus, a person or business may be inflexible or not have strength in their purpose. A missing area here would affect the senior or elder female members, the hips, taking big steps forward, being Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 65

68 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 66 profitable, or the ability to receive some form of abundance. C. Li The reputation of a company or individual could be poorly influenced by a missing part of the Li gua. Insight and clarity may be compromised. Word of mouth referrals, press reviews, and other acknowledgement may be weak, negative, or nonexistent. A person may be volatile or a business may implode; all of this may affect middle-management females to a great extent. D. Kun Relationships of all kinds have the potential for suffering when this gua is diminished even more so if the area has a sharp angle. Female members of the organization are more affected. Shortsightedness, self-interest, or overwork can occur as a result of this missing area. E. Tui Creativity and children will be impacted if the Tui gua is missing. Completing projects, and things coming to fruition and bearing fruit are all contingent on this gua being complete. Joy, as you may recall, is associated with the completion of things. Self-expression may be limited by a missing Tui gua, as are the youngest daughter in the family or the junior female employee(s). F. Chyan Friends, family, business associates, colleagues, and the like are all fortified when this gua is intact. When you know that you can call someone in the middle of the night and they re there to bail you out of any difficulty you may be in, you know your Chyan gua is working. Conversely, a missing Chyan gua can prevent an individual or business from moving out into the world and being as strong and powerful as they can be. Diminished leadership, choked Chi, or those skills that make others have confidence in your strengths and decisions can be hampered when Chyan gua is fully or partially missing. When the Metal element is out of balance, things become cold, contradictory, or stagnant. Men, particularly the male leaders of an organization, i.e. the father, CEO, or president can be negatively impacted when this gua is missing. The lungs are associated here too.

69 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? G. Kan A missing Kan area will influence career, cognitive abilities, or how you navigate through life. Cash flow, social connections, or perhaps bones or kidneys will be affected. Middle-management men or middle sons could feel the pinch of a missing Kan gua. Fear may be prevalent, which is a characteristic of the Water element. H. Ken Our most important relationship must be with ourselves, since all others have their source in our own depth of self-understanding. This gua is referred to as skillfulness. Our hands and how we literally handle our affairs are either enhanced or compromised by the condition of this gua in the environment. Whether we are in the family unit or in the boardroom, our depth of knowledge and our skill in using it effectively may be determined by this gua if it is missing. The youngest male members of the family or business are associated with Ken. Now that we are reminded of the significance of each gua, let us consider the possible remedies that are available to complete a missing gua. Of course, if a building is in the design stages and the architect and/or designer is familiar with the above information, they should consider the potential consequences of the design and choose to augment it. If that option is not available, these are the next best ways: V. Outside Adjustments for Missing Guas In the case of a private home or freestanding building, completing a missing gua from the outside is most effective if that option is available. Some of these adjustments are the same as for balancing an uneven lot. A. Shine a light (preferably from a pole, but it can be a ground light), anchored at the outer corner of the section that is the missing area (as if it were complete). The light should be pointed toward the roofline, flooding the missing area and thus filling it. If the light is invasive at night, it could be used during the day for at least three to six hours. This adjustment is not contingent on seeing the light, but is just energetically filling the area of the bagua that is missing. B. The number nine symbolizes completion, so nine plants either outlining the Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 67

70 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. missing area or simply at the outer corner of the missing area would do the trick. VI. Inside Adjustments for Missing Areas Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 68 C. D. E. Determine the element associated with the missing gua and use something that has the element or represents it. If Kun is missing, two boulders would be a very good adjustment. Two represents partnership, and also the gua number of Kun. And, of course, the boulders represent the Earth element which Kun is. A flagpole, by its nature, lifts your eyes and thus lifts the Chi. By using the corresponding color associated with the missing gua, the adjustment is particularly potent. In addition, red is considered protective and has the upward movement of Fire. A green flag holds the vertical, life-giving energy of Wood and works in most places. Perhaps a missing area can be filled in, so to speak, with a patio or covered terrace. It is important to note that if an outdoor area is covered by the roofline, it is considered part of the indoor floor plan. Without doing renovation work, adjusting a missing gua from the inside involves transcendental cures. In Black Sect Feng Shui there are two primary types of remedies: mundane and transcendental. Transcendental cures are not logical in nature. Unlike mundane adjustments, they do not require making changes to the floor plan, furnishings, or arrangement of things. Transcendental adjustments work behind the scenes. They work directly in the realm of Chi, or energy from which physical reality is created. When the underlying Chi is affected, the balance of the environment is altered, which, in turn, influences how people in that environment will function, succeed, or falter. All adjustments benefit from having a conscious intention to do them, but transcendental cures depend on being empowered by intention to make them viable. The Three Secret Reinforcements (see Rituals appendix section on cures ) involve using your mind, body, and speech when setting your intention for a specific adjustment or remedy. These adjustments may relate to a specific trigram, may be seen or not, or may be personally symbolic.

71 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Mirrors are the most common adjustment for missing guas. They are mundane in that they actually do expand space but, once empowered, they act transcendentally to expand a particular aspect of life. For example, if the Hsun gua is foreshortened, a large mirror on one of walls of the missing corners will give the illusion of more space in that area of the home or office. Yet it is the transcendental empowerment that will specifically enhance the intention of completing that corner and correspondingly expand wealth and good fortune. A photograph or painting with a long perspective (such as a road going off into the distance) offers the illusion of depth. Once again, this art may be empowered to act as a transcendental adjustment, to perceive depth or space in a missing gua. On a mundane level this art should correspond with the missing gua. A scene of spring flowers along the road would be appropriate for a missing Jen gua. Perhaps if Kan gua is missing and you re an architect who admires Frank Lloyd Wright, a photograph of his house Falling Water would be a good symbol of both career and the element of Water. Trees and plants add life energy to a space. When placed in a missing area they enliven it. Plants represent the Wood element and are particularly good in Jen, Hsun and Li guas if they are missing. Adding them in numbers that represent those guas reinforces their effect (3, 4, and 9 respectively). A creative solution for the metal guas of Tui and Chyan may be black and white photographs in groups of seven or six (the gua numbers). These graphic images are very metallic, especially if they are of skyscrapers for the Chyan gua or of a lake or fashion scene for Tui (refer back to the description of the eight trigrams). Well-positioned lighting can also energize a missing area, although this adjustment is generally more effective on the exterior. It is important to note that not every irregular shape is considered a negative or needs adjustment. For example, the IBM building in Westchester, New York, is shaped like a zigzag. This shape is associated with a lightning bolt and thought to be a powerful symbol, with continuous extensions. It certainly worked for them for a long time. There is no knowledge that they used Feng Shui in the design, but the building does conform to the topography. (Perhaps they followed the Form School.) Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 69

72 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Sometimes, if a building or lot resembles an auspicious shape in nature, it will be considered good. An example is a 90-degree triangular lot. Although it will still need adjustment, the long side that attaches the two 45-degree corners is considered strong. This is because it bears some resemblance to a shellfish, whose muscle is on that side. So, if a building is sited on a long diagonal, it will be strong. This assumes that the front Floor Plans, Shapes, and Lots 70 door is facing the straight edge or road. If it faces the corner angle, there could be financial challenges or health consequences. It should be underscored that the rules must coexist with intuition, good design, the client s needs, imagination, interpretation, intention, and having the Feng Shui practice and knowledge to see things in context.

73 Chapter 6: Exterior Feng Shui I. Water Near or On a Site A. Moving Water B. Lakes, Ponds and Pools: Adjustments for when Water is Inauspicious II. Roads and Streets A. Straight Roads B. Roads that Curve C. T- Intersections D. Dead End Streets E. Cul-de-Sacs F. Hilly or Sloping Streets G. Homes Below the Road H. Other Factors Affecting the Property I. Factors Directly Outside or On the House or Building J. Gardens and Landscapes K. Classic Chinese Trees and Flowers, their Meanings, and the Gua they Enhance L. Balancing the Five Elements in the Garden Exterior Feng Shui

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75 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 6: Exterior Feng Shui Besides the actual lot shape, the site of a house or building on the lot is an important Feng Shui consideration. We want to consider both the yin and the yang aspects of a site. Yang qualities are those that are visible, such as the condition of the neighborhood, roads, and businesses in the vicinity. Is the lot next to a cemetery, vacant lot, or land preserve? If it is in the country or the suburbs, do the vegetation, birds, or local animals look healthy? Or are the flowers dead, the trees sick, and the wildlife mangy? These observable traits of a site and its surroundings are part of the Form School of Feng Shui. What can we ascertain about people in the area and their Chi? When purchasing a house from a previous owner, it is useful to know why they are selling. Are they growing their family or moving to a better area? Perhaps someone passed away, got a divorce, or lost their job. Regardless of the event, we will inherit what is known as predecessor Chi, which is a yin or unseen aspect of the home or property. The Rituals appendix addresses how to work with predecessor Chi, but given the choice, it is advisable to move into an environment that was inhabited by healthy and happy people who are moving on to something better. Other yang factors involve the geopathic stress or earth energies discussed in the section on Sustainability. As mentioned in the lot shapes section, it is preferable to be located on a deep plot having a house back from the road in order to collect Chi, but not so far back that the Chi can t find it. The middle third of the property is the best spot, with relatively equal land on either side of the house. Of course a business that relies on passing traffic would need to be sited close to the road. The ideal Feng Shui siting of a home is called the armchair position. This site has a protective hill or mountain at the rear of the property, which is referred to as the black tortoise. Each side has protective hills representing the arms of the chair. To the right is the white tiger and to the left the green dragon. Ideally, there would be a clear view to the front with a small mound called the red phoenix. We can see that this would be the most auspicious position for a home in ancient China for protection and comfort. Having the front door facing South and the back to the dark, cold North was a necessity. This classic armchair position might translate to an urban setting by having a taller building at the rear and two smaller structures on either side. Exterior Feng Shui 73

76 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Regardless of the direction your home or business faces, it is important to have an uplifting first impression as you leave and return from your workplace or home. The obvious and subtle things we pass: advertisements, the police department, a park, a building in disrepair, a convalescent home, traffic noise, power lines, etc. all have some effect on us, and over time will take their toll if they are unpleasant. water flows from back to front, particularly from the Hsun gua through Jen to Kan, it is considered very positive. It is important that a building be on higher ground and not too close to the water. Meandering water is more nourishing then fast-moving water. Water that is fast moving, draining, moves away from the site, or splits into two is considered inauspicious. The guas that generally do not I. Water Near or On a Site A. Moving Water Exterior Feng Shui 74 Moving Water is generally considered auspicious because Water is associated with money and life-giving Chi. The gua for Water, Kan, is associated with wisdom, social connections, and one s career and path in life. If water embraces the site or flows toward the site, it is considered positive. When

77 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? do well with water in them are Li, Kun, Ken, and the Tai Chi. B. Lakes, Ponds and Pools: Adjustments for when Water is Inauspicious Lakes, ponds, and pools follow some other rules: 4. Shape is also important. An organic shape bodes well, but if a geometric form is preferred, never have one of the corners pointed toward the house (especially a door) as it will create Sha Chi and have a negative effect. If a pool is already located in Li or Kun here are a few remedies: 1. A house sited on a large lake should be at least halfway back in the lot and preferably above the lake on a hill. A small pond is fine in front of the house, provided it is not a stagnant body of water. It must have some way of renewing itself. Place nine plants or trees be- tween the pool and the house for protection. Nine is a protec- a Pools are potentially problematic in that they are often situated in the back center of a property, which corresponds with the Li gua and Fire. We know that Water is beneficial for Wood the Jen and Hsun guas, so it is appropriate to site the pool on the right back area of the property. If this is not possible, the Tui and Chyan guas are a secondary option. Exterior Feng Shui 75

78 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. b. c. tive number, and the plants are there to drink the Water and subsequently be fuel for the Fire (Li). The Earth element contains Water. Create a stone wall using nine boulders, or paint a divider one of the Earth colors to separate the house and pool. Alternatively, a green fence (symbolizing the Wood element) between the house and pool will both support Fire and drink Water. Remember, fountains are great activators, so when you use them be aware of all the circumstances in the area this energy might activate (and, as with all the adjustments suggested, empower the fountain with a specific intention). Waste-water must be directed to move away from the house and out the back, as opposed to it draining in the front of the house or business, if at all possible. look at an aerial photograph of highway systems. The problem with roads and streets is that they often run in straight lines and move too quickly. B. Roads that Curve A road that curves toward a property or embraces it is considered good, and brings positive opportunities to the door. One that veers away, diverges into two, or leads to a narrower or minor road can cause diminished or missed opportunities and have a draining effect. The transcendental adjustment for this situation is to have a reflective surface somewhere in the front of the house or business to literally bring the road in closer Exterior Feng Shui 76 II. Roads and Streets A. Straight Roads Roads have a similar effect to water. They are actually considered urban waterways. We can recognize that analogy when we to the door. This can be accomplished with a small round mirror above the door or an internal mirror that can be seen from the outside. Also, some kind of reflective architec-

79 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? tural element or an ornamental gazing ball will accomplish this. As always is the case, empowering that object with a specific intention makes the adjustment that much more effective. C. T- Intersections Pick up any Feng Shui text and you will always see reference to the dreaded T-Intersection. A house or business that faces head-on traffic will experience a great deal of pressure coming towards the occupants. Of course, there is the very real danger of cars running into the house, but the force of energy coming toward it can negatively affect (but not be limited to) health, finances, relationships, and emotional stability. Mundane solutions are hedges, fencing, stonewalls, or boulders to create a barricade. In addition, hanging a large wind chime between the front door and the T will diffuse the energy. A bagua mirror is another traditional transcendental cure. Place it on or over the door. (I personally believe the bagua mirror can be painted so you don t see the actual design around the glass in case it is not desirable for the style of the home but make sure to leave the mirror portion exposed.) D. Dead End Streets Dead-end streets are another undesirable location. Their name says it all. These are areas that are not fed with Chi. There s little new energy coming to the homes on this street and nowhere for old energy to flow out; therefore, the area is energetically stagnant. Adjustments to activate energy on a dead-end street are anything that creates sound and/or movement, such as wind chimes, flags, windsocks, bird-feeders, and whirligigs. Bamboo (provided it doesn t overtake the place) is another good adjustment, given its fast-growing and gentle movement. Adjustments such as these would be helpful anywhere on the property and particularly in the front. E. Cul-de-Sacs Cul-de-sacs are not as problematic as deadend streets but still have limited access to moving Chi. Homes at the most interior part Exterior Feng Shui 77

80 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Exterior Feng Shui 78 of a cul-de-sac are more affected than those at the mouth, and need greater adjustment. Besides stagnant or limited opportunities, culde-sacs create draining Chi because of their continual circular motion. Things that create movement like those mentioned above are appropriate adjustments. A fountain that sprays or bubbles upward would be another suggestion. An electrified windmill-like piece of art or ornamentation would also help keep the Chi refreshed and moving. F. Hilly or Sloping Streets Being located on a hilly or sloping street presents other problems. If it is a one-way street or you re located on the right or downward side of a two-way street, the Chi generally moves so fast it doesn t nourish the property; it depletes the Chi and opportunities are lost. Conversely, if you are located on the uphill direction of traffic there is a sense of effort or struggle. Often the areas that suffer the most are those guas located in the front: Ken, Kan, and Chyan better recognized as knowledge, career, and helpful people. So these are difficult situations for a residence or business. If a business is located in this kind of situation, signage, flags, lights, or color on the building can help slow down the chi, draw it in, or urge it on to make it up the hill. A residence would want the protection of shrubbery and a large tree on the lower part of the property at the curb to anchor a downward draining pull. Similar adjustments should be made for a one-way street even when it s not combined with a hill, since the Chi tends to move quickly when traffic is all moving in the same direction. G. Homes Below the Road Homes that are below the road or lower than the road suffer from draining Chi. Everything possible must be done to raise the Chi of the property and roofline. Even on a flat street, the highest structure will be the one that grabs the most Chi. Beyond the aforementioned things, creating a cupola, attaching a weathervane, or some other creative solution for raising the roofline is called for. Shining lights onto the roof peak will also help this situation. A property below the road will often continue to drop off in the back of the house, although even a home level with

81 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chi. All of these places have a large percentage of yin Chi be that death, grief, illness, or emergency. Yin Chi can be experienced as subtly depressing or simply unpleasant. Over time, living or working near these sites has a cumulative effect which is not life enhancing. the road can also have a steep drop off in the rear of the property. This is a drain to Hsun, Li, and Kun wealth, reputation, and relationship and can have negative effects so should be remedied. A mundane adjustment might be to line the back end of the sloping property with large boulders to hold back the drain and literally dam it up. In addition, lights, whether they re spots in trees or on the ground, should point back to the roofline and be empowered with the Three Secret Reinforcements to recycle the energy back to the house. H. Other Factors Affecting the Property The proximity to a cemetery, hospital, or convalescent home to a property will influence its Churches and temples can have very positive effects if they are happy places of celebration, or they can be depressing if many funerals or memorials are held in them. A business (and a home) is always more successful when it is on what is known as the mother side of the street. That is the side with the taller buildings or houses, the greatest exposure to sun, the most traffic flow, and feels as if it has the most energy. A larger or taller structure next to yours will have an oppressive or dominating effect. In this case, raising the roofline with a weathervane probably won t do the trick. The solution must be transcendental. Particularly effective is a concave mirror which either points toward the offending building or toward its roof from yours (it takes some creativity to get that positioned and hung correctly). The mirror energetically flips the taller building upside down and thus diminishes its power to Exterior Feng Shui 79

82 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Sha Chi can also come from a neighboring building that is designed with many angles, or that sits asymmetrically on the property where the corner cuts into your building. Energetically, one interesting aspect of the World Trade Towers was that the corner edge of one tower intersected the side of the other. This actually weakened each one dominate. Bagua mirrors are also made in a concave shape and have the added power of its symbol. Exterior Feng Shui 80 The roof ridge of a neighboring building pointing towards your home or business will create what is known as a poison arrow or Sha Chi. This becomes more serious if it points towards your front door. This situation can lead to poor business, accidents, or health issues. The remedy must be transcendental unless you can convince your neighbors to reconstruct their roof. Things that deflect the Sha energy are: a bagua mirror above the door, a wind chime in line with the offending point, or a weathervane pointing directly at the neighbor s roof to intercept the arrow. with Sha Chi or the poison arrow of the other tower coming towards it. Dead or sick trees have very yin energy, and bring the Chi of the entire property down. They should be cut down respectfully. A

83 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? proper way to handle this is described in the appendix on Rituals. Trees or ivy that touch the building tend to leach energy from the structure and should be cut back so they do not touch. This would not be the case with a green roof that doesn t directly touch the roof, and actually grows upward, raising the Chi of the building. When looking out the front door of a home or business, it is important to have a clear view of the road; to literally see what is coming at you. When this is not possible, it is not unusual to lack control of your business or life. You may even have the experience of being side-swiped in life. An appropriately placed convex mirror on a wall or tree would be a mundane solution to this situation by expanding the view of the road. A large tree directly in line with the front door creates an obstruction to the Chi entering the door. This creates limited opportunities or worse. Each situation is different but a large tree should be at least half the width of the house from the front door. By the same token, trees and shrubbery enhance the life Chi of a landscape. Local varieties of plants and evergreen shrubs and trees that thrive easily are always the best. Feng Shui principles apply equally to landscape design in terms of color, shape, and elements. Depending where they are, unattached garages, outbuildings, or sheds on a property can cause problems. A shed in the Kun position can purport a hidden relationship or employees that are not loyal. In the Hsun position, perhaps money is being lost or stolen. In addition, this type of storage area is often cluttered. Just because something is not directly in your home or business doesn t mean it is not having an effect on your life. It still belongs to you, so a stuffed garage to the right hand side of the home can contribute to chaos in the family or a feeling of never being able to get going (Jen gua). Exterior Feng Shui 81

84 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Exterior Feng Shui 82 I. Factors Directly Outside or On the House or Building In order for Chi to find a house or business, there must be a clear path to it. Often the simple and basic address is not clearly marked. Apartment buildings are notorious for not clearly marking the numbers or names of apartments in the corridors. A familiar experience is getting out of an elevator and walking one way and then the other until you figure out the order in which the numbers (or alphabet) are going. This creates confusion, frustration, or agitation, none of which is good for encouraging Chi to your door. Numbers in many cultures carry significance or have a sacred meaning. The number nine is not only the last of the single digits, signifying completeness; it also has had special meaning throughout Chinese history. In terms of the bagua, nine is associated with Li or one s rank. Li is a Chinese unit of measurement that has varied over time to mean anything from a third of a mile ( Chinese mile ) to one mile. The Forbidden City purportedly had 99,999 rooms. The Chou Dynasty built its capital walled city as a grid of nine north-south streets divided by nine east-west roads, where the streets were wide enough to accommodate nine chariots. Conversely, the number four is considered negative because it sounds like the word for death in Chinese. We know the 2008 Olympics were on 8/08/08 and started at 8:08 pm to bring good luck. The number eight is considered lucky because it sounds similar to the Cantonese word for prosperity. Eight is also the universal symbol for infinity as well as the number of sides of the bagua, which symbolizes the perfection of the Universe. Distinctive signage that is suitable for the vicinity but stands out and grabs the Chi is important. When a neighboring business has an awning that is even only a few inches beyond yours, that business dominates, and thus gathers, more Chi. If a building has a protruding frontage it will garner more Chi. Many homes do not have a pathway to the front door. They rely instead on a path that comes off the driveway. Perhaps there are some minor slate squares to suggest a path. A distinct path to the street (even if it is not

85 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? used often) that has a soft meander, is solid underfoot, and perhaps distinguished by solar lights for evening, or flowerbeds on the perimeter, will invite Chi to the door. Large pillars and columns can be protective and create a sense of arrival if they stand away and are proportional to the entry. If too large, they can also obstruct an entrance or appear too overbearing for the building or home when placed too close to the door. They not only will block Chi from entering, but they can block the view to the street and feel oppressive. Square pillars are more dangerous in that they send Sha Chi or a poison arrow across the entry. Although we mentioned ivy growing on a building as leaching Chi, in this case growing ivy around a square column will soften its corners. Placing something at eye level or a bit higher on a round column, such as a light or hanging plant, will help to lift the Chi. Driveways that are too steep up or down are problematic in that, once again, they suggest struggle or draining Chi. Lighting the drive certainly will help, or any of the other things suggested so far for making the path smooth. In other words, gravel or dirt driveways do not ease the path to the door. Where possible, a slightly curved drive is preferable to a straight one aimed at the house. Along the same lines, a parking lot, either in front of a building or store or behind it, should have a buffer (i.e. plants) so that the Sha Chi of the cars is not directed toward the business. J. Gardens and Landscapes Traditional Chinese gardens were considered a microcosm of the Universe; a place to contemplate nature s aesthetics and the philosophy of life. Often there was a center courtyard or garden balancing the yin (enclosed garden for reverie) and the yang (indoor activity) of the home. Some basic principles worth following for contemporary gardens are: 1. All of the basic principles of Feng Shui elements, shapes, colors, and meaning apply equally to the landscape. Remember that we can apply the principles to a large housing development as well as a quarter-acre lot. Imitating nature s irregularities the curving lines and contrasts of yin and yang, rivers and Exterior Feng Shui 83

86 Design Arts Seminars, Inc mountains, movement and stability, horizontal flats and vertical growth enhances the property. A landscape should be a portal for inspiration that extends beyond simple beauty. A bench or pavilion offers a place to enjoy and reflect on the surroundings. Stone walls, gates, fences, and garden ornamentation all can be used to enhance the rooms of a garden with Feng Shui principles. They also help to slow Chi down if it is moving too quickly down a hill or across a property. The opening of a gate should always be inward, toward the property, to invite the Chi in. Lights are not traditional in a Chinese garden but can be very useful to enhance parts of the bagua. An illuminated bench in the Kun area can encourage relationship, while a terrace with lights in Jen will bode well for the family. 6. cated in Kan, Jen, and Hsun. The movement of the water needs to be toward the house or business, bringing wealth Chi, as opposed to drawing it away. If the fountain is part of a pond, an uneven amount of fish helps to keep the water moving and full of Chi. If a fish dies, assume it has absorbed some negativity and replace it quickly. Patios or terraces follow some of the rules of pools in that it is preferable if they can follow an organic shape; if they are geometric, they should not have any angles pointing toward the house. A garden feature such as a gazebo is considered auspicious when it completes or enhances a gua. If it is too close or out of proportion, it will create pressure on the house and thus the residents. As previously mentioned, enclosed structures can denote something hidden; i.e. an affair if it is in the marriage/ relationship gua, or hidden or secret money if it is in the wealth gua. Exterior Feng Shui Waterfalls and fountains must be kept fresh and clean. Like pools and ponds, they are usually best lo- 7. Statues and art are useful in a garden when they represent the correct image and material i.e., a Buddha

87 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? statue of stone in Ken would be appropriate to enhance self-knowledge. A playful metal structure in Tui could be reinforced with the Three Secrets to support creativity and children. K. Classic Chinese Trees and Flowers, their Meanings, and the Gua they Enhance Azalea emblem of the fair sex (appropriate in Kun gua for females) Bamboo longevity, wealth, strength (Tai Chi, Hsun) Cherry the fair sex (Kun) Chrysanthemum flower of mid-autumn, symbol of joviality, life of ease (Tui) Lotus summer, fruitfulness, purity; as the seat of the Buddha it is seen as transcendent beauty (Li, Tui) Magnolia feminine sweetness and beauty (Kun) Narcissus good fortune for the New Year (Hsun) Peach associated with marriage or luck with the opposite sex (Kun) Pear known to bear fruit when 300 years old, hence associated with longevity (Tai Chi) Peony flower of riches and honor, emblem of love and feminine beauty (Kun, Hsun) Persimmon emblem of joy (Tui) Pine symbol of longevity, metaphor for friends that stay constant in adversity (Chyan) Plum symbol of winter and thus long life (Kan, Tai Chi) Pomegranate numerous dutiful offspring, rising to fame and glory (Tui) Oak the symbol of masculine strength (Chyan) Orange a presentation of oranges at Chinese New Year represents abundant happiness and prosperity throughout the year (Hsun) Orchid Confucius remarked on its exquisite characteristics, and it is therefore emblematic of the perfect or superior man (Ken, Chyan) Willow Buddhist symbol of meekness, sign of spring; its beauty, suppleness and frailty associate it to the female (Jen, Kun) In general, all plants and flowers are rich in Chi if they are thriving. The above information can inform landscape decisions but certainly do not need to be followed in any strict sense. The only plants to avoid are those Exterior Feng Shui 85

88 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Exterior Feng Shui 86 with spiky leaves which give off Sha Chi. If these are around an entrance they will create problems, potential accidents, and struggles. A spiky-leafed plant is appropriate only when there is a need to introduce the Fire element, and then it needs to be far off the path or entry. In addition, weeping plants can be very yin or sad looking, so they, too, should generally be avoided unless they are bright flowering types such as fuchsia or wisteria. Bonsai are generally considered inauspicious in Feng Shui, as they represent distorted and oppressed Chi. Yet there are those that feel like they are powerhouses of Chi because they ve become so condensed. So, personal interpretation is always very important to consider. L. Balancing the Five Elements in the Garden A garden on the right-hand side of a house (when facing it) represents the Metal element and the guas Tui and Chyan. So a calm and cool garden might include white chives, lupine, and white columbine. If this feels too contracted or sad, as Metal has a tendency to be, adding a bit of something fiery like persimmon to warm things up, or perhaps a small amount of Wood element such as bamboo, to blunt the Metal. If you are completing a missing Hsun corner or simply enhancing the wealth gua, bamboo, again, is a good source of Chi given its rapid growth. If it is confined it will not take over the garden. Any sturdy green plants and trees are good here. Remember that we would use a series of nine if the goal were to complete the gua. Water is the element that feeds Wood, so fresh moving water that flows toward the house would be beneficial. Curved pathways (like a meandering stream) would also suffice. Using blue slate for the path to emulate water is even better (even though slate is an Earth element). A front garden supports the Kan gua for business, protects a house from the road, and strengthens wisdom. Installing a curvaceous metal sculpture would be a good adjustment here. A fountain made of metal and stone flowing upward and toward the house would be advantageous as well (remembering that Earth supports Metal, which in turn supports Water). Shan Shui literally translates into Mountain- Water and is the Chinese art of landscape painting, extended to include gardening and landscape design. Shan is Yang strong, tall, and vertical, reaching the heavens such as a mountain would, while Shui is "Yin"

89 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? soft, horizontal, and lying on the earth as water lies on the earth. The idea is to keep a balance in your garden of yin and yang. Formal gardens tend to symbolize human power or man s desire to control and improve nature. Instead of trying to harness nature, the Shan Shui method is to allow nature to harness us, which means a deeper respect for the natural forces. Keep in mind that at least a small part of every garden should be left wild, or at least planted with wild flowers. This is a wonderful symbol to honor the land spirits. Feng Shui is a holistic art and science, and it is always important not to isolate any part from the whole. As in all good design (beyond addressing the overarching and longterm goals for the family or corporation: the site, budget, logistical needs, terrain, etc.), the whole must read greater than the sum of the parts. This is as true for Feng Shui as it is for any design discipline. So, running around trying to fix or adjust everything is not the goal. In an existing environment, first and foremost is to remember that if it is not broken it may not need adjustment. Second, as has been stated, when you get more facile with this subject you start to work intuitively and go beyond the rules. Third, you will appreciate nuance and interpretive meanings for the elements and for events that occur during a consultation. Relationships will become more obvious. If Hsun is missing, the right thing to do may be to reinforce Chyan (the client base of a business), as much as to find ways to augment Hsun. Ideally, Feng Shui offers a paradigm to interpret the world, but the true goal is to tap into the energy of the environment and see what it needs. The art is then to meld the needs of the environment with the hopes and desires of the people who reside or work there. Regardless of whether we re planning a city park or a flower box on a balcony, including nature in our daily lives adds immeasurably to our well being, and in turn hopefully raises our consciousness to be good stewards of the Earth. Exterior Feng Shui 87

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91 Chapter 7: Internal Structural Design Elements I. Hallways II. Doors III. Windows IV. Stairs V. Fireplaces VI. Beams VII. Columns and Pillars VIII. Ceilings IX. Slanted Walls X. Closets Internal Structural Design Elements

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93 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 7: Internal Structural Design Elements Whether you are addressing the needs of a large residence, a studio apartment, a retail store, a doctor s office, a corporate headquarters, or a home office, there are basic structural elements that show up in most environments. As with other Feng Shui considerations, their effects will not always be the same. There are always contingencies such as the length of time a person or business is in the locale, their personal Chi, and aspects of their astrology, fate, etc. With that said, the following areas should be fully understood when studying any form of Feng Shui so that every opportunity for healthy Chi flow will be applied. the wall will help punctuate the trip and energize the path. Recessed lighting or displays on the hall walls will invite a more meandering path. Flooring and rugs that run horizontally to the hall help slow down movement. Lighting that s suspended from the ceiling, especially lighting with suspended crystals, diffuses the straight line of Chi. I. Hallways The problem with most hallways is that they funnel Chi too quickly. Additionally, they may be narrow, poorly lit, or have many doors leading off them. A room or office at the end of a long corridor suffers the impact of fast-moving Chi, which has a weakening effect on that occupant or the function of that office. So primarily, any adjustment must mitigate the Chi flow so that it moves along in a more measured way. Sconces and art along Although this may not be appropriate for a corporate law office, if all else fails consider hanging three crystals (at least 30 mm in diameter) equidistant along the hall ceiling. This will slow down the Chi and allow it to feed the other rooms off the hallway (yes, even if the doors are shut). When there are too many doors on a very small landing, the potential for arguments and literally clashing with someone is strong. A large crystal Internal Structural Design Elements 91

94 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. light or ball at the center of the ceiling in this area will quell any discord. If a hallway feels particularly narrow or dark, mirrors are ideal (or greater), and that nothing should block your ability to fully enter the room (i.e. you don t want to walk straight into a bed, desk, or couch). Internal Structural Design Elements 92 for bringing in light and movement. I find that the size of an average wardrobe mirror running horizontally is about right when there are large expanses between doors. Whatever size is used, make sure it is large enough to be effective and doesn t decapitate passersby. In other words, the mirror needs to be hung high enough that most people will be able to see their shoulders and full head reflected. II. Doors The front door, or Mouth of Chi, will be discussed at length in the section on Interior Feng Shui. The two most important rules are that a door should open a full 90 degrees Here are some of the other things worth knowing about doors: Any door should open to the widest part of the room. When it doesn t, the effect is like walking into a wall and your Chi is immediately blocked. The other problem with this situation is that both the person entering and the person in the room cannot tell who is on the other side of the door. This situation may be remedied by changing the hinges so the door opens to the widest part of the room. If this mundane solution won t work, hang a long horizontal mirror on the wall that the door opens to, allowing the person entering to see into the room and the person

95 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? inside to get a glimpse of who s there before they fully enter. A bell on the doorknob will also expand and enliven the Chi, as well as alert the person on the other side of the door that someone is there. This situation will continually create blocked Chi and anxiety if not addressed. Fighting doors are doors that hit one another and energetically represent arguments or discord. This might be the door to a basement and the one to a powder room in a narrow hall, or perhaps a bedroom door and the closet behind it. When an entry door to a house, office, or bedroom clashes with a closet door, it may indicate hidden adversaries. Looking at which gua this situation is in may give you an insight into who they may be. The transcendent adjustment for fighting doors is in the Rituals appendix. Using a doorstop to prevent the actual clash doesn t change the energy of this situation. When a large door faces a smaller one, which may occur in a hallway or cluster of rooms, the larger one presides. This is fine unless the larger one is a bathroom, closet or the kitchen, in which case there could be health, money, or relationship issues. The adjustment for this is to put art or mirrors on either side of the smaller door at eye level to widen its appearance. Otherwise, if appropriate, mirror the larger door reflecting the smaller one, thereby increasing its Chi. Doors that face one another but are not aligned are called bad-bite doors (they are likened to teeth that need orthodontic treatment). This sends an unbalanced message to the body, which could provoke other imbalances in life. The situation is more acute if this is a door you continually face when leaving your apartment or office. The idea here is to even out the doors. So, if it is possible, hang art or a small mirror on the side of the door that is narrower than the one across from it to even them out. (See illustration on the bottom of pg 94) An empty door is a doorframe with no door (as in an entrance to a kitchen or dining area.) This is most serious when a door Internal Structural Design Elements 93

96 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Internal Structural Design Elements 94 was removed but the hinges are still there. This situation purports a singular life. Perhaps a mate leaves, dies, or one does not marry. This is particularly a problem if it is in Kun gua and one wants to be in a relationship. The remedies (other than adding a door) are to add a curtain, swag of fabric, or a panel (made of any number of materials that slide across on a track) to symbolize or complete the door. Another option is to add a fringe of nine crystals hung at the top of the doorframe eight small ones and a larger one in the center and reinforce it with your intention. When three or more doors are aligned in a row (as in a long, narrow railroad apartment), this configuration is called piercing heart doors. Problems in the center of the body, the heart, or the head are possible. Unfortunately, this is just the kind of configuration you often see in hospitals. A crystal from the ceiling between the doors in the middle of each section will disperse this piercing line of Chi. III. Windows Like doors, windows need to function well, open fully, and be uncluttered and clean. They are the eyes of the house and their condition influences our own sight. Any broken, stuck, or dirty windows limit our physical sight or insight. Windows that open outward are considered the best as they allow the most Chi to flow in and, in turn, allow our Chi to reach into the world. Windows also represent the voices of children. If the number of windows in a home outnumbers the number of doors (which symbolize the parents) by more than three to one, the children will control the household, argue with parents, or be disrespectful. A crystal hung in each window will harmonize the situation. If the windows are broken up into small panes the children s dominance is more limited.

97 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? The Feng Shui perspective on windows: Our security is challenged if windows come down too far to the floor. Plants, stone sculptures, or small wood furnishing will help to ground the area, especially if an apartment is on the 35th floor where we can feel subtly vulnerable. If a window is too high or too low we may feel limited. A feeling of being cut off, unable to move out, or controlled, could result from these types of windows. The mundane adjustment here is to repeat the shape of the window with a piece of art above or below the window (basically where a more appropriate-sized window would be) that offers an outdoor perspective. Alternatively, a mirror or mirrors again close to the size of existing windows, hung above or beneath them, will give the feeling of another set of windows and open space in the room. When part of a window is blocked by a bookcase, sofa, desk, etc., the experience is that something is off in the room and, as a result, there is uneasiness or worse, a limited path in life. When a window is fully blocked off from the inside or out (i.e. there is a wall or another building directly next to it), one can get the feeling of being trapped, depressed, or frustrated. Depending on which gua this window is located in will determine which sector of life is affected. If the window is deemed unusable, a false window, scrim, or shoji-like screen in front of it will give an illusion of space. This is further enhanced if the area can be backlit to offer a feeling of depth behind the window. A window that is blocked from the outside by a tree, bushes, or a neighbor s fence should be opened up, cut back, or the very least lit, which may open it up. A wind chime (remember sound expands space) in a tree will also help. Skylights are discussed in the section on Interior Feng Shui Other guidelines for bedrooms. Remember that if there s a direct line from a door to a window (especially if it is the front door) or even from one window to another, the Chi through the house or room will move too quickly. The remedy suggested is to have a crystal lighting fixture between the door and window or windows, or to hang a crystal in the path of Chi or at the window, in line with the door. When there is room, place a small round or oval table with flowers or something with height, in the pathway to create a slower path of Chi. Internal Structural Design Elements 95

98 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. IV. Stairs The most important thing to keep in mind is that the purpose of a staircase is to connect one place to another and to direct as much Chi to the upper levels while preventing a loss of Chi from running down too quickly. At the most basic level, ensure that you have wide, well-lit stairs. Older or small homes can have steep, dark, narrow, or awkward staircases. Any additional lighting will help, as will art or photographs on the adjacent wall to modulate the effort up and slow down the steep, rushing decline of Chi. When we discuss the front door in Chapter 9 we will cover issues relating to interior stairs ending too close to the door and what is referred to as mandarin duck stairs. 4, a light or large crystal suspended from the ceiling at the top of the staircase will help keep the Chi up, counter-balancing the corkscrew effect. Internal Structural Design Elements 96 Let s now address some other issues regarding stairs: The adjustment for a spiral staircase is discussed in Chapter 4: Method of Minor Additions VI. Elements of Power. What is important to note now is that a spiral staircase in the Tai Chi position is particularly problematic in that it s screwing or drilling effect can bore an energetic hole in the house and subsequently the health of the household. Besides the arrow cure mentioned in Chapter Risers are an important element of stairs. They keep the Chi from leaking on the way up. So when they re absent, the upper floor is not fed. The best thing to do is to put risers in, even if they must be glass to allow for necessary light or to maintain a design element (although solid risers are the best solution). Otherwise, fill in the empty

99 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? space with plants, trees, and lighting under the staircase to hold the energy so it can travel up. A split-level house or one with raised or sunken floors can purport an uneven life with ups and downs. The idea is to connect the levels as much as possible. This can be done with plants at the landings. A distinctive banister through the stairway levels may accomplish this. A long chandelier that can be seen from every level will be a good visual connector. Recessed lights in the wall close to the steps or in the steps themselves are good mundane adjustments for this situation. When you step onto a very small landing at the top of a flight of stairs or come down the stairs and basically hit a wall, a large mirror or painting with a long depth of field will help open the space. Color is a wonderful cure for moving Chi on a staircase. I ve seen a vibrant red carpet make ascending a tight staircase a pleasure. Interesting art on the walls of the staircase engages the mind and carries the body; so, too, does a banister that is unexpected, very beautiful, or totally fun. V. Fireplaces Design-wise, most people love the romance of fireplaces. They put us in touch with nature Internal Structural Design Elements 97

100 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. and something primal in ourselves. Unfortunately, fireplaces are often ill placed based on Feng Shui. Probably the least auspicious place for a fireplace is in the Tai Chi. This may precipitate a health concern, especially to the heart. The core of the house should not conduct too much heat. Other inauspicious places are Tui, the area concerned with children and creativity, and Chyan, the area of benefactors. These are both Metal element areas and Fire is destructive to them. Water is the other element that has a destructive relationship with Fire, so a fireplace in Kan is not good either. case, the mirror should be empowered to work as such. A large crystal bowl or a clear one that has beautiful natural crystals in it (i.e. quartz. citrine, etc.) placed on the mantle or in front of the fireplace can also help to cool and absorb the fire. Internal Structural Design Elements 98 Any of these inauspicious placements can be adjusted with the following cures: Have nine plants around the fireplace to protect (the number nine again) and balance it (wood keeps a fire happy and does not need to destroy anything else). If nine plants cannot possibly work, have one large one in the fireplace itself. Hang a large mirror above the fireplace to cool it down. Mirrors are often thought of as water, and in this Please note, not ever using a fireplace can be helpful when it s in an inauspicious location, but that doesn t cure it. Fireplaces are excellently located in Li, the Fire sector. Hsun and Jen are fine places for a fireplace, as long are there is a balance of wood element around, otherwise, you ll

101 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? burn up your family and finances. The two other good placements for a fireplace are the Earth elements Ken and Kun. Fire supports Earth, so this placement is fine. If the fireplace is in the bedroom and your relationship is getting strained or exhausted, or there is anger, cure this fireplace with one of the methods mentioned above. VI. Beams Beams are discussed at length in Chapter 9: Interior Feng Shui. VII. Columns and Pillars In large rooms, renovated apartments, or open-plan lofts, pillars or columns (which, for our purposes, are the same thing) tend to block Chi. As with beams the idea is to have them disappear by painting them the same color as the walls, although this doesn t accomplish the purpose of opening up the space. For example, in one apartment a large square column could be seen from the front door, and blocked the light from the window behind it. Although it did in fact stop the Chi from flying out the window, it also stopped everything in its path. A mirror on the approaching side from the front door helped match the open feeling of the window light. The opposite side of this column was used to hang art. The other problem with square pillars is that they send out Sha Chi from each of their four corners. Do not have seating areas too close to the corners, and/or use trees at the base to soften the edges (provided there is enough room for them). Lighting the column from the base or top will soften its solid impression. Again, if space allows, try placing a small table or bench on the flat sides of a square column and treat it like a small wall. Trompe d oeil can work beautifully on columns to integrate them into a room design. Many rooms without columns do have missing corners in them. These are structural elements that jut into the room and carve out what appears to be two sides of a column. All of the suggestions above can be used for this situation, keeping in mind that if this missing area is in the relationship area of your bedroom or the wealth area of your office, you may want to cure it in one of the ways we discussed in the Missing Areas section of Chapter 5. VIII. Ceilings Chapter 9 discusses cathedral and slanted ceilings in the bedroom. In addition, some homes and offices have multi-level ceilings or Internal Structural Design Elements 99

102 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. ceilings that are uneven in some way (usually to accommodate air-conditioning systems or something else structural). The most important thing is to avoid sleeping or working in places where the height of the ceiling changes. At these points, Sha Chi is strong. The part of the body this edge or point is over (along with your personal Chi or constitution), will determine how it will affect you over time. If the ceiling is very high, it could be dropped to a lower level. If that is not an option, and the area cannot be avoided, the edge should be softened with ¾ round molding along it. A stretched fabric or scrim (suggested in the bedroom section of Chapter 9) could also be applied here. If there are four walls, presumably only one is angled and that wall creates an acute, or less than 90-degree angle, on one end, and a greater than 90-degree angle on the other. The narrow side should have a lamp or spotlight in the corner, shining up to open the corner up (as well as the life or gua area). Live Chi such as a plant or tree, or perhaps a bird or aquarium in this area can also help open the area. The other side of the angled wall will also be balanced with a lamp. Internal Structural Design Elements 100 IX. Slanted Walls Slanted walls, like slanted doorways, suggest that Chi comes to us in an oblique fashion. When this happens, there may be accidents, lawsuits, or some unexpected and unfortunate event. Needless to say, we want to correct this situation and, short of a construction job, we must use a transcendental adjustment. If there is a fifth wall in a room, it will generally be slanted about 45 degrees. A large mirror on this slanted wall will make it appear straightened out. It will be especially good if you can mirror the entire wall. X. Closets The only truly important thing to know about closets is to keep them clutter free, neat, and clean. Get rid of what you don t love or truly need. The closet s locale will tell you what gua it s in, and if there s clutter there, that part of your life will be limited. If you d like to enhance that gua with the closet, installing a light that turns on when the door opens automatically always helps, as does hanging a faceted crystal from the ceiling to keep the Chi circulating.

103 Chapter 8: Command Position and Personal Best Directions I. The Main Points to Follow to be In Command II. Ming Gua the Compass School s Formulation for Being in Your Personal Best Direction Command Position and Personal Best Directions

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105 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 8: Command Position and Personal Best Directions I. The Main Points to Follow in order to be In Command The Command Position is one of the most important principles of Black Sect and Form School Feng Shui. It is the power position that provides a view, prevents surprises, and gives control of an environment. It applies to siting a home or a skyscraper, and to interiors. The single most important factor in the workspace is to have command of your area. In order to succeed and feel empowered, you must see the door or entry to your area. This means having your desk face the entry and yet not be in the direct line of the door. If this is simply not possible, have a mirror on the wall facing the doorway, so you can easily see it from your seat. If there is no wall available, get a small mirror to sit on your computer monitor that offers you the advantage of seeing anyone as they approach from behind (thus maintaining command). If you cannot avoid having your desk in the direct line of entry, help disperse the oncoming Chi (energy) by hanging a crystal or wind chime in the path. A strategically placed plant or sculpture on your desk may help with this as well. Main points to follow: The Command Position is based on the Mouth of Chi; where the Chi enters the property or room. This does not involve relative or compass direction. Always have a view of the door. Never sit directly in line with a door. Have the widest possible viewing area. Use these rules for beds, desks, stoves, and main sitting areas. In a retail environ- Command Position and Personal Best Directions 103

106 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. ment, this is also an important position for the cash register. We will learn from the diagrams how to adjust areas that are not in the Command Position with mirrors, crystals, and other additions Command Position and Personal Best Directions 104 (when the furniture cannot be arranged differently). In a home or office, important rooms such as the master bedroom or the president s office should be behind the centerline of the home or office, and thus be in the Command Position of the entire structure. Amalfi, Italy, is an ancient example of good Feng Shui, and illustrates well the Command Position. The village is built into the side of a mountain facing the sea... giving each home a Command Position. This position protects their backs and allows them to see what is coming their way. Six hundred years ago, Amalfi was one of the four maritime capitals of ancient Italy. (The four ancient maritime republics of the Italian peninsula were Venice, Pisa, Genoa, and Amalfi.) Each town along the Amalfi Coast is in a cove-like setting, sitting in a comfortable and protective armchair position. The catacombs are the highest point in the city of Amalfi, giving the ancestors both the highest respect and helping them oversee the village. The main street of Amalfi was built over the path of the mountain river, which pours into the sea. This is the natural line of Chi through the town. Rather than having a draining effect, the town center and seaside are fed by this flow. The municipal building, which faces the sea, flies many flags that help gather Chi.

107 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? II. Ming Gua the Compass School s Formulation for Being in Your Personal Best Direction Along with the Command Position (which applies universally), we each have particular directions that enhance us. This is called one s Ming Gua. Ming is Chinese for life or destiny. Therefore Ming Gua means Life or Destiny Gua or position. Determining one s Ming Gua is an easy calculation and part of the Classical Compass School of Feng Shui. When calculating your Ming Gua, consider whether your birthday is before or after February 4. The Chinese Solar year uses 15 degrees Aquarius as the first day of the New Year, which is on or around February 4th and thus uses February 4 th as the standard New Year date for determining one s Ming Gua. So everyone born January 1 st through February 3 rd is part of the previous year (i.e. if you were born on January 31 st 1926, you would use 1925 as your year of birth.) Your personal number or Ming Gua is calculated from date of birth only. For those born before 2000, start by adding the last two digits of the year you were born, and reducing it to obtain a single number. From there, it is calculated differently for men and women. For men, the result is subtracted from 10; for women, add 5 to the result and again reduce that number to a single digit by adding the 2 together if necessary. Please Note: the number 5 is never used for anyone s Ming Gua. Here s an example: 1964: = 10, reduce the 10 to a single digit = 1 Men: Subtract from = 9 9 is the Ming Gua for Men BUT if your result is 5, use 2 for your Ming Gua Women: Add = 6 6 is the Ming Gua for Women BUT if your result is 5, use 8 as your Ming Gua Another example would be 1933: = 6 Men: Subtract from = 4 Command Position and Personal Best Directions 105

108 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Command Position and Personal Best Directions is the Ming Gua for Men Women: Add = 11 here again, reduce to a single digit = 2 2 is the Ming Gua for Women For those born in 2000 and after, there has been a change in the calculation. For men, the result of adding the last two digits of the birth date and reducing them to a single number is then subtracted from 9 (NOT 10). For women, the single digit obtained from the birth year is added to 6 (NOT 5). Example: Born in 2002: = 2 Men: Subtract 2 from 9 = 7 Remember if a man gets 5 for his Ming Gua it reverts to a 2. Women: Add 6 to 2 = 8 Remember if a woman gets 5 for her Ming Gua it reverts to an 8. Once your Ming gua number is determined, you ll know if you are an East House person or a West House person based on the information below: East House Gua Numbers: 1 (north), 3 (east), 4 (southeast), 9 (south) West House Gua Numbers: 2 (southwest), 6 (northwest), 7 (west), 8 (northeast) The Ming Gua is important to consider at the following times: When you have the opportunity to choose your home, business, or office. Having your front door face one of your four good directions offers a great advantage. The direction you are facing when seated at your desk. IMPORTANT this literally means the direction your face is looking towards. Sometimes if your desk cannot be moved, for whatever reason, you can still adjust your computer screen so that it forces you into a better direction. Whether you re a CEO or a student, facing one of your four good directions will be helpful to your success.

109 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? The direction we sleep in makes a great difference to our health, ability to sleep and our general well being. IMPORTANT this means the direction the crown of your head points toward when you re lying in your bed. Please note that if the Southeast is your best direction for prosperity, it means that when you are seated at your desk, you re looking Southeast. Yet when sleeping, it is the top of your head that is pointing Southeast or in the Southeast direction. EAST LIFE GROUP Gua Numbers Best Direction - Great Prosperity, Vitality SE S N E Good Health, Healing E N S SE Romance, Family, and Social Harmony S SE E N Clarity, Stability N E SE S Most Inauspicious Direction SW W NE NW WEST LIFE GROUP Gua Numbers Best Direction - Great Prosperity, Vitality NE W NW SW Good Health, Health W NE SW NW Romance, Family and Social Harmony NW SW NE W Clarity, Stability SW NW W NE Most Inauspicious Direction N S E SE Command Position and Personal Best Directions 107

110 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Although each Ming Gua number also has four inauspicious directions, it is simply important NOT to be in what is considered an inauspicious direction rather than focus on their meanings. It often takes some creativity to be able to accommodate being in one of your good directions while also making sure you are in the Command Position. There is usually a way to compensate for being out of command with a mirror, but if that is not possible, being in command should take priority. The Form School of Feng Shui is common to all schools and recognizes the importance of a place as it relates to its surroundings. Command Position and Personal Best Directions 108 A snag arises when there is a couple from different houses sleeping in the same bed, because they will have mutually exclusive directions. When this occurs, the rule of thumb is to first make sure both people have command of the door; also, if it is an option for the person most in need (of rest, health, job security, etc), the bed should be put in one of their good directions; in other words, that person s Ming Gua should be followed.

111 Chapter 9: Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door I. The Front Door The Mouth of Chi A. First Impression B. Raising the Chi at the Entry II. Seeing Past the Front Door III. Rooms A. Master Bedroom B. Other Guidelines for Bedrooms C. Infants and Children s Bedrooms D. Kitchen Stove E. Dining Room F. Living Room G. Bathrooms 1. Hsun 2. Kun 3. Kan H. Home Offi ce I. Garage J. Basement and Attic Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door

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113 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 9: Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door I. The Front Door The Mouth of Chi A. First Impression The interior spaces of our home and office are where we can make the most change to the environment. As we have said before, the things closest to us have the greatest effect on our lives. So, before we step through the front door, let s consider it. We now recognize that the front door of a home or business represents the Mouth of Chi. No matter how many other entrances there may be, or how often they are used, it is only the architectural front door that qualifies as the Mouth of Chi. Like the mouth of the body, this is the place that feeds the entire environment. After the landscape, streetscape, pathway, or stairs (all discussed in Chapter 6 - Exterior Feng Shui), the front door gives the first impression of the business or home. We must be objective in determining whether it delivers the message its owner intends. The front door must be proportionally correct for the house or building. Often additions and renovations end up dwarfing the front door. This will diminish the Chi into the environment. More important is the condition of the door. Is the hardware attractive, polished, and functional? Is the door clean and well marked? Often a red door is associated with Feng Shui. A red door is distinctive, and thus inviting for the Chi. Red is also a very protective color but there is no rule that says you have to paint the front door red unless you or your client wants to. Depending on which gua the front door is in, a white, blue, or green door may be more appropriate (refer to the section on colors and the elements). Probably the single most important factor is the ease with which the door operates. A front door that is easy to access allows the Chi to enter on the right footing. A sticky door or one that is hard to open purports struggle and limited opportunities. The door must open a full 90 degrees or more to fully allow all of the available Chi to enter. If the door is stopped by coat hooks, storage, trash cans, a table with mail, shoes, you name it, the Chi entering will be limited (and so will everyone else). In a public building, office, or retail store, is it unclear whether you push or pull the door open? Confusion limits Chi. If it is a revolving Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 111

114 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 112 door, does it take your full weight to push it around? If the entire facade is glass, is it obvious where the door actually is? Although the swing of the door eats up space, it should always open inwards. If a person has to take a step back to pull a door open, so does the Chi. This means the Chi is thrown back and less enters. Doors that open out allow more Chi to escape when leaving, too. The best advice for this situation is to re-hang the door. If the door squeaks, has difficulty closing, scrapes on the floor, or has a faulty lock or loose handle, it is limiting Chi to the environment and either your first or last impression is less than the best. So the bottom line is there should be no obstructions to a smooth entry at the Mouth of Chi. Once you have entered the front door, there should be a light, expansive feeling; a sense of arrival. If you re entering a small, dark foyer this, too, will bring the Chi down. Certainly if you re entering a lawyer s office, restaurant, retail store, or health club you will want to have a definitive connection with place. The brand identity, function, and interior space will dictate much of this, but especially in an intimate restaurant or spa, you want to be able to leave the world behind and take an expanded breath. There are many commercial spaces (and I do not mean the ones that are trying to be low-key chic ) where, once you ve entered, there is little to no brand identification. You could be anywhere, or perhaps confused as to whether you re in the right place. Alternatively, there are places that have so much coming at you as you enter that there is sensory overload. This, in turn, can have an overwhelming effect of making you feel as if you are not sure where to land. All of this is commonly referred to as the first impression. If upon entering your home or office you re even subtly brought down, experience effort or aggravation, this negative sense not only sets up your day, but greatly influences your life on an ongoing basis. I liken this to water running over a rock. The rock is apparently the stronger element and the water accommodates itself around it (much like us in a difficult entryway), but in time, the rock is diminished or develops a crevice where the water continually wore away at it. Need we say more? Starting at this point of entry or Mouth of Chi, this next section will literally walk us through a variety of interior spaces to discuss Feng Shui principles and how balance can be restored or improved. Although it is impossible to discuss every circumstance, many principles can be applied in myriad ways.

115 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? B. Raising the Chi at the Entry Have nothing extraneous right inside the entryway no coat rack, no items for recycling, no shoes, no business brochures, etc. The door swing must be full and easy. If there is no natural light, make sure there is plenty of artificial light. If this is something you do not want on all the time, a motion sensor works especially well, sparking the Chi when it goes on. When we come home, we never want to walk into a dark entry hall. If the entry is in Kan, the career sector, what does a dark, cluttered entrance say about your career? The previously-mentioned items (coats, shoes, etc) must be neatly organized and set further back from the entrance, in a closet, or elsewhere. If this is a family situation, each person can have only one coat out at a time. Typically everyone has three seasons of coats, shoes, and sporting equipment out all the time. An office would generally have a closet (preferable to a rack for coats). The entrance should be at least twice the length of the tallest person in the household and, in the case of an office, preferably deeper. In other words, if someone in the household is six foot, the entrance area is ideally at least 12 feet deep. Walking into an immediate solid wall upon entering a front door is a metaphor for hitting a wall it s very limiting. This is where you d install a large mirror to open the space and give the person entering a commanding position by being able to see who may be behind her. There are those in the world of Feng Shui who feel this mirror placement throws the Chi back out. I wholeheartedly disagree. In fact, I see it inviting the Chi in. A compelling piece of art can also help a foreshortened entry. Art can draw us into its perspective and offer a place to go, so to speak, so that the Chi is not stopped, but continues down the country path or city street or wherever the picture is taking you. A split wall is when on entering, one eye sees a wall in front of it (this would be a narrow wall), while the other eye travels Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 113

116 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. through the house or office (and sometimes continues all the way out the opposite window, which is another problem we ll address later). This situation actually divides our energy by having the brain focus on two things at two different depths of field. Again, increase the depth of field on the short wall with a mirror or something that mirrors the long view (in a metropolitan office this may be a photograph of a skyline). An entrance that directly faces a stairway (often found in older homes) is a problem as it symbolizes money and opportunity rolling out the front door. The sheer force of gravity down the stairs is such that it pushes the Chi When a door opens to a wall you have another metaphor for limited opportunity in life, struggle, or general low chi. Often the wall is too close to the door and you don t get to enter the house and see into the space until the door is mostly open. This close wall should be mirrored (discussed in Chapter 7 under Doors ). Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 114 right back out the door. Without reconstructing the front of the house, the alternative is a transcendental one to put a crystal or wind chime between the door and staircase to diffuse the effect of the descending Chi. There is another type of stairs called mandarin duck in Feng Shui. These are found in an entry that opens onto a landing that leads

117 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? to two flights of stairs such as in a split-level house. One flight leads up, while the other leads down. Needless to say, this is confusing and has the potential to separate a couple or family, sending them each on their separate ways. Anything that bridges these two staircases is effective in joining them. A plant on the landing may do it. Painting the When the front door faces a back door, whether on the other side of the house or down a long hall, Chi tends to run too quickly through the environment. When this occurs, Chi doesn t have the opportunity to circulate through the space. As referred to previously, this may be remedied in a long hall by sconces spaced along the wall, or with a horizontally patterned rug to slow the energy, or with a crystal ceiling fixture to diffuse the Chi. Any design element or pattern that slows down or interrupts the flight of Chi is good. In the case of a narrow shop, office, or home in which the front and back doors are aligned, hanging a crystal, wind chime, or crystal light will work. In a larger space, a circular table with a flower arrangement or sculpture will create a roundabout to slow the Chi. banister (at least) and wall all the same vibrant color will make them seem more like a unit. Recessed lighting along the stair wall from the bottom to the top could also integrate the area. Remember, it is the intention and empowerment of the adjustment (see the Rituals Appendix) that truly makes any adjustment effective. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 115

118 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 116 A way to subtly distinguish the inner and outer environments is to have the experience of stepping onto a different and comforting surface. Rugs are another way to add an element of color, and can be used to either increase the flow of Chi (with a watery color and wavy pattern moving forward) or slow it down (with an earthly color and geometric pattern). In the entrance, scent and sound will also alert the senses and mind to wake up to a new experience. In addition, natural beauty - i.e. fresh flowers, healthy plants, or a lively aquarium - all encourage the energy to be lifted upon entering. When you enter an office building or individual office, having a clear indication of which direction to go is of the utmost importance to the reputation and profits of that building or office. Whether artwork, verbal signage, or a receptionist guides you, moving towards your destination should be effortless. In a large building, having multiple front doors is both a necessity and an advantage to bringing in more business. But a second door in the front of a retail store, small business, or home, is likely to create confusion. Instead of putting up a sign with an arrow to indicate the correct door, do everything to block the secondary door. Additionally, the primary door should have the address on or above it, be distinguished with plants, or be clearly marked by some sort of architectural design. II. Seeing Past the Front Door Once we move past the Mouth of Chi, what do we encounter next? In a home, having a couch in view is welcoming and invites comfort and relaxation. Soon after entering an office, you want to be aware of people accomplishing their work, and in a store you want to see the most intriguing object. One thing you never want to see when you enter an environment is a bathroom down the hall or near the door. This has a draining effect. At the very least, the bathroom door needs to always be closed (not an easy task in a home with kids). In addition, art or color that draws the eye away from the door is helpful. A traditional Feng Shui adjustment for bathrooms anywhere is to put a mirror outside. The thinking here is that the mirror reflects something other than the awareness of the bathroom, and more importantly, the

119 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chi is diverted and doesn t get flushed or drained away. In certain circumstances this can work, but it may not be an appropriate solution in every circumstance or from a design perspective. Seeing the kitchen when you enter an apartment or private home by always entering through the garage is a problem for two reasons. First, although it is true that the kitchen can be a comfort to see, at the same time it draws one into grabbing food and contributes to unnecessary eating. Second, it is important to protect the stove and thus it should be shielded from being seen from the door. You may recall from Chapter 8, that the position of the stove is as important as your bed and desk in Feng Shui. We will consider ways to cure this problem in the section on kitchens. In a home or office, the entry space needs to be at rest. It is important that you do not see clutter of any kind. Everything keys, receipts, mail, etc. needs a place, even if it is in transit, so to speak. III. Rooms Let us now take a look at the individual rooms of a home (Chapter 10 will discuss the office), and how to address problems that contribute to inauspicious Chi, energetic imbalance, or problematic Feng Shui. Again, the three most important areas of a home are the front door, the bedroom, and the kitchen. An important point to remember is that every room has a position in the bagua of a home but it is also true that every room has its own bagua (refer to the section on the Ever Changing Bagua in Chapter 2). It is important too, to be able to visualize both of these baguas superimposed on one another. For example, let us say that the master bedroom is located in Hsun or the wealth sector of the entire house, and has a missing corner. We will want to adjust for that missing area and empower our intentions for Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 117

120 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 118 wealth. Equally true is when the bagua is superimposed on the room, using the door to the master bedroom as the Mouth of Chi, we can see that the missing corner is in the Kun or relationship sector. If the adjustment for the wealth sector is a mirror, that same mirror can be empowered to complete the relationship gua of the room as well. Yet you may want to do something additional to support the relationship gua in the bedroom. Perhaps it will be with two plants, one large and one smaller (yang/yin coupling) to represent a growing relationship. In fact, the plants may also soften a corner of Sha Chi crossing the bed. Understanding the principles of Feng Shui and how to apply them in a multi-dimensional way while understanding your needs or those of your client is what makes for effective adjustments. A. Master Bedroom Where possible, the master bedroom should be in the back half of the house or behind the centerline (running left to right) of the house. This is the Command Position of the house. Like a general in the army, you re behind the front lines, and protected so you can better organize operations (i.e. the family). This is considered the more yin part of the house and thus more restful. If the master bedroom is in the front of the house and the kid s room or guest room is further back, they are the ones who will have control. The transcendental adjustment for this situation is to put a mirror on the back wall or far inside wall of the bedroom to metaphorically draw the bed and the room further back into the house. This mirror needs to be big enough to reflect the whole bed, and tall enough not to cut off the head of the tallest person when standing in front of it. If the master bedroom is in front of the Kan line, or in other words situated in front of the front door (it may be an extension or the front door may be recessed), this usually indicates that one or both people are away

121 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? from home often. This also can be remedied with a large mirror positioned at the far end (or inside wall) of the room to pull the bed and the room back into the house. The most important thing in the bedroom is for the bed to be in the Command Position diagonally across from the door with a full view of it. Being directly in line with the door is not restful, as too much Chi runs on to the bed and it is literally in harm s way. This is also considered the death position feet first out the door. If the room is so small there is no way to move the bed out of the line of the door, then something needs to be done to divert the Chi. The classic Feng Shui adjustment is a round 30mm lead cut-glass crystal hung from a red string (some unit of 9.) A crystal chandelier also does the trick nicely. If the room is small, anything else may be difficult to arrange. If the bed cannot be in the Command Position (i.e. perhaps the far wall is all windows), then it is recommend that a mirror or reflective surface be placed to make the door to the room visible when one is in bed. This puts the bed back in command of the door. In Chapter 8 we learned the Ming Gua determines our personal four positive directions, and that they apply to the direction the top of our head points to when we lie in bed. Yet, the Form School of Feng Shui always takes Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 119

122 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 120 precedent (because we cannot ignore what is around us). So, the Command Position is always the most important place for the bed. Assuming the bed can be in command and also positioned for the occupants best directions, you ve got it made, so to speak. If someone is particularly ill or in some other crisis and it is possible to both put them in their direction for healing or prosperity and still manage to have them in command (even if that is accomplished by using a mirror) then adjusting for their Ming Gua is appropriate. Remember, if only one person of the couple can have her/his head in a positive direction, then position the bed for the person who has the greater need (always assuming they are still in command). Another important factor associated with the Form School is the use of a headboard. This offers the occupant a solid backing and thus protection for the vulnerable and restorative time of sleep. For a headboard to be effective in terms of Feng Shui, it must be solid no holes, slats, divides, or wrought iron. Fabric or wood is the best material, as metal can be very conductive of electromagnetic frequencies (discussed in Chapter 11 on Sustainability/Green Design). A common problem in contemporary master bedrooms is that the bathroom is across from the bed. It is generally considered unhealthy to have the bathroom Chi running across the bed. If the area between the bathroom and bed is least twice the width of the bed, it is less of a problem. In a large master bedroom suite, the bath area also tends to be a huge, spa-like area that can potentially drain Chi from the occupants. It is important to keep the bathroom door closed while sleeping to create more of a separation of the energy. When there is simply a large opening leading to the bathroom suite, a decorative curtain or visual room divider will divert the line of Chi and soften the room. A crystal

123 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? light fixture or a simple crystal ball hanging between the bathroom and the bed will also disperse this line of Chi. Although it is not advisable to have your head at a window, if the headboard is solid and the window is covered with a heavy shade and/or curtain, I do not feel it is as objectionable. If this is the only commanding spot in the room or it is the most personally auspicious direction for someone, it may be the perfect placement. I generally advise clients to sleep in a new position for a week. If they are not comfortable or do not sleep well, all the rules are pointless and other adjustments need to be made. Beams can be difficult in a bedroom as they tend to have a downward pressure and thus represent oppressive or Sha Chi. High ceilings (10 and above) that have beams painted the same color as the ceiling are usually benign. If a beam crosses over the middle of the bed and the person sleeping there has an illness such as intestinal problems or is pregnant, moving the bed away from the beam would be advisable. If there are no physical, mental, or emotional problems and a person s personal Chi is strong, the beam may not affect them. Again, the effect of beams is like the analogy of water running over a rock in time, it will have its effect. A beam across the foot of the bed could contribute to career issues (Kan position) or foot problems. Beams crossing the bed horizontally tend to be more problematic than when they are vertically lined up with the bed. Often, you can situate the bed between the beams, but if a vertical beam is right between two people, it negatively impacts their relationship. If the ceiling is not high enough to drop it, stretching a sheer or translucent fabric across the ceiling makes for a lovely, soft effect. Small lights shining up can be installed on the beams literally lightening them up, which also make for nice mood lighting behind the fabric. A traditional transcendental adjustment is to hang a bamboo flute on the most offending Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 121

124 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 122 beams, with the mouthpiece pointing up. This lifts the Chi of the beams, and as with all transcendental adjustments, must be empowered. Sleeping under a slanted ceiling or eaves can be oppressive and cause problems to the head if someone sleeps there on a regular basis; especially if their head is under the most constricted part of the angle. The best advice here is to position the bed between the eaves. Again, soften the angles with fabric, if not on the actual eaves, at least on the edges of the angled wall to create a canopy of sorts. Bamboo flutes may be used here too. Upward shining light and bamboo plants (but not too close to the bed if they are pointed) are effective for raising the downward energy of the slants. A cathedral ceiling in a large master bedroom can also have a negative effect. The reason for this is that the ceiling does not hold the couple s Chi. Their life Chi and the energy from their relationship rise to the highest point and are too far above to support them. Instead of the energy recycling to the bed, it runs down the sides of the high angled ceiling and lands somewhere pretty far from the bed. The room needs to embrace the human proportions. This can be accomplished with a canopy or a soft, sheer fabric securely hung above the bed. These solutions help create more of a cocoon of Chi around the bed without oppressing it. It should also be noted that a large master suite often feels empty or hollow due to its proportions. Warm earth colors (appropriate for relationship) and fabric tend to have a more humanizing effect than filling it with massive furnishings. King-size beds create yet another division between couples. Since a king mattress sits on two box springs, a subtle divide is created that, in time, comes between a couple. One solution is to purchase a slat bed or platform bed. These contemporary frames do not use box springs, and the mattress sits directly on the slats with no division. If this type of bed is not appropriate, or the bed is already there, apply this transcendental solution: Get a red sheet or large piece of fabric and put it between the mattress and box spring. This is a highly protective solution that can be used for other purposes. Empower with the Three Secret Reinforcements and the intention to heal the divide and hold the couple together (or whatever is appropriate to the people involved). A split view in the master bedroom is another area to adjust. This happens when each

125 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? partner has a different view from the bed. For instance, one may be able to see out the door and down a corridor, while the other sees into a closet. Or perhaps one person has a view of a mirror, which reflects the outdoors, and the other only sees the wall. Both people in a relationship should share a similar view. Sometimes you have to lie in the bed to determine what is actually going on. Perhaps a large mirror needs to be installed so both people have the same perspective. Maybe it is as simple as always closing the bedroom door when they re in bed (yes, even if there is no one else in the house). Double doors can be a problem in a master bedroom because they symbolize a split perspective. They may purport one person leaving. When those doors lead to an outside terrace or patio, they can drain Chi from the bedroom, causing relationship, health, and money issues. A wind chime at this door will be both protective to the couple and help regulate the Chi flying out of the room. This is a greater problem when the door to the bedroom is in line with this terrace door. As we ve said before, this will cause the Chi to move through the room too quickly, and not provide the necessary nourishment to all parts of the room. When there are a number of factors to overcome in a room, a large-faceted crystal or crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room (but never over the bed) can be an overall adjustment. Depending on the size of the room, this crystal may be between 40 mm and 70 mm. A crystal hung in the middle of a room is particularly good for health-related issues, but can be empowered for whatever the need is. Other factors to consider in the master bedroom are: Art make sure the meanings are restful, appropriate for the gua they are in, and enjoyed by both people. Equanimity each person should have a nightstand and light, and enough room to get out of bed and walk around the room. If one person feels compromised, it will ultimately not bode well for the relationship. Fighting doors are two doors that hit each other when opened. This is not an unusual situation in a bedroom. Often, the main door opens against a closet behind it. Fighting doors purport arguments anywhere in the house, and based on the gua they are in you can get a cue as to where there may be a problem. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 123

126 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 124 Fighting doors in the bedroom definitely could negatively impact the relationship. Fighting doors are cured transcendentally. The formulation is in the Appendix on Rituals. Piles of books, magazines, and towering bookshelves make the bedroom too active and not restful. If bookshelves need to be in the bedroom, they should be behind solid closed doors. All other bedside materials should be kept to a minimum. The color of your bedroom can range from terra cotta to the softest pink because these are the colors associated with joy, love, and romance. The color peach is not considered a stable one for a longlasting relationship but is good for sexual encounters. Beige, brown, yellow, and taupe are fine for the bedroom too, because these colors represent trust, connection, and growth. Relationships desirous of ensuring sensual bliss should consider red or pink sheets. If this does not fit your personal taste, try putting a red sheet on the underside of the mattress (next to the box spring). Red is considered a particularly auspicious color. It connotes happiness and sensuality and is protective. For the meaning of other colors refer to Chapter 4 - Method of Minor Additions. B. Other Guidelines for Bedrooms Try not to have any storage under a bed. Whatever is there shoes, gym equipment, books, suitcases, etc. we are subject to. In other words, the Chi of those items directly affects our sleep. Linens and other soft storage under the bed are acceptable as long there is not too much of it. Allowing Chi to circulate around and under the bed is important for health. Campaign beds, captains beds, and the like all create a barrier to the circulation of Chi. If this type of bed can be replaced that is the best remedy. If not, the transcendental cure may sound strange but it works. Drill three holes on three sides of the bed frame close to the floor nine holes in total. These can be very small and be in the frame or drawers. The key is in the empowerment. Intend that Chi flows freely through the holes and nourishes the bed and the sleeper. Just like the front door, a bedroom door should swing freely and be able to open a

127 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? full 90 degrees or more. So hanging things on hooks behind the door doesn t work. Clutter can be found anywhere, and although we haven t discussed it yet, it is the 101 of Feng Shui. Wherever there is clutter, Chi is stagnant, depressed, or limited the opposite of good Feng Shui. Clutter accumulates in bedrooms, mostly in the form of clothes that do not fit, are no longer in style, you never liked to begin with, you re keeping for sentimental reasons, or you wrongly think you may need someday. Then there is the sheer laziness of finding the time to weed things out. Whatever the reason, clothes that are not worn regularly (seasonal items aside) are clutter and could be better used by someone who will wear them. Nothing opens up opportunities in our lives like throwing or giving stuff away. Generally, it is nothing short of a catharsis. With all the room you ll create, there will be no excuse for hanging things behind the door, on a chair, on the floor, etc. I just received an from a client who was so worried about the poor communication she was having with her husband. When I asked her what was going on in the Tui gua (the communication gua) of her bedroom, she respond by saying, Oh my God, that is where I throw all my #@$! A narrow entry into a room brings the energy down and should be compensated for with light and a long, thin mirror think wardrobe mirror on its side making sure that anyone passing is not cut off at the forehead or neck as we have learned. Generally, you should be able to see yourself from the shoulders up. Watch out for Sha Chi or a poison arrow coming off of furnishings or corners of 90-degree angled walls. This is especially important when in bed. If a piece of furniture faces the bed asymmetrically, more than likely the corner is piercing through the bed. If these angles are reasonably far away, they will not have much effect, but it all depends on the position of the offending corner. Soft fabric, a crystal hung in front of the corner of a wall, and plants can all soften these edges. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 125

128 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 126 Electronics should be hidden in furniture during sleep. If exercise equipment must be in the bedroom and is close to the bed, it should be draped (and not with clothes) in order to soften the Sha Chi. Again, books are best behind closed shelving so the literal weight of all the information, associations, or feelings of guilt about not reading them is not working on our unconscious when we re asleep. Remember the bedroom needs to be a yin area; a place for rest and intimate connection. Electromagnetic Frequencies (EMFs) are discussed at length in the section on Sustainability/Green Design. Suffice it to say here, if there are above-ground power lines, check where they enter the house and be sure they are not anywhere close to the bed. Even something as seemingly benign as a clock radio gives off high levels of EMFs and should be traded in for a battery-operated alarm or moved a safe (at least three feet) distance from the head and body. We know that Command Position means being able to see the door from the bed. Other points in this regard are: Be away from the door as far to the left or right diagonally as possible, while still having enough room on both sides of the bed to maneuver in and out. Try not to have the bed behind the door. This occurs when the door opens toward a wall and will have to swing more than 90-degrees before the person in bed will be able to see who is coming in. Remember, a strategically placed mirror at the door, observable from the bed, will remedy this situation. When all else fails, put a lovely sounding bell or chime on the door or above it so that any movement of the door will alert the person in bed. The point in all this is that if you are not in command in your bed, in your home, and in your office, your body is never fully relaxed, and thus creates a build-up of tension that can lead to poor sleep, nervousness, or any number of health-related issues. If a bedroom has two doors leading to it, there may not be options as to where to place the bed since two walls may be unusable, but the ideal layout is to position the bed so that it is in command of the most used door.

129 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Unless there is absolutely no alternative, never have the head of a bed on the opposite wall of a toilet. This causes health issues, loss of income, or relationship problems because of the draining effect of wastewater traveling so case pull the bedroom into the bathroom, as if it is all bedroom and no bathroom exists. This is also why we put a mirror outside the bathroom door when we see it from the front door to disappear it. If having a large mirror above your bed does not feel right, paint the area behind the headboard brown (representing Earth). Earth controls or limits water, thus metaphorically holding the draining water back. A fan over the bed is never a good thing, even if it does keep the place cool. The reason is that the blades have Sha or cutting Chi. If the fan cannot be moved, then close to the head. The same is true of a sink, but not as severe. The transcendental cure is to put a mirror the size of the headboard on the wall behind the bed (which is the opposite side of the bathroom wall) reflecting the rest of the room. This expands the influence of the bed to be much greater than the toilet. As we know, mirrors create space and in this attach a faceted crystal to the fan s cord to diffuse the downward pressure of the blades and empower it. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 127

130 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 128 Sleeping above or next to a garage is not considered good Feng Shui. First, the toxic fumes can infiltrate the bedroom and be extremely unhealthy. If the car is pointed toward a bedroom wall when parked, it is in a threatening position. If the bed is placed on that wall, it creates greater unrest. A mirror on that wall will expand the room and push the garage further away. When sleeping over a garage, you are sleeping over an unstable place where there is a lot of movement. Again, even if there is no movement at night, you are still not on solid or restful Chi (remember, you are subject to whatever is under your bed). The open or empty feeling of a garage has a yin quality which is not life enhancing. Painting the garage in the producing order colors of the five elements will lift and solidify the Chi. Here are a couple of examples: Brown floor, white walls, light blue ceiling Earth > Metal > Water Red floor, beige walls, white ceiling Fire > Earth > Metal I did this for clients. Not only do they love it, but their tenuous relationship has improved greatly (of course the house had many other adjustments). Yes, their attached garage was in Kun and Tui. Mirrors have many uses, but too many mirrors or too large a mirrored surface (i. e. mirrored closet doors) can be too yang (active) for restful sleep. If you immediately face a wall or closet and then have to turn sharply right or left when you enter a bedroom, you re in a similar situation to entering a home and walking into a wall. This is a place for a mirror (you will not see it in the bedroom because this is outside the main area of the room), as it will open up the entry. As mentioned before, an expansive perspective painting works well too. Some bedrooms have a narrow pass through before entry into the room. If there is no room to hang anything, consider some other design detail to move the Chi directly into the room. Obviously, each situation is different. Skylights that are added after a roof is built are never considered a good idea. The roof is associated with the head or spine (backbone) of the house. Cutting a hole in the roof could purport an accident or surgery, and should only be done on an auspicious day and sealed with cinnabar and alcohol or a rice blessing (see Appendix on Rituals).

131 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? If the skylight is already there in the bedroom, a round-faceted crystal hanging from its center will diffuse any Sha Chi. with the Three Secrets. In addition, the mouthpiece of the flute will further empower the gua it points to because that is the new and A slanted door to a bedroom may be a problem. In general, slanted doors are associated with accidents and/or slander basically slanted Chi that comes to you in the wrong way. This is where a bamboo flute comes in handy. A traditional one is hung like a sword above the doorframe on the outside of the door from a red cord with two red tassels suspended down from the flute. This is the traditional manner a sword is hung. So when the bamboo flute is hung horizontally it symbolizes a sword cutting through the slanted Chi. This intention should be reinforced potent growth end of the bamboo. So pay attention to all the subtleties. Although solid headboards are very important for protection and stability in life and relationships, footboards are another matter. In general, if a footboard comes up higher than the mattress it is considered to put the stops on moving forward in life. The career, travel/benefactor, and knowledge areas (remember, the bagua is applied to the bed too, with the bottom being the Mouth of Chi) become blocked to progress. Besides a footboard, this can also include a chest, screen, plants, or other items that block the foot of the bed. Again, this will not affect everyone in the same way. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 129

132 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 130 In general, beds absorb our Chi more than other things because of the amount of time we spend there. Inheriting a bed or mattress is not recommended, as you end up sleeping in the substance of someone else s relationships, illnesses, dreams, etc. A good way to get a fresh start after a divorce, major illness, or move, is to start with a new mattress at the very least, and a whole new bed is best. C. Infants and Children s Bedrooms Although most of the situations referred to for bedrooms also apply to kids, here are a few additional considerations: As mentioned before, it is better to have older children s rooms in the front of the house (the parents in the rear and in command). Babies and infants need the protection of their parents and the more yin end of the house. If an older child s room is behind the master bedroom, use a mirror on the wall aligned with the front of the house to pull the room forward. Conversely, use a mirror aligned with the rear of the house to pull the master bedroom back. Bunk beds or a bed that has a child sleeping up high in order to create a play area underneath are not considered particularly healthy. The bottom bunk has very oppressive Chi (even though many kids think it is cozy or cool), and in time could have some limiting affect. The top bunk, or a bed that is simply raised up, has a similar effect to sleeping over a garage it simply is not a stable situation. A faceted crystal hanging above any of these three situations will help somewhat (for the lower bunk, hang the crystal from the springs of the top bed). In addition, red fabric under the mattress will help to protect and ground these children. Beds that convert to other things or have movement such as sleeper sofas, futons, blow-up mattresses, trundle beds, and Murphy beds, are unsupportive to a child. Much like bunk beds, they lack stability. The red sheet mentioned earlier will help with protection but where possible, tying a red square of fabric 3 x 3 to the bottom of each leg of the bed (like a bootie) with a 9, 18, or 27 cord will work well to secure the situation if in fact, the bed cannot be changed. Sleeping next to the wall is a secure position for young children, but as they grow older, it is useful for them to have access to both sides of the bed. This will help develop both sides of their body and mind, as well as opening them to more opportunities.

133 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Activate Earth/Kun and Dui/Metal (chimes are great for kids here) in the room to support the children sector. By activating the Wood element or Jen gua, you connect the child to the family. Remember, if you can only do one thing, hanging a crystal in the Tai Chi will support general health and balance. Windows everywhere in a home affect the voices of children. Their self-expression, health, and wellbeing can be affected if the windows are stuck, broken, or dirty. Fix and clean those that need attention. D. Kitchen Along with the Mouth of Chi and the bedroom, the kitchen is considered to be of utmost importance for the health, safety, and wealth of the individual or family. Food represents nourishment of the body but also of your abundance in life. If you ve ever been to a Chinese banquet you will know what I mean. The words for food and wealth sound similar in Chinese ts ai. The Chinese god of wealth is Ts ai Shen, and on Chinese New Year, the traditional New Year greeting is may you become rich ( kung his fa ts ai.) Of course, other ethnic groups also attach importance to the abundance of food as a representation of wealth, generosity, and happiness. From a green and holistic perspective, the kitchen is as important to good, healthy food as the ingredients that go into it and the person who prepares it. Like the master bedroom, the kitchen is best protected when it is behind the midline of the house. The position of the stove is as important as the position of your bed. Thus Hsun, Li, and Kun are good guas for the kitchen. Given that, and the fact that the prevalent element of the kitchen is Fire, the best colors for a kitchen are from the elements of Wood (greens/purples), Earth (yellows, brown, beige, terra cotta), and Metal (white/cleanliness.) Wood feeds the Fire, Earth absorbs its heat, and Metal tempers it. Fire (reds) or Water (blues, black) should be used only as accents. A poor placement for the kitchen would be in front of the mid-line of the house (your wealth and health are not safe) or in front of the Mouth of Chi (your health and wealth are not in your house and thus are out of your control.) Either situation would need to be remedied by mirroring the inside wall to bring the kitchen back into the house. By now you have seen a number of circumstances where the same adjustment is used Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 131

134 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 132 for different situations, and in turn, some situations can be adjusted in a number of ways. So when you integrate the understanding behind the adjustments and the symbolism of each situation, often many different design approaches and transcendental adjustments can be applied. Another inauspicious placement for a kitchen (especially the stove) is in the Tai Chi. This most important center area of a house needs to be open, settled and quiet. If the kitchen is in this position, there may be both health and financial issues. Remember the Tai Chi is associated with our overall health and should not get too hot. Fire in the center of the body is associated with heart problems. This is a difficult situation to cure transcendentally; the most important thing is to have the stove (fire) out of the Tai Chi area. When the kitchen is in the Tai Chi or there is limited opportunity to do the adjustments suggested below (and this assumes that the kitchen has been designed, built, and a fait accompli ), a faceted crystal can be hung from the kitchen ceiling with the intention to bring harmony to the entire area. When a kitchen is being remodeled, it is a good idea to start on an auspicious day based on the Chinese lunar almanac. A rice blessing and sealing of the doors is also recommended at the start and finish of the project (see the Appendix on Rituals). Stove The stove is the epicenter of the kitchen. In Feng Shui terms it is where wealth is cultivated. In addition, the stove is associated with reputation, lawsuits, personal safety, and family relationships. The cook must be in command, and the stove must be protected. If a stove is situated on an island and the cook looks out into the kitchen and is able to see any door or passageways, there are no problems to deal with. Mostly, stoves are placed against a wall; in this case, the cook does not have command. This is remedied by having a mirror or reflective surface on the wall in front of the stove. Many people say they can t imagine a mirror at their stove or assume it will break from the heat (something I ve never heard happen). Yet generally, once the mirror has been installed, people are delighted at the amount of space and light that comes into the area. Being

135 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? in command, the mirror opens the world to you as opposed to having all the action of the kitchen going on behind your back. I find the best option is a mirror edged in chrome and glued to the wall. It should be as wide as the stove and tall enough so that the cook does not have his or her head cut off. If the stove has a built-in microwave (which should not be part of a green kitchen) or other appliance above the stovetop, a glass or chrome door will hopefully serve as a surface reflective enough for you to see anyone approaching. When a mirror or reflective surface is not possible (perhaps there is a large picture window or custom-made ceramic tiles installed), then a wind chime situated above the stove will protect the cook and stove. And if wind chimes don t work with the French provincial kitchen? Then perhaps a small mirror can be positioned somewhere on the window sill so that the cook can be in command, or consider a convex mirror (the kind they have at ATMs) attached at eye level somewhere, to offer a wide-angle view behind you. If the stove is in a corner of the kitchen, it may be appropriate to also mirror the wall to the left or right of the stove. It will open up the space even more, and if the rear of the stove can t be mirrored, a side mirror will certainly help. An additional bonus to mirroring the back and/or side of the stove is that the number of burners is doubled. This mirror adjustment should be empowered for both protection and for doubling your wealth. The stove should never be seen from the front door especially, but any door that leads to the outside could drain Chi from the stove. If the stove can be seen from the front door, wealth can be stolen and health can be damaged, or it may purport accidents. Any door that is in alignment with the stove and/ or cannot be seen by the cook should have wind chimes or a faceted crystal hung in its path. If this opposes the design scheme, a bell on the door handle will help, but to a Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 133

136 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 134 lesser degree. All of these adjustments need focused and sincere empowerments. Some other important tips for good Feng Shui and the stove are: Make sure all the burners work and vary which ones are used. If one or two burners are covered up or rarely used, health and finances can be compromised. Fix anything on the stove that is not working or is broken i.e. light, knobs, clock, oven, vent, etc. Always keep the stove top (and other parts) clean, remembering the significance they have. If there is a large window behind the stove, again make sure the stove is not visible to the outside as you want to protect its Chi. The cook s view should be uplifting so that agitating Chi does not enter the food. When a stove is too close to a sink or refrigerator, the mix of the elements (Water and Fire) is not good. The best thing to do is to have the Wood element in between. This can be in the form of a cutting board or wooden utensils. If there is room for a plant on the counter this is also appropriate for drinking the water of the sink and fueling the fire of the stove. When the stove shares a common wall with a toilet, much like the situation with a bed, the toilet energy is draining to the stove. Painting behind the stove is not as effective as installing a mirror above it and, if possible, about the size of the stove to expand its Chi. Remember, we want the Earth element to dam the draining Water element, so paint the wall behind the stove a deep earth color brown is perfect. E. Dining Room There are just a few important things to consider for a dining room. It would be best if it could remain a place to dine and not become the family catchall, desk, or play station. If this is not practical, in between other activities, the table should be restored to a clean surface ready to seat diners. Other than general housekeeping (an important part of basic Feng Shui is clutter clearing), like the kitchen, the dining room is associated with social contact, wealth, and health. A large mirror reflecting the table expands these positive attributes and again brings them back into the house, if the dining room is located in the front of the Mouth of Chi (or in other words, is outside the home s bagua or an extension of the bagua). Please note, although mirrors have been suggested

137 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? in every room for one reason or another, it is rare in my experience that a home or office ever needs more than one, two or at most three mirrors for the entire environment. A dining room table should be a regular shape (round, rectangular, square, oval, or octagonal - representing the bagua) with no sharp angles or corners. The dining room table will have a Command Position (much like a conference table in the boardroom). It is the seat that has a solid backing and a full view of the door/s. This position should be reserved for an honored guest or the head of the household. Like bedrooms and desks, you do not want a dining table situated under ceiling beams, as they do not bode well for career or finances. A beam across the family table can purport arguments and health issues. (The cures were suggested in Chapter 7.) F. Living room It is appropriate for the living room to be in the front of the house as it is considered the more public area. Whether the living room is formal or more of a family room, the same rules apply. The furniture needs to be arranged to suit the room, encourage conversation, and to have the most important seating areas in command of the main entry. Especially in urban apartments there may be little space between the front door and the living room. In this case, it is all the more important to be in command of the door (both having a full view of the door and not sitting behind the swing of it). In addition, there must not be any blockage to the full entrance of a room so your Chi can feel expansive when you enter the room. When you see a couch facing you at the end of a room it suggests a place to land and can even feel like an open-arm welcome. The tricky part is when this area is also the entertainment room, and wall Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 135

138 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 136 space is needed for viewing. If the couch needs to be on a windowed wall, plants, lighting, or a console table behind it will energetically support it. As we have now come to know, if the sofa must have its back to the main door, it is highly recommended that you have a mirror on the wall which allows you to see the entrance. In this way the sofa will be a place of relaxation. G. Bathrooms Bathrooms got their bad name in Feng Shui from the fact that, to this day in many places in China, the bathroom is still a very unpleasant place. Even in the most luxurious houses in the world, bathrooms are places for eliminating waste, and they house powerful drainage. For Feng Shui, we want to contain the Chi of waste and not drain away any healthy Chi. When a bathroom is situated opposite the front door and is the first thing you see upon entering the home, Chi will quickly be drained away. This is discussed earlier in this chapter. If a bathroom is located between two guas, it is considered to be less draining than if it is fully in one. The least auspicious place for a bathroom is the Tai Chi. I have seen this placement often in newly constructed homes, especially for the downstairs powder room. In this case, of course, the door should always be closed. Here are the transcendental adjustments you can use to diminish the draining effect in this important health gua: You can make the bathroom disappear by mirroring at least the upper half of all four walls of the powder room. Make it fun and dramatic and paint it red. Remember that red is very protective. An Earth color like deep brown or yellow is less protective but still confining of the Water element. Generally, Wood energy is not good in Tai Chi (Wood destroys Earth) but in this case green bamboo plants or bamboo wallpaper will help reverse the draining effect and have uplifting Chi. A transcendental cure involving four bamboo flutes (the type discussed earlier) hung vertically (with the mouthpiece at the top), in the four corners of the bathroom is a powerful symbol for upwardly moving Chi. The empowerment should specify that all negative Chi be drained away, while all positive energy is supported.

139 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Some of the effects of a bathroom in other guas are: 1. Hsun The potential for wealth to be drained is a concern when a bathroom is located here. Wood elements are the appropriate cure. As we know, Wood drinks water and sends Chi upward. Plants or bamboo stalks are perfect. Silk plants are always fine if they re life-like. Vertical wallpaper, shades of green, vines, and woodland photographs or paintings all work in this sector. In addition, here is a transcendental cure that can be used in any bathroom (if it does not seem too bizarre to you or your client.) Place a three-inch round (frameless) mirror on the ceiling above the toilet (mirrored side facing down). This type of mirror is available in an art supply store. It is attached to the ceiling with soft putty (non-damaging) adhesive. One brand name is Tac. The intention is to keep all positive Chi up while allowing the negative chi to drain away. Believe it or not, it has been my experience that this adjustment is hardly ever noticed by guests. 2. Kun Relationships need protecting even if they are in good shape, and certainly if a partnership is going through hard times. A bathroom in Kun ought to have earth and/or stone objects. Generally, bathroom surfaces are made of granite, porcelain, etc. which is good. Earth colors, square objects, and stone sculptures are all helpful, especially if they are grouped in twos or even numbers, to reinforce the gua number of Kun, which is #2. Even a creative, decorative choice, like surrounding the toilet with river stones, will do wonders to lessen the draining effect and support the Earth element. 3. Kan Even though this is a Water sector, clearly we cannot afford to drown our careers. Use the ceiling mirror cure here. Adding the Wood element will help balance the amount of water. Any of the above suggestions could be applied here. If extra support is needed, you may decide to install a long mirror on the outside of the door. Although finding an appropriate design element is always preferred, when circumstance are dire, many people are willing to step out of their comfort zone or prescribed tastes. For bathrooms, always; Keep the door closed. If you have cats that need to use the bathroom, make a pet door for them or relocate their litter. Speaking of which, where is a good place for cat litter? Beyond practical necessities, there is Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 137

140 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 138 no best place. But I do suggest it is disguised, which means putting it out of sight. Perhaps in a closet that can remain ajar without blocking Chi, or in a box designed to look like something else. Keep the toilet lid closed. This confines the energy of the toilet and keeps the area more sanitary (toilet water is always evaporating into the air). Keeping the toilet lid closed is also visually more appealing. Ideally, you should not see the toilet when you first enter the bathroom. It is best if it is behind the door or behind a separation wall. H. Home Office This room is best positioned in front of the house, closer to the road and potential clients. If this room doubles as a guest room, the front positioning works well too, particularly if your guests have the tendency to stay too long (remember a bedroom at the front of the house usually means the person will be out a lot). As always, the desk needs to be in command of the door. If there is a door to the outdoors and one in the house, align your desk chair for the outside door (if you have to make a choice). Ideally, this position will also allow you to be in one of your four good directions according to your Ming Gua. Prosperity, harmony, healing, and clarity are all beneficial directions to face. If it is important to face your direction for prosperity or clarity and you can t see the door, you can strategically place a mirror to allow you to be in command of the door. If this is the case put a bell on the door for extra security and make sure you are at least not in the direct line of the door. We will cover more about office placement in Chapter 10. I. Garage The garage is mostly attached to the home these days (as in under the same roof). Wherever a garage falls on the bagua, it will impact your life. We ve established that sleeping over a garage is not a great thing (the cure is in the section on master bedrooms). If the garage is cluttered, dirty, or simply unappealing to be in, it will not bode well for your finances, relationship, skillfulness, etc. depending where on the bagua it is located. OK, it is just a garage, but why can t it be painted a fabulous color to coordinate with the correct gua element? I ve never seen a hot pink garage, but I guarantee that if it is located in Kun (assuming you like the color)

141 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? there is a good probability that you ll have a richer love life and a big smile on your face when you drive in. Certainly, get rid of anything unnecessary, and have everything else on shelving up off the floor. Remember that things on the floor tend to block Chi. If you do use your garage daily, it is important that the first thing you see when leaving or coming home is uplifting and isn t an eyesore or an obstacle course. they need to be brought into consciousness so that we are not ruled by things that are swept under the rug, so to speak. This philosophy applies to closets, the utility room, mudroom, boiler room, or any other places we may think don t matter. They are part of our home and are therefore part of the bagua, which is the metaphor or mandala of our life. J. Basement and Attic Out of sight but still significant. Since most basements and attics occupy a large area, they play an influential role in a house s Feng Shui. Although a basement falls under the jurisdiction of the house bagua, it too (like each room) has its own bagua. The base of the stairs becomes a new Mouth of Chi and way to place the bagua. If the basement is not renovated and simply feels like the foundation of the house or the utility or laundry area, then use the bagua in the direction it falls in for the rest of the house. If it is an apartment, media room, office, etc., it should be analyzed with its own bagua as well. I have heard basements referred to as the subconscious mind, and the attic as one s unconscious. Perhaps so, but the point is that Interior Feng Shui Stepping Through the Front Door 139

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143 Chapter 10: Feng Shui for Business I. Placement of the Bagua and Its Symbolism on a Desk II. Important Features of a Desk III. Placing the Desk IV. The Business Layout Feng Shui for Business

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145 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 10: Feng Shui for Business I. Placement of the Bagua and Its Symbolism on a Desk Can Feng Shui impact the stock market, the mortgage crisis, or international conflict? Probably not in any way we could measure. Yet Feng Shui can make a difference to us by contributing to the clarity and character of our environment. When an office has a calm atmosphere, we are in a better position to make important decisions. Certainly, an environment that limits stress and emulates harmony is a healthier place to work. I ve experienced moving office furnishings literally inches, and my client saying I can t believe how much better it feels in here. When I ve positioned clients desks in one of their four best directions (for prosperity, clarity, healing, or harmony), significant shifts took place, their effectiveness increased, and as a result, so did their income. In analyzing an entire office building or a cubicle, there is always Hsun, or the wealth sector; and diagonally across from Hsun is the Chyan gua or benefactors. In business, benefactors are our clients, lenders, associates, networking partners, etc. These areas of wealth and benefactors work in tandem. Wealth is ignited by the element Wood, as we know. We need to include symbols of Wood (in photos, colors, or geometry) as well as actual Wood to enhance this area. Wood, in turn, fuels the element Fire. Fire correlates to our recognition, which is a priceless commodity. In business, as in life, it is our good reputation that gets us through good times and bad. The nature of Fire is to spread. It is important to be conscious of our words and actions those things we are spreading. Is it fear, optimism, resignation, or anger? This applies to how we see the world and how the world sees us. Our inner perceptions subtly and not so subtly determine the results we produce in our lives. Our offices and homes need to provide us with healthy places to think clearly, act appropriately, enhance our good fortune, and provide the best for others. A thriving environment provides a springboard that supports us to make a positive difference in our world. We have already covered many of the principles of Feng Shui that apply as much to offices as they do to bedrooms, and we won t repeat that information here, but simply refer to it. Whether designing an international corporate headquarters or a small private office, we are reminded of the principle that Feng Shui for Business 143

146 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. the thing closest to us has the biggest effect on our success and wellbeing. In a work situation, the desk is comparable to our bed at home. completion, or a round metal sculpture. Each gua and the element associated with it can be supported right on the desk with a color, image, shape, or material. For more details, Previously, it was stated that the bagua could be used in a macro or micro fashion. For example, superimposing the bagua on the desk with the Mouth of Chi directly in front of you when sitting at it helps us recognize that to the left is Jen, the new beginnings gua, and to the right is Tui, the gua of creativity and completion. To encourage new business, place prospects on the left-hand side of the desk. This side can be supported with a plant, a rectangular shaped object, a wood Feng Shui for Business 144 sculpture, or a green, woody photograph. Projects should move from left to right, from prospects to completion. To support completed projects, empower Tui with a joyful image, a small mirror to expand creativity and check Chapter 2. If a desk has a right or left hand return, create a separate bagua on that portion of the desk. II. Important Features of a Desk The desk itself should include some important features: It is generally best if a desk is made of wood (not an out-gassing composite, but preferably reclaimed

147 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? wood see Chapter 11 on Sustainability for this). A clear glass desk or conference table doesn t hold Chi. Money and deals are generally not supported, or slip away. Metal has a very inflexible quality and conducts EMFs which are already very prevalent in an office (again, see Chapter 11), and thus Metal is not recommended. Wood, on the other hand, holds the potential for growth. A desk needs to be the appropriate size for the office. You need at least three feet behind you to maneuver and not feel cramped. An ideal situation allows you to enter the desk from either side a metaphor for having many opportunities coming to you from all directions. Just like a room or building, a regularlyshaped desk is the best (no missing corners). There are more organically-shaped desks on the market now, and one that has a subtle, semicircular or kidney-shaped curve is preferable. The rounder shape allows for smooth Chi flow. When a desk has a privacy panel in front, you are strengthened and protected. Ideally, the sides also come down to the floor. L-shaped desks or ones with a return are prevalent in offices and provide necessary workspace, but they often put people out of command (see below). Each wing of a desk can be looked at separately if you are applying the bagua to it. Predecessor Chi is always prevalent in an office (as it is in most places). Knowing whose desk you ve inherited (assuming it is not new, which is the ideal situation) is helpful. If that person got promoted, retired, or left for a better job elsewhere, it bodes well for you. But if the opposite is true and they fell ill, or got fired, laid off or demoted, it is advisable to clear the desk (and the office) of the energy it holds. The Appendix on Rituals has information on how to do this. A desk chair is equally as important as a desk. Certainly, you want to check the predecessor Chi here too and clear it or get a new one. Secondly, you want to be in a chair that fully supports you, much like a headboard on your bed does. This support is foundational for success and health. Make sure the chair has a high and solid back to support you. Lower office chairs tend to be for lower-level employees so to speak. So, have an executive chair, no matter what your position is. Another important feature is to Feng Shui for Business 145

148 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. have a chair that doesn t have a gap between the back support and the seat. Just like missing risers on a staircase, the gap in the chair allows your Chi to dissipate. be in Command Position with a strategically placed mirror pinned to a cork board in front of you and angled to see the entry. There is nothing more disconcerting than wondering if someone is looking over your shoulder and observing you or reading your computer screen. Feng Shui for Business 146 III. Placing the Desk First, it is important to be sitting far back from the door in the most commanding position in the office. Have a full view of the door, even if that means installing a mirror on the opposite wall to see behind you, if you can t place your desk at the right angle. If you are contending with a cubicle, the same rules apply in an abbreviated way. The bagua is still used for the space (where you enter the cube is the Mouth of Chi). You can still You want to determine your Ming Gua (see appendix on Astrology/Numerology) to ensure you have the opportunity to be in one of your best directions (prosperity, healing, harmony, and clarity). When this cannot be accomplished because your desk is perma-

149 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? nently placed or too big to be situated any other way in the office, there is something everyone can do. That is to angle your computer screen and keyboard so it forces you to face in your good direction. I have managed this with many people who work in cubicles where literally everything is nailed down. This strategy works and makes a difference. Very often, if there is an outdoor view in the office, people want to be able to look out, which generally puts their back to the door. If a mirror can be propped up on the windowsill and offer a commanding view of the door, it can work (especially if the person is now in one of their good directions). If that person is not in a good direction and he or she has their back to the door, and they have this information, they must not want to succeed! Another option for this person is to face the door, have a large mirror on the wall facing the windowed view, and bring it into the room. This creates another window but keep in mind that you always need to ensure you are not inviting in any inauspicious, ugly or Sha Chi from the outside. In other words, be observant of everything that is reflected into your space. As with a bed, it is preferable to have a solid wall behind you. If there s a large window or glass wall behind you, a high-back chair is even more important. Plants, grasses, or awards of recognition are very appropriate to secure the window, especially if it is across from the door. A window across from the door would put it in the wealth, recognition, or relationship gua, or all three. Plants, sculpture, and awards all are appropriate for these guas, for securing the window, and for slowing down the Chi to prevent it from flying out to quickly. If there is a glass wall to another office behind you, some sort of shade or screen should be devised for support and privacy. Shades that pull up from the bottom create security while allowing maximum light in from the top, whether they are on a window or a wall. Other office furniture also needs to be proportional to the room. When bookshelves are too tall or a credenza is too large for the office, it will feel cramped and oppressive. When shelves and files are messy and open all the time the feeling is very unsettled and qualifies as clutter. The best shelving is behind closed doors. IV. The Business Layout As has been discussed, the front door is the all-important Mouth of Chi. The rules given Feng Shui for Business 147

150 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Feng Shui for Business 148 for a residence apply to a business too, especially if it is freestanding. When we move into the corporate arena (unless you own the building) we have little influence over the lobby and hallways. With an understanding of what makes for auspicious Feng Shui, the building s entrance and lobby should be fully evaluated before renting. The most important factor is for the Chi (and your clients) to easily find their way to your door. Signage, logos, and visual cues must be strong, if not in the lobby, then certainly as soon as they step off the elevator. There should not even be a moment of hesitation to wonder where am I? (Please note that Feng Shui principles can be used with great effectiveness to design logos, web sites, and other collateral materials.) The size, material, and handle of the main door speak volumes about the company and should send a message that best represents it. The door should always swing in, but is effective if it swings both in and out. A clear glass door invites in more Chi, and helps put the client in command and at ease. It is a bit disconcerting to open a large wooden or metal door not knowing what will be on the other side. The glass door equally allows the receptionist to see who is there. Since this kind of office is not on the ground floor, there is less potential for the Chi to drain out, and every potential for inviting in more. It is important that the receptionist sits far enough back from the door so that he/she is not in the line of Chi. If the desk can be at an angle to the door this allows the receptionist to see the traffic pattern without being directly in it, it is possible that he will stay longer at the job without getting burnt out. Ideally, the receptionist s desk has a solid wall behind it so he will not have the additional stress of people walking up behind him. Many large corporate offices have their entrances facing a wall of windows. This natural light is very important, but the problem is that it attracts the Chi, pulling it right out the window. Consequently, the Chi is not circulating through the office to nurture the business and the lives of those working there. Flowers, plants, a sculpture, or lighting fixtures must intercept this path at the entrance in order to redirect the Chi throughout the office. The CEO s corner office is not only the one with the best views and largest square footage; it should also be the one with the best Feng Shui. Being in the back of the office,

151 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? whether on the right or left side (remember that the left side the Hsun or wealth gua is particularly good), is the most protected position. Remember too that the general leads from behind the lines. If the CEO office is in the front of the larger office plan, there is a good chance others in the firm will dominate him or her, or perhaps he will leave the company or simply become so stressed that he ll be ineffective. If this position cannot be avoided, the CEO s office can be pulled back into the company by placing a large mirror on the back inside wall. A company may have the entire floor of a building, in which case particular attention needs to be given to which departments will sit outside the front door. This is important because elevators being in the center (never great for the Tai Chi sector) determine that the front door will be on one side or the other of the elevator bank, and thus some offices will be on the other side of the building and subsequently in front of the door. A top manager should never be in this position if she is to have an influential position in the company, unless this can be adjusted. The rules previously given for hallways, doors, beams etc. apply to a corporate setting, but just on a larger scale. Artwork should convey the message that the company wants to emulate and enhance the Feng Shui gua it is in (client relationships, the company s reputation, finances, etc.). Art is also a wonderful way to direct traffic flow. Even an abstract painting has a more yin (passive) side and a more yang (active) one. The yang side draws more attention, and thus offers visual and energetic clues for the traffic to flow in that direction. Lighting is usually very unpleasant in corporate offices, hospitals, and other institutional situations. Hopefully, these places are now being built to include more natural light. Lighting is another subject addressed in Chapter 11 on Sustainability. I encourage clients to disengage one or more of the overhead fluorescent bulbs, as there is usually more brightness than needed. A floor and/ or desk lamp helps to humanize their offices and is easier on the eyes. Angled furniture and protruding corners of walls have a negative effect in the office since we can sit in the same spot for hours. Remember the analogy of water running over a rock; in time the rock will be diminished. We are the rock, and if Sha Chi is running across our desk, at our back, or overhead, it will not only compromise our success but it Feng Shui for Business 149

152 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Feng Shui for Business 150 will weaken our constitution. So do employ one of the suggestions on this subject given in the chapter on Interior Feng Shui. Because the air is often static in an office and the ions too positively charged, crack open a window if possible. If not, consider an air ionizer/purifier, keep a salt atomizer around (see this suggestion in Chapter 11), or hang an artistic mobile or faceted crystal to circulate Chi. Primarily, make sure that when you enter your office you feel good. The worst Feng Shui (and feeling) is to come into work and experience a subtle or not so subtle sense of dread, let down, or shut down. Remember that all of the mundane and transcendental adjustments get their potency from empowering them with the Three Secret Reinforcements. A good example of Feng Shui usage for a commercial building is the Trump International Hotel at Columbus Circle in New York City. Donald Trump has used Feng Shui principles in his projects for decades. The traffic pattern coming around the circle and off Central Park South points toward the Trump building on its way to Broadway, creating enormous Sha Chi. The reflective surface of a large sculptural silver globe at the offended corner is intended to deflect the energy of the oncoming traffic and thus protects the building. The globe is a large Feng Shui adjustment. This crossroad of NYC has a few other interesting Feng Shui factors. First, Trump coming to Columbus Circle initially raised the Chi of an area that was blight. Renovating the long neglected fountain in the circle immediately energized the area. (The element Water is associated with money and cash flow, as we know.) Then AOL/Time Warner turned up on the scene. I, for one, was not surprised to see that their beautifully designed complex directed Sha Chi toward the Trump building, and immediately assumed all of the glory. Now if it were not for the statue of Columbus and the large fountain, the AOL complex would have its own problems, since it is located at the end of a T intersection with a large traffic pattern directed right toward it. Talk about Sha Chi... they would be taking a direct hit from the traffic traveling west along Central Park South. But instead, the entire AOL complex takes every advantage of the fountain, and was literally designed around it. Of course Central Park itself is the heart of New York, so both the Trump and AOL sites pull in enormous healthy Chi from it.

153 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? The Trump Hotel (originally the failed Gulf & Western building) changed its entrance from Broadway to Central Park South to borrow the Chi of the park, which was a brilliant way to re-site the building and keep it right where it was. With the power of Feng Shui, there is every opportunity to increase the opportunities in any project, be it a home office or skyscraper. Feng Shui for Business 151

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155 Chapter 11: Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability I. The Gaia House A. Design for harmony with the planet B. Design for peace of spirit C. Design for health of the body II. The International Feng Shui Guild s Green Manifesto ( III. The Five Green Elements Plus Air A. Water B. Wood C. Fire D. Earth E. Air F. Metal IV. The Chair You re Sitting In Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability

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157 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 11: Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability Feng Shui originated as the study of nature, so that the human experience could be enhanced at times and protected at others. When life came indoors and basic survival was less of an issue through the centuries, our innate connection to nature also diminished. As a result, profit, convenience, desire, and a host of other things became the motivators for what we put in, on, and around our bodies. Fast-forward to the 21st century and we have sick bodies, unsustainable environments, and a planet that may not be able to support the life forms it birthed. A respected architect, known for his greenness, said, It would seem that Feng Shui was the origination of much of what we call green design today, and our efforts to achieve a balance with nature. It would be an interesting study to compare the two philosophies and see what else we can learn from it. I see the two philosophies as two aspects of one system called healthy design for living. A healthy, thriving life is what we are all after. I really do not think there can be good Feng Shui if the carpet is out-gassing, the lighting is poor, and conditions are stagnant or wasteful. It is time to acknowledge that Feng Shui is an integral part of green design or, as Steven Post says in The Modern Book of Feng Shui, Feng Shui was the mother of the natural sciences in China, the original environmental impact statement. Fortunately, awareness has grown exponentially over the past 10 years, and now most everyone in the Western world is aware of the problems of waste, pollution, global warming, and the like. To their credit, many companies have come out with organic household products, energy-efficient equipment, and healthier whole foods. Green living is a vast study in itself, since there is no area of our lives, homes, and workspaces it does not include. In the context of Feng Shui, we will discuss aspects of healthy environments through the lens of the Five Elements and how they enter our lives physically and emotionally. At a basic level, our private and public environments need to be free of any toxic materials or other harmful aspects. To go a step further, our homes and offices should be places that enhance our work, home life, and health. Baubiologie is a German term coined in the mid 1970s to describe building biology, or the built environment as a living, Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 155

158 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 156 breathing entity. Its focus is at the core of green consciousness and Feng Shui, which emphasize that the planet needs healthy air and quality water to support life. Since the 1970s many divergent groups have formed to address our environmental problems because of their own particular interests and orientations. These include, but are not limited to: those affected by allergies and toxins and their health-care professionals, ecologists, conservationists, scientists, and animal rights advocates. Let s not forget the lifestyle changers or the crunchy granola hippie liberals either. As we turn the 21st century, this slow dawning of green consciousness over the last 30 years has now illuminated almost everyone s mind, and most people now realize this is a subject that affects us all so we all must be involved. There is an ever-growing database of information relating to healthy resources, green building materials and informed architects and interior designers. Yet, we each have to make our choices based on our needs, commitments, personal resources, and priorities, even as we are pulling together in one movement towards sustainable, healthy lifestyles for our bodies, homes, and on earth. Many of us are now familiar with LEED s (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) criteria for green buildings (see US Green Building Council at or The Green Home Guide org). The prime areas of focus for LEED are water, energy, indoor air quality, materials, resources and site planning. LEED defines a green home as one that is healthy, comfortable, durable, energy efficient, and environmentally responsible. The mission statement for the US Green Building Council is To transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. Here are two other references we will draw on in discussing Feng Shui and sustainability. I. The Gaia House In his book The New Natural House Book, David Pearson offers his Gaia house (Gaia is the Greek Goddess Earth or the Mother Earth Goddess) charter. The book was first published in 1989, yet his criteria (abbreviated here) for an integrated, organic house are perfectly valid today.

159 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? A. Design for harmony with the planet Make optimum use of renewable resources and their conservation. Use green materials and products that are biodegradable or easily reused and recycled. Design the house to be intelligent in its use of resources. Integrate the house with the local ecosystem. B. Design for peace of spirit Make the home harmonious with its environment. Participate with others, using personal ideas and skills in order to seek a holistic living design. Use proportions, forms, and shapes that are harmonious, create beauty, and are tranquil. Use colors and textures to create a personal and therapeutic environment in which the mind and spirit can be free and flourish. Site and design the house to increase the Chi of its occupants. C. Design for health of the body Create a healthy indoor climate by allowing the house to breathe. Provide safe and healthy air and water, free from pollutants with good humidity and a negative ion balance. Create a quiet home, protected and insulated from external and internal noise Design to allow daylight to penetrate, and thus rely less on artificial lighting. II. The International Feng Shui Guild s Green Manifesto ( Green principles are based on a foundation of thousands of years of Feng Shui practice. Following are just some of the key principles: We strive to bring harmony between earth Chi (earth energy) and heaven Chi, producing an environment that is most comfortable and beneficial to the wellbeing of its inhabitants. We acknowledge that how the environment FEELS to the occupant is even more important than how it looks. The Chi (energy) must appeal to ALL the senses, not just to the eye. Sustainability is defined by development that meets the needs of the present community, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We emphasize site sustainability, looking to assure conscious choices regarding placement and design, and reduce erosion and other depletion of natural resources. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 157

160 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 158 We focus on the long-term benefits of each design choice, balancing any increase in initial costs with increased productivity in human health, environment, and economic profit. We promote the positive impact on both the physical and the emotional responses of occupants, as they inhabit a nourishing space. We advance the increased value, over time, of green buildings as they consistently outperform traditional buildings in energy savings and workers productivity. We specifically support recyclable and renewable materials to reduce waste and soften any negative impact of the construction/remodeling on the environment. We promote high levels of indoor air quality to promote positive, thriving Chi within a space. We advocate good levels of ventilation. We advocate the use of natural, biodegradable, and chemical-free materials. We endorse the use of low-voc paints. We advocate high levels of natural lighting, along with efficient sources of accompanying light. We employ knowledge of the Five Element cycle to enhance and/or moderate specific energies generated in a space. Balance is key. We believe that an environment with good, positive energy breeds successful business practices via healthier, happier, more productive workers. III. The Five Green Elements Plus Air As we have learned, Feng Shui literally means Wind and Water, the two elements that are most critical for sustaining life. The producing or life giving cycle of the Five Elements is: Water > Wood > Fire > Earth > Metal (and back to Water) When referring back to the energetic meanings of the Five Elements as well as to their actual physical nature, we will see that when they are in balance, they represent a complete system of sustainability. A. WATER Pure drinking and cooking water is essential. Being the heart of the home, regardless of where it is on the bagua, makes the kitchen an important place to focus our attention

161 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? from both a health and an ecological standpoint. Oftentimes, even if the water quality in a locale is good, the pipes coming to that kitchen are old or rusty. Common pollutants are chlorine, chalk, and other organic chemicals. Water filter jugs and basic tap devices can be effective in removing these. But for better filtering, there must be a filter at the point of entry. These filters can be costly, and a professional company should come in to access the water (preferably one that is not in the business of selling filtering devices). It is important to remember that water not only sustains our lives but also comes in contact with almost all our food, surfaces, and clothing. It should be as pure as possible given our individual circumstances. Water conservation starts with scores of simple things we can all do. A good list is compiled on a site called Water Use It Wisely ( One such example is that by turning off the water when brushing teeth, it saves 25 gallons of water a month. Depending on our circumstances and commitment to a more sustainable planet, further steps can be taken to install low flush toilets, collect rainwater, or recycle gray water. Gray water is any wash water that has been used in the home except water from toilets (which is referred to as black water). Dish, shower, sink, and laundry water comprise 50-80% of residential waste water. Gray water may be used for other purposes, especially landscape irrigation. Water represents movement in Feng Shui, and it is important that we consider flow in the ecology of the kitchen. On the most basic level, a kitchen needs to be as uncluttered as possible. Having dozens of post-it notes, photographs, mail, bills, flyers, and the like all around the refrigerator and counters not only cuts down on work space but makes the whole experience of food preparation potentially agitating. Everything that is in our line of sight is in our consciousness, even if only subtly. Healthy food preparation requires a still mind. Considering how full our lives are, a still mind takes cultivation through the practice of meditation, Qigong, yoga, or some other mindful endeavor. This may not be possible, and even when it is, it may not produce the desired result. So we must make an effort to eliminate the visible noise in our environments. It has been discussed that the stove represents both wealth and nourishment, and that having a reflective surface behind it when facing a wall puts the cook in Command Position. This again allows for a more relaxed Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 159

162 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 160 mind; one that does not have to be on guard in case someone approaches from behind or opens a door. Anxious, angry, agitated energy going into food simply becomes part of what is consumed, subtly or not. The proper digestion of food cannot occur if one is not relaxed. So the kitchen needs to be a place of easy movement and organization. Let s think of the floors and counters as rivers or pathways. Remember water is associated with our path in life. Even if water can flow around some things, we don t want to damn up the river. All rooms need to be orderly for the healthy flow of energy. We recall that the virtues of water are cognitive ability and wisdom. These are important qualities for operating safely in the kitchen as well as in the world. So having a pure supply of water and a clear flow of energy in the environment allows for all areas of the body and home to be nourished. B. WOOD As mentioned, it is particularly important that the floor is free of extraneous items that can block Chi and cause accidents. Flooring is also important in the kitchen because of all the standing that goes on during food preparation. The most offensive material, one that is not used very often in kitchens now is a PVC floor tile. These tiles and their adhesive give off toxic vapors. Some better choices for soft flooring are cork, linoleum, and rubber, all of which are considered Wood element, since these materials have their source in trees. Cork made from the outer bark of the cork oak is compressed into floor and wall tiles, which offer good noise and thermal insulation. Cork is a sustainable material as the cork oak regenerates itself after stripping, and there is no waste in production. Cork has only recently become available in a wide array of colors, but check that it has not been vinyl backed or treated with synthetics. Linoleum is much tougher than cork and is experiencing a comeback due to its green nature. It has the durability of PVC and none of the toxicity. Linoleum consists of cork, linseed oil, wood resin, and chalk, all pressed into a fabric (burlap or jute) backing, which must be glued to a dry surface, otherwise the backing could rot. It is important to make sure the adhesives are non-toxic (stay away from anything with petrochemicals). Latex from the rubber tree was popular waterproof flooring before the endless supply of plastics came along. Rubber is a renewable resource but is still limited in supply.

163 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Wood cabinets and flooring are part of any beautifully designed kitchen, and an important part of the Feng Shui producing order of Elements (Wood feeds Fire, etc.). Many architects and builders are using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood in their projects as a means of demonstrating their own commitment to the environment. Many green building programs, including LEED (as well as informed consumers) seek out FSC-certified wood. The FSC site ( provides resources, education, and links to source certified products, for which the list grows every day. Timber from sustainable and managed sources conserves old growth and tropical forests, which in turn sustain our planet and many of its species. Oak is one of the most popular hardwood woods for both exteriors and interiors because of its strength and impermeability. Maple is also a wood known for its strength, and makes excellent flooring and furniture. Many other decorative and exotic woods are available through recommended resources on the FSC site. Pine is an easy-to-use, soft wood that is inexpensive, and is a good alternative to teak and mahogany because it takes colored stain well, but must be sealed with a nontoxic finish before any staining or treating. Kitchen bowls, chopping boards, and shelving can all be made from pine. Chipboard, fiberboard, hardboard, particleboard, and plywood used for furniture, shelving, floors, and walls use formaldehyde and other resins binders. The vapors from these glues outgas and are considered toxic. Out gassing or off gassing, can be significant if it collects in a closed environment where the air is stagnant or re-circulated. Out gassing is, for example, the origin of new car smell. Yet, even a nearly odorless material such as wood may build up a strong smell if it is kept in a closed box for months, and it can be harmful to human health. Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on earth. It has been measured to grow as fast as 47 inches in 24 hours. There are 1,000 species of bamboo found in diverse climates, from cold mountains to hot tropical regions. When treated, bamboo forms a very hard wood that is both lightweight and exceptionally durable. In tropical climates it is used in house construction, scaffolding, and as a substitute for steel reinforcing rods in concrete construction. Bamboo flooring made of bamboo pieces that are steamed, flattened, glued together, finished, and cut is Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 161

164 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 162 becoming increasingly popular. Since they are marketed as green products, non-toxic glues are generally used, but always check. Bamboo wood is easily infested by woodboring insects and must be treated with safe preservatives or kept very dry. In the United States and France there are houses made 100% with bamboo. These houses are earthquake and cyclone resistant, and have international certification. In terms of social sustainability, we are reminded that Wood represents human-kindness, a virtue that always seems in short supply and worthy of cultivation in any way we can. Energetically, having this natural material in our environment can make it feel warmer, softer, and maybe even kinder compared to stone or metal. C. FIRE Our bodies and the earth are made up primarily of water, yet most of our problems come down to the fact that we are too fiery. Fire in the body is associated with the heart and small intestines. Heart conditions are some of the main life threatening diseases. Anger is the emotion of Fire; usually not considered a healthy emotion when experienced regularly and can lead to violence (the Fire element in extreme). The preoccupation of our society on status, fame, and recognition can also be a pitfall of too much Fire in the culture. This may also account for the fact that for most of us, of all the five senses, the eyes (associated with Fire) are the most overused. And of course, our planet too is becoming overheated, which is creating great imbalances. In our homes the traditional fireplace is both an inefficient heating system and potentially dangerous. Old, blocked, or poorly constructed fireplaces allow smoke and gases to enter the house. If the house is not well ventilated, this situation is aggravated by sending benzopyrene and carbon dioxide into the air. A vast number of studies over the previous three decades have documented links between benzopyrene and cancers. Benzopyrene is found in all smoke resulting from the combustion of organic material, and in charbroiled food. A well-designed fireplace will decrease the smoke in a room and increase its heating efficiency. Under floor heating, the use of solar power and efficient insulation are some of the many solutions to effectively balancing and converting heat and the Fire element in our environment. Candles have become such a popular home accessory item that they are worth mentioning. Soy wax candles, preferably in recycled

165 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? glass containers, are the best for the environment. Soybeans are a renewable resource and are grown in the USA. Anything that burns releases a minimal amount of hydrocarbons or soot, but it can be greatly reduced with a naturally made candle. Trimmed cotton wicks help. Stay away from traditional wax candles, which generally have lead wicks and are made from paraffin, a petrochemical product. Dyes and synthetic fragrances increase soot, and should be avoided. Also note that soy and other natural vegetable waxes are the best polishes for wood furnishings and floors. Interestingly, if we recall the virtues of Fire from a previous section, they are courtesy and propriety. But when out of balance as Fire presently is on our planet, these virtues are lacking, giving rise to the opposite characteristics: disrespect and immorality. Clearly this code of behavior is not sustainable for our humanity. A recent study about health and happiness concluded that we each directly influence 1,000 people in our lives through 3 degrees of separation or 3 levels of direct influence. This is an interesting statistic to contemplate when reflecting on our responsibility for a sustainable planet. D. EARTH Stone flooring and counter tops are common in kitchens and bathrooms. Granite is a crystalline, granular rock made up of feldspar, quartz, and mica. Its beauty, natural durability, and imperviousness to water make it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. On the downside, from a green perspective, granite is expensive to transport and mine. Quarries disfigure the earth and granite can contain radon. Radon (from the word radium, the substance from which it is derived) is a gaseous radioactive element. It is an extremely toxic, colorless gas; it can be condensed to a transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid. It is derived from the radioactive decay of radium and is used to treat cancer, as a tracer in leak detection, and in radiography. (Sources: Condensed Chemical Dictionary and The Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 69th ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.) Like most natural stone, granite is a natural source of radiation. However, some granite has been reported to have higher radioactivity, thereby raising some concerns about its safety. Cellars and basements sunk into soils over granite can become traps for radon gas, which is heavier than air. Radon can also be introduced into Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 163

166 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 164 houses by wells drilled into granite. Radon gas poses significant health concerns, and is the second-biggest cause of lung cancer in the US, behind smoking. However, in most cases, although granite is a significant source of natural radiation compared to other rocks, it is not thought to be an acute health threat or significant risk factor. Various resources from national geological survey organizations are accessible online to assist in assessing the risk factors in granite counters and design rules relating to preventing the accumulation of radon gas in enclosed basements and dwellings. However, a study undertaken in November 2008 of Granite Countertops by National Health and Engineering Inc. did not find a single granite that poses any health risk. Quantities of radon and radiation emitted by stones included in the analysis all fell well below average outdoor background levels that are commonly found in the United States. Scientists conducted more than 400 tests of 115 different varieties of granite countertops, including stones cited in media reports as being potentially problematic. The stones tested include types of granite that comprise approximately 80 percent of the annual U.S. market share for granite countertops, based on the most recent market data available. There are easy-to-use kits available to test for radon. If it is established that you have it, a professional should be hired to determine the best way to seal floors, walls, and ducts, create ventilation to draw radon away from the dwelling, and put protective radon-impermeable material on ground floors or under suspended floors where possible. Radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States every year. Smokers are at higher risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health effect that has been definitively linked to radon exposure, and usually manifests five to 25 years after exposure. There is no evidence that radon exposure causes other respiratory diseases, such as asthma; neither is there evidence that children are at greater risk of radon-induced lung cancer than adults. If radon is detected in a house, or if the water comes from a radon-rich source, the bathroom needs to be ventilated especially well. Radioactive particles released into the air from the spray of a seven-minute warm shower have been shown to take 90 minutes to disperse, and radon concentration in bathrooms is 40 times higher than in living rooms. Glass can be interpreted in different ways for Feng Shui purposes. Clear glass certain-

167 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? ly has a watery appearance. Colored glass can hold the energy of a particular element (i.e. red glass represents Fire, and green and purple represent Wood). In reality, glass is an Earth element. Quartz sand or silica is the raw material for commercial glass production. Other common glass ingredients are sodium oxide (soda), calcium oxide (limestone), and cullet (recycled glass). Recycled glass products are helping to both develop new industries and to clean up our planet. One such product that is beautiful for kitchens is a recycled glass counter top. This sophisticated and wonderfully colorful material has a very high-recycled content, it s VOC free (Volatile Organic Compounds are organic chemical compounds that have high enough vapor pressure under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere), and it is an approved product for LEED certification. On the downside, new glass extraction and manufacturing can disfigure the environment, consume vast amounts of energy, and contribute to combustion pollution. Again it is interesting to recall the virtues of Earth, which are credibility and trust. Often we may feel like there is no solid ground in our ever-changing world. Yet, it is the very need to claim, overpower, and be greedy that creates fear and suspicion. When we act honorably to ourselves and to each other, the Earth will more than likely be in greater balance. E. AIR Like water, air is basic to life and to Feng Shui (again we recall its translation, Wind and Water, although air is not considered one of the Five Elements, Hsun or the wealth gua is associated with Wind) and it is vital to a healthy environment. Air is sometimes associated with the Metal element (which will be discussed separately below). The energy crisis of the 1970s and our more recent efforts to be energy efficient have made our indoor environments so completely sealed as to not allow for any natural exchange of fresh air. Modern environments are sealed units that trap stale air and chemical vapors, and can cause what is know as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), a combination of ailments associated with an individual s place of work or residence. A 1984 World Health Organization report into the syndrome suggested that up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide maybe linked to symptoms of SBS. Most symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome are Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 165

168 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 166 related to poor indoor air quality, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, out gassing, VOCs, and mold. Common indoor VOCs include paint thinners, dry cleaning solvents, semiconductor cleaners, and some constituents of petroleum fuels. Photocopiers, carpets, and furnishings generate VOCs as they are used or when the components oxidize. Formaldehyde is present in hundreds of office components, including wood and laminated furniture, shelving, and wall coverings, as mentioned before. VOCs also evaporate from paints, varnishes, and chemicals used for sealing and finishing walls. Fortunately, at this point, most commercial paint companies like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams now produce low VOC paints and have more eco-friendly lines as well. There is also a growing market of organic paints, sealants, stains, and preservatives for walls, floors, and furnishings that do not outgas, and allow the environment to breathe. Fortunately, tobacco smoke has been banned from most public and corporate environments, as it too can contribute high levels of VOCs. Household cleaning products and synthetic fabrics contribute to high levels of VOCs, and here too there is a growing market of natural alternatives. Health risks are exacerbated by the fact that most of us spend as much as 90% of our time indoors, whether that is at home, work, school, in transit, shopping, at the movies, or eating out. Sick building occupants complain of symptoms such as: headache, eye, nose, or throat irritation, dry cough, dry or itchy skin, dizziness, nausea, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, sensitivity to odors, asthma, changes in emotional wellbeing, and more. Of course, discerning that these and other symptoms are solely related to environmental causes is not always easy. Only when an offending object or substance can be eliminated or when the person is exposed to fresh air and the condition improves can we verify the cause as an indoor pollutant. Besides getting outdoors as much as we can, the simplest air quality improvement we can do is to crack open a window. I realize that is probably not an option in an office skyscraper, but most homes and a large percentage of businesses have the ability to at least open a window or two. Even an opening of just ¼ - ½ an inch will create a natural flow of air and help clean the environment. Of course, when windows and doors can be thrown open on a nice day, even in the city, it is refreshing.

169 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Air testing is not always reliable or straightforward. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help, but also must be highly maintained otherwise they can add to the problem by breeding mold. Electronic air filters help to some extent but, in turn, they can be a source of EMFs (electromagnetic fields.) All known toxic materials, synthetic carpets, and fabrics should be eliminated or sealed if they can be (especially anything containing formaldehyde). Replace faulty fireplaces, gas appliances, or wood-burning stoves that can send carbon monoxide into the air. Plugging a wire into an outlet creates electromagnetic fields, and the higher the voltage the stronger the field. An appliance does not have to be turned on for an electrical field to exist around the outlet or appliance but magnetic fields are created only when the currents flows. Electrical fields around the wire to an appliance only cease to exist when the appliance is unplugged or switched off at the wall. They will still exist around the cable behind the wall. A basic Gauss meter can detect EMFs. Most household appliances do not have large electrical fields. Yet the bedroom, where we spend the most concentrated time, has some notorious offenders, such as clock radios, baby monitors, and air filters. Fortunately, though their fields are strong, their range is small. By simply pushing a clock radio to the other side of the night stand (generally 3-4 feet will do) you will be more than likely out of range. Other precautions include unplugging electric blankets and choosing a bed with a wooden frame and a natural fiber-filled mattress. Iron and steel in bed frames, spring mattresses, and radiators close to the bed can all become magnetic and potentially disturb sleep and the renewing process of the body. For anyone who is already suffering from disease or an environmental illness, it is recommended to switch off the electric current to the home at night. This can be done from a command or demand switch that can be installed. Some environments, especially in a city where currents can come from anywhere, have strong EMF activity that cannot be attributed to a particular appliance; therefore, it is much safer to sleep in an electrically quiet home. A serious problem occurs in an apartment building when you may unknowingly be sleeping on a wall that has the neighbor s large-screen TV on the other side or the meter box nearby. Meter boxes, in particular, send out a very strong electrical field, and there is not much Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 167

170 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 168 to do but to get out of range, so don t have your desk, bed, dining table, or any activity that you spend time at in the vicinity of the meter box. In a private home it is important to check the area where the power lines enter the house. Although research is not definitive, there seems to be some evidence between EMF exposure, especially from power lines, and the incidence of childhood leukemia and brain tumors. EMF radiation comes from the ground too. There are lines of Chi in the earth similar to meridians in our bodies that are used in acupuncture. Some people believe that the early cathedrals of Europe, ancient temples, and megaliths were all built on energy-rich sites and form ley lines. Ley lines refer to hypothetical alignments of a number of places of geographical interest, such as ancient monuments and megaliths. Their existence was suggested in 1921 by the amateur archaeologist Alfred Watkins, whose book The Old Straight Track brought the alignments to the attention of the wider public. Divining and dowsing have been used by German scientists since the 1920s, when some illnesses were first linked to ground radiation. The Curry Net, named after Dr. Manfred Curry, runs diagonal to the Hartmann Grid, named after Dr. Ernst Hartman. Curry lines are supposed to be about three meters apart (with variations), diagonal to the poles, running east to west. Hartmann lines run both east-west and north-south, forming a grid across the Earth s surface with a distance of about two meters in the north-south direction and 2.5 meters in the east-west direction. When these two cross at an underground fault or a watercourse, it is called a black stream, considered to be very hazardous to personal health, and should be avoided, especially while sleeping. It should be noted that cats especially like these areas, and seem to charge up there (not so for dogs). Children who are sensitive to energy might try to sleep across part of the bed or at the end to try to avoid these areas. Farmers often know without a pendulum which areas are unsuitable for crops or cattle. These are areas where the trees have unnatural crooks or cancer or where nothing will grow in that place, whereas nearby there is no problem. They know from experience that, inexplicably, there are good and bad places. Ions are essential to life. An ion is a molecule that is positively or negatively charged. Sodium, potassium, calcium, and other ions

171 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? play an important role in the cells of living organisms. Inside homes and offices, negative ions (these are the good ones) are depleted by electronic equipment, static from synthetic fabrics, and from dust in the air. A healthy atmosphere has a greater number of negative ions than positive ones. We can relate this to the theory of yin and yang (discussed in Chapter 1). Healthy living areas need to be more yang (negatively charged), while a stagnant, unhealthy, or literally dead atmosphere (like a cemetery) is more yin (positively charged). We recognize how good we feel at the sea. One of the reasons is that sea air is charged with negative ions. Animals are generally in touch with this. When a thunderstorm approaches, many dogs will start digging a trench in the carpet. They sense that the balance of ions is changing. Before a thunderstorm, the negative ions lose charge, and an excess of positive ions is generated. Some people can feel physically tense, and have a general sense of malaise or depression when this happens. In general, a positively charged atmosphere (typical of the generic corporate office) is simply not life enhancing. This is another example of the benefits of just cracking a window open in order to recharge the air. Another solution is an air ionizer that removes smoke, dust, and some allergens and generates negative ions. There is limited proof of the benefits of ionizers and they should be tested individually to determine their benefits, particularly in the bedroom (and remember to check their EMF output.) One low-tech solution is to fill a spray bottle with spring water and a small amount of sea salt and to spray it daily into the atmosphere, or anytime you are feeling low (but never directly onto electronics). An added enhancement could be to include a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender for relaxation, or peppermint for alertness. F. METAL Apart from the range of metals used today in homes and commercial constructions, there are many other places where the Metal element is prevalent. The office is one place in particular with its large amount of electronics, but they are also in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. The push to recycle has reduced the energy needed to process primary ore to a great extent. Aside from the electromagnetic fields mentioned above, there are other health issues associated with metals. Let s remember Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 169

172 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 170 that the Metal element is associated with the lungs, skin, and large intestines, the socalled organs of elimination and purification in Chinese medicine and Feng Shui. This is an important connection, since there is a potential for toxicity in the body from a high concentration of metals that can find their way to us through lead water pipes and solder, flame retardants, solvents, pesticides, bedding, paints, and aluminum-coated cookware (linked to Alzheimer s disease, yet not a proven cause). Metals can also enter the body through inhaled dust and food. Arsenic, lead, mercury, nickel, zinc, cadmium, selenium, and other heavy metals (toxic metals that impact people s health) can be leached into drinking water, causing but not limited to chronic fatigue, muscle pain, brain fog, joint pain, digestive disorders, and others. So, as has been mentioned, avoidance, purification, and the use of safe, natural, and green products are our greatest defense. Let s remember too that Metal is the most yang or condensed of the Five Elements. A knife or an ax are good mental images for the Metal element. Think Sha Chi, which has the ability to cut, damage, or weaken. On the other hand, metal can be antiseptic, and strong enough to form the tiniest of blades, which in the hands of a surgeon can repair life. Its yang nature gives metal its great strength, which can be twisted into wires strong enough to suspend a bridge. The virtue of Metal is virtue itself. It is the element of decency, integrity, and goodness, which, in the final analysis, must be the motivation for sustaining our planet. IV. The Chair You re Sitting In Feng Shui is ultimately about place ; where we are in relationship to the world around us. How we move in our world, and how the world moves towards us, indicates our Chi flow. Being conscious of where we are at any particular moment will help determine how healthy and sustainable our world is. Think about the chair you are presently sitting in. Where did it come from, and how did it get to you? What materials is it made of, and what did it take to create those materials? How much energy, human hours, animals lives, minerals, etc. were involved in the creation of this one chair? Everything in our lives is interconnected to many, and sometimes thousands, of people and processes. What is the true cost of making something

173 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? from an unrenewable resource? Thinking along these lines and making changes in our immediate environment in any way we can is probably one of the greenest things we can do. At the 2009 Architectural Digest Home Show in NYC, award-winning architect, industrial designer, and leading thinker in energy efficiency and green building technology Michael McDonough said; The sun gives off 8,000 times more energy than we need on Earth if it was used for power. Yet some think that it could take seven to eight planets to support what we will consume on Earth in the near future. Buildings consume 51% of all energy on Earth and 50-90% of energy in buildings is wasted. Buildings made out of steel, concrete, and glass, are conductors of cold and hot. They don t insulate or preserve the environment. Buildings are seven to 100 times more polluted inside then they are outside, and 90% of asthma is environmental. As designers and architects, it is our responsibility to recognize the opportunity we have to make a substantial difference to the well being of our clients and of the planet. Ancient Philosophy Meets 21st Century Sustainability 171

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175 Chapter 12: Universal Design and Feng Shui I. Defi nition of Universal Design II. Seven Principles of Universal Design in Relation to Feng Shui A. Principle One: Equitable Use B. Principle Two: Flexibility in Use C. Principle Three: Simple and Intuitive Use D. Principle Four: Perceivable Information E. Principle Five: Tolerance for Error F. Principle Six: Low Physical Effort G. Principle Seven: Size and Space for Approach and Use III. Viewing Universal Design from the Perspective of Specifi c Challenges and Feng Shui A. Sight B. Sound C. Touch D. Smell & Taste IV. Defi ning Aging in Place as a Subset of Universal Design V. Universal Design Elements that make Aging in Place Possible A. General B. Circulation C. Exterior D. Entrance E. Bathrooms F. Kitchen G. Lighting and Color VI. In Conclusion Universal Design and Feng Shui

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177 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Chapter 12: Universal Design and Feng Shui I. Definition of Universal Design Universal design is exactly what it sounds like: design for everyone. Recently, terms such as barrier-free (modifications for the physically disabled) or accessible design (the ability for most people to access the functionality or benefit of a product or design), and assistive technology (assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities) have taken the place of the term disabled (not part of the norm), yet they still segregate the population. Universal design, by its very name, is intended to be without exception. In addition, universal design is integrated design. In other words, it does not call attention to itself and is a part of every other design element. In the 1980s, Architect Ron Mace coined the term universal design at North Carolina State University when he started the Center for Universal Design. He defined universal design as the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal design is thoughtful design that is equally beneficial to those with disabilities as it is to children, the aging population, anyone convalescing from surgery, and everyone who recognizes the benefits of an inclusive, stress-free environment. The percentage of senior citizens has almost doubled since 1950, and approximately 54 million (20 percent) of Americans have some type of disability. It is estimated that 20 million people are limited in walking, reaching or climbing steps, and 1.8 million use wheelchairs. These groups represent the two fastest-growing population segments. The concept of universal design is one that resonates with Feng Shui. We have learned that Feng Shui is based on the universal principles of nature and energy. From universal source come yin and yang, the four seasons, five elements, and eight directions, which, when applied to design, create and maintain balanced, healthy, and thriving environments for everyone. Rosemarie Rossetti, PhD, of Universal Design Living Laboratory says that if an environment is not accessible it is not sustainable. Universal Design and Feng Shui 175

178 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Universal Design and Feng Shui 176 II. Seven Principles of Universal Design in Relation to Feng Shui The Principles of Universal Design were developed by a working group of architects, product designers, engineers, and environmental design researchers in 1997 at the Center for Universal Design at NC State University. For each principle we ll look at its application or lack thereof from a Feng Shui perspective. A. PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. The following quote by William Morris, the 19th Century writer, designer, and artist, is a good working principle of Feng Shui: Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. Feng Shui solutions must be fully integrated into the design of the environment and appreciated for their esthetic contribution. One of the reasons Feng Shui is sometimes dismissed is because of its association with fountains, wind chimes, and crystals, all of which may have their purposes, but none of which are needed to create a healthy energetic balance in an environment. The other misunderstanding is that Feng Shui is a quick fix or magic bullet. Feng Shui creates a supportive and balanced background to optimize opportunities and help to diminish obstacles. B. PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. This second principle of course is what makes it universal applicable to anyone. Another misconception about Feng Shui is that it is a design motif that has specific rules that are always applied the same way, regardless of the client or circumstance. Unfortunately, this has led sometimes to Feng Shui being referred to as Chinese design or worse, superstition. Skilled Feng Shui practitioners use their depth of knowledge and understanding of underlying principles to find the most viable and appropriate solutions. Feng Shui is not limited to a period or style. Like other design solutions, a Feng Shui adjustment or design element must be appropriate to the budget, be compatible with the décor and tastes of the client, be logistically workable, and yet have the added responsibility of fulfilling an energetic function. C. PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

179 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Often people say that aspects of Feng Shui are simply common sense, as if that diminishes its value somehow. It should be common sense. Our modern lives necessitate complexity and multi-tasking. We have grown distant from nature, from our intuition, and from simplicity. Feng Shui helps bring us closer to ourselves and to the things around us. This connection to our environment should make sense and encourage our intuitive abilities, which when cultivated and employed, offer us informative insight. In addition, once installed, most Feng Shui solutions do not require any particular ability to use or activate. Once an adjustment is in place, it is doing its job. D. PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceivable Information The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user s sensory abilities. This is the it must be fool proof principle. For a design to be universal, it needs to be free of visual or cognitive confusion. One of the main purposes of Feng Shui solutions is to direct Chi in order to focus energy and thus eliminate confusion. Many transcendental Feng Shui adjustments are subject to the condition of the person executing them, not to their physical or mental abilities, but to their intentions in doing them as well as their subjectivity in evaluating them. So, the results of a Feng Shui adjustment are not always as predictable, perceivable, or fool proof as the fourth principle of universal design states. Conversely, a Feng Shui adjustment may be done incorrectly on the physical level, but the person who is doing it has very strong and clear intentions for the outcome. When factoring in this transcendental aspect, the results are not limited to ambient conditions or the user s sensory abilities and in fact, the intentions will greatly increase the effectiveness of the adjustment. E. PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. There is nothing more universal than the need for safe, hazard-free design. Arranging things to minimize hazards translates into good Chi flow. Often through habit, unconscious behavior, or high traffic, an area like the kitchen becomes a way station or a Universal Design and Feng Shui 177

180 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Universal Design and Feng Shui 178 dumping ground for everything and everyone. Good and basic Feng Shui design is a clutter-free environment. Clutter blocks Chi and thus blocks the potential for a balanced and healthy environment. The lack of clear surfaces, clear pathways, and clear views not only contributes toward obstructions and accidents. This lack also confuses the mind and makes us more prone to mistakes, being careless, or simply missing the obvious. This principle, which calls for tolerance for error is only possible in an ordered environment that is designed with clear visual clues to direct the flow of energy. F. PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. Similarly, Feng Shui regards ease of movement as a basic principle. A sticky front door that causes you to have to push your weight into it to get it open indicates struggle in life. This universal principle also refers to maintaining a neutral body position and using reasonable operating force. Having to make subtle and often unconscious adjustments to negotiate into your desk chair (i.e. papers are piled on the floor, the desk is not well positioned) or to pull open your filing cabinet drawer that sticks or gets off its track are not just simple nuances in Feng Shui. Depending on where they are in a room or office, they can indicate a stuck-ness or breakdown in that area (according to the bagua) of your life or business. Eliminating wasted motion opens the space for new opportunities to flow. Some metaphors are obvious and some aren t. By deepening your understanding of Feng Shui principles and insight into the issue(s) that may be at play, there s potential to create efficiency in the environment and in your life. A. PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and Space for Approach and Use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user s body size, posture, or mobility. The open floor plan of contemporary architecture is suited to universal design, ideally providing ease of movement and unobstructed views. Yet a limitation to entering your office (i.e. coats stored behind the door leaving a smaller port of entry), to passing through a hallway (constricted by storage or furniture), or to closing a closet door, indicates a limited Chi flow. We are now aware that this means a limitation to the nourishment of the environment, so having the appropriate size and space for approach etc. is right in keeping with Feng Shui.

181 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? This seventh principle of universal design relates to the Feng Shui principle of Command Position. Having a full view and access to the door and/or what may be coming your way, while having the ability to be positioned out of the direct line of Chi (the door or pathway) is important to being in command of your space and is also a goal of universal design. III. Viewing Universal Design from the Perspective of Specific Challenges and Feng Shui In her book Beautiful Barrier-Free, Cynthia Leibrock say that one out of every five Americans needs help to see, hear, speak, walk, use stairs, or lift objects In addition, unfamiliar or disorienting environments can challenge those with mental differences. We will look at these physical challenges and the five senses to see how design details informed by Feng Shui can accommodate these challenges, and be functional and aesthetically pleasing. This will also be an opportunity to review many of the things we learned in previous chapters and how to apply them practically. A. Sight People of every age are susceptible to vision differences. Of the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste, sight is the most used or perhaps the most overused of the senses. So whether we are sight impaired or not, it is useful to balance our perceptions by supporting the use of the other senses. Auditory cues in elevators are something we are hearing more often. For those of us who can see the floor numbers, the beeping sound helps to bring us into the present, thus raising our Chi. We ve learned that whether it is an automatic door buzzer or a bell placed on a door knob, being aware of someone entering the room puts us in the Command Position and limits our vulnerability. How often have we all had the experience of not being able to find the house or business we were looking for because the numbers are hidden or non-existent? An address or other signage is part of the face and identity of a home or business. It is part of its Chi and therefore having it be well seen by all is an enhancement. House and office numbers should be a minimum of 3 high, in a contrasting color, and well lit at night. Universal Design and Feng Shui 179

182 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Universal Design and Feng Shui 180 It does not hurt to mention here that business signage should be as prominent as possible. Remember, moving objects are one of the Nine Methods of Minor Additions discussed in Chapter 4. Movement helps to capture the mind and focus attention, hence enhancing Chi. So (when appropriate) a flag, awning, or banner with the name and/or address of a business can be used and will bring the business into view for more people. Contrasting colors can help to delineate doorways, pathways and countertops, while contrasting wall and floor colors help those with sight impairment to recognize the edges of a room. Ease of way finding and orientation contribute to stress reduction for those with impaired cognitive abilities. Color is a perfect design tool for moving energy along at the pace and direction that it is needed, as well as strengthening a particular area or gua in the floor plan. Lighter colors generally help with overall vision. For some sight problems, yellows can be too intense while blues and some greens may appear gray, especially in a natural or fluorescent-lit room. When dark colors are applied to walls that are next to a bright sunny window they can temporarily blind or confuse the eye and thus make it difficult to see objects near the window. When a window with strong light faces the front door it can also have blinding effect. In addition, we know from our study of Feng Shui that this alignment causes the Chi to run out of the environment too quickly and should be avoided or adjusted in any case. Mirrors have a myriad of purposes in Feng Shui, but the potential for distraction or confused orientation make them less useful for those with sight or mental challenges. Certainly large mirrors in an approaching area should be avoided. For the sight impaired as well as for everyone else, sharp corners can be a hazard. We know that they are considered Sha Chi or cutting Chi. Therefore, even if a sighted person may not have the danger of walking into them, sharp corners still have a weakening effect when we re sitting or sleeping in close proximity to one for a period of time. Someone using a cane cannot detect elevated objects or protruding structures. Generally any obstruction over 2 3 high can easily be walked into. One such example is a spiral staircase, which is often in the middle of a room. Chapter 7 refers to the draining effect of a spiral staircase. Although its energetic effect can be balanced with transcen-

183 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? dental adjustments, structurally it will always be considered unacceptable for universal design. Another example is a divided door such as a salon door or Dutch door hung from above. Of course, light is one of the most important aspects of sight. Natural light is the easiest to see by and the healthiest form of light. Thus windows that extend low enough to accommodate people in wheelchairs allow them to not only receive more light but to feel a connection to the outdoors and life. Vision may be limited if the windows are higher than 3. Smaller window sills allow for closer proximity inside and help offer a larger view of the outside. Building a window to the ceiling (without a lintel) allows in more light. In rooms where privacy is important, transoms allow natural light to come in, while a lower window can be shaded. Let s recall that sight or the eyes are related to the Li gua, the Fire element, and our recognition. One of the most important elements of universal design is to integrate and therefore create invisible any special design elements for a particular person or group. A barrier-free environment is inclusive and recognizes that everyone is afforded the same opportunities to fully function in that environment. B. Sound Along with sight, for many of us a certain amount of hearing loss comes with aging. Those with full or partial hearing loss as well as many others with mental differences have difficulty processing information. A noisy environment can be disorienting, anxiety provoking, or simply frustrating. We have seen the ways sound can focus attention but it can just as easily confuse it. Curtains, fabrics, carpet, and cork all help to absorb ambient sound as well as many acoustic ceiling materials on the market. From a Feng Shui perspective, a noisy environment is cluttered, and thus is a hindrance to healthy Chi flow. The key is not to have too many large, flat, hard surfaces. Glass and stone have a particularly high sound bounce. Even a lovely fountain or gentle music can add to the overall noisy ambiance if it is not focused or controlled. Often sounds that can be overlooked by some or simply not noticed by others are very aggravating to sound sensitive people. For example, this could be a refrigerator motor, a creaky floor, or a grandfather clock. Outside noises are less in our control, but in addition to using double pane windows, when possible, plantings at windows also help to buffer sound. We have seen how Universal Design and Feng Shui 181

184 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Universal Design and Feng Shui 182 plantings can be used to fill-in a missing gua or otherwise enhance it. It is important to remember that trees and shrubbery should never touch a house or building, as they tend to leech energy. In addition, plantings need to be proportional to the structure and never overwhelm it, especially an entry. Let s recall the important principle of having an unobstructed view from the front door. Another aspect of sound and hearing is speaking. A quiet environment helps people who are challenged to speak. In order to be understood, a visually quiet environment assists those who read lips. Furniture placement is also basic to Chi flow but should be arranged so that people can easily converse, whether that is with the voice, lip reading, or signing. The mouth and communication have to do with the Tui gua (the middle right hand side of a room when standing in the doorway looking in). I would look to see how this area of a room or home could be enhanced or strengthened. In addition, the ear is related to the Kan gua or path in life (the front center of the site or room). Keeping this area open and quiet would certainly benefit listening abilities. Overall sound is related to the Wood element. The reason is that the Hsun gua is related to wind (as in wind and water ) and we hear sound through air; through the wind in the trees. It is worth remembering that Wood is related to human-heartedness, an important quality of universal design. C. Touch Texture is a wonderful way to enhance Chi and to compensate for impaired vision. Whether coming from the sidewalk to the lobby, the hallway to the kitchen, or the waiting room to the office, changes in flooring or rug pile cue us to a new experience. Even in a single room or in an open floor plan, different areas can be delineated with flooring. Yet, some ground surfaces like cobblestones, brick, sand, and gravel make walking even more difficult or hazardous, and wheelchairs can not maneuver easily on these types of terrain. Indoor slate, stone flooring, and high pile rugs are other surfaces that can impair safe movement. The texture of a soft pillow or furry throw on a sofa or bed can have a very therapeutic effect, especially to those who need to manage their levels of stress. Soft surfaces are generally warm and allow us to expand and feel secure, while cold, hard ones often cause us to contract. Although a soft throw

185 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? does not have a heartbeat, there are studies that demonstrate the therapeutic touch of a pet raises the level of good hormones in the body and eases stress. Temperature is another important aspect of touch. When you get a group of people in a room at any particular time, ½ will be cool while the other ½ will be warm. Having individual thermostats in rooms offers everyone a greater sense of control, which is very important for stress management and independence, while potentially being energy saving as well. The skin is the largest organ in the body. As an organ of elimination like the lungs and small intestines, it is associated with the Metal element. Metal is associated with right action and virtue. How a thing feels or make us feel may be subtle, yet have a profound affect on our well-being. D. Smell & Taste As environmental designers, we generally do not directly address the more personal senses of smell and taste. Yet, in discussing universal design, smell and taste should be considered for the important part they play in the health of the environment as well as their connections to Feng Shui. Dr. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse coined the term aromatherapy or aromatherapie, the therapeutic use of aromatics. His use of lavender oil had little to do with its fragrance but everything to do with the medicinal properties of the oil s constituents. The story told is that sometime in the 1920s, while working at his family s fragrance business in the South of France, Dr. Gattefosse burnt his hand and then doused it in a vat of lavender oil, as it was the nearest thing to him. Since his hand seemed to heal more quickly than expected, he started to investigate the curative properties of aromatic oils. Many essential oils are anti-microbial and can be useful in the treatment of infectious disease. Essential oils are increasingly used in pain management, and to treat anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer s disease (because they can boost memory). Oils may be inhaled via a room diffuser, ingested (when they re food grade), or combined with a vegetable-based oil and applied to the body. A few of the more common essential oils and their properties are: Chamomile Helps with sleeplessness and anxiety as well as muscle tension. Universal Design and Feng Shui 183

186 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Universal Design and Feng Shui 184 Eucalyptus Helpful for respiratory problems, colds, asthma, boosts the immune system, and relieves muscle tension. Lavender Relaxing, uplifting, and good for balancing the skin and hormones as well as treating burns. Lemon We have learned about the uplifting effects of orange and how the peels can be used to change the Chi of the environment due to their very yang quality. Lemon too is cleansing, deodorizing, and helpful in treating wounds. Peppermint Used for headaches, digestive disorders, and to energize the body. Tea Tree Natural anti-fungal oil that also helps to boost the immune system. When a bathroom needs to be placed in the front or center of a home or office so that it is easily accessible, besides the Feng Shui adjustments we ve considered to address the problem, aromatherapy can help insure that it has a more uplifting and pleasant atmosphere while also controlling odors. The sense of smell is associated with the Earth element. It is when something takes form or it is decomposing that is has odor. We ll recall the Earth element is associated with trust and credibility. It is interesting that we often use the expression something doesn t smell good if we don t trust it, or conversely, I ll follow my nose, to look for the truth. The sense of taste is associated with the Water element, which in turn relates to deep wisdom and cognitive abilities. So when we use the expression, It left me with a bad taste in my mouth, we are referring to a negative experience or an event we have participated in that may have looked good at the start, but once we used our powers of discrimination we realized it was anything but. You may be saying about now, What does all this have to do with universal design? From the point of view of traditional specifications, nothing! But if we are going to understand universal to mean inclusive to and applicable to all, we should also be addressing the things that make us feel whole, welcome, and part of whatever environment we are in. IV. Defining Aging in Place as a Subset of Universal Design Aging in Place is a term coined to recognize the viability for the aging population to live

187 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? comfortably and safely at home. Universal design addresses this growing need in our country. There are 77 million people in the US who were born between 1946 and 1964, aka the baby boomer years. According to a report from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 50+ Housing Council, the 55-plus population will increase to 85 million by The report further states that by the year 2012, the share of US household occupants aged 55 or older will pass the 40 percent mark for the first time in history. As we can see from these numbers, universal design is a necessity for Aging in Place, and being able to age in place is a necessity for a sustainable lifestyle, society, and medical care system. In addition, this new group of seniors have grown up and grown old with more lifestyle options then any generation before, and they will want to keep those options for as long as possible. This group of newly minted seniors will also demand new, sophisticated solutions for access and mobility. According to their website, The National Aging in Place Council is a membership organization founded on the belief that an overwhelming majority of older Americans want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, but lack awareness of home and community-based services that make independent living possible. NAIPC has created a national forum for individuals from the aging, healthcare, financial services, legal, design, and building sectors to work together to help meet the needs of our growing aging population, so that they can continue living in the housing of their choice. The Remodelers Council, in collaboration with the NAHB Research Center, NAHB Seniors Housing Council, and AARP developed the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) program to address the needs of consumers who want to make their house a home for a lifetime regardless of age or functional abilities. A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist is specially trained in the unique needs of older people, including: Home modifications that can help people continue living independently in their homes longer Common remodeling projects Solutions to common barriers CAPS professionals have been taught the strategies and techniques for designing and Universal Design and Feng Shui 185

188 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Universal Design and Feng Shui 186 building aesthetically pleasing, barrier-free living environments. The CAPS program goes beyond design to address codes and standards, common remodeling projects and their costs, product ideas, and resources needed to provide comprehensive and practical aging-in-place solutions. V. Universal Design Elements that make Aging in Place Possible This partial list of universal design elements makes Aging in Place possible and promotes good Feng Shui. It is suggested that many of these features can be incorporated into a new home, be it a custom-designed country house or an urban apartment. Most of the features are not high-cost items, and using any of them is moving in the direction of addressing the needs of a majority of the people, and everyone at some point in their lives. A. GENERAL At any stage of life, an open floor plan makes for ease of movement and an expanded feeling. It offers easy passage for strollers, equipment, or mobile furniture. The Feng Shui challenge, as it has been stated, is to keep areas clutter free, especially on floors and counter tops. To prevent energy from moving too quickly and thus wastefully dissipating in open floor plan, there is the need to anchor or slow the movement of Chi with the use of color, furnishings, sliding screens, fabric, etc. B. CIRCULATION Accessible, even surface routes leading into and away from the home are also critical to universal design, and makes common sense when considering aging in place. By allowing the flow of Chi to be smoothly directed to the front door, the environment and its occupants are fortified. A smooth path to the street extends the Chi and reach of the occupants as well as being practical for wheelchairs, baby carriages, and all other assisted walking. Conversely, an uneven or challenging pathway can denote a life that has difficulty or is fragmented and certainly does not fulfill the requirements of universal design. On the most basic level, indoor accessibility means no-step entries (threshold ½ or less), no floor-level changes throughout the main level, and doorways with 36 or wider passage throughout the home.

189 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? C. EXTERIOR Along with accessible, firm, level routes into and out of the home, raised gardens can elevate the Chi of a house by distinguishing it from others on the street. Generally speaking, anytime you are looking at things eye level or above, your Chi is raised, while looking down has the opposite effect. Raised gardens allow for their tending while sitting or standing, thus gardening is not limited to those who can bend and kneel. Unfortunately most ramps do not speak to universal design, but instead draw attention as being a necessary eyesore. If there is an opportunity to build a ramp into the original plan of a house, it can be designed as an integral part of the architecture. A ramp designed to the style of the house and perhaps including plantings at its curb or a decorative railing could be an enhancement to the house and Feng Shui. If a ramp, outdoor patio, or sitting area is covered and attached to the house, it is considered under the roof, and thus is an extension of the bagua. As we know, extensions add additional benefit to the area they are located in. When a ramp needs to be added on a pre-existing dwelling, one made of wood (fire-retardant, decay resistant, and ideally reclaimed) can usually be made with more design options than a metal one (especially if it is a pre-fab). A ramp ending in a deck, porch, or small landing can also enhance the house design and be enjoyed by everyone. Again, plants and lights on the outside of the ramp help to integrate the design. A wood or metal ramp is easier to dismantle than a permanent one when a home is resold to someone who doesn t have the need for it, while a permanent ramp structure could potentially reduce the resale value of the home. Lighting assists with safety and access, and as we have discussed, strategic lighting both directs and raises Chi. When they must exist, stairs need to be wide and deep for safety. This also allows Chi to collect at each step, preventing it from moving too quickly down the stairs or representing a struggle to move up. Colored risers and contrasting treads offer great visual cues and also help the mitigation of Chi flow. This can also be accomplished with under-mount lighting in handrails or low, recessed spotlights along sidewalls. D. ENTRANCE A minimum of one entry without a step or threshold is essential. This entry should not Universal Design and Feng Shui 187

190 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Universal Design and Feng Shui 188 be through the garage, patio, or deck, as this does not constitute the universal principle of equitable use. Feng Shui is organized around the Mouth of Chi or the front door. Thus the front door should be used on a regular basis and be accessible by all in order to increase energy to your home and life. You may recall that an important Feng Shui principle for entrances is that the front door foyer be at least the length of the tallest person in the household. Thus, even a 5 X 5 clear space at the front and back doors (specified by universal design for wheelchair maneuvering) is considered a small entry. When the entrance is too small, it limits the amount of Chi that enters. An analogy would be eating with our mouths only partly open and subsequently not getting enough nourishment. Although we can rectify this transcendentally with a mirror to give the illusion of more depth in the entry, this adjustment would be of no use in universal design. The ability to view visitors at the entrance is also specified in universal design. As people age and feel more isolated, it is comforting to be able to see the street and feel connected to the community from the comfort of a chair. This protected yet informed position is what we ve come to recognize as the Command Position. A covered entry offers protection from the elements. Yet if an entry is recessed, it may limit the view to the road, which is important when one is waiting for a ride. We ve learned that the adjustment for this situation is to strategically hang a convex mirror between the door and road so that the road can be seen when standing in the doorway. E. BATHROOMS A minimum of one bathroom on the main level that includes a tub or shower with an integrated seat is a universal principle. We should recall by now that it is best when a bathroom is not situated in the Tai Chi or center of the environment. This area is associated with health, and the bathroom by its very nature is draining. Another placement that would need an adjustment would be opposite the front door. In general a no-threshold entry is specified for bathrooms. In master suites, the option of no door on a bathroom is suggested for universal design. When following Feng Shui principles, it is important to create separation between the bedroom (where we sleep and are most vulnerable) and the bathroom. Even a symbolic door, such as a decorative lintel or fabric drapes on the outer sides of

191 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? the opening, can be empowered to provide the energetic protection to health that a closed door would. Another solution is a lightweight shade material attached to an overhead track above the bathroom opening that can easily slide to the side. F. KITCHENS Continuous stretches of countertops for easy sliding of heavy objects, especially between the refrigerator, oven, sink, and cook top, are a universal directive. In terms of Feng Shui, it is particularly important to have space between these appliances. Conflicting elements should not be placed next to one another (i.e. Water/sink and Fire/stove) unless another linking element can be used in between them. So for example, if the stove and sink were right next to one another it would suggest that Fire and Water are combining and potentially harming one another. Wood is the natural element that binds them. As we recall, Wood is fed by Water and in turn feeds Fire. So a wood cutting board or wooden utensils separating the stove and sink will adjust the problem. A sitting or eating area should be integrated with work centers. When these areas face one another, they enhance socialization and the opportunity to sit during food preparation. This allows for anyone to participate in the preparation of food and/or to be a part of the activity. G. LIGHTING AND COLOR Whether we call it barrier-free or design for all, multiple sources of natural light are both healthy and sustainable. Combined with electrical lighting, we ve come to recognize that light of all types is a good source of Chi. One way to increase daylight in a home is through the use of skylights, transoms, and highly placed windows. These natural light sources also maintain privacy. Others windows placed for a seated user s line of sight are beneficial for those in wheelchairs as well as those in strollers. Color provides spatial orientation and can have the added benefit of being a Feng Shui adjustment when used prescriptively with the Five Elements. Contrasting colors help to better distinguish surfaces and their edges. When these colors are used in the producing or reducing order of the elements, they additionally create a more restful or energized atmosphere (see Chapters 3 & 4). It is suggested that gray colors be avoided for aging eyes. In Feng Shui gray is associated Universal Design and Feng Shui 189

192 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Universal Design and Feng Shui 190 with the Metal element, which in general is contracting, yin, cold and inactive, thus gray is generally not considered a life enhancing color. Warm Earth element colors (yellow, beige, tan, brown, terra cotta, and orange) are good for those with arthritis and other diseases that are comforted by heat. Warm colors also enhance social interaction, while those with inflammation may benefit by cool Water and Wood element colors such as blue, green, or violet. Softer tints are more restful than saturated or intense ones. Strong contrasting color should only be used for visual cuing and spatial organization. Generally speaking, designs and patterns can be disorienting, over stimulating, or monotonous. They should be used in a limited fashion, and then only in small patterns. An exception to this may be a simple wall mural whose movement flows in the line of traffic in a large hallway. Integrating light and color promotes way finding, or directing the Chi. Lighting that is motion sensitive avoids the need for switches, saves energy when the room is not in use, and generally can detect when enough light is available. Motion sensitive lighting is particular good as a Feng Shui enhancement because it literally wakes you up or focuses the attention when activated. Generally, increased lighting from varied sources with adjustable controls is a directive in universal design. This correlates to the Feng Shui principle that every environment should have the option to be as bright as possible, even if that option is not often used. The effect is that every room can be fully alive or energized if needed. Controls for windows, lighting, and fixtures must be easy to operate to be universal which also relates to eliminating any metaphors for struggle in life. VI. In Conclusion The main purpose of Feng Shui is to create a balanced, thriving, healthy environment for everyone at every stage of life. The principles of universal design support the same purpose through specifications that can be adhered to in every type of home or business. Appreciating the multi-dimensionality a Feng Shui perspective offers can only increase wellness in the built environment.

193 Appendix I: Astrology / Numerology Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology

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195 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Appendix I: Astrology / Numerology I. Nine Star Ki Nine-Star Ki (Ki is energy in Japanese) is thought by some to be the oldest form of astrology. It originated in China, but in the past 40 years Nine Star Ki gained popularity first in Japan and then in the West. Nine-Star Ki is based on the same principles as Feng Shui and Chinese medicine, which all originate in the I Ching and yin/yang theory. Feng Shui interprets how space affects us; Nine-Star Ki interprets how time affects us. It is not part of any particular school of Feng Shui, but an understanding of it will enhance the practice of Feng Shui. Based on our birth date, three numbers or stars represent our Nine-Star Ki. Each number or star is related to one of the trigrams. The first number is called our Principle Number. It represents overall general tendencies, and by its nature defines who we are in an overall sense. The second number is referred to as our Character Number. Our character is represented as our inner child, where we go when we are under stress, and how we deal with emotions. Those who really know us recognize this inner nature. Our third number is referred to as our Energetic Number, which represents our outer personality, lifestyle, or habits, and how others generally see us. Understanding the subtleties of the three numbers in combination can offer us insight into ourselves and our clients. We are made up of Chi, which changes daily, monthly, seasonally, and yearly. Understanding these changes through the system of the Nine Stars can be useful in navigating through life. Although there are some simple formulas for determining someone s Nine-Star Ki, using the chart below should make it easy. PLEASE NOTE: keep in mind that in this system, all years begin on February 4 (regardless of when the Chinese lunar New Year arrived in any particular year), and end on February 3 the following year. So, if you were born between January 1 and February 3, your birth year is the preceding year. (See illustration on pg 194) Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 193

196 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Nine Star Ki Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 194

197 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? A. Qualities of the Nine Stars Number 1: Water KAN Nine-Star Color White Trigram Color Black Body Parts Kidney, sexual organs, bladder, bones, ears, birth canal, lower spine, nostrils, and adrenals. Spirit of adventure, can be bubbly, dynamic (moving water), or quiet and contemplative (still water) A free spirit who can be undisciplined and chaotic without some container (earth), yet others can be too rigid. This person is sensitive, philosophical, and intuitive but can also have a brooding, reflective quality. Such people can be intense and spiritual, service oriented, and very emotional. Many artists, writers, composers, therapists, and musicians fall into this category, as do good arbitrators, lawyers, and diplomats. Number 2: Earth KUN Nine-Star Color Black Trigram Color Pink Body Parts Abdomen, stomach, spleen, muscle, navel, digestive organs, pancreas, lymphatics, and immune system. Service-oriented people, not natural leaders. Steady and reliable, helpful and nurturing. Not aggressive, strong, and patient. Thoughtful, loyal, and sincere. Sacrifice themselves for others yet not self-confident. Nurturers. Sociable and public spirited, and need to be part of a group/family. Can be overly fastidious and fussy. Can get bogged down in detail. Have natural diplomacy. Such people make good managers, fundraisers, diplomats, health professionals, and educators. Number 3: Wood JEN or CHEN Nine-Star Color Jade Green Trigram Color Green (chartreuse: spring green) Body Parts Foot, hair, diaphragm, liver, gall bladder. Full force of spring (thunder). Vital, strong, optimistic, unerringly frank, grandiose. Need to be grounded. Need others to attend to details. Humorous, spontaneous, visionary, and good initiators. Spontaneous, optimistic, opinion- Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 195

198 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 196 ated, easily distracted. Their honesty and straightforward nature will often get them into trouble. Make good entrepreneurs, public speakers, healers, CFOs, and politicians. Number 4: Wood HSUN Nine-Star Color Dark Green Trigram Color Purple Body Parts Pelvic region, hips, liver, gall bladder, hair, tendons. Still or very emotional like Wind. Changeable and adaptable. More practical and reliable than 3: Wood; they have much common sense and sensitivity to others. Good listeners yet also articulate. Sensitivity makes them deeply appreciative of the arts. Often change their minds and direction in life; restless. Very influential in their communication. Trusting to the point of gullibility. Trusting quality gives them an open face, particularly the eyes. Need to offset the tendency to be in constant planning mode. Make good counselors, artists, musicians, manufacturers, and teachers. Number 5: Earth TAI CHI Nine-Star Color Yellow Trigram Color Yellow/Orange Body Parts All internal organs plus all mental conditions. This area is most associated with health in general. Like to be in the center of what s going on. Cannot survive without the support of others. A great capacity to control situations and take the lead. Must protect themselves from exploitation because of the need to lead. Many ups and downs in life, yet very resilient. React poorly to criticism. Can bring enormous change through reinvention... being outside the family. Can be very ambitious or lazy. Enhancing or destructive. Strong constitution, yet worry can disrupt spleen, pancreas, and stomach. Make good judges, army officers, CEOs, politicians, and educators.

199 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Number 6: Metal CHYAN OR CHIEN Nine-Star Color White Trigram Color Gold, Silver, Grey, Black, or White Body Parts Head, face, lungs, large intestines, hair, nose, neck. Full force of Heaven... moral, direct, and noble. Natural leadership and authority. This may be in the field of politics, military affairs, fashion, or the arts. Analytical, logical, disciplined. Perfectionist and quietly self-critical. Strong family ties. Intuitive. Make good lawyers, real estate brokers, and traders in precious metals, public servants, psychologists, and financiers. Number 7: Metal TUI or DUI Nine-Star Color Red Trigram Color White Body Parts Tongue, mouth, lungs, teeth. Great pleasure seekers. Great capacity to listen and be re- ceptive to others. Charismatic, flamboyant, and graceful. Good speakers very articulate and a good sense of timing. Appear younger than their years. Easygoing. Calm on the surface, hiding emotions and dreams deep within. Good at handling money. Make good CFOs, lecturers, hosts, restaurateurs, and performers. Number 8: Earth KEN or GEN Nine-Star Color White Trigram Color Teal, Midnight Blue, Green Body Parts Hands, wrists, spine, joints, muscles, ligaments, non-malignant tumors or growths. Good sense of investment. Can accumulate wealth when young. Material wealth achieved through single-mindedness. Slow and persistent. Strong and stable, with enormous reserves, although they need to retreat into a cave from time to time. Conceal feelings and only display them when provoked. Look happy on the Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 197

200 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 198 outside but hurting inside. Strong sense of what is right and just. Can ride out difficulties in life and bring about change and revolution, but resistant to any change they do not initiate. Need their own space. Hard shell soft underbelly, yet calm and stable. May tend to be hypochondriacs. Make good lawyers, scientists, researchers, activists, comedians, musicians, and educators. Number 9: Fire LI Nine-Star Color Purple Trigram Color Red Body Parts Heart, small intestines, eyes, and breasts. Inspiration, enlightenment, and clarity. See the obvious path through troubled waters. At home in the field of communication. Warm, passionate natures. Enlightened and liberal views. Emotionally reactive, yet quickest to forgive and forget. Can be proud and vain, sophisticated and critical. Appearance very important such people love luxury. Like to be at the center of attention. Overconfident in their abilities. Sharp, creative minds. Careers in the theater, singing, marketing, TV, photography, fashion, and politics. On every level, we are all more than the sum of our parts. Just knowing the meaning of each one of our three numbers is good, but recognizing the subtleties and nuances of the numerous combinations makes for a richer interpretation. This develops through using the Nine-Star Ki regularly and recognizing qualities in people. The arrangement of the bagua does not change. The relationship of the guas, trigrams, and stars remains constant. Yet, even as we find ourselves on an apparently fixed Earth (remember Feng Shui is the study of the Earth and its elements), we are whirling through space and subject to the movements of the cosmos. In Nine-Star Ki, our numbers are in positions other than their home position eight out of nine years. It is this yearly position of our principle number that allows

201 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? us insight into the energies working for or against us in any particular year. As a result, we can come to understand the tendencies of the year, and then to act appropriately. these studies is a lifetime endeavor, where worlds of knowledge can open up to those who enter their portals. The Tai Chi is where everyone enters life. In other words, when we were born, our principle number was in the Tai Chi position, and it returns there every nine years. When our principle number is in the Tai Chi, it tends to be an unpredictable time. One cycle is ending and another beginning, as at birth. Below we will look at the tendencies of the nine Houses and their effect when your principle number lands there. So, for instance, in 2009 the 9 star is in the Tai Chi or center, and the 5, which usually resides in the Tai Chi, is in the North. While the study of Flying Star Feng Shui, (which is a part of Classical Feng Shui) is beyond the scope of this course, it should be noted that the movement of these stars not only governs our individual astrology or Nine-Star Ki but also the environment. The number 5 is considered inauspicious in Flying Star Feng Shui, so wherever the 5 star is (i.e. the North in 2009), it is an area to be avoided or kept quiet. All of these studies are interrelated, and if we understand them properly, we can apply them on many levels. The mastery of Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 199

202 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 200 B. Yearly Indicators Remember your Nine-Star Ki is who you are; that does not change, but where you are in the cycle does. As with any form of astrology or numerology, knowing where you are in life s cycle can help with decisionmaking, planning, and generally offering an understanding of the period you are in. As we have learned in Chapter 3 on the Five Elements, our principle number will be enhanced, weakened, or destroyed by different elements which are determined by the year we are in. C. Yearly Tendencies 1. WATER Contemplation Just like the winter season, this is a time of little growth, in which there is a sense of drawing in, the end of a cycle. The nature of Water is downward moving, running deep below the surface. Thus, when you are in the 1 position you may be more withdrawn and experience little growth. Because of this, there may be miscommunications and vulnerability. Yet, it is in this quieter and potentially more reflective time that your intuitive abilities are strengthened. Winter is nature s time to rest, and we should follow suit by using this year to refuel, to reflect on our future growth, and to make sure we are on our path in life. It is a time to tap into our deep wisdom and not give way to fear. Fire (9) and Earth (2, 5, 8) numbers will have a more difficult time in a Water year. 2. EARTH Gestation This is a continuation of the quiet period of the previous year, but there is more recognition of growth beneath the surface, and this is the time to prepare for it. Literally or figuratively, it is time to clean house or weed the garden of unwanted things, people, or issues. We must prepare the ground for what is to come in the following year, making sure it has all the potential to succeed. 2 Earth is all about receptivity. This is a time to nurture yourself, as well as your relationships, and to trust the process rather than fall prey to worry, knowing that spring is on the way. Wood (3, 4) and Water (1) numbers find an Earth year more challenging. 3. WOOD Emergence Spring has finally arrived, and you will now have the energy that has been lacking for

203 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? the past two years. In this time of new beginning, movement can be rapid, so be careful not to overlook things and make mistakes. The new opportunities and changes that are available should be carefully considered but, at the same time, take advantage of what is now available. Take care not to become exhausted or overdo it during this year of intense activity. Metal numbers (6, 7) and Earth numbers (2, 5, 8) can be weakened during this year. 4. WOOD Optimism This is the time that the work of the past three years starts to be rewarded. Wood is the element of upward growth, and this area of the bagua is associated with wealth. Yet another association is wind (as in wind and water aka Feng Shui). Thus, this year also has the potential to be unstable, so it is important to follow through on what you have been working toward during the past few years and not take off in a new direction. You now have the trust and respect you ve earned. Use it, don t diffuse it. As with 3 Wood, Metal (6, 7), and Earth (2, 5, 8) numbers are challenged to a great extent. 5. EARTH Transition This is the Tai Chi, the place we are all born into. Whatever our principle number is, when we were born it was in the Tai Chi, thus we return here at age 9, 18, 27, etc. It is a time of the completion of one cycle and the start of another, and purports ups and downs. Things taken on this year have the potential to last the next cycle of nine years. So, be sure of your plans, especially if they re big ones. By the same token, you may see the results of the last few years coming to fruition. Being in the center of the system or bagua puts you in a position to receive much, as well as have much demanded of you. It is a good time to stay centered, low key, and to observe the action, so you can respond correctly to what s coming towards you. The Tai Chi has the potential to be a challenging time for everyone, but as with the other Earth signs, Water (1) and Wood (3, 4) are further challenged. 6. METAL Gathering This is a time of gathering the fruits of the previous year s efforts. It is the late fall harvest and everything is condensing, making it a potent time. This is a time you can feel the Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 201

204 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 202 effects of your influence in the world. Clarity, direction, and personal power are available to you when you re in the 6 Metal position. Remember to stay flexible during this period (this is the most yang area). Rigid thinking will limit your possibilities and a rigid body has more chance of breaking. Remember that Metal chops Wood (3, 4), and Fire (9) can get exhausted burning it. 7. METAL Fulfillment This too is a time of harvest, but the difference between 6 Metal and 7 Metal is that this time is marked by celebration and joy. It is a time to sit back, relax, and celebrate what you ve received. It is a social time with family and friends, and a time of creativity. Also, it is a time to access the growing season and reflect on what can be learned for the next period. But mostly, it is a time to enjoy knowing that the party does not last. Like 6 Metal, Wood (3, 4) and Fire (9) numbers are challenged more than the other elements when in this position. 8. EARTH Retreat This is sometimes called the calm before the storm (it is the season before spring on the bagua, as well as the year before the fiery 9 in the Nine Star path.) This mountain earth time often feels like a retreat into the mountains. Things move slowly, communications are off. Knowing this helps you have clarity in speaking and to remember that rebelling or pushing too hard may not be the answer. By the same token, if you stay on top of things (come out of the cave) and work on those things that are in alignment with your overall plans or desires, you may be able to move some mountains and create big changes. Once again, Water (1) and Wood (3, 4) elements may have a harder time of it in this Earth period. 9. FIRE Lit Up Being in the limelight is generally a good thing, unless there is something you ve been hiding. If that is the case, be careful, because it may be revealed. On the bright side, you may be seen for all of your good qualities, which will increase your status or reputation. This could bode well for your career, attract a new relationship, or offer you opportunities you would not have had in the previous year of retreat. This is also a time of inner illumination or enlightenment and inspiration.

205 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Fire is purifying, expansive, and passionate. When in the 9 House, rather than spreading wildly, make sure that whatever you do has solid ground beneath it, so it will thrive. Water (1) and Metal (6, 7) are the vulnerable elements in the Fire year. II. Chinese Astrology Chinese astrology is an in-depth and independent study of its own. Classical Feng Shui is more integrated with astrology than the other forms. Although we will only look at the 12 signs briefly, knowing your sign is useful. Further study allows for nuance of interpretation based on personalized calculations made according to time and place of birth. Yet understanding just some basic Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig The Chinese calendar is based on a lunar year. As mentioned, if you are born in late January or early February, remember that we always use February 4 th as the start of the lunar new year (regardless when the Chinese new year is any particular year). This is important for determining your Nine-Star Ki, Chinese Astrology, and Ming Gua. characteristics about yourself or a client will give you insight into the kind of year you can expect, depending on your animal s relationship with the animal of that year. Chinese Astrology is based on a 60-year cycle which consists of two separate cycles interacting with each other. The first is the cycle Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 203

206 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 204

207 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? of Ten Heavenly Stems. These are namely the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) in their yin and yang forms. The second cycle is called the Twelve Earthly Branches which consist of the 12 zodiac animals. In Chinese astrology the animal signs assigned by year represent general tendencies. In fact, there are also animal signs assigned by months (called inner animals), days, and hours of the day (called secret animals). So, while a person might appear to be a snake because they were born in the year of the snake, they might also be a dog internally and a rooster secretively. These are all considered critical for the proper use of Chinese astrology. According to one legend, in the sixth century b.c., the Jade Emperor invited all the animals in creation to a race. Only 12 showed up: the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Lamb, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. According to their places in the race, the Jade Emperor gave them each a number, starting with the Rat, who was the winner of the race. For our study we will limit our investigation to a few qualities of each of these 12 animals. III. Tendencies of the 12 Zodiac Animals RAT Rats are thought to have a split personality because the Rat hours encompass yin and yang (11pm 1am) and they have four front toes (yin) and five back toes (yang). On the one hand they are charming, sociable, passionate, hardworking, and disciplined. On the other, they are known to be manipulative, petty, critical, and over-ambitious. They can feel deeply and yet appear very cool. Rats can be introverted, but can love a party. They make money from their intelligence and sharp eye for detail, which also make them great bargain hunters. Rats are devoted to children and family. They usually take on more than they can successfully cope with. Rats are most compatible with Oxen, Snakes, Monkeys, and Dragons. OX Oxen are dependable, calm, and hardworking. They can also be stubborn, conservative, and traditional. Although generally patient when tested, they can have a raging temper. Oxen do not risk many close relationships, are not particularly romantic, and make stern partners. They are good workers and can be a great asset to a company but are not strong leaders or highly creative. They must be careful not to be used by others because they can be naïve in relationships. Oxen get along best with Rats, Roosters, and Snakes. Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 205

208 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 206 TIGER Tigers are impulsive, affectionate, generous, and unpredictable. They can be restless, and are always geared for action. Indecisive, yet ready to leap into action, they are humanitarian and sincere, sentimental and romantic. Although they are not materialistic, they need admiration and support. The enthusiasm of Tigers can make them good sales people and they provide a loving environment for children. They can also be quick-tempered and readily show their claws. Tigers have their best relationships with Dogs, Pigs, and Horses. RABBIT Rabbits are known to be sensitive, kind, elegant, artistic, and diplomatic. Their sensitivity can make them moody and detached. They are very social but do not like their space invaded. They can also be superficial, self-indulgent, and lazy. They are good in business and will provide well for their family, although they are not very family oriented. Even with their sensitivity to criticism, Rabbits tend to be self-assured, flexible, and compassionate. Dogs, Pigs, and Rams make good partners for Rabbits. DRAGON Dragons have the potential to accomplish much in their lives due to their high standards. They are self-assured, direct, pioneering, and ambitious spirits. They are demanding, authoritative, and energetic, and will never give up if they don t have to. Dragons are loyal, generous, and trustworthy partners, who love being the center of attention. Yet their natures also make them over-bearing, explosive, dogmatic, and sometimes so self-centered they miss what s going on right behind their backs. Dragons can be loners, yet Monkeys, Rats, and Snakes can make good partners. SNAKE Particular attributes of Snakes are tenacity, sensuality, and elegance. They can be patient and shrewd, powerful and ambitious. Their lives can be intriguing and purposeful. Snakes are demanding, yet resourceful, as well as generous and unforgiving. They are intuitive, graceful, and creative, but their distrustful, possessive, and self-doubting nature makes them loners. Their ability to sum up a situation accurately allows them to know when the best time to strike is. Snakes are best suited to Oxen, Roosters, and Dragons.

209 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? HORSE Horses are quick-witted, talkative, and good listeners. Their nature can be changeable and needs mental as well as physical stimulation. They can accumulate wealth through their intelligent, astute minds. They can be fickle in love and generally need variety in their work. Horses are confident yet gullible, both open-minded and stubborn. Tigers, Dogs, and Rams make good friends and partners for Horses. RAM Artistic and creative, Rams are sensitive to others and shy themselves. Known as compassionate and peace loving, they will avoid conflict if possible. They are followers, who can be overly passive, and are not good decision makers. Rams are romantics and are usually well liked and taken care of. They should avoid handling their own finances. They can be moody, pessimistic, and worry a lot. Rabbits, Horses, Pigs, and Tigers are complementary to Rams. By their very nature, Rams get along with most signs other than Rats, Oxen, and Dogs. MONKEY With their charm, intelligence, and self-assuredness, Monkeys can maneuver their way around most situations. They can take on most things and succeed, due to their ability to solve problems, their versatility, and their cunning natures. Although naturally popular, they trust few people, due to their jealous and suspicious personalities. They can be deceptive, judgmental, and vain, and this can cost them close relationships. Other than Snakes and Tigers, most other signs enjoy the company of Monkeys. ROOSTER On the one hand Roosters are self-assured, zealous in their opinions, direct, organized, and decisive. On the other hand, they can be puritanical perfectionists who hate criticism, yet can be abrasive and judgmental of themselves. Roosters will work hard for the right things, and be good providers for those they love. Their rigidity can be unbearable, yet their gregarious nature can be enchanting. Snakes, Oxen, and Dragons can complement Roosters. Two Roosters together are bound to cause a cockfight. DOG Loyal, intelligent, amicable dogs are idealists who ground their sense of fair play in working for the good and just. Their nature can be pessimistic, which can lead them to Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 207

210 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. worry, criticism, or to be quarrelsome, but diplomacy would be their first line of defense. They are never without resources, but are not that interested in wealth, fame, or power. Dogs are compatible with Tigers, Horses, and Rabbits. PIG Sociable and easygoing, Pigs are peace loving, hardworking, generous people. Their pleasure-seeking side makes selfcontrol difficult and they can overspend, over-promise and overindulge. They are good organizers; thoughtful, trusting and sincere. They will rally to a cause, share what they have with friends, and may equally be over-reliant. Pigs are honest and down to earth, and usually have their needs easily provided for. Pigs are most compatible with the Rabbit, Ram, and Tiger. Appendix I: Astrology/Numerology 208

211 Appendix II: Rituals and Adjustments Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments

212 210

213 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Appendix II: Rituals and Adjustments The purposes of ritual in Feng Shui are varied. They are used to clear spaces and objects, to empower or intentionalize an adjustment, to demonstrate respect, to consecrate, or to make special in some way. Rituals of various kinds are a feature of almost all known human societies, past and present. In secular societies they include presidential inaugurations, marriages, graduations, memorials, and ground breakings, to name a few. The purpose of space-clearing rituals is to respect what has gone before (predessor Chi), to allow stuck energy to move out, to provide a healthier environment to live and work in, to allow for greater success in a business, and to provide an atmosphere for effective Feng Shui adjustments. Certainly you would want to clear the energy from a divorce if you were moving into a house as a newly married couple. If you were replacing the guy that just got fired or opening a new business in a failed location you more than likely could use a space clearing and blessing ritual. Then there is predecessor Chi that we are not aware of yet still influenced by. Formal space clearing rituals can be very intense and may take a great deal preparation and fortitude. Only fully trained practitioners in specific traditions or procedures should put themselves in circumstances where it is unpredictable how the energy may shift. This is not a casual affair. Intention is the fuel that ignites a ritual. The clearer and more heartfelt the intention is, the more focused, potent, and effective the ritual. As discussed in Chapter 4: Method of Minor Additions, it is yi or intention that relates to the source or the Chi behind the physical. Ritual puts intention into motion and speaks to the unseen dimension. This is what defines a transcendental adjustment and distinguishes Black Hat Feng Shui from the others schools. There are hundreds of transcendental adjustments in BTB Feng Shui, and a number of them are offered in the preceding text. Traditionally these cures or adjustments have been kept secret and only passed on in an oral tradition from master to apprentice, student or disciple. Offered here are adjustments that were referred to in the text and not yet given, as well as others which will hopefully illuminate the principles discussed. I. The Three Secret Reinforcements the Master Feng Shui Ritual This is considered the master ritual in Black Sect Feng Shui. It is what distinguishes BTB Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 211

214 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 212 from all the other forms because only BTB recognizes the transcendental realm as empowering its adjustments. The Secret Reinforcements are the transcendental portion of setting energy in motion. They are a formalized way of setting a clear intention and letting the Universe know what that is, which can strengthen and enhance the positive outcome. The reinforcements comprise three powerful elements, namely, the body secret (a hand gesture), the speech secret (concise words which have a powerful effect), and the mind secret (the power of the mind through visualization). Body Secret: Make a mudra (the Indian word for a hand gesture) with the right hand for women and left for men by placing the middle and ring fingers on the thumb, with the index finger and the pinky pointed up. Then open the hand and close it in a flicking motion toward the object being reinforced. This is done nine times simultaneously with the following two secrets. Speech Secret: Sound a mantra (the Indian word for sacred sound or prayer) recited nine times. A universal prayer of protection and compassion is called The Six True Words: Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum. These are powerful seed syllables in Sanskrit and have no literal translation but are often referred to as Hail to the Highest or to the Jewel in the Lotus. A prayer from your own tradition would be appropriate to use as well. I think of it as a so be it. Mind Secret: Experience your visualization or intention. Here is where you need to get into the feeling state of your intention; to be able to experience it accomplished and actualized. The Three Secrets should be performed simultaneously but can also be done in succession if necessary, whenever empowering

215 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? a ritual with intention. Every one of the adjustments suggested in this course, along with others you ll learn or construct yourself, will be all the more effective and potent if they are reinforced with the Three Secrets. II. Heart Calming Mantra Setting the Tone Ideally, this mantra or some other meditation is done before any transcendental ritual is performed. It is important to start with a peaceful mind and calm heart, so this mantra is a preparatory one. First find a quiet spot and give yourself a few uninterrupted minutes. All rituals need to done without distractions (yes, please turn off the phones) and without any need to rush. Sit comfortably with your hands relaxed or in the heart mudra, which is left hand in right, palm up with the thumbs touching. Chant or say the mantra nine times: Gate, Gate, (pronounced ga-tay, ga-tay) Para Gate, Para Sum Gate, Bodhi So Ha (Bod-dee swa-ha) This is loosely translated to mean: Gone, gone Gone to the other side Gone to the side of Nirvana (perfection) Go be it. III. Changing the Chi of Your Home or Office Although this ritual is considered part of preparation for the Chinese New Year, it can be performed any time it seems necessary to clear the air from an event, person, or simply as energetic hygiene. On the evening of New Year s Eve or another carefully selected auspicious date between 11 pm and 1 am, (this can be checked in the Chinese almanac) open all your doors and windows that connect to the outside of the house or office. Prepare nine oranges and cut nine round pieces of orange peels from each orange. Oranges represent auspiciousness. In total you will have 81 pieces of orange peels. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 213

216 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 214 Tear these 81 orange round medallions of orange rind into very small pieces. Now scatter them in all the rooms of your house or office. When scattering them, visualize that thousands of beneficial spirits are filling every corner of your environment with light represented by the orange peels. This light will evict all negative Chi, misfortune Chi, bad Chi, or sick Chi and replace them with divine Chi, happy Chi, prosperous Chi, healthy Chi, and auspicious Chi. Be sure to reinforce this with the Three Secret Reinforcements. It is best if the orange peels can be left for 24 hours or at least over night (they dry up into small hard pieces and are very easy to vacuum.) Orange peels are used in many rituals. We are all familiar with the fresh scent of an orange. That tangy quality is yang or an active alive energy. An environment tends to get stale or energetically heavy, which is a yin or a Chi-less, inactive quality. The scattering of orange peels (along with your intentions) literally balances the Chi of your environment. IV. Orange Peel Bath This ritual is a personal adjustment that should be performed whenever you feel that you have taken on some energy that is not yours so to speak. An orange peel bath should be taken after a space clearing, when you have been emotionally attached, or any time you feel the need to renew. Cut 9 round medallions from one orange and float them in the bath water. While relaxing the tub and inhaling the orange essence, visualize yourself being cleanse of all negative energy, harmful chi, fatigue, illness, emotional upset, or whatever is appropriate. You can also see yourself protected, healthy, and strong. Then reinforce with the Three Secrets. (If for any reason your skin feel irritated from the citrus, simply shower off.) V. Exterior Rice Blessing A rice blessing is often done at the end of a space clearing, to consecrate a new business or home, or to protect and raise the Chi of a property. Rice is a symbol of fertility and abundance. Although rice blessings are done outdoors, I have been known to do them inside the front door or an apartment when this is the only alternative.

217 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Needed are: A large glass or metal bowl, 2 cups of uncooked rice, over-proof liquor (151% Bacardi rum is readily available many places get the smallest one available, because this bottle must have never been opened before), and approximately ¼ teaspoon of cinnabar powder. Please note that cinnabar contains mercury and thus can be toxic. I use my exposed hand in this ritual but if you have any considerations, are pregnant, or unwell, please refrain from this ritual or do it with a rubber glove on your hand. An interesting note on cinnabar; The Chinese character for alchemy is tan, the same character used to refer to cinnabar, as well as to the color red. Cinnabar has a long and complex history in Taoist alchemy and Chinese medicine. In waidan, or outer alchemy, the primary concern was the decomposing and recomposing of this bright red mineral to form medicines, tinctures, pigments, works of art, and jewelry. In neidan, or inner alchemy, the focus was on the inner nature of cinnabar and its parallels to the inner nature of human beings and the cosmos. The mineral cinnabar, or mercuric sulfide, is formed when mercury and sulfur combine. In alchemical traditions the world over, these two substances are considered indispensable, regarded as the ultimate expression of yin and yang, the masculine and feminine principles. Procedure: Put one drop of alcohol for each of your years plus 1 in the bowl (in Chinese you are considered 1 when you are born, so we are always a year older.) Stay focused, fill the bottle cap with the alcohol and carefully pour your drops. Do your best without being concerned if it is correct. Then put ¼ teaspoon of cinnabar into the bowl. Women with your right hand and men with your left, take your middle finger (which represents yourself in Chinese palmistry) and mix the alcohol and cinnabar while saying prayers, chanting mantras expressing your heart s desires and vibration your want this rice blessing to hold. When this feels complete, add the rice and mix that in the same way with you middle finger, again staying focused. When all of the alcohol and cinnabar has been absorbed into the rice, go outside the front door with the mixture (again you will do this in a careful abbreviated form if you must stay indoors). The mixture is thrown by whoever is participating (and it is great when like-minded family members or business associates join in as long as they do not have any intention to undermine the ritual) in four directions three times. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 215

218 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 216 The first throw is to metaphorically feed the hungry ghosts or all negative spirits or unhealthy Chi on the property. With the alcohol and rice they are sated and thus stay away from your door. So take a handful of rice and throw some in four directions in front of you with your hand palm up and parallel to the ground (as if you were feeding a small animal). Visualize that all hungry ghosts, negative people, situations and emotions are transformed into health, prosperity, and benefactors. You can also recite the Six True Words (Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum.) Make sure some rice hits the front door. The second toss is straight down to the ground, again in the four directions. The intention here is to plant the seeds of all of your blessings, prayers, intentions, so that they can take root and grow. With that in mind, throw small a handful straight down in a planting gesture again saying the Six True Words. The last four throws are straight up. This is to lift the Chi of your home or place of business. Visualize happiness, healthy, prosperity and protection while you joyously throw the rice straight into the air in the four directions. When you face the front door, try to hit the roof if you can. The end of this ritual is always completely uplifting. If you own the property itself you can initially prepare much more rice (2 5 lbs) and spread rice around the perimeter of the structure of the property, walking clockwise while saying the Six True Words. Small amounts of leftover rice can be put into red envelopes and tucked into desks, under mattresses, in your wallet, or in the glove compartment of your car to hold the Chi of all that was imbued into the rice all around you.

219 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? VI. Red Envelopes Red envelopes are primarily a Chinese tradition that are presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or on holidays such as the Lunar New Year, and include money. The red color the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. There are many types of red envelopes and each has symbols and meaning for a variety of occasions. BTB Feng Shui consultants ask to receive their compensation in 9, 18, 27 or 108 red envelopes. In this way both they and their clients are protected from taking on one another s Chi or karma (the law of cause and effect or the fruits of our actions). Additionally, the consultant may continue the ritual work she shared with her client by empowering the red envelopes to fulfill the intentions of the consultation. As in placing some rice from the blessing ritual above, red envelopes are used in a variety of ways in Black Sect Feng Shui for both auspicious blessings and for protection. VII. Five Buddha Firecrackers This adjustment is used in a number of ways to protect homes or businesses and to accelerate careers. If you cannot get paper firecrackers in Chinatown (these are NOT real), use red paper to make five firecrackers, each with a piece of red string sticking out from the top to resemble the wick. On each firecracker, use gold ink to write the word Buddha or a holy name for you. Do the Three Secret Reinforcements to empower them to be real and powerful. In addition, glue or tape the firecrackers together to form the shape of an arrowhead (or inverted V shape), with the center firecracker being the highest and the two on Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 217

220 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 218 each side in descending order. One may hang the Five Buddha firecrackers inside the house or business above the front door frame to safeguard the place and prevent burglary and accidents (the firecrackers can be hidden in a basket or behind something you do not have to see them). Firecrackers can also be placed in the Kan position (career) of the business or house to visualize a career skyrocketing; or in the Li position (fame) to visualize acclaimed reputation and immediate recognition. These would also be put in a high place on the wall or over a door if that works out. Or at the foot of your bed in the Kan position under the mattress. VIII. Color Adjustments Using the Elements Color and the Five Elements - It is interesting to note that each of the colors of the elements has the potential of containing the element that creates, overcomes, or destroys that element (see Chapter 2). For instance, Wood is green, which can have a lot of blue in it; similar to Wood holding Water, which is its creator. Green can also be very yellowy or contain a lot of Earth, which limits the Wood. A yellowy green may symbolize new Wood or young, springtime Wood. This sort of Wood color represents Wood that is closest to the ground; it is not yet mature, but is strong in its virility. Purple represents the mature version of Wood, and this color element contains red and blue, the elements that both produce it (Water) and destroy it (Fire). Red (Fire), blue (Water), and yellow (Earth) are primary colors, and do not contain any other colors within them, but all other colors come from them. A more purple red contains more Water and/or Wood, while a more orange red contains more Earth. Earth includes a range of colors from brown to beige, orange to yellow, pink to peach. As we ve seen, Earth is the element associated with the mid-season or which is between all the others. Metal is the most concentrated element, and it is almost devoid of color as in gray or white (although we know that white includes all colors). It also has it own special metallic category of gold, copper, silver, and bronze. Although Water is associated with blue and black, sky blue has a lot of white in it from

221 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Metal (the parent of Water). Lavender blue has some red from its consuming element, Fire. So, let us put this to some practical use. If an area calls for the Water element, let s say to create better traffic flow at an entrance door or to enhance someone s career, and it is not appropriate to have a water feature like a fountain, we can use color and image. Perhaps the design can accommodate the hallway painted a shade of blue. If not, can it be painted white (Metal producing Water) and have photographs of beach scenes or undulating rivers? If we wanted to create a very dynamic synergy of elements, I would suggest a gray carpet (Metal) with sky-blue walls (Water) and photographs, or a painting that contains Water and trees (Wood). The three elements work together to create movement by activating their producing order. The gorgeous coloring of the building of the Purple Forbidden City in the heart of Peking is of a symbolic nature. The walls are red symbol of the south, the yang principle the sun, happiness; while the palace roofs are of bright yellow, which is the emblem of Earth the Yin principle. (CAS Williams, Outlines of Chinese Symbolism and Art Motives) IX. Other Adjustments That Use Color A. Emperor s Pillow Purple and Red This adjustment is both protective and empowering to your personal chi Get or make an 18 Pillow that is Purple on one side and Red on the other. Using the Three Secret Reinforcements, empower the pillow to have you seated in Royalty, reigning over your king/queen-dom and to enhance your personal power, recognition, and protection. Then sit on it with the purple side up (under your buttocks). In times of trouble, turn the pillow over nine times so you end up with the red side up. Empower it to transform all negativity into positive outcomes. Sit on the red side until the situation clears up. When the trouble has passed, turn the pillow over nine times again so the purple side is up, and sit on that side, again using the Three Secrets to empower it to having you seated in your power. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 219

222 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. B. Driving Safety Cure - Red Take a piece of red string that is nine (or any number that is a multiple of nine) inches long. Place it between the mattress and box spring or under the driver s mattress for nine days. After nine days, take the string and tie it onto the automobile s steering wheel. Be sure to do the Three Secret Reinforcements with your intention for safety. C. Adjustment for Fighting Doors Red Cut a piece of red thread a unit of 9 (i.e. 36, 54, etc). Tie one end of the thread to the knob of one door and the other end to the other door. If more than two doors are fighting, attach string to those too (one door may end up having attachments to two doors). Now visualize that all discord past, present, and future is severed, and that all of your communications (especially in the area of the bagua where the fighting doors are) are smooth, easy, and pleasant. Cut the string in the middle between the doors and then do the Three Secret Reinforcements. Now wrap each doorknob with the rest of the string that is hanging, doing your best to tie it off so it can stay on the doorknob and not be in the way or even noticed. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 220 When two or more doors open into each other, they literally hit each other or fight (as discussed in Chapter 7). To avoid arguments that are associated with this issue, do the following: D. Chinese Yu Bowl Method Multi-colored The Chinese Yu (pronounced U ) is a traditional an inkpot. It is a low-lipped round saucer that is used transcendentally to help balance the earth element in us (see Chapter 4: Method of Minor Adjustments). When your earth element is out of balance, you may be

223 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? too self-sacrificing for others. Similarly, you may be too concerned about yourself alone, and thus use others for selfish motives. To bring your earth element into balance and thus care for yourself and others in equal measure, follow this process Put nine small stones in the YU (bought at a traditional Chinese store or improvised with a new round dish with a low lip to contain water) and fill ¾ with water. Take your YU to the window in the morning and imagine the sun, stars, and heavens streaming their healing light into the YU and then into your heart. A YU specifically made for this purpose has six colored circles in the base of the YU that represent the Six True Words Om (white), Ma (red), Ni (yellow), Pad (green), Me (blue), Hum (black). This is the universal manta of peace and compassion and should be said nine times each morning after doing the visualization. Repeat the process of bringing the YU to the window for 27 consecutive mornings. Each day do the visualization. After 27 days, you may keep the YU filled with water on your nightstand or desk; change it only when it evaporates. The YU now represents your stability. X. Final Thoughts on Rituals Then put the YU on your nightstand. Leave it there until the next morning. In the morning drain off the water and refill it with fresh water again. Repeat the process at the window. There are some time honored, highly prescriptive transcendental and mundane Feng Shui adjustments that, by their very nature and centuries of practice, hold very strong Chi. In addition, when you start to understand the reasoning and energy behind some of the adjustments you may find that you come up with new ones that may be more appropriate for you. As repeated many times now, it is your sincere intent that makes the adjustment potent. The important thing to recognize is Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 221

224 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. that we are holding a perspective which acknowledges that things are often beyond the sight of the eyes, or have an energy field beyond the physical, and that what we do, say, and think is potent part of the adjustment. Appendix II: Rituals/Adjustments 222

225 Glossary Glossary

226 224

227 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Glossary Adjustment An object or action (which can also be called a cure or enhancement) that is intended to balance or benefit the chi of an environment or person. An adjustment may also activate stagnant chi and/or negate a problem. Agents of Change - The Five Elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal) with their potent representations and interactions creates the movement to affect change in an environment and/or life situation. Astrology A group of systems, traditions and beliefs in most cultures which hold that the relative positions of celestrial bodies and related details can provide information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters. Auspicious This frequently used term in Feng Shui references beneficial influences and/or results. A positive sign. Bad Bite Doors Doors that faces one another but are not aligned. Bagua - also called Ba Gua, Pa Kua A Chinese chart for the cyclical energies of the manifested universe. The symbols originate from the I Ching. The literal translation is eight house or gua, which surrounds a central point or Tai Chi. Each of the eight houses is named and symbolized by a trigram. Each points to a specific direction, number, element, season, color, body organ, family member, symbol, or location as well as other meanings. The eight guas and their various spellings are: Kan (K an) Ken (Gen) Jen (Chen, Zhen) Hsun (Sun, Xun) Li Kun (K un) Tui (Dui) Chyan (Ch ien, Qian) Bamboo Flute - Used as a Feng Shui as a remedy. This flute is blown from the smaller end (new growth) and its base includes the bamboo s root joint that is bigger than the other joints. The bamboo flute represents peace, harmony, and grounding and is intended to energetically lift Chi. The new growth or smaller end of the flute always points in the direction you want the Chi to flow in. Bau-biologie - Meaning building biology in German, bau-biologie measures the influ- Glossary 225

228 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Glossary 226 ences of the sun, air quality, and the toxicity of building materials. It supports the use of safe and sustainable construction materials and the elimination of excessive electro-magnetic fields. Black Sect Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui - BTB Feng Shui has its roots in the pre-buddhist, Bon religion of Tibet. It was also influenced by Indian Buddhism and later took on the traditions of Chinese philosophy including Feng Shui. It was brought to the West around 1980 by professor Lin Yun. Cardinal Points - The four primary compass directions: North, South, East, and West. Chi (Qi, Ki) The literal translations is air, breath, or gas. It is the active principle behind every living thing. Thought of as vital energy or universal energy, it is also referred to as Cosmic Breath, prana or Dragon s Breath. The movement of Chi or lack thereof is what a Feng Shui practitioner observes (regardless of the form of Feng Shui they practice) in order to create a healthy, prosperous environment. Chi Gong (Qigong) - An internal Chinese meditative practice which uses slow graceful movements and controlled breathing techniques to promote the circulation of Chi within the human body, and enhance a practitioner s overall health. Chinese Almanac - A book published each year to offer activities that are auspicious and inauspicious for each day of the year. It is used to plan important events like contract signing, weddings and funerals and/or to predict the outcomes of business dealings and the harvest. Chinese Astrology is a form of divination. The most common form is based in the 12 astrological animals. The lunar calendar and your date of birth determine your sign. In-depth assessments involve more sophisticated readings, some of which are Nine Star Ki, Ming Gua, Flying Stars, Four Pillars Astrology, and Ba Zhi. Cinnabar The name applied to red mercury sulfide. Called Ju-Sha in Chinese meaning red sand, it is used for power and protection in transcendental rituals. Classical Feng Shui consists of the Compass School and Form School methodologies and is the most widely practiced form in the world.

229 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Clutter in Feng Shui terminology, blocks Chi or life force and thus opportunities in life. Command Position refers to the classic arm chair position in the Form School. In siting a building this involves high protection in the rear, lower protection on the sides and a full view to front. For placement of furniture, this is the position that is farthest from and facing the door, with one s back to a solid wall. A wide view of the room with the ability to see the door while not being in direct line with the door, is also necessary for command. This placement is most important for beds, desks, and stoves. Compass School The earliest Chinese compasses were not designed for navigation, but rather to order and harmonize their environments and buildings in accordance with the geomantic principles of Feng Shui. The Compass School uses the luopan and cardinal directions to orient the bagua on a site. Crystal - The type of crystal most often used for Feng Shui purposes is a round, leaded, clear, faceted glass that hangs from a string. It is used to redirect or slow down Chi, among other things. Curry lines - A grid of naturally occurring electrically charged lines in the earth that run diagonally to the poles, Northeast-Southwest and Northwest-Southeast, and were first discovered by Dr. Manfred Curry. They can be detected by dowsing. Divination has been practiced in every culture throughout history. Depending on that culture and time, different tools, practices and ways of reading events or signals allow for an interpretation that has significance to someone or something. Divining rod is one of many devices used for dowsing. These include but are not limited to the L-rod, the Y-rod, the bobber or tensor, and the pendulum. Dowsing is a method of locating water and other unseen energies at a site or on a map or from a photograph. Eight Trigrams The essential aspect of every bagua used in Feng Shui. Each trigram is associated with yin or yang characteristics, a direction, an element, a number, an organ, a color, a family member as well as other characteristics of life. These symbols and meanings originated in the I Ching. Glossary 227

230 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Glossary 228 Electro-magnetic field (EMF) When an electric current is present in a wall or appliance, a magnetic field is produced which can be potentially harmful with long-term exposure. High intensity fields can enter a home from outside the environment too. Elements The Five Elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal) are foundational to the practice of Feng Shui as well as to Chinese medicine and other Eastern practices. They are also referred to as Agents of Change because by their very interaction they produce, destroy, or deduce one another. Empty Door - An interior doorway or doorframe without a door. Energy Referred to as Chi is life force in the practice of Feng Shui. It is the quality and flow of Chi that Feng Shui most concerns itself with. Feng Shui Is a Chinese phrase that translates to wind and water. Depending who is counting, it is said to be 4,000 to 8,000 years old. From siting a building to the placement of objects, this holistic art and science is the practice of bringing humans into healthy resonance with their environment. Fighting Doors Two or more door that hit each when opening. Form School - The original school of Feng Shui based on the observation of the physical features of a particular place in relationship to its landform surroundings. GAIA Land or earth from ancient Greek. The Mother Goddess. Gauss Meter - An instrument for measuring the intensity magnetic fields. Geomancy - The study and mitigation of earth energies that can affect health in a positive or adverse way. Geopathic stress - Potentially harmful energy fields generated from mineral deposits, underground streams, faults, decayed organic matter, ritual grounds, and man made causes. Hartmann lines named after Dr. Ernst Hartmann who first observed a grid consists of naturally occurring charged lines in the earth, running north-south and east-west. Alternate lines are usually positively and negatively charged. This creates some intersections with double positive or double negative charges,

231 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? which are considered to be a source of potential health problems. I Ching - Translated as the Book of Changes, the I Ching is a philosophical text of universal forces that is intrinsic to ancient Chinese cultural beliefs. It consists of sixty-four hexagrams derived from all the possible combinations of the eight trigrams. It is used for divinations with coins or yarrow sticks. The cosmology centers on the ideas of the dynamic balance of opposites, the evolution of events as a process, and acceptance of the inevitability of change. Inauspicious A term used in Feng Shui to denote unfavorable or harmful influences. Karma A Sanskrit concept of action or deed originating in India and embraced by many traditional Eastern philosophies. All deeds are viewed as actively shaping past, present, and future experiences. Karma is the fruits of our actions in the world of cause and effect. LEED An internationally recognized green building certification system, providing thirdparty verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most; energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Ley lines - Patterns of invisible earth energies that are thought to connect sacred sites, such as cathedrals, ancient temples, stone circles, megaliths, holy wells, burial sites, and other locations of spiritual importance. Lunar year 354 days based on twelve cycles of the moon (the time interval between full moons which is about 29 ½ days.) Luopan (Lopan) - Like a conventional compass, a luopan is a direction finder. However, a luopan differs from a compass in several important ways. The most obvious difference is the Feng Shui formulas embedded in concentric rings on the surface. This is a metal plate known as the heaven dial. The metal plate typically sits on a wooden base known as the earth plate. The heaven dial rotates freely on the earth plate. A conventional compass has markings for four or eight directions, while a luopan typically contains markings for 24 directions of 15 degrees each. Mantra - A sound, syllable, word or group of words that are considered capable of creating transformation. Their use and type varies according to the school and philoso- Glossary 229

232 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Glossary 230 phy associated with the mantra. Mantras originated in the Vedic tradition of India and are now practiced throughout various spiritual movements, which are based on earlier Eastern traditions. A mantra is often a chant that is repeated silently or audibly. Meditation - Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the reflexive, thinking mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Often with a manta, it involves turning attention to a single point of reference. Ming Gua (Ming Kua) - Ming is Chinese for life or destiny. Therefore Ming Gua means Life or Destiny Gua. A person s gua number is determined by their gender and year of birth in the solar calendar. It is an astrological method determining the four most auspicious directions for the individual. Mouth of Chi - The main entrance door where Chi or energy enters a building, home or room. It can also refer to the entry points of a property, city, or country. It is the organizing factor for the bagua in BTB Feng Shui. Nine Star Ki - Although it is Japanese in origin and made popular by the macrobiotic movement in the West, it has been adopted by the Feng Shui community because it uses the bagua numbers and relates to the Five Elements. It is a form of divination that is based in one s birth date and offers both insight to a person as well as the cycle of life they re presently in. Numerology A system, tradition or belief in the esoteric relationship between numbers and physical objects or living things. Some refer to the Nine Star Ki as Feng Shui numerology. Pendulum A pendulum is a weight, suspended from a pivot that can swing freely and return to equilibrium through the force of gravity. In the practice of dowsing a small object such as a ring or crystal that swings freely on a string or chain, is held in the hand for the purpose of indicating yes or no answers to specific questions. Piercing Heart Doors - Three or more doors in a row. Predecessor Chi - The residual energy left behind by the previous inhabitants of a space. Red Envelope Tradition Part of the transcendental aspect of BTB Feng Shui that ritualizes the exchange of red envelopes

233 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? containing some amount of money between a client and practitioner or from whoever is receiving a Feng Shui adjustment to the person offering it. This tradition is intended to respect and honor the information given, and to acknowledge the exchange of energy between client and practitioner. Sha Chi (Cutting Chi, Poison Arrow) Harmful or inauspicious energy from sharp corners, furnishings or design features like ceiling beams. Also associated outdoors with surrounding buildings at angles, trees aligned with the front door, the heavy over hang of a natural land feature, or the roof of another house. Shamanism - A range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world. Shamans are intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds. According to believers, they can treat illness and are capable of entering supernatural realms to obtain answers to the problems of their community. Sheng Chi - Considered the most desirable place where all the good energy accumulates. Thriving conditions in nature as well as in man-made communities, Sheng Chi is healthy, positive Chi. Space clearing Using ritual, sound, incense/smudging, dowsing, offerings, blessings, movements, intentions, and others to cleanse land and environments of negative energy inauspicious or predecessor Chi. Space clearing is used to cleanse a space after illness, death, arguments and stressful or traumatic events, after which blessing rituals and new intentions can be anchored into the space. Star - A number representing an energy associated with one of the eight guas and the Tai Chi. Superstring Theory An attempt to explain all of the particles and fundamental forces of nature in one theory by modelling them as vibrations of tiny supersymmetric strings. Sying Translates from Chinese to mean form or appearance. Tai Chi In Feng Shui the center point of the bagua the unity of yin and yang from which all else comes. This term also describes a martial art form. Taoism (or Daoism) - An Eastern philosophy, Tao literally means path or way and can figuratively mean essential nature, destiny, principle, or true path. Glossary 231

234 Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Glossary 232 Three Door Method The method of aligning the bagua in BTB methodology by aligning the main door of a site, building or room (the Mouth of Chi) with one of the following trigrams: Ken (knowledge), Kan (career), Chyan (Benefactors). Three Secret Reinforcements The use of thought, action and speech (the 3 Secrets) to imbue Feng Shui adjustments with conscious intention. Considered a transcendental adjustment. Transcendental adjustment - A solution to enhance or adjust the Feng Shui of an environment when a mundane solution is not available. Also used with a mundane solution to further imbue it with potency. Ts ai The Chinese word for food and wealth sound similar and are related to the god of wealth Ts ai Shen. Vastu Shastra The science of construction in Sanskrit is a traditional Hindu system of design based on directional alignments. VOC - Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that have high enough vapor pressure under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere. Volatile organic compounds are numerous and varied. Although ubiquitous in nature and modern industrial society, they may also be harmful or toxic. Yang The active, light and masculine side of the complementary opposites (yin/yang) that are part of everything. Each polarity contains an aspect of the other. In our homes and work environments it is important that a more lively, yang atmosphere is prevalent. Yi Translates from Chinese to mean will or intention. Yin The passive polarity of yin/yang, which is represented by darkness, stillness, and the feminine principle. Cemeteries and empty buildings are considered more yin. Yoga The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings and is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning to control, to yoke, or to unite. Yoga refers to traditional physical, mental and meditative disciplines originating in India. Yu A traditional Chinese ink pot used for transcendental adjustments.

235 Feng Shui for the 21st Century Questions? Bibliography Jordon, Wendy. Universal Design for the Home. Quarry Books, Kennedy, Daniel David. Feng Shui for Dummies. Hungry Minds, Inc., Lazenby, Gina. The Healthy Home. Conran Octopus Limited, Williams, C.A.S. Outlines of Chinese Symbolism & Art Motives. Dover Publications, Inc., Yap, Joey. Pure Feng Shui. Ryland Peters & Small, Payne, Janet. Feng Shui Gardens, 2002 Calendar. Lime Tree Publications, Pearson, David. The New Natural House Book. Gaia Books Limited, Post, Steven. The Modern Book of Feng Shui. New York: Byron Preiss, Rossbach, Sarah. Interior with Feng Shui. Penguin Group, Rossbach, Sarah and Yun, Lin. Feng Shui Design. Penguin Group, Spear, William. Feng Shui Made Easy. Harper San Francisco Too, Lillian. Chinese Wisdom. Cico Books, Bibliography 233

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237 Completion You have reached the conclusion of this continuing professional education program. Please refer to the corresponding workbook for details on how to complete and submit the mandatory questionnaire in order to receive your Certificate of Completion. The workbook also includes an evaluation form and a way for you to submit questions (+1) info@designarts.net Director of Educational Programs: (Mr.) Micène Fontaine micene@designarts.net

238 Continuing Professional Education Design Arts Seminars, Inc. is committed to providing topquality, third-party reviewed continuing professional education. Design Arts Seminars, Inc. is a USGBC Education Provider and is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members and as otherwise pertinent for all participants. Certificates of Continuing Education will be ed/faxed to all participants upon completion. This is a continuing professional education program. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services should be addressed to info@designarts.net (+1) info@designarts.net Feng Shui for the 21 st Century by Judith Wendell