The study and practice of utilising Life Force, originated in China thousands of years ago, with archaeological references to the ancient practice of Feng Shui dating back to 3000BC.
The Feng Shui Bagua is the map used as guidance in setting the tone of the most beneficial orientations and placements, to speed up or slow down the flow of Earth's energy - Qi - depending on the results you aim to achieve.
Just as preparing and planting your vegetable garden with the Sun, Wind, Rain in mind, and caring for your crop diligently and in an organised manner helps you achieve the best possible harvest, so too the practice of Feng Shui in your living and work spaces, helps achieve balance of Mind, Body, Spirit and Prosperity.
The Northern Hemisphere, and specifically China, being the origin of this wondrous method of utilizing the flow of Earth's energy to enhance your wellbeing and prosperity, means that in the Southern Hemisphere the Bagua is used in reverse by many practitioners.
Across the world, the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun moves through the Northern sky to set in the West, and in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun journeys through the Southern sky.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the most fiery energy in the Bagua is in the Southern area, and is represented by the Feng Shui element of Fire and the number 9 - connected to one’s fame and reputation. However, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, this fiery energy is found in the Northern area of the Bagua.
This means that if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, the Fire element energy - Strong Sun or Yang - is strongest when facing South, however in the Southern Hemisphere, this Fire energy – Strong Sun or Yang - is found in the North of the Bagua and therefore, when one faces North.
I have contacted both Joey Yap and Marie Diamond's teams and neither practitioner reverses the Bagua for practising Feng Shui the Southern Hemisphere. I believe Joey Yap's home base is now Malaysia - the Southern Hemisphere.
Feng Shui Bagua – Northern Hemisphere
South East – 4 – Wind – Blue/Purple/Red – Wealth
South – 9 – Fire – Red – Fame
South West – 2 – Earth – Red/Pink/White – Love/Marriage/Relationships
East – 3 – Thunder – Blue/Green – Family/Health
Centre – 5 – Earth – Yellow/Orange/Earth Tones – Heart/Yin &Yang Point
West – 7 – Lake – White – Children/Creativity
North East – 8 – Mountain – Black/Blue/Green – Spiritual Growth/Self-Cultivation
North – 1 – Water – Black – Career/Path in Life
North West – 6 – Heaven – White/Grey/Black – Helpful People/Blessings/Travel
Implementing the most basic theories of Feng Shui or focusing on more in depth practices of this astonishing method of designing your living and work spaces according to compass directions, the landscape and waterways, enhances all areas of your life and wellbeing - especially your own perception of your environment.
Feng Shui is about the flow of Earth’s energy - Qi - not hard-fixed rules of application.
The following image of the Bagua Map represents placement for the Northern Hemisphere and according to some practitioners, one does not flip South and the trigram's attributes for North and the trigram's attributes if you are located in the Southern Hemisphere:
If you follow the Feng Shui practice of flipping North to South while keeping the original attributes in each trigram, then that is your prerogative and many skilled practitioners do the same. As I follow Joey Yap and Marie Diamond's teachings - who both studied with Chinese Feng Shui masters - I do not flip North for South even though due to the Fire Element being in the direction we face the Sun to the North, it makes much more sense to do so.
In choosing to flip South for North in the Southern Hemisphere, the 8 Trigrams still retain their elements. The attributes for North become the attributes for South and the attributes for South become the attributes for North when you flip the Bagua Map for the Southern Hemisphere.
An easy way to remember is that flipping South for North is considered correct action because we face the Sun and energy of the element of Fire to the North, while they face the Sun and element of Fire to the South in the Northern Hemisphere.
For me, it felt important to ensure good flow of energy as we say goodbye to a difficult Summer, and see the arrival of Autumn - along with rain and wind with an icy nip in the air - clearly indicating that it's snowing in the mountains an hour or so to the West from the Coast, 'as the crow flys'.
Growing up where one feels the four seasons, and raising a child to make the most of the cooler months, just as we do the warmth of Spring and Summer, dining outdoors during Winter was a favourite with the crisp air only enhancing a clear, starry night.
From New South Wales Coastal areas, which barely get a taste of Winter, to only 10 kms inland where the chill warns that if you want an 'icy cold' Winter, you only need to keep travelling West & South West towards the mountains.
Making the effort to take dining outside, should be rewarded with heartwarming peace and joy, regardless of the temperature. Designing to enhance flow of energy, comfort and practicality will deliver you and your loved ones a true gift.
If you've taken time to apply the theories of Feng Shui in your home and work spaces, don't forget your outdoor living spaces.
Start with addressing any issues you see with flow of energy - not too fast nor too slow. Placing plants, shrubs, trees, furniture and pottery according to the principles of Feng Shui and the Bagua, is said to not only create a beautiful and calm space, but also enhance your wellbeing and prosperity.
Placement of Bamboo, the Peace Lily 'Spathiphyllum', ferns and palms using the Bagua, is a great place to start - be sure to minimise plants around your dining or relaxation space that have a sharp look and feel, as they can produce an unsettled energy.
Taking the time to create a clutter-free space and a tidy and healthy garden, ensures good Chi - flow of energy - and enhances your feeling of peace and wellbeing while allowing prosperity to be forthcoming.
In this beautiful image from Restoration Hardware's Beach House Collection, I would add a mid-height sculpture in the centre at the far end of the table to slow the flow of chi - regardless of this gorgeous view of the ocean making my heart warm.
As you can see, the element of Water is present, as is the element of Wood with the inclusion of this dining table, the trees and shrub - bringing with it the energy of growth, healing, kindness and family harmony. The element of Earth can be included through crystals, a clay pot and also the soil in a potted plant. The inclusion of clay paving also delivers the element of Earth to this beautiful space, while the designer has included a natural fibre rug which also helps nurture those present. The element of Metal brings with it concentration and determination, and is represented by white, grey and of course metallic finishes. The element of Fire brings passion, creativity, achievement, joy and celebration, and is represented by the warmth of the Sun, the flames of a fire or candles, the colour red and images of predatory animals such as the Cheetah or Leopard.
In successful Feng Shui balance is key, and so too is learning where one needs to enhance an element or tone it down. You could not pursue a more beneficial form of design and decoration, nor a more interesting subject for study.
I hope that I have ignited your interest in looking further into the practice of enhancing your life and wellbeing by creating beneficial flow of energy, using the ancient practice of Feng Shui and the Bagua.
I will continue to add via Blog, key elements of Feng Shui, as a means of helping you to discover how the most simple changes can help deliver desired results.
Images - liuhsihsiang, zdeadclock, realestate.com, restoration hardware