by Joani Nunez
One of the first Feng Shui theories that we encounter when working
with traditional Chinese or Compass School Feng Shui is the notion that the different
directions have a strong influence on our fate and well being. In fact, this is one of the
fundamental cornerstones in traditional Feng Shui, and an area that directly opposes the
Tibetan Buddhist Black Sect (TBBS) Feng Shui teaching that the directions are irrelevant
and a compass unnecessary to the practice of Feng Shui.
Having a great love and respect for both schools, and high regard for the teachers and
masters from both traditions required me to find a way to reconcile these two positions.
Master Lin Yun’s Black Sect Feng Shui was the first school of Feng Shui popular here
in the West. It is a modern form of Feng Shui created by Master Lin Yun himself over the
past 30 years, drawing selectively from a few aspects of traditional Chinese Feng
Shui, the I Ching, and, most predominantly, from Black Sect Tibetan Buddhism. It is
highly mystical in its approach to, and application of, Feng Shui.
After many years of practicing TBBS Feng Shui, and achieving great results, the Classical
Chinese Compass school began to call me. Here I discovered “beginner’s
mind” again, having to completely let go of the concepts and years of training
I’d received in TBBS Feng Shui. First and foremost, I had to begin to work with a
compass and the directions, period, no arguments! Even the simplest application of
the ba-gua, the chart or grid that is overlaid on a space, is done according to the
compass directions, and has nothing to do with placement of the front door.
Beyond the application of the ba-gua is the understanding that each space, based
directionally on how it is sited, will have certain areas or rooms that are
considered auspicious, or lucky, and other areas that are
considered inauspicious, or unlucky. Each home or building, according to the
direction its front and back door face, will fall into either an East House or a West
House category.
Layered on top of this is the understanding that people also, depending on their birth
dates, will fall into East or West life groups. Depending on which life group someone
falls into, certain directions will be auspicious, and other directions inauspicious for
that person. The deeper reasoning here is that “Cosmic Chi” existed in a
particular pattern, explained by the Heavenly Stems and Earthly branches of Chinese
astrology, at the time of birth.
As we enter into this physical, earthly realm, a kind of imprinting, or chi patterning
takes place, resulting in an affinity for certain directions. Chinese astrology,
unlike Western astrology, is not based on the planets, but on the 5 Elements; wood,
fire, earth, metal, and water, just like Chinese acupuncture/medicine.
Compass School Feng Shui is thousands of years old. It is completely aligned with the
Chinese systems of healing and astrology. I was intrigued, and soon after applying the
principles in my own practice of Feng Shui, I was impressed.
If you’d like to begin to explore Feng Shui with the directions, you may want to
begin with the application of the ba-gua. Rather than using the TBBS ba-gua, with the
front door falling into one of only three gua’s, or life stations, career,
benefactor’s, or knowledge, get a compass, take your readings, and chart the
different guas in this way. It may feel a bit more complicated, getting your measurements
just right, but you’ll be pleased with the results. Once you have the different areas
mapped out according to directions, play with activating them the same way you would in
TBBS Feng Shui.
The directions and life stations are as follows:
| East | Family |
| Southeast | Wealth |
| South | Fame and Reputation |
| Southwest | Marriage and Partnership |
| West | Creativity and Children |
| Northwest | Benefactor’s and Travel |
| North | Career |
| Northeast | Knowledge |
| Center/Heart of Chi | Health |
You may discover that you get quicker and more powerful results in
your relationship for example, by working with the Southwest corner or gua, rather than
the far back, right hand corner. Unless your house is sited with the front door exactly in
the north, the back right hand corner will not fall in the Southwest. Keep a journal and
write down your adjustments, as well as the reason for them, and record your results as
you begin to experience them.
In the following months, we’ll explore in greater depth East and West group houses,
East and West Life Group people, how to find what’s best for you, and how to correct
or balance the experience of living in a house that is opposite your life group.
And so, until next month, I wish you many blessings and great happiness. Please feel free
to fax me at 713-861-9243, e-mail me at joani@wt.net, or
call me at 713-861-0903 with your questions, feedback, or personal experience. I
look forward to hearing from you soon!
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