Acquiring a residence proves to be a formidable undertaking for many, making the selection of a harmonious abode paramount. Let us delve into the considerations of Feng Shui when purchasing a property. The nuances of Feng Shui in property acquisition merit attention.
Firstly, the orientation of the dwelling should align with auspicious cosmic energies. The Feng Shui of a residence hinges upon whether its orientation corresponds with the prevailing celestial forces. According to ancient wisdom, misalignments can usher in calamities. In the realm of residential Feng Shui, the orientation is not dictated by the entrance of an individual unit, but rather by the entrance of an entire building. To ascertain the auspiciousness of a building’s orientation, calculations employing the Xuan Kong Feng Shui method, particularly the Three Yuan Nine Stars system, prove indispensable. Two methodologies prevail: the ‘Gathering Mountain and Water’ principle, which involves considering the auspicious and inauspicious directions based on the annual flying stars; and the ‘Thriving Mountain and Orientation’ approach, where the orientation of the building is determined based on the thriving mountain and thriving orientation during a particular time period.
Secondly, meticulous attention must be directed towards the main entrance of the dwelling. In the domain of residential Feng Shui, the significance of the main entrance cannot be overstated. In the classics, the trinity of “door,” “master,” and “stove” is emphasized, with the door symbolizing the path of qi. The ancient text, “Eight Mansion Bright Mirror,” asserts, “The primary importance in residential Feng Shui lies in the main entrance, as it serves as the gateway for qi. A thriving entrance brings prosperity, while a declining one invites adversity.” It further expounds, “The auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of a residence hinges upon its entrance, with the road serving as a supporting factor. Discrimination lies in the orientation of the entrance.”
In the intricate tapestry of Feng Shui considerations for property acquisition, these guidelines illuminate the path toward a dwelling resonating with harmonious energies. The selection criteria for the main entrance are as follows:
1. **Compatibility with Personal Destiny:** The door should harmonize with the individual’s destiny hexagram, commonly referred to as the Eastern Four or Western Four destinies. According to this method, the main entrance should correspond with the destiny hexagram, opening towards the vitality and longevity directions to gather auspicious energy.
2. **Alignment with Stellar Influences:** This method employs the principles of Xuan Kong Feng Shui. When the celestial stars align with the entrance, they mitigate ominous energies and ensure prosperity. If the wealth star (associated with water) aligns with the entrance, it signifies prosperity, while the fire star (associated with the mountain) aligning with the entrance indicates a flourishing career.
3. **Harmonizing with Auspicious Qi:** Also rooted in Xuan Kong Feng Shui, this approach emphasizes aligning the entrance to capture auspicious cosmic energies and realigning with positive cosmic influences. Whether facing water or a road, the entrance should gather auspicious energy, while the presence of genuine mountains nearby enhances positive cosmic influences.
Regarding the Feng Shui of the house itself, the principle is akin to the rectitude of character in human beings. The structure of the house should mirror the uprightness of its inhabitants, just as facial features reflect one’s character. The house must be squarely built, avoiding irregular shapes like triangles or octagons, as both dwellings and individuals resonate with their environments. Residing in a well-constructed house cultivates a sense of integrity and fairness over time. Conversely, dwelling in irregular spaces may lead to moral deviation, manifesting physically in features such as bent noses or curved spines. Additionally, a square house imparts a sense of stability and security, while irregular structures evoke feelings of insecurity.
Furthermore, regarding the Feng Shui of the building, it’s advisable to avoid residing in locations directly facing government offices (especially police stations and military barracks) or behind temples and monasteries. Government offices emit strong negative energies, and living directly opposite them exposes one to their adverse effects, potentially leading to harm or casualties. The temple stands as a confluence of Yin energy, yet dwelling too closely proves adverse. In the realm of housing Feng Shui, the vigor of Yang must prevail, with winds bearing gentleness akin to the delicate balance of Yin and Yang as elucidated in the Chinese I Ching. Just as individuals strive for equilibrium between these forces, so too must dwellings, and therein lies the essence of luminance equilibrium in abodes. As the ancient texts proclaim: “Yin and Yang constitute the principles of Heaven and Earth. Darkness belongs to Yin, while light embodies Yang. Through the harmony of Yin and Yang, all things flourish.” It is written: “Isolated Yin does not engender, solitary Yang does not endure.” Should a house possess an excess of windows, Yang energy prevails excessively, obstructing the accumulation of wealth; conversely, too few windows shroud the interiors in perpetual darkness, fostering an overabundance of Yin and inviting malevolent spirits and ailments. Thus, the illumination within a dwelling should strike a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang, heralding prosperity and well-being. Ideally, the domicile should be graced with a gentle breeze, for only in the gentle caress of a mild zephyr does the essence of Feng Shui manifest. Should one find the locale beset by fierce, unrelenting winds, it is ill-advised to settle there, for even if the dwelling harbors auspicious Qi, it will be dispersed by tempestuous gales. Feng Shui doctrine places utmost emphasis on “concealing wind and accumulating Qi,” yet regions characterized by strong gusts assuredly do not harbor auspicious Qi! It is worth noting that while excessive winds are unfavorable, stagnant air too, hampers favorable conditions. In the domain of housing Feng Shui, the axiom “water and fire abstain from crossing the cardinal points” holds true, where water pertains to the lavatory and fire to the kitchen. Ancient wisdom dictates: “Water and fire must not intersect at the cardinal points.” This admonition signifies that kitchens and lavatories should not be situated in the front, back, left, right, or center of a dwelling. The rationale behind this prescription lies in the recognition of the lavatory as a locus of filth and solitary Yin, hence unsuitable for habitation, while the kitchen embodies the realm of cooking and solitary Yang, thus auspicious for dwelling. In contemporary architectural considerations, the fixed positioning of kitchens and bathrooms is crucial. Therefore, it is imperative to meticulously observe and refrain from aligning them along the cross-axis during the procurement process. The clash of water and fire gives rise to unfavorable circumstances, leading to financial instability, recurrent financial setbacks, a proliferation of ailments, and an abundance of romantic entanglements. Placing the toilet in the center of the dwelling results in water inundating the heart, making one susceptible to disorders of the heart, stomach, liver, lungs, and small intestine.
The intersection of the house forms a disruption in the balance of yin and yang, predisposing occupants to disorders related to excretion, head, eyes, mouth, and extremities. In matters of Feng Shui, one must be cautious of direct alignments: the direct alignment of the main entrance with the balcony or windows, the opposition of front and back doors, and the confrontation of front and back windows, as well as the clash between balconies and windows. These are all major Feng Shui taboos, leading to undesirable consequences such as financial misfortune, susceptibility to theft, compromised health, and marital discord.
When selecting a residence, it is imperative to consider its size judiciously. Bigger is not necessarily better; rather, it should be commensurate with the number of occupants. An excessively large or small dwelling can have adverse effects. A large dwelling with few inhabitants results in an excess of yin energy and a scarcity of yang energy, leading to hidden and lingering ailments with spiritual entities taking residence. Conversely, a small dwelling with numerous occupants results in an excess of yang energy and a scarcity of yin energy, fostering a volatile temperament and attracting official troubles and disputes.
Considering the urban context in our country, the most ideal residential area is one where each person has an average of around 25 square meters of usable space. Additionally, each floor of a building corresponds to different elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, in alignment with the principles of the five elements. Moreover, different years are associated with distinct elemental influences. In the art of Yi Li, the harmony or discord of a floor is determined by the compatibility or clash of the floor’s elemental influence with the prevailing elemental influence of the year. The constructive interaction augurs well, while the inhibitory or exhausting interaction foretells adversity. However, the floor’s element restraining the prevailing elemental influence is considered neutral. The allocation of elements to specific floors is as follows: the first floor belongs to water, the second floor to fire, the third floor to wood, the fourth floor to metal, and the fifth floor to earth. This sequence repeats every five floors. In Chinese culture, Feng Shui practices such as “Xuan Kong Feng Shui” and “Eight Mansions Feng Shui” are prevalent. Among these, the latter is the simplest and most widely practiced, also known as “Eight Mansions Feng Shui” or “Yi Gua Feng Shui”. Let me provide a brief introduction to Eight Mansions Feng Shui. In this system, a person’s birth year is transformed into a “Year Fate”, also known as a “Gua Fate”, which is divided into East Four Fates and West Four Fates. The East Four Fates are: Zhen Gua (Wood), Xun Gua (Wood), Li Gua (Fire), and Kan Gua (Water); the West Four Fates are: Qian Gua (Metal), Kun Gua (Earth), Gen Gua (Earth), and Dui Gua (Metal). Different birth years correspond to different Year Fates. For those born between 1900 and 1999, the calculation method is as follows: for males, subtract the birth year from 100 and divide by 9, the remainder represents the Year Fate. For example, a male born in 1965 would have a Year Fate of 8, corresponding to Gen. For females, subtract 4 from the birth year and divide by 9, then the remainder represents the Year Fate. For example, a female born in 1965 would have a Year Fate of 7, corresponding to Dui. The correspondence of Gua numbers is as follows: Kan 1, Kun 2, Zhen 3, Xun 4, Kun (male) and Gen (female) 5, Qian 6, Dui 7, Gen 8, Li 9. Those with East Four Fates should reside in East Four Mansions, while those with West Four Fates should reside in West Four Mansions. In the realm of Feng Shui, there lie eight cardinal directions, each embodying distinct energies: the East, West, North, South, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest. These directions delineate the nuances of dwelling spaces, shaping the flow of chi and influencing the destinies of those who reside within.
Within the Eastern quadrant, dwell the domains of Zhen (facing East to West), Xun (facing Southeast to Northwest), Kan (facing North to South), and Li (facing South to North). On the opposing side, in the West, stand the abodes of Qian (facing Northwest to Southeast), Kun (facing Southwest to Northeast), Dui (facing West to East), and Gen (facing Northeast to Southwest).
In the intricate tapestry of Feng Shui, purchasing a house necessitates profound considerations. Herein lie ten essential guidelines:
Firstly, eschew dwellings with elevated fronts and depressed rears or those with vacant spaces. Their deficiencies obscure light and lack support, thereby impeding the family’s fortune.
Secondly, abjure residences with high perimeters and lower centers. While peripheral selections may suffice, opting for the lowest central point portends ominous consequences. Such a dwelling, compressed and devoid of grandeur, invites misfortune and vulnerability, subjecting its inhabitants to potential maltreatment.
Thirdly, contemporary architectural designs often embrace protruding corners, a common but inauspicious feature in Feng Shui. While remedies exist to neutralize their adverse effects, dwellings marred by numerous missing corners demand circumspection. Professor Pan’s elucidations on the repercussions of corner deficiencies offer invaluable insights into this matter.
To elaborate:
1. A void in the eastern corner, the domain of Zhen, bodes ill for the eldest son and senior male occupants. Diminished vitality, compromised health, and thwarted aspirations afflict these quarters, particularly during the years of Tiger, Rabbit, and Dragon. Ventures stagnate, investments flounder, and scholarly pursuits falter amid the prevailing malaise.
2. Conversely, a western corner deficiency, representing the abode of Dui, imperils the well-being and scholastic endeavors of maidens under sixteen. The deficiency in wealth is evident, and one must be vigilant regarding ailments related to the pulmonary and respiratory systems. In the current annual cycle of Shen-You, the overall fortune is lacking, exerting unfavorable influences on health and academic pursuits.
1. Incomplete Corner to the South: The southern direction, representing the Li Palace, is associated with the position of the middle daughter. A missing corner in this area could adversely affect the health and academic endeavors of the female in the family. As the south belongs to the fire element, attention should be paid to potential issues concerning the heart and eyes. In the years of Si-Wu-Wei, setbacks in one’s journey may occur, hindering the progress of both career and personal development.
2. Missing Corner to the North: The northern direction corresponds to the Kan Palace, representing the middle son. In Feng Shui, it is considered a position of financial support and stability. A missing corner in this area may negatively impact the health and academic pursuits of the male in the family. During the years of Hai-Zi-Chou, one should be cautious of kidney-related illnesses.
3. Incomplete Corner to the Southeast: The southeastern direction is associated with the Xun Palace, representing the eldest daughter. A missing corner in this area may pose challenges to the health and academic pursuits of the eldest daughter. As the Xun Palace belongs to the wood element, symbolizing the liver and gallbladder, preventive measures should be taken against potential liver and gallbladder issues. In the years of Chen-Si-Wu, setbacks in investment, academic pursuits, and long-distance travels may be encountered.
4. Missing Corner to the Northeast: The northeastern direction corresponds to the Gen Palace, representing the youngest son. In Feng Shui, it is known as the descendant mountain, symbolizing prosperity in offspring. A missing corner in this area may negatively impact the health and academic pursuits of the youngest son and male descendants. During the years of Chou-Yin-Mao, attention should be given to digestive system-related ailments.
5. Incomplete Corner to the Southwest: The southwestern direction is associated with the Kun Palace, representing the elderly mother or female head of the household. A missing corner in this area may bring adverse effects to the health and well-being of the elderly mother or female head of the household. The element Earth corresponds to the Kun trigram. Attention should be given to potential ailments related to the spleen and stomach. During the years without the presence of Shen and You, the overall fortune is unfavorable, posing challenges to investments and career development. In this period, caution is advised.
The absence of a corner in the northwest, representing the Qian palace and symbolizing the position of the elder father (male head of the household), is particularly inauspicious. In Feng Shui, Qian is associated with the heavens and is also referred to as the Mountain of Longevity. The lack of this corner could adversely affect the health and career of the elder father. This deficiency is especially concerning during years of Xu, Hai, and Zi, as it brings negative influences on health, investments, distant travels, and overall family prosperity.
In the case of an elevated central structure surrounded by lower surroundings on all four sides, indicating a hanging or suspended building, careful consideration is necessary. Such a structure, lacking support and standing alone, is not conducive to wealth accumulation. However, if a villa is situated at an elevated position with one side against a mountain and the other side overlooking a basin, it presents a favorable scenario. Without the support of a mountain, the structure becomes precarious, prone to strong winds, detrimental to health, susceptible to theft, and hindering the male homeowner’s elevated status, leading to a lack of support from influential individuals and hindrance to career development.
The left side, representing the male, and the right side, representing the female, play significant roles in Feng Shui observations. If the buildings on the left side are higher than the main residence, it signifies the Dragon being higher than the Tiger, bringing hardship and toil to the female occupants, as well as difficulties for the children. Conversely, if the buildings on the right side are higher, symbolizing the Tiger being higher than the Dragon, it may lead to violent incidents, especially affecting the career prospects of the male head of the household.
Lastly, if the residence is situated above high-speed roads, subways, or intersected by rivers, caution is warranted, as these features can bring about unfavorable influences.
