When selecting a site for construction or even a move to an existing dwelling or building, consider the land and surrounding elements. The five elements assist in this consideration as hills and mountains can be classified into elements according to their shape - for example, a ridge of mountains with gentle undulations up and down is seen to be a fluid shape and therefore associated with water, while mountains that have sharp points would be associated with the triangular shape of the fire element. If the mountains are strongly associated with the water element it would be an auspicious location for someone born under the wood element (as water nurtures wood in the Cycle of Production) but inauspicious for someone born under the fire element (as water distinguishes fire in the Cycle of Destruction).
The best land sites are typically abnormal when compared to their surroundings - that is, if the land is predominantly flat, a raised land site would be considered abnormal and generally auspicious. In contrast, if the land was predominantly mountainous, a flat site would be abnormal and therefore considered auspicious.
Of course, sites with good Feng Shui are very limited in supply, so in most cases one must select a less than perfect site and then focus on remedying any weaknesses by introducing elements, such as artificial water features. Ideally the site should at least have mountains to protect your back and gently meandering water flowing along the front.
Once the site has been selected, its Ch’i can be improved through artificial means such as the construction of artificial water areas with gently flowing water and the careful planting of a garden with small trees and flowers. Avoid planting single large trees as they are liable to become Shas (unwanted energy) as they grow to maturity. If single large trees or similar Shas such as power poles already exist, plant a row of small trees or shrubs between the building and the Sha to act as a buffer.
The placement of the house upon the lot will affect the Ch’i. The house should generally take half to two thirds of the site - much larger and the residents will feel oppressed and lack room to move, much smaller and the wind will have too much room to circulate and carry away the Ch’i. Balance and harmony is the key. A home that is too large or small for the site or the number of inhabitants will be imbalanced. The building itself and the individual rooms that comprise the whole should be designed keeping Feng Shui principles and the element associated with the homeowner’s birthdate in mind to ensure that orientation, configuration and colours are optimal. This same consideration should then be applied to the exterior environment adding artificial features as required to enhance the Ch’i and minimise the effects of any inauspicious elements present in the environment. The final stage is the selection of colours, decorations and furniture layouts room by room to ensure that Ch’i energy can flow freely inside without obstruction.
Specific remedies such as mirrors, crystals and windchimes can be added into rooms that are lacking in an element. Refer back to the list of elements and their associated shapes and accessories to determine how to ’charge up’ a specific element. Mirrors are a popular Feng Shui remedy - generally the bigger the better as they open up our view of life. Used in areas such as dining rooms they double the amount of food available increasing the feeling of abundance. Mirrors are best avoided in bedrooms as the Chinese believe souls wake at night and are frightened when reflected in a mirror, or where an unwanted view will be reflected.
Where mirrors are used, they must be placed so that the tallest person can see their head reflected otherwise headaches will be inflicted upon them. Crystals and windchimes are also powerful remedies - crystals, most productively placed in the Fame area of the Pa-Kua, attract Ch’i as they enhance the vibrations of an area while windchimes help slow down the Ch’i if it is racing away too quickly.
Feng Shui helpfully provides specific suggestions on room placements and configurations to demystify building design, such as the need to ensure the front and back door are not aligned with one another for fear the Ch’i drawn into the building will go straight out the back door if the two are aligned. The front door should open inwards to encourage the Ch’i energy inwards.
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