Look in the direction of feng shui to find answers in the ba-gua.
Do you have constant fights with your spouse? Or are you going through a bad spate in your career? The problem could be the energy flow in your home. This premise has prompted a whole new generation of architects, interior designers and New Age practitioners into using the 5,000-year-old Chinese science of feng shui in the design of homes and other spaces.
"This ancient Chinese practice, which involves the arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment, is founded on the principles of Chinese medicine, colour therapy, geomagnetism and the 'five elements' balance therapy," says Priya Khanna, a Dubai-based feng shui master practitioner and consultant.
So why is this ancient practice relevant in a modern setting? Khanna says that people don't really spend enough time in their homes anymore due to the frenetic pace of urban life. We have also become like automated machines. "Feng shui helps strengthen the mind-body-soul connection and restores the link with our personal space. It creates a harmonious flow of energy (chi) that improves our mood and enhances our relationships, career prospects and health."
Khanna, like other feng shui practitioners, uses a set of formulae to map the energies of a house. "I use the 'flying star' formula and the 'compass' formula to locate different sectors in a home. Feng shui practitioners also use a 'ba-gua'. This eight-sided diagram indicates different directions and their corresponding colours, areas of life, five natural elements and body parts," she says. Based on these factors, feng shui practitioners determine what needs to enhance the energy in a home. It takes around six weeks to see a change in the energies of the home once feng shui principles are applied.
Khanna also has several recommendations for people who want to use feng shui concepts in their living spaces. "The entrances leading to the home should be kept completely clear of clutter and obtrusive furniture. The dining area can be adorned with a large framed mirror to reflect the food on the table, hence symbolically energising the health and wealth of the family," she says.
Suggestions for other rooms in the house such as the master bedroom include the use of colours such as lilac and peach. Couples with relationship issues should sleep with their heads pointing to the east. The bed should not be placed in front of the door. Placing a salt lamp along with an amethyst crystal and a pair of mandarin ducks can help relationships.
"The best sleeping position for children is the east. The most suitable colour for teenage boys is light sky blue shade and for girls is light green," she says.
Khanna also says that there are certain elements such as sharp-edged swords and plants and masks that should be avoided. The most avoidable colour in feng shui is black. It has strong 'yin' energy and can cause a lot of negativity. Chimes are most appropriate in the northwest and west, if they are made of metal and are being used inside a house.
These are just a few solutions that are a part of the traditional practice of feng shui. However, it's advisable to consult an experienced practitioner before you make any major changes to your home. The important thing to consider is that feng shui is said to enhance the mind-body and soul connection, hence any change you want to incorporate has to begin with how you approach and react to a situation.
