Feng Shui is all about balancing Qi (Chi, life force energy) in one's surroundings.
Wether it's in your room, house or city Feng Shui has been something the Chinese has put into practice for over 3,500 years, way before the compass was invented. Back then they used astronomy to choose locations and line up their buildings.
There are two popular Feng Shui practices. There is classical feng shui where they use a compass and then there's the BTB - Black Sect Tantric Buddhist School of Feng Shui, more popularly known as the Western way, using the Western Bagua.
The BTB school of feng shui - short for the Black Sect Tantric Buddhist School of Feng Shui - is a feng shui school, or tradition brought to USA by Professor Lin Yun in the mid-eighties. The main difference between the traditional schools of feng shui and the BTB school of feng shui is the fact that the BTB feng shui school does not use the compass directions. Source
Bagua's are an integral part of the practice as it serves as a guide to the 9 energy areas in feng shui. In classical feng shui the bagua is found by taking the compass direction of the front door. In western feng shui door direction doesn't matter, the bagua is always placed the same way with the front door always either in - Knowledge & Self Cultivation, Career & Life Journey or Travel & Helpful Friends area.
People argue over these practices and to be honest I don't know who's right or who's wrong. But I do know the one time I had my feng shui (western) layout sorted out, we had an amazing year, until we moved.
This is pretty much why I'm doing this.
I love our house. I'm so happy we are finally here, but ever since we moved things haven't been right. Heaps of things haven't been right to be honest. I'm now at a point where I'm so drained, I'm past the depression, I've moved on to losing my shit and I really need to throw everything at this problem before I get worse.
So aside from being on a cleaning and clearing frenzy, scheduling my time online - getting my house feng shui sorted is a priority.
Even more important now that @TeamAustralia will be coming over in 6 months!
My floor plan
We were lucky to have a floor plan for our house drawn up by the real estate when they were selling it. However, I was never sure about it's accuracy and I had to be as sure as I possibly can so I started over.
(Here is the old floor plan from the real estate, with the bagua laid over it.)
The process of starting over included measuring the house, getting the grid paper out and drawing it out - which resulted in several drafts.
Once I was happy with a draft I scanned it and began editing it.
I traced the lines that made up the inside of the house, adding doors. The blue lines divide the bagua in their 9 areas.
Here is the layout in their bagua colours.
A few more additions to the plan to represent windows, sinks, shower etc.
And then I am left with this.
Straight away I see problem areas.
All my plumbing and drains are located in Fame and Reputation (Fire Element) area.
Family & Health and Health & Wellbeing areas are in lala land and not in a defined space.
Let's be honest, most of the rooms are messed up and in between areas. Furnishing wise that's also messed up too. We have 10 plus years worth of odd furniture, new and hand me downs that do not belong in this house.
It's also interesting to note that my main feng shui problem seems to be the Health areas and this year, so far, has been terrible health wise for me.
Seriously. I have not been able to shake the lethargy.
My next step is to add more details to my bagua including colour choices, to-do & purchase lists.
I often refer to Pinterest for bagua guides such as these.
I find them easier to follow with all the basic information on one page. The problem is I haven't found one that had all the info I want on it.
It would also be great to add all my plans on the map.
For the most part I'm leaning towards white furniture to be safe, hoping it will act as a blank canvas where I can add my feng shui cures.
A painting here, a figurine or a mirror there...
Unfortunately the kokedamas (my experimental feng shui cure for the bathroom) don't look like they're going to make it. Fortunately I found out it's a dud experiment before we drilled holes in the ceiling.
That idea has been replaced with a possible paint job turning the black walls into a feature wall with yellow/orange paint. I'm also simplifying the plants in the bathroom by taking most of them out and only keeping the bamboo and air plant.
Sooo much to do and soo much more information rolling through my head. Can't wait for the next stage of this bagua to be finished.
Stay tuned and Happy Friday Steemit!
❤ Arly