Feng Shui Can Help with Family Dynamics
Use Feng Shui to Bring More Harmony into Your Family Life
Sep 19, 2008
The Bagua, an octagonal tool used by Feng Shui practitioners, is divided into nine areas. These nine areas have many layers of meaning including the five Chinese elements, colors, shapes, and directions. Eight of these areas (also known as guas) also correspond to members of a traditional family, consisting of mother, father, three daughters and three sons. The ninth gua represents family harmony, represented by the Tai Chi (or yin/yang symbol).
When the Bagua is applied to your home, the gua associated with a particular family member can be located. Learn about each of these areas and what you can do to enhance the wellbeing of that family member. You needn't do something in their room, although that is helpful as well. However, with teens and pre-teens, it is sometimes difficult to make adjustments in their bedrooms.
There are several ways you can make adjustments to the spaces correlating to the specific family member. Just remember that these suggestions are as simplistic as possible, as Feng Shui is a complicated art and science.
I recommend making these adjustments in either the family room or your master bedroom. Either way, stand inside the doorway to the room you select and look into the space:
Mother - Far right area - This gua, also called Chen, is represented by the Earth element. Traditionally, the mother is the nurturer and can easily become imbalanced with all the stresses of contemporary life: raising a family, taking care of the home and working. You can enhance this space by adding crystals or low, rectangular/square objects or colors of yellow, orange or brown. A statue or artwork containing a feminine figure.
Father - Near right area - This gua, called Chien, is represented by the Metal element. Objects of metal (ie., wrought iron furniture, metal scuplture), round objects, or the colors gray, white or black work well to enhance the Father energy. In addition, male figures or travel pictures or maps can also enhance this area, as it represents Travel.
Oldest Daughter - Far left area - This gua, called Sun, is represented by the Wood element. Adding plants, objects that are columnar (tall and narrow, such as the shape of a tree). The colors purple, blue, and red are best.
Second Daughter - Straight ahead to back - If you have a second daugher, you'll find her location in Li, which is commanded by the element of Fire. Objects that are in triangular shape, red and/or represent the element fire, such as candles or images of fire. Leather and animal prints are also good in this space.
Third Daughter - MIddle of the right wall - This area, called Tui, shares the Metal element with Ch'ien. See Father for more details on how to enhance this space.
Oldest Son - Near left corner of room - Called Ken, this area is the Earth element, as is K'un. See Mother for more details to enhance this corner.
Second Son - Middle of the wall door is in - This area, called K'an, is represented by the Water element. Items of glass, mirrors, water features (although not usually recommended in a bedroom) work well. The colors black and deep blue and objects with curvy shapes can go here.
Third Son - Middle of the left wall - Called Chen, this area is also the Wood element, as in Sun. See Oldest Daughter for more information on what will work well here.
What happens if there are more than three children of a gender?
Go back to the Oldest child and start all over again.
What happens if your room is an irregular shape?
If you find that the area you are pointed to for a specific family member in need is actually "missing" from your room, you may need to do some extra work to enhance the space. This is more complicated and may require that you hire a Feng Shui consultant to help.
