Q: I’m newly divorced and trying to choose a house based on the Feng Shui model, but am confused about the Feng Shui map. I want to create a sense of balance in my new life and I hear that the choice of a floor plan can make a difference.
A: You’re correct. Feng Shui is based on the understanding that our environments influence how life unfolds. The layout of a house matters partially because it relates to the efficiency and flow of the space, but also because we want all of the nine life domains to be represented equally in the floor plan.
We are more centered and less likely to be thrown-off by disruptions when we consciously focus on maintaining balance among these aspects and a balanced floor plan supports this intention. In western schools of Feng Shui, the map (Bagua) is oriented to the architectural front door, not compass direction.
If the shape of the house is a square or rectangle the map would look like this:
Wealth Reputation Relationship
Family Health Future
Spirituality Career Helpful People
This edge is positioned along the front wall of the house parallel to the architectural front door. When speaking of floor plan, we’re concerned with the actual footprint of the house and what falls under the roofline of the property. (And yes — the garage counts, to answer a question I am frequently asked.)
If one or more of these areas is missing it can influence not only the way the house feels, but also the way life flows. Missing areas can be symbolically reclaimed via both literal and symbolic adjustments. Just as a plant sends out an energetic template into which a leaf grows, the layout of a house seems to act as a template into which life unfolds.
Nancy Wesson offers seminars in Feng Shui, thriving after divorce and dispute resolution. She teaches at the University of Texas, Texas State and Austin Board of Realtors. She can be reached at nwesson@focusonspace.com. Her Web site is www.focusonspace.com.