So in feng shui, yin-yang balance requires the simultaneous presence of both the forces. However, because we are dealing with life energy when we speak of yang feng shui, it is vital that the environment must always have yang energy and yet should never be too yin. Maintaining this very delicate balance between the two forces is really the essence of feng shui practice – what it is essentially all about.
Yin and yang for male and female
The yin and yang aspects of directions are usually indicated by the + and – signs; plus and minus, positive and negative. So every one of the eight directions contains both yin and yang aspects. In the cardinal directions north, south, east, and west, there is more yin than yang, but this signifies strong yang and weak yin. Indeed, this situation indicates a young, emerging, and vibrant yang. The distribution of yin and yang forces for all the four cardinal directions is therefore yang, yin yin or plus minus minus in the first, second, and third sub-directions of each sector.
So, for example, in the north there is north 1, north 2, and north 3; north 1 is yang, and north 2 and 3 are yin. So males should always choose north 2 and north 3 as their most suitable north directions, while females should always select north 1 as their auspicious northerly direction. When you do this, you will find that it helps to cement the yin and yang presence, which then strengthens the balance that brings you success in your life and good fortune.
Always take note of this particular fine point when working with your directions and the corners of you home as, by using this method, you will find this is the optimum way of ensuring that your feng shui will work for you.
A Chinese Luo Pan compass with the yin and yang allocations for the four cardinal directions and the four sub-directions.
24 – the yin and yang of the secondary four directions
The secondary directions of the compass also contain both yin and yang aspects. As for the four cardinal directions, it is very important to study their attributes.
In the secondary directions, the yin and yang aspects are also signified by the + and – signs.
Once again, there are plus and minus sub-directions as well as positive and negative connotations to the directions. But here in the northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest (see the compass here) there is more yang than yin energy. This situation signifies a strong yin and weak yang. It indicates a young, emerging, and vibrant yin, while yang has grown old and is now tired. The distribution of yin and yang forces for all four secondary directions is therefore yin-yang-yang, or minus-plus-plus in the first, second, and third sub-directions of each sector. So, for example, in the southwest sector, there is southwest 1, southwest 2, and southwest 3. Southwest 1 is yin and southwest 2 and 3 are yang. So males should choose southwest 1 as their most suitable southwest directions, while females should select southwest 2 or 3 as their auspicious southwest direction.
This seals the yin and yang presence, which will, in turn, strengthen the balance that brings you good feng shui. Do not forget to take note of this particular fine point when you are working with your directions and the corners of you home, and especially when you are practicing the personalized directions of Eight Mansions feng shui (see Chapter 4.)
This is truly an important fine point that ensures success for you in your feng shui work. Shown here is an illustration of the compass directions with the sub-directions marked in and also the yin and yang subdirections clearly depicted. These sub-directions are referred to by advanced feng shui practitioners as the 24 mountains, which themselves contain further keys to the unlocking of advanced feng shui formulas. Now you know that this term merely refers to the three subsections of the eight compass directions.
2 feng shui makeovers for interiors
25 – regularize the shape of your floor plan
The shape and structure of every piece of furniture and decorative item inside the living space of any home has either good or bad feng shui implications.
The basic principles concerning auspicious or inauspicious shapes are based on: whether the shapes are regular or irregular, whether there are missing or protruding corners, the Element attribute of the shape itself, and whether the shape resembles a lucky or hostile symbol.
Auspicious shapes
These are a perfect square or rectangular, whether flat to show the layout of rooms, or standing to represent the vertical shape of buildings or furniture. These are the most regular shapes, and are the easiest to work with to produce good feng shui.
Inauspicious or difficult shapes
These are believed to create imbalances and an uncertain flow of chi. Layouts where the room is an odd shape often cause the luck of the occupants to be uncertain and unstable. To improve fortunes, such shapes should be regularized with clever placement of furniture, and using floor and wall colors and lighting to create different perspectives. Always strive to regularize the appearance of any room with its interior decoration as it will always make it more auspicious.
Irregular shapes
These give rise to missing corners and will always create problems in interior feng shui. The severity of the problem depends on which corner is missing. So if you divide your home layout into nine equal grids (see here) and then check the compass direction of each of the grids you will be able to identify the compass direction represented by the missing corner.
Auspicious shapes
Inauspicious shapes
26 – auspicious shapes for home interiors
When I refer to shapes, I mean the shape of the layout of the entire house as well as the shape of individual rooms and the walls inside each room.
It is always preferable to opt for a regular symmetrical shape. In feng shui terms anything that is irregular or asymmetrical always indicates that something is missing or is incomplete. So a full square is always a better shape than a narrow version of one. A full circle is always better than a half circle, and for this reason bay windows are seldom encouraged as good feng shui. Small irregularities in the corners of rooms are equally discouraged. The Pa Kua (or eight-sided shape), the diagnostic tool used in feng shui, is also considered a very auspicious