Book Review: Feng Shui

Title: Feng Shui: Harmony by Design

Author: Nancy SantoPietro

©1996

It's funny - this will be the third time now that I've written up a report on this book. For my Architecture History class, we were asked to make a poster and presentation about a book, and since I was already in the midst of reading this one, I decided to do my project on it. It's actually giving me a really interesting opportunity, as for the presentation component, part of my project will include talking about ways in which I have used feng shui principles in the design of my room at home. However, I wanted to do a post about it specifically for this blog, seeing as my readership here is likely more metaphysically-inclined than my classroom peers.

The short version: this is a great book. 

The long version: Nancy SantoPietro is one of only a few women in the US trained and authorized to practice feng shui professionally. Her book is forwarded by Professor Lin Yun, the founder of the Black Sect of Tantric Buddhism, and under whom she studied. Known internationally for her work, and former Chairperson of the first feng shui studies department in the country, SantoPietro is one of the foremost western experts and practitioners.

Yun's forward begins by describing a little of his sect of Buddhism, how it intersects with feng shui, and his experiences working with SantoPietro. This transitions into SantoPietro's introduction, which summarizes some of feng shui's history and its place in the modern world.

The first chapter covers the basics: fundamental principles and theories, how to quickly and easily sketch a floor plan of a building, and how to apply the bagua chart to that drawing. She also describes how to begin analyzing the relationship between floor plan and chart.

Chapter two starts getting into intentions, and how to narrow down one's focus in what changes to make. It also summarizes general categories of the kinds of things to look out for and consider altering.

Chapter three takes the reader through the nitty-gritty of designing the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, some of the most important spaces in the home. SantoPietro explains the impact that each of these has on one's life, and where design decisions can have a significant impact on one's health, wealth, and relationships.

The fourth chapter takes the reader through other spaces (the home office, dining room, living room, etc.) and offers low-cost but high-impact solutions for the problems that can occur there. These principles are really ones which can be applied in any space to produce significant results.

Chapter five covers the role of color, and six describes specific obstacles one might be facing, and where to look in one's home for design issues that could be compounding those obstacles. It also covers transcendental cures, which are in essence rituals written in a feng shui-specific context, but which incorporate elements like mantras, meditations, sympathetic magick, and other elements which western Pagans are likely already somewhat familiar with. 

The seventh chapter deals with sacred space - what it is, why we need it, and how to go about designating a truly sacred space in the home. SantoPietro goes into detail about altars, both religious and secular, and provides lists of correspondences for crystals and essential oils. 

Finally, the eighth chapter gives real examples of situations which SantoPietro's clients have faced, how SantoPietro advised them to adjust their living spaces, and the end results. This was less of an anecdotal advertisement for her work, and more of a step-by-step example about what it actually can look like to analyze a living space and change it, and thereby also change one's life. Her example stories cover a wide variety of living situations and types of people, so chances are good that there are relatable elements one can pick up on.

I will be up-front: I do not agree 100% with every single piece of advice in SantoPietro's book. There are things as an individual and as a designer-to-be which I would do differently. However, with that being said, this is an excellent manual on feng shui; it is extremely comprehensive while still being easy to follow, and there are lots of diagrams to visually illustrate the types of changes the author refers to. In general, she does a very good job of explaining the thought behind a feng shui principle, rather than just providing rules with no context, and it is clear that she is very well-versed in her practice. 

Whether you are just getting into feng shui or are already familiar with the subject, this text is a great resource. If you have any interest in using feng shui at all, definitely consider giving this book a look.

March 22nd, 2016

A happy belated Equinox to everybody! I got to spend Ostara riding the train back to my school and working on homework, neither of which I was really all that interested in doing, but oh well. I found some books on Feng Shui in my department's architecture library, so I started to read through one of them - if and when I have time to finish it, I'll be sure to let you know what I thought!

In the meantime, enjoy what we have so far of spring. It's pretty chilly here still, but a lot of the trees are starting to bloom. I'll hopefully be taking some pictures soon to share.

September 12th, 2015

I went on a field trip today! It was for my Architecture History class, and we went to check out a gorgeous Romanesque and Byzantine cathedral, and then we went to a cemetery.

I know it's not quite Samhain yet, but it certainly felt like October today, and it seemed appropriate to wander the grounds a bit. My professor described the architectural precedents for a lot of the mausoleums, and I tried just to honor the local spirits with a small offering when we got off the bus.

The newer area was designed according to Feng Shui principles. For instance, this fountain has a line running through it to mark the Northern direction. Theoretically, it would also align with local dragon energies. However, my professor explained that this area was actually built over an old garbage dump, and therefore has too much bad Chi to really fix with Feng Shui.

Here's a family grave marked with a Celtic cross, and which also has a statue of Grief personified.

This cemetery had a lot of obelisks, and apparently those are usually used for burying Free Masons.

We saw tons of really neat things today, but this mausoleum was possibly the most interesting to me personally. It's designed in an Egyptian style, and there's actually sphinxes on either side of the doors. The symbol in the center, with the sun disk, wings, and serpents, is actually the emblem of the goddess Isis, and is used on Her temples in Egypt. 

I was originally supposed to go on a camping trip this weekend with a local Pagan group, but it ended up being cancelled for a variety of reasons. Because of work and my field trip, I wouldn't have been able to go, anyway. However, we're supposed to be having a Mabon ritual next weekend, so I'm looking forward to that!

July 11th, 2014

A couple of months ago, Hazelnut took me to a new metaphysical shop near her house called Gypsy Haven. It's an amazing place, one which I definitely plan to frequent, and also a huge purveyor of crystals. There was too much variety almost to choose from, but I settled on a piece of Black Onyx since I didn't happen to have any yet. Having had some free time today (finally), I felt it prudent to actually get its properties researched and posted.

Onyx

Physical Characteristics: Onyx comes in almost all colors, though black and white are the most well-publicized. The red variety, depending on its composition, is either Sard or Sardonyx.

In Nature: This stone forms from bands of chalcedony in alternating colors and is cryptocrystalline, meaning that its crystal structure is so fine that it is difficult to see, even under a microscope. It forms in vesicles of lava, and consists of fine intergrowths of Quartz and Moganite.

Chemical Composition: SiO2

Mohs Scale Hardness: 7 (middle)

Can be Found: Brazil, Uruguay, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Hawaii, Madagascar

Healing Properties*: Onyx's healing powers are effective but slow. To combat epilepsy, eye and ear problems, unbalanced chakras, and the like, wear Onyx for at least two weeks and up to a couple of months. Cleanse the stone weekly when used in this way. The stone is especially renown for its ability to heal skin ailments. For cases of sunburn, rash, and other topical conditions, use Onyx water (i.e. water that has held an Onyx for a number of hours) to wash the afflicted area throughout the day.

Magickal Properties: According to Greek and Roman legend, Cupid wandered past the sleeping Venus one afternoon, and, feeling mischievous, used his arrowhead to cut the goddess' fingernails. When the clippings fell to the sand, the Fates turned them into the first Onyx so as to let no part of the immortal perish. The name "Onyx" comes from "onux", the Greek word for "fingernail". This legend ties the stone to two powerful deities of love, and yet modern lore states that Onyx will actually reduce sexual desire. Scott Cunningham reconciles this opposition in his Crystal, Gems, & Metal Magic when he points out that as a protective stone, Onyx can be used both ways: to suppress desire when sex could be considered a health risk or to stimulate it by protecting life and the impetus thereof. That aside, Onyx will grant both physical and mental strength and is an aide for releasing attachments to negative people, places, memories, etc. In tandem with Amethyst, the stone is a tool for overcoming alcoholism and encouraging sobriety. Above all, Onyx is famed for its protective qualities, whether that entails keeping negative people out of one's life or warding off danger while driving through a dangerous neighborhood. By virtue of its banishing negativity, the stone is a confidence booster as well as a stress reliever. Use the stone in banishing rituals, or as a tool of divination; in particular, it is an excellent scrying stone. Other magickal uses include psychic contact with the deceased, mediumship, and past-life regression. In Chinese Feng Shui, the color black is associated with wealth and wisdom; left in an office, Onyx will assist its bearer in making wise business choices. Onyx is noted for its tendency to store the energies of its owner. This is a good thing for its bearer, as it creates a close working tie with the stone, but should one receive Onyx as a gift, be sure to thoroughly cleanse the stone of its old energy.

Chakra Association: First (Root) Chakra. Also the Second (Sacral) and Sixth (Third Eye).

Element: Fire

Energy: Projective

Planetary Association: Mars

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

October 1st, 2011

I'm sorry about the lack of posting yesterday, readers! I was gone all evening at various things. However, I have returned today, and intend to conclude my segment of Feng Shui.

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If you observe the picture at the left, you will see a sample bagua of a house (my house, in fact). This same set-up applies to any building, single room, or even flat area, such as a desk or table. If you notice, my garage, in the lower left-hand corner, sticks out a bit from the rest of the house. This is called a projection. If it were the opposite, and that area of the building were sunk into the house, that area of the bagua would be missing. However, such a thing can be remedied by applying the properties of that section to the outside "negative space" created by the indentation. A few obvious problems to bear in mind: if you have a bathroom in your "wind" (fortunate blessings) area of the house, you should attempt to move that if practical. This is because a toilet may flush away these blessings before they can be materialized. If you cannot move the bathroom due to the set-up of the house, financial reasons, etc., you should consider adding some grounding elements to the bathroom to help keep these blessings in place. You might add stone counter-tops or flooring, for example. A wind chime could also be included to change the movement of energies. However, it should also be kept in mind that you don't have to make your house look like a Chinese temple to Feng Shui it. Only add elements that you like, and that you feel fit the style of your house. Traditional fixes, such as bamboo, can be traded for other natural grasses or plants if you dislike bamboo. Also keep cultural preferences and taboos in mind. If a certain plant is lucky where you live, feel free to use it, even if it isn't "traditional" in Feng Shui. Only you can tell what areas of your life and home need improvement. If you are having an argument with your parents, check out the area of your home or room that corresponds to the Elders. If there is a large, grounding object, an object that brings in negativity or bad memories, or anything else energy may be getting stuck on, consider moving it, or trading it in for a more helpful item. If, on the other hand, you have a child who has trouble concentrating at home, try helping him or her pick out a piece of furniture, statue, or even a stone at the beach that they like to add to their room, helping them feel more grounded and less lost in the clouds. A final thing to look for is what is known as "cutting chi". This energy emanates at a 45 degree angle from any furniture with sharp 90 degree corners, be it a table, desk, etc.. This cutting chi can make people in its path feel uncomfortable, so if having a dresser with 90 degree corners is unavoidable, try positioning chairs, beds, and other sitting areas out of its path.

September 29th, 2011

Konbanwa, ladies and gentlemen! Today, we have had lovely weather: Storm clouds, but very sunny at the same time, with a nice strong wind. I'm not sure why, but it's really my favorite kind. Continuing with yesterday's theme of Feng Shui, I'd like to get in to some of the first things to consider if you plan to "feng shui" a room or house. This information is coming from Feng Shui Made Easy again, but I'm feeling too lazy to write the whole chapter, so I'll give you a few bullet points, yes?

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• Begin by cleaning the area you wish to improve. Yes, I said clean. No, it's maybe not the most fun thing in the world, but it is a necessary step to rid the area of negative or other unwanted energies.
• Go a step further and wash everything down: clean the windows, floors, mirrors, etc.
• You should also do something to cleanse the space: use some incense, holy water, etc., and clear out old energy.
  
• Then map out the room/house. This will be important in figuring out what areas apply to which parts of your life. You don't need your picture to be exactly to scale unless you want it to be, but do try to take more than two seconds to sketch it out. An accurate drawing will be helpful for you later. Make sure to mark where the front door (or the door you use most often) is.

Just a little something to think about when you don't feel like cleaning and cleansing your space: In one of the World Wars (I think it was the first), a bomb was dropped on a hospital in the Ukraine, killing hundreds of innocent people. Later, an energy plant was built on the same site. No one considered cleansing the area of negative energy. Today, we know this place as Chernobyl.

Bagua Example

Wow, that last post ended up being quite a bit longer than I expected! Sorry about that! Anyway, here is a "Bagua", a type of Feng Shui chart, that shows some of the relationships between houses. Some of these, we covered under a different name, but I have the elemental correspondences listed in the last post, so I trust you can figure it out.

September 28th, 2011

First, I would like to note that the time-zone this blog is set to is off by a few hours; I do not sit around at 3:00 in the morning blogging. With that said, today, I am focusing on Feng Shui. If you have not yet figured it out, I love to read about the mystical, metaphysical, and magical, and today I started a book entitled Feng Shui Made Easy, by William Spear. In today's post, I will provide you with excerpts from a quiz in Chapter One, that will allow you to discover what aspects of your life need a bit (or a lot) of tweaking, and which need little or none.

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Of the options provided, choose the one that best fits your life as you see it. Bear in mind that every sentence is a sample situation, so just pick the one closest to events in your life. If you are a teenager, some things, like having children or jobs, may not apply to you. Think instead of the teen correlation: school, siblings, etc.

House: The Journey (Water)
A) Life flows along quite well. I'm on the right road. I'm doing the work I want to do. I feel acknowledged by my co-workers. I am satisfied with the work I do. I feel productive. I have a good job. I feel fortunate to be doing what I really want to do and enjoy doing it. I feel I'm sailing on a beautiful ocean liner!
B) As above, but less so.
C) As below, but less so.
D) I feel like a salmon swimming upstream - definitely against the flow. I do not have a job. I am working, but not doing what I want. I'm thinking about going into a whole new field. My resume is out there, but I'm not getting any calls. I don't like my job and am looking for a new one. I haven't had my luck in the workplace these days. Help! I'm drowning!
House: Relationships (Earth)
A) My relationships are great. I get a lot of attention from my mate. My social life is very active. My spouse is wonderful. I meet new people every week who ask me out. I feel as if we are still on our honeymoon. The phone hardly ever stops ringing. I'm recently engaged.
B) As above, but less so.
C) As below, but less so.
D) My social life is a disaster. I've tried everything to meet my match, but there just doesn't seem to be anyone interested. I feel jinxed. I'm in the process of separating. I just moved to town and have found it difficult to meet new people - one date is easy but they never call back. I thought celibacy would be better than this. I'm thinking about taking vows!
House: Elders (Thunder)
A) I get along very well with both my parents. I had a special relationship with one of my grandparents. My boss at work is a great supervisor. I have a mentor from college with whom I still keep in touch. I have a lot of teachers I highly respect. My dad died a while back; we finally came to peace over a lot of unresolved issues before he passed on. I have a deep respect for my ancestors.
B) As above, but less so.
C) As below, but less so.
D) I haven't spoken to my parents in years. My grandfather was a horrible man, and I never liked him. My boss is mean and insensitive. My mom and I argue all the time. My teachers never liked me. I don't usually get along very well with old people. One or both of my parents never loved me very much. Don't ask!
House: Fortunate Blessings (Wind)
A) I feel blessed with good fortune nearly every day. I make money and have a good income. People call me lucky. Money is not a problem for me. Things show up just when I need them.
B) As above, but less so.
C) As below, but less so.
D) I'm broke. I could barely pay my rent last month. I do not have a job. I'm pretty far in debt right now. When it comes to luck, I'm having a bad streak these days. It's really hard to pay the bills recently. Blessed? Ha! How 'bout cursed?
House: Unity (Tai Chi)
As this is a rather detailed house, we will get to this in another post.
House: Helpful Friends (Heaven)
A) I am an active volunteer in many organizations, giving both my time and my money whenever I can. Many friends would do anything for me, as I would for them. Sometimes I feel I have a guardian angel watching over me. I try to give generously to those in need. A lot of people have helped me in times of trouble. I am amazed that, whatever you give, you always receive much more in return.
B) As above, but less so.
C) As below, but less so.
D) When I'm down and out, I'm on my own. I'd like to help others more, sure, but I'm just so busy and I barely get by myself. People don't usually think of me as someone to depend on for support. I don't see many volunteers that help our group. Everyone is in it for the money. There is no such thing as angels except in fairy tales.
House: Creativity (Lake or Marsh)
A) My children are everything to me. I am very creative. I have no shortage of ideas or projects. Kids are great, and even though I don't have any, I really love them. As an artist, my creativity is my life, and I am very fortunate to be blessed with lots of it.
B) As above, but less so.
C) As below, but less so.
D) Children should be seen, not heard. I haven't had a new idea in years. We're having trouble conceiving. I can write poetry - if rhyming words counts - but usually feel pretty blocked. The last big project I worked on failed miserably. I want kids, but I think I'm infertile. My children and I don't get along at all. I feel less creative than a block of wood.
House: Contemplation (Mountain)
A) My life is full of spiritual meaning. I meditate every day. I love reading scripture and teachings of the masters. I am religious in my own way. I've done a lot of searching in this area, through many avenues, and have gone through lots of changes. Life is a mystery.
B) As above, but less so.
C) As below, but less so.
D) I'm pretty skeptical about what science can't prove. I'd like to meditate, but I'm too busy. Books on religion and the "spiritual world" bore me. I used to believe in God, but when I see all these religions fighting with each other, I'm not so sure. What you see is all there is; the rest is all manufactured for mass consumption. The New Age is a marketing ploy. Prayer makes no difference in my life. God is dead. I don't understand this part.
House: Illumination (Fire)
A) Every day is another miracle. Sometimes life feels like a dream. I have a good sense of myself and do not live to please others. I am usually very clear about my direction in life. People find me a source of inspiration. I feel contented to be alone, even though I enjoy other people in my life, too. My good intuition is a sign of my clarity.
B) As above, but less so.
C) As below, but less so.
D) How others feel about me matters a lot. I feel confused about half the time. Someone will show me how. Nobody really respects me for the work I do. It will be a long time before I'm anywhere near enlightenment. Death is a terrifying concept to me, and I am not ready, no way, not yet, please.

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Do not worry if you don't have many As. The whole point of the quiz is to see where you can improve. Now make a priority list: sections with Ds first, then Cs, then Bs, and then As. By using Feng Shui, you should be able to raise these areas by at least a letter grade, if not more.