After reviewing a feng shui book that promotes certain notions about a “wealth area” in a house, it has inspired me to write a rebuttal. Within the Flying Star School of Feng Shui, we know that TIME is a very important factor as much as DIRECTION, because the timing of when a house was built or the current times we are living in will influence which areas of a house we can extract the most financial support. In other words, the “wealth area” changes from house to house and is not generic or in the same location for every house.
In the book I critiqued, the focus is solely on direction and the author explains the principles behind the popular New Age version of Feng Shui, often contradictory to traditional practices. It is from traditional feng shui, however, that the New Age version cherry-picked some of its concepts and spun them into a very different narrative.
In the Black Hat School, the back left-hand corner of any house or individual room is a “wealth area,” sometimes referred to as “Fortunate Blessings.” Where did this idea come from? Part of the story was lifted from the original Luo Shu Magic Square, depicted as a directional energy grid with north on the bottom and south on top. With this arrangement, we get a number 4 in the back left-hand corner, which is southeast from a directional standpoint. This number 4 is symbolic of another symbol, which is the Xun trigram (also written as ‘Sun’ and pronounced like ‘shoon’).
The Xun trigram (4) is related to images of travel, trade, the Wind, and the legs (affording movement). It makes sense that there is some energy here which could support financial success. The Xun trigram is also associated with the eldest daughter, or a young woman. The symbolism here also connotes youthful vitality and attractiveness, which are other key qualities for success. And so, with the pop culture version of feng shui now entrenched in millions of psyches, I just want to give a shout-out to the other seven trigrams in their capacity to garner wealth luck. Let’s have a look:
Opposite the Xun trigram of Southeast, we have the Qian trigram (6) in the Northwest. This 6 metal star as it is also called, relates to power and authority. Many feng shui practitioners know this and even recommend that the president of a company, or whoever is in charge at work, occupy the office in the northwest. The NW Qian trigram is depicted as three solid lines, emphasizing dominance and masculine strength. Surely, this direction can also assist a person in being successful.
The Dui trigram (7) of West holds the image of a lake from the I-Ching, or shallow water, like marsh land. It’s more “human” traits include the image of a young girl and there is a subtext of sexuality, charisma, being charming, persuasive and talented. The Dui trigram is one member of a two-part talismanic hexagram associated with “easy money.” We can also consider the element associated with each trigram, where it is clear from experience that certain businesses and professions can benefit from the elemental energy of each direction. Dui is metal and that can apply to all industries that make or use metal objects, including the finance world for coinage, gold and silver.
The Gen trigram (8) of Northeast may not be the most obvious “money maker” of the group because it holds the image of a monk or a mountain, reflective in stillness. And yet, to have a sustainable success rate, a certain amount of restraint and conservatism is needed when making important business decisions. Patience is also a virtue and utterly necessary when dealing with others in business, whether in partnerships or with employees. This is the trigram most symbolic of wisdom.
The Li trigram (9) of South is associated with the fire element and from that we get imagery of brilliance and heat, the middle of summer, youth and energy. The New Age version of Feng Shui calls the South a “Fame” area and this is where someone might attract sudden wealth and notoriety. While some people quietly and anonymously amass their fortunes, the internet Age has made people both famous and wealthy overnight. In selling a product, consumers have to be aware of it, so the Li energy (exposure) is critical for success as well.
The Kan trigram (1) of North is represented as a deep body of water. The water element alone is symbolic of wealth, the source of life no less, and its movement is also a type of “currency” we can tap into. Even the Black Hat people refer to North as the “Career” area. This energy can be a source of luck by those who work alone and must concentrate. Whether you are an inventor or an artist, the Kan energy can be a creative muse to rely on.
The Kun trigram (2) of Southwest is symbolic of nurturing energy, directly from the mother. Hence, it is highly creative and can give people organizational and planning power. As an element, it is earth with imagery related to land. In fact, when the Kun trigram is in a positive phase, it can indicate the occupant will own a lot of land. Why is the King of England still so powerful? Because of his massive land and property holdings, like other billionaires on this planet.
The Zhen trigram (3) of East holds the image of a prince, second in command to the King, since we’re on the topic. This can also be a modern-day Vice President or an assistant to the CEO or CFO. The Zhen trigram is also symbolic of spring and having the energy to start new projects. Accessing the Zhen trigram is just another avenue for pursuing financial success and fueling the entrepreneur.
All of these eight directions are just different manifestations of the “emperor” who resides in the center. The center is technically not a direction, but the center “5” star is in charge, like the Sun. The center emperor, sometimes called “Five Yellow,” can dictate to all the other directions, as if they were cabinet members in his administration. Many people would not guess that the 5 star could be a prosperity energy because it can trigger obstacles, pain and accidents. But there is also a benevolent side to the Emperor, and it manifests mostly during a Period 5 time frame. That last Period 5 we went through was from 1944-1964. During any Period 5, the 5 Yellow Emperor is the MOST auspicious of all the stars and capable of generating massive wealth.
With these observations, I would like to put the notion of the Xun trigram as the sole Wealth Area on notice; you have plenty of competition from the other trigrams and their respective directional power.
Author: Kartar Diamond
Company: Feng Shui Solutions ®
From the Feng Shui Theory Blog Series
