Q: I know a man that I would like to attract to me (romantically). What can I put in the marriage corner of the ba-gua to attract him? I have a chair in that corner of my bedroom and a small table in that corner in the living room. Both are near windows. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
A: First go to the marriage Gua for the whole house. This would be the right rear part of the house relative to the main entrance. Make sure that this area is clear and well balanced. One example of what you would not want in your marriage Gua would be dirty laundry and household trash as related by one Feng Shui student. Instead use the marriage Gua as a place to focus your intentions to attract a certain relationship. This would be a good place to put a poem or picture of the special person along side a picture of yourself. According to the BaGua the auspicious colors to use in the marriage section are Red/Pink/White and the numerology is 8. Therefore place 8 of something using these colors in the marriage Gua. Next you could focus on the marriage Gua in your bedroom using similar principles. Meditate in this area to reinforce your intentions. May you be in joyous union.

Q: Does Feng Shui have an opinion about round or circular homes? And how about octagonal shapes?
A: Round, circular and octagonal homes are good from a Feng Shui point of view providing that one is using an open floor plan. As soon as one begins to put rooms into these plans then we get irregular angles causing imbalances from a Feng Shui perspective. I like octagon shapes for large open rooms used for healing and spiritual gatherings. The octagon is a sacred shape that is symbolic of the whole and is thought to be in perfect harmonic resonance. It is no surprise that the BaGua is an octagon incorporating Yin/Yang principles from over 4000 years of experience.

Q: Stanlu, could you please expand comment on the use of indoor water fountains, their placement, use, significance? You do mention a fountain in an entry hall, but outside of that there isn’t much information about what it attracts or repels. I have just recently purchased a small indoor fountain in Mexico, and would like to know how and where best to place it. I was planning on surrounding it with fresh begonia plants, but was hoping to find literature defining the use of indoor water fountains. Help!!!
A: Water is a powerful conductor of energy, so healthy flowing water helps to create an active Chi energy flow. The sound of gently trickling water as in a water fountain is also soothing to the sound sense. In the five creative elements theory of Feng Shui it is important to have a balance of all the creative elements so a fountain can help activate the water element. Placement of the fountain depends on many factors but the intention is to have it activate the Chi in an area that would benefit from the water element. In a home or office it is often auspicious to have the fountain in view upon first entering especially if this is the Career section of the BaGua. We also often recommend a fountain in the wealth corner of the home or office because of the power of the water element.

Q: We have a split level entryway and are not sure how to determine our wealth corner since you turn at the top of the stairs to enter the living room. Do you have the answer, and any suggestions on how to increase the harmonious balance in this style of house?
A: Split level entryways present difficulties from a Feng Shui perspective because on a subconscious level when entering a split level your meridians are split, half up and half down creating an imbalance. Furthermore the entrance mouth of the Chi is not clear as you indicate by your question and therefore it is difficult to determine BaGua placement. In order to determine where the wealth corner is you must use the main entrance door as the mouth of the Chi. In order to increase harmonious balance in this sort of house one must be sure to keep the entrance clear and well lit. To correct the split meridian, place something strong that will attract your attention as you first walk in so that you can pause if even for a split second to align your meridians and center yourself.

Q: Can you address the question of Feng Shui and relationships? How can Feng Shui be used to help one bring a loving relationship into one’s life, or clear emotional obstructions in an on-going relationship? Many single and married people are at a loss as to the blockages that keep them from getting what they want in relationship. It would be helpful if Feng Shui has something to offer in this area.
A: Feng Shui does indeed have something to offer in this area as it does in all areas of our lives due to the interrelationship of all things. One of the first and most important areas is to pay attention to clutter and debris in our environments. We say in Feng Shui that less is more and get rid of the old to make room for the new. Therefore if your house is cluttered and you are holding onto the old then your relationship may be suffering. Clear the clutter and debris and watch your relationship change and blossom.
After clearing the clutter then you can begin to use skillful action with the tools of Feng Shui to enhance relationship. Pay special attention to the Marriage section of the BaGua which is the right rear of your house or apartment as you walk into the main front door . This is where you could place something sacred that is symbolic of harmonious relationship and loving union. Meditate in this area to create whatever it is you intend. Remember that the colors red/white/pink and the numerology 8 are auspicious for the marriage Gua.

Q: Could I ask for some advice. I am having renovations done. I am changing my front door which is now facing South. I am thinking of changing it to face East. Is this a good idea? Also a door or a room and the bed, would you have any idea for arranging? You advice is highly appreciated. Thanks...
A: A South or East facing for the main front door is preferable from a Feng Shui perspective so you win either way. Make sure that the new doorway is clear and that there is plenty of unobstructed room upon entering the house. Paint the main front door a contrasting color in order to make sure that the mouth of the Chi is well defined. The arrangements of rooms is important so if possible place the master bedroom in the wealth (left rear) or marriage (right rear) corner. The bed in the bedroom should be placed in the commanding position in the room so that you have a clear view of the door into the bedroom. Remember also to pay attention to the direction of door swing. Avoid having the door swing into the openness of the room you are entering.

Q: Please explain again how to use the BaGua. This is a fascinating Feng Shui tool but I am a little confused on how best to use it.
A: Yes the BaGua is a fascinating tool. The more we work with it the more we discover how powerful a tool it is. The BaGua is a diagram in an octagonal shape used for discernment and divination of our environment. It has eight unique sides with corresponding aspects having to do with various factors in our lives. According to this philosophy when each of the eight sides of the BaGua are in balance then the whole is in balance. The Yin/Yang principle applies here in which everything is related to everything. Within everything there is everything as well as nothing, much like the natural laws of the universe always in contraction and expansion yet always in harmonic resonance. The BaGua uses the trigrams from Confucius teachings and the Y-Ching and incorporates a system of numerology, colors, creative elements, body parts, compass orientation and Gua. The BaGua is superimposed over the footprint of your house or office for discernment purposes with the Career Gua always oriented along the wall where your main front door is placed. From this orientation you then have 8 sections of your house to reference and learn from. Use the BaGua as a tool to better understand the clues as to what your environment is telling you about your lives and a tool with which to change your reality. This is a very powerful tool that is a lifetime of discovery and discernment. As you learn more how to use it simply treat it as a playful tool of discernment. Carry the BaGua configuration around with you and check out various environments looking for clues as to what is going on. May your heart and home be filled with joy! (Click here to see BaGua diagram)