8 Directions
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The Chinese discovered that Qi (energy) had differing
characteristics depending upon the direction of movement. They derived
a system of reading these energetic interactions using the main
Elements.
A magnetic compass (Lo Pan) is used to obtain
information on orientation
and qualities of energy. It is a normal magnetic
compass
with additional markings to indicate the 8 directions, former and later
heavenly sequences, further elemental subdivisions, portents
of
spaces, water dragon information and more.
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Lo pan compass
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Baguas
Bagua (also known as Pakua) is the Chinese for 8
directions.
The 8 main directions (energy types) are illustrated
opposite.
The 8 directions each have characteristics of the 5
elements. Some directions whilst being of the same element actually had
distinguishing characteristics. Hence SW and NE whilst both being of
the earth element differed markedly in quality. So to with W &
NW (metal) and E & SE (wood). Such directions were named BIG
and SMALL accordingly.
NB.The eight main
directions are the most commonly used, however there are further
subdivisions (down to 2 degrees) which can give a more detailed
divination - for specific work (desk) and furniture positioning and the
calculation of the "Water
Dragon" (orientation of external water flows
in relation to a building).
Heavenly Bagua. The
inner Trigrams relate to the "Former Heavenly Sequence".
A system derived to explain the energy of free flowing Feng.
Earthly Bagua. The
outer Trigrams relate to the "Later Heavenly Sequence".
A system derived to explain the exchange of energy within a
building/space. Essentially the earth energy (Shui) component
inherent in the structure or gravitational effect .
The Heavenly Bagua is moveable and
the Earthly Bagua is fixed. Correctly combining and reading these two
Bagua's gives the portent of a particular space.
NB. The Chinese
always show fire
(south) at the top because it relates to the heavens(S, fire, yang)
above and the
earth(N, water, yin) below.
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Baguas
- earthly and heavenly.
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Lo Shu - Magic
Square
Lo Shu is a numeric magic square which said
to have been found as markings the back of a
Turtle.
It ties in the 8 directions and seasonal changes and relates to
personal horoscope numbers. (see horoscope
section to calculate your
own personal number).
Odd and even numbers alternate in the periphery of the
square, the four corners are even numbers, and the 5 odd
numbers form a cross in the center. Each line (vertical,
horizontal and diagonal) add up to 15,
which is the number of days in each of the 24 cycles of the
Chinese solar year.
I have indicated how the seasons tie in as well as how
the amount of Yin and Yang varies. Maximum Yin during winter,
increasing Yang and decreasing Yin to mid summer and vice
versa.
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Lo
Shu ( magic square )
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Readings
To establish the overall characteristic of Qi ( energy )
within a building or space, take a magnetic compass reading at the main
door opening (from the door facing outwards from the room, it is the
flow of energy into the room that we are interested in).
Whilst each space contains all of the five element
energies - the entry point (door position) is key to determining what
element has the most influence.
Eg. Qi flowing into a room facing south has the general
characteristic of the fire element.
The two Bagua's (Earthly and Heavenly) give insight into
the properties and interactions of energy by direction.
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Earthly Bagua
( fixed ) - spaces
These spaces refer to the general characteristic of an
internal space. Relating to the true actual magnetic
orientation of spaces within a room.
The energetic characteristics can be summarised simply, as shown below.
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SPACE
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quality
of Space
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action/
placement
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1=
knowledge
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higher good, information that
you need to advance
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books, reference, spiritual
icons, shrine
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2= family
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immediate family, close
friends, employees. sense of fellowship
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family photos associated items
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3= wealth
and health
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value, worth, personal
perception of wealth,quality of life.
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picture of yourself in
radianthealth.money, related financial items (cheque book, statements
etc)
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4= fame
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how you appear to the outside
world,others perception of you
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related financial items
(cheque book, statements etc)
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5=
marriage, business
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close relationships, all forms
of partnership, union
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pairs of items, picture of you
and your partner together
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6=
children, projects
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new ideas / projects,
conception,design, early growth
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Photos of children, intention
of new project (what you what to do in the future) & current
projects
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7= helpful
friends
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new ideas / projects,
conception,design, early growth
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Communication systems,
telephone, fax, computer, Picture or list of influential
people.
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8= career
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life's purpose, cauldron of
talents, fusion and integration
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intention of who you want to
be things associated with the career you want.
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Heavenly Bagua ( moveable ) - spaces
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Portents of Spaces.
These portents tell us the interactions of free flowing
energy (Qi) with the stable state of the above Earthly Bagua.
SPACE
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QUALITY
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PORTENT
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a = life / gateway
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stable balanced
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+
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b = longevity
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extends the life of
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+ +
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c = creates qi
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creates energy
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+ + +
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d = problems - shar
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creates problems - hindrances
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- -
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e = death
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disconnects energy - death
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- - -
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f = five ghosts (ancestral )
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inheritance
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+
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g = good fortune
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good luck
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+ +
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h = bad influences
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malign effect
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_ _
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Portents
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Eg.
A south facing house
(door to south) has predominantly Fire Qi (energy) entering
it, so the interaction to an eastward wall space (
middle of East side) would give us an exchange of wood (east) with fire
(south) - wood feeds fire - hence the portent would be very beneficial
(as you can see above and in the diagram, a portent "C" or creates Qi).
The energetic activity in that space is very generative. This
example is one of the most simple examples, the others are
more complex.
A full reading is made by overlaying the former and
later heavenly sequences. Combining the two trigrams (3 lines) gives a
hexagram (6 lines) which describes the energetic properties of a space.
8 X 8 = 64 hexagrams which relate to the 64 hexagrams of
the "I Ching".
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south facing example
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Flows of Qi
Flows of Qi and the eddying corner
effect explain how the 8 directions are applicable to a 4
sided room.
Every space contains all the elements, we can however
determine which element/s have the greatest influence and determine the
overall characteristic.
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Door position also tells us whether the Qi is
more or less active.
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Yin room = right sided opening, Qi spirals
anti-clockwise. Least active, best for calming ( bedrooms, relaxation
etc)
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Lung room = central opening, Qi spirals
both ways, yin quality to the right side of the room (calming), yang to
the left (active)
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Introduction
Qi
(energy) Yin
& Yang 5
Elements 8
Directions |
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