By Caroline Patrick

Bagua

Mystical Octagon

For thousands of years, many cultures have provided modern man with knowledge from the past through written word, symbols and philosophy. Every surviving civilization has incorporated some form of balance between man and nature.

The ancient Chinese created a tool, called a bagua, to locate the most harmonious surroundings to build temples, homes and villages. Using the wisdom of heaven and earth’s combined knowledge, feng shui was born. Translated as wind and water, the energy of wind or the breath of life mixing with the flow of gently flowing water, energy or chi becomes the formula from which all life is formed.

This bagua, or 8-sided grid, when placed over any plot of land, buildings or homes, gives us an insight to past and present situations. This equally shaped mathematical sectioned tool can be applied to modern structures just as in ancient times. By following the easy-to-use instructions for Mapping the Home I have written in book form, you will understand more about yourself. Why? The 8-sided octagon contains eight human aspects needed for survival, plus a center cog of "the wheel" of life called Health, ruled by the element earth, to keep us grounded.

These secret feng shui methods of placement were used mainly by emperors to successfully keep order between the heavens and to govern with powerful results. Using this ancient method of harmony and balance for land shapes, homes, schools, churches and government buildings in today’s culture, we find its accuracy still fascinating. After 2500 feng shui consultations, I am even more amazed at my clients’ success when following these ancient rules of environmental, physical and spiritual harmony.

There are many schools of feng shui based on the philosophy divination of China’s rulers. The Tao, which translates as the path or way, is both a concept and process. Out of the Tao comes the two forces that govern the universe: yin is feminine and yang is masculine. I have found this to be true when painting as an artist. There is no dark (yin) unless there is light (yang), the balance of these forces brings chi or the breath of life into the image on the canvas and magic occurs.

Chi, or the breath of life’s force or cosmic energy, is thought to blow ions into water, giving life to mountains, plants, humans and animals. Out of the energies of yin and yang come the five elements of nature. Each element corresponds to a color, a season and a vibration. The I Ching, the book of changes, brings together all of these thoughts and practices. Wisdom, philosophy, the natural elements and color help form the trigrams, or 9 equal sections of the octagon or bagua. The flow of chi must not be blocked environmentally, spiritually or physically. Clutter in the home, bad thoughts and poor eating habits can lead to bad luck and lost fortunes.

Feng shui can be used by anyone. This art of placement is now available through knowledgeable feng shui consultants, books and workshops. I teach feng shui for homes, businesses, corporations, schools, landscaping and garden designers. Art workshops are a favorite way to introduce feng shui through color and design. Painting with Chi is a popular course I give frequently, teaching students the power of color and the elements. Individuals who are ready for change in their lives can follow the basic instructions for Mapping the Home by using color to accent each qua.

The two main feng shui schools of thought are compass and form schools. I lean toward Black Hat. This Tibetan Tantric is a hybrid of customs, thoughts and practices that arose from Buddhism from India and through Tibet and finally to China. Along the way religious, philosophical theories, rites and disciplines were combined. Influenced by China’s yin-yang theory and Taoism, the outcome is Black Hat. Its cures are both logical — ru — shr, translated as "within our experience or knowledge" — and illogical — chu —shr, translated as "outside our experience." Whatever religious preferences you have formed, I find this school of thought can easily be used by western culture incorporating their own ceremonies and bringing peace into their own environment. Just as we try to use the basic food pyramid issued by the government for balancing the body, this cone-shape form groups various elements and nutritional findings into an easy-to-understand formula based on experimental scientific findings verifying the proper portion amounts of each suggested food on the pyramid for optimal health. This cone shape symbolizes the element of fire, probably chosen for its action energy to encourage people to visually — get with it — and eat right. The bagua or eight-sided octagon contains the nine stations of life to follow in balancing the environment.

Learning to use both of these tools can only benefit your life changes and give you the energy to find the next step in the maze called feng shui.

Fall Workshops 2002

• Relationships — marriage, business, children and pets

• Landscaping — garden design, climate and terrain

• Space clearing, clutter busting, altars for any religion or occasion

• For balance and harmony

• The center of the home in connection with your health

• Acrylic
• Greeting cards for all occasions

• Know yourself and loved ones
• Power signatures

• Diana Gardner, L.A.C.

Times and locations to be announced

Clear Your Clutter yard sale is taking place at Caroline’s Arts for the next few weeks.

Sign up for your interest in fall classes at the shoppe or call 707-748-1127. You will be called later or emailed when dates are announced. Payment saves your space. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

Caroline is available for feng shui consultations, speaking engagements, radio and TV interviews.

Caroline’s Arts & Feng Shui Shoppe

129 1^st Street, Suite K

Benicia 94510

Open 1-5 daily, closed Monday

707-748-1127 or caroline@fengshuiartistry.com

Log onto her websites: www.fengshuiartistry.com and moongateschool.com for schedules, bio and weekly feng shui column. You can email her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com with questions.