Blob #2
May 18, 2010

One of the most important concepts emphasized in feng shui is the energetic principle of yin and yang. Energy is all around us and to capture positive chi called sheng chi and avoid hurtful energy called sha chi is the basis for feng shui practice. Meditation and breathing techniques, macrobiotic healing, chi gong exercises, Chinese herbs and medical diagnosis, Ayurvedic medicine all incorporate this concept of energy to heal and raise the life force. This Taoist theory is the root and source of life and death. Darkness and light, fire and water, expansion and contraction, heaven and earth all reflect the mysterious and interconnected yin and yang of existence. When we feng shui our homes, gardens and work places, it is necessary to remember that these energies operate on a subtle continuum. The qualities of yin and yang intertwine in a graceful dance and their harmonic energies create a healthy home where each member can feel safe enough to be healthy, happy and creative.

Yin qualities are characterized by the shady side of the mountain slope, dark colder foods and colors, contraction, female characteristics, rest, quiet, night time, spirituality, inward & downward direction, inhibition, entities that move more slowly. Yang encompasses the light, fiery, energetic male energy, bright, excitement, upper, movement, outward motion, strength, anger, summer hot energy. Yin and yang are interdependent and each contains the essence of the other. They are both continuously transforming and one cannot exist without the other. Nothing is completely yin or totally yang but instead co-exist on a continuum. Day becomes night and then night becomes day. External action taken to its extreme transforms into quietude and from the depths of stillness, movement emerges.

A common feng shui misconception when it comes to creating balance in the home is the idea that there must be EQUAL amounts of yin and yang everywhere. This is incorrect – balance is achieved when HARMONY is created and this harmony is different for different homes in different rooms for different people. To provide a deeper understanding, I will use myself, my home and my family to reveal the subtleties of yin and yang. I am a very active, fast moving, thin, warm female. My birth or BaZi chart shows a strong preponderance of YANG energy. Thus, for me, soft lights, cool colors, the water’s edge,

quiet dinners support and bring harmony to my active life. My dark, cool, wooden walled home is a positive respite. My icy bedroom feels wonderful and my ingestion of cooling foods and herbs suits me perfectly (yin). I balance my internal heat with external cold. Because I am predominately fiery and active (yang), I react very favorably to the peaceful contemplative practice of yoga and meditation (yin). Because my constitution is tight (yang), I am unable to eat lots of salty contracting heating foods (yang) and very able to eat more sweets and expansive fruit (yin) which helps to harmonize and balance my natal constitution. I am expressive (yang), verbal and outgoing (yang) but require a lot of private, silent down time to relax and dream. I like lots of stimulation around me but must always keep a watchful eye and temper my activity. When things get too hectic (yang), I tend to get sick (yin). I feel very comfortable in a home that is not austere or too organized, but instead filled with lots of pictures, statues, art, books, and what others might call “clutter” (yin) but I call “personal expression.”

My office is both whimsical and serious with plenty of water to nourish the wood energy I was born with. Yang rules here but yin is present. My kitchen is a busy active place where the yang wallpaper, floors, colors and furniture augment the happy, lively bustle of friends and family.

My garden needs corners for quiet meditation (yin) and places where the family can gather and carry on (yang). Sunshine can walk hand in hand with shade. There is no one rule that applies to all and everything changes over time.

My husband is my strong, steady mountain (yin) and I am his bubbling active stream (yang). Like so many relationships that have lasted over time (thirty years and counting), our personalities and values are well matched and complimentary to each other. His quiet, subtle, introspective softer yin personality balances my excited reactive yang intensity. We like to believe that our daughters have received the best of both of us.

My oldest daughter, born with a preponderance of yin energy, is tall, soft and introspective. When she was growing up in our home, she needed more yang around her to balance her tendency to be introverted and a bit afraid (yin). She could not handle loud noise or loud voices as these frightened her. We cradled this child and protected her as she was delicate and sensitive (more yin). I realized early on that the yang colors (red, orange, purple) suited her, brought out her personality and made up for the lacking fire in her birth chart. I tried to guide her not to wear so much black (yin water) as it really dragged down her spirits and drowned the fire that was already lacking. This daughter’s bedroom needed to be different in colors, décor and arrangement than for my younger daughter who was born with a different constitution, different personality and needs than her older sister.

I encourage each of us to be our own feng shui teacher first and foremost. Instead of passively following someone else’s esoteric advice, it is wise to actively pay attention to the subtle needs and personalities of those around us. It is productive to study the energy and usages of different rooms in our homes so that the colors and furnishings enhance each individual who resides therein. It is important to constantly reassess over time how we feel in our homes and make the necessary energetic modifications. I remember when one feng shui “master” came to my home and commented that my living room was too dark, too yin. He advised us to paint all the gorgeous mahogany wood work stark white.

With all due respect, this highly paid “master” would not hear or understand our need for the soothing, quiet, cozy dark wood living room we turned to for relaxation. He did not know anything about our family unit or each member’s birth charts. Was his advice suited for us or did it merely reflect his own static teaching?

Everything in life including feng shui is relative. My antique furniture is my daughter’s clutter. Her music is my “noise”. My north entrance is my neighbor’s south facing. Harmony thrives in homes where rules are bendable and flexible. There are many instances where a feng shui consult is important and necessary but a feng shui consult that disregards human uniqueness is not going to create the soft cozy home we all crave. Understanding the powerful dance of yin and yang can be an enormous step towards creating that glorious feeling of peace and harmony that inspires each of us to bring our deepest dreams and wishes into fruition. I encourage you to start right now. Be prepared to tune in and use your “inner” eye. The results will astound you.