FUNDAMENTALS OF XUAN KONG EFFECTS ON AN OCCUPANT’S OCCUPANT’S HEALTH HEALTH Dr. Arch. Simona F. Mainini
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ABSTRACT
It is a known fact in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that the environment that surrounds us has a direct effect on our health. This is the real basis of Feng Shui, and having good or bad Feng Shui can have extraordinary effects on the well-being of a building’s occupant. This paper focuses on the effects of a specific Xuan Kong Chart (with definitively set time of construction and orientation) and on the health of the members of six different families after moving into buildings built with this particular Xuan Kong Chart. 2
Using the teachings of the American Feng Shui Institute (based on their scientific approach), I have analyzed each case study personally and the information reported includes both the results of my own analysis and the information provided to me by each occupant about their health and wellness history. All the case studies demonstrate a strong interaction with the occupant’s life experience and the theory provided by the Xuan Kong System, showing directly how a building planned with poor Feng Shui can have a dramatic impact on an occupant’s life. Also, it indirectly demonstrates how-- with some knowledge and experience-- scientific Feng Shui experts can be an asset at the project development stage in preventing architects and planners from making costly “bad Feng Shui” mistakes. KEY WORDS
Feng Shui, Built Environment, Xuan Kong, Trigrams, Five Elements, Well-Being, Illness, Cancer, Meningitis, Car Accidents. INTRODUCTION
In ancient Chinese metaphysics it is clearly stated that our well-being is affected by “the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the environment we surround ourselves with.” This statement makes a strong case to explore the connection between the built environment (a.k.a. a house) and a person (a.k.a. the occupant).
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Doctor in in Architecture, Architecture, Polytechnic Polytechnic of Milan, Italy; Licensed Licensed Architect, Italy; Senior Senior Instructor, Instructor, American Feng Shui Institute, CA, USA; Founder and Senior Consultant, Feng Shui Architecture, Inc.; Author, Feng Shui For Architecture; 287 S. Robertson Blvd. # 398, Beverly Hills, CA, 90211, USA; Phone +310 860 8989,
[email protected] [email protected];; www.fengshuiarch.com www.fengshuiarch.com.. Monterey Park, CA -- USA
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I myself became interested in Feng Shui for health and wellness since the very beginning of my studies and training, partially because I was brought up in a very health conscious country (Italy) where we believed that of everything we have, health is the first and most important-- for without it nothing else can be obtained. So my primary interest for studying Feng Shui was to find a key to how the buildings I would design as an architect would provide my clients c lients not only with a beautiful, sophisticated setting, but also a lso help support their health and the quality of their life. While the study of Feng Shui for health is not as immediate and quantifiable as, for example, Feng Shui is for financial success, it is particularly complex because of the human variable involved. And after over ten years of consulting consulting people on this, this, I believe that that incorporating Feng Shui into a building’s design holds the key to improving people’s health and wellness and it is worth studying and investigating more. For it is exclusively through thorough investigation-- and with the help of the TCM community-- that we can set credible standards and parameters for future generations of Feng Shui experts. This article is intended to be a first step in that direction. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
In this paper I will focus on the effects of the Xuan Kong System on the health of a house’s occupants. The topic is extensive and many variables are involved: 1) the time of construction of a building, 2) its orientation, 3) the date of birth of its occupants, and 4) the features in the exterior environment that surrounds the building. For clarity and in consideration that each Xuan Kong Chart is really unique, in this article I will focus primarily primarily on the effects of one specific Xuan Kong Chart. The following example labeled Table 1 is the Xuan Kong Chart of the “Qi Distribution (Life-Force Energy)” of a building built between 1964 and 1983, with an orientation facing Southeast (112.5-127.5 degrees) and sitting Northwest (292.5-307.5 degrees):
article. Table 1. Xuan Kong Chart analyzed in the article.
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In the course of this article we are going to review the effects this same chart has had in six different case studies. Each case study relates to an individual house in different parts of the United States or Europe. The occupant’s history was reported by the occupants themselves. None of the occupants occup ants were trained in Feng Shui, Shu i, nor were any aware of the procedures and techniques used during a Feng Shui assessment. I have personally complied each of these case studies myself between 1997 and 2000. In addition, I have also had some of my students report on similar cases with similar outcomes to the ones I’ve presented here. However, for the purpose of this article I have focused exclusively on the case studies I can report on firsthand.
METHODS
In the Xuan Kong analysis of a building, I used the methods indicated in the curriculum of 3 the American Feng Shui Institute (AFSI) and UCLA Extension . That includes the use of a “regularly shaped grid” for regularly shaped buildings (Yang houses), as opposed to the “pie-shape grid” commonly used for Yin houses, open land in general, or for exceptionally-shaped buildings. The orientation was read using the American Feng Shui Institute Geomantic Compass, the Sangs Lo Pan. The number calculation is also the standard version taught by the American Feng Shui Institute using: a) The construction time number in the center section. b) “Flowing” the number forward following the Lo Shu pattern. c) “Flowing” Yang number forward and Yin numbers backwards in each individual
direction. The correlation between 8 Trigrams, 8 Directions, 5 Elements, Body Parts, Illnesses and Xuan Kong numbers used in the analysis are also from the AFSI curriculum and are as follows:
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Sang, Sang, Larry Larry (1994), The Principles of Feng Shui, American Feng Shui Institute, Monterey Park, CA.
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Trigram XK#
Element Element
Symbology
Familiar Relation
Direction
Parts of the Body
Illness
Earth
Mother/Wife
Southwest
Abdomen, Stomach
Digestive/Reproductive Digestive/Reproductive Hysteria, Convulsion
Kun
2 Earth
Zhen
3 Hard Wood Thunder
Eldest Son
East
Feet, Throat
Kan
1 Water
Water
Middle Son
North
Ears, Blood, Kidneys Earache, Kidney Ailments
Gen
8 Earth
Mountain
Youngest Son
Northeast
Hands and Fingers
Arthritis, Broken Hands
Qian
6 Hard Metal
Heaven Heaven
Father, Husband, Owner Northwest
Head and Lungs
Headaches/Pulmonary Headaches/Pulmonary
Xun
4 Soft Wood
Wind
Eldest Daughter
Southeast
Thighs and Buttocks
Cold and Rheumatism
Li
9 Fire
Fire
Second Daughter
South
Eyes and Heart
Eyes/Heart Related
Dui
7 Soft Metal
Marsh
Youngest Daughter
West
Mouth, Chest, Teeth
Mouth/Chest Related
Directions, Elements, Body Parts, Illnesses and Numbers. Table 2. Relation between Trigrams, Directions,
Also, in addition to individual values, each Xuan Kong number is associated with a specific overall effect, which is listed below: Xuan Kong # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Associations Fame & Wealth Pain, Hidden Sickness, Miscarriage Gossip, Arguments, & Lawsuits Scholastic Achievements and Creativity Fire, Sickness, Casualties, & Obstacles High Position, Accidents from Metal Accidents from Metal, Bleeding Bleeding Abundance & Wealth Wealth (Wang) Enhancer (for the Other Numbers)
Table 3. Xuan Kong numbers association.
In the course of the analysis we’ll particularly look at the relationships between an occupant’s Trigram, house Trigram, house overall characteristic, and the Xuan Kong value at the entry and in the bedroom. Please Note: This article focuses primarily on the effects of the Xuan Kong Chart and doesn’t address in details the building design and external influences, but this doesn’t mean such effects are to be ignored, for they are of high importance-- particularly as catalysts that activate the Xuan Kong potential and its effects on the occupants and for often determining the intensity of such such effects. However, being the topic is so multi-layered, multi-layered, for clarity at this time I prefer to focus on the Xuan Xua n Kong effects exclusively. In addition, this article does not address the specific yearly and monthly Xuan Kong influences-- although they have also shown instrumental as triggers in the manifestation of adverse effects by pushing the energy in one direction versus another.
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The following variables are all relevant to the analysis of each case study that I’ll be describing in this report: 1. The chart in Table 1 shows the Xuan Kong Chart of a house commonly known as a “Double Facing” house (meaning the two construction numbers are placed in the middle front section), a characteristic that is known to produce in the building a weak Qi in regards to Health and Relationships. 2. Also, all six case studies were conducted between 1997 and 2000, during time construction period 7. As you noticed, the center section of the chart shows a number 7 on the “Mountain” side of the section, also know as the “People” side. This fact is known, in theory, to cause an “imprisonment” in the energy ruling the well-being on the house occupants. 3. In theory the combination of the “Double Facing” condition and “Mountain Center Number Imprisonment” causes this building to be extremely weak in regards to the Qi that regulates the well-being of the occupants. 4. The building is facing SE and sitting (with its back towards) NW. By definition, this condition identifies a building belonging to the Qian Triagram, also associated with the Yang (Strong) (Strong) Metal element. In the Five Element theory, the Yang Metal element has the strongest Qi of all and it is particularly adverse for Wood element occupants (such as Zhen and Xun Trigrams people) as “Metal Chops Wood.” 5. While all areas of the house have an effect on a person’s Qi, the location of the entry door and the bedroom is of primary importance. While the first dictates the quality of Qi entering the building and energizing– either favorably or unfavorably– each room in the house, the second has a very direct effect on the wellness of the occupant sleeping in it and his or her ability of rejuvenating and reenergizing themselves. Hence, our description of each case study below will describe specifically the Xuan Kong value of these two specific areas.
CASE STUDIES 1 – 6: CASE STUDY # 1
Occupant: Stella: Female, Trigram Zhen, Element: Wood Wood Location of the House: Marina del Rey, CA, USA Location of the Entrance: West Section (9-3) Location of the Bedroom: Northeast (1-2)
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In this case study, Stella belongs to the Wood element, whose energy is adversely affected by the energy of the house (Metal). (Metal). As we established earlier, earlier, the building is not supportive for health. At the time of the visit Stella had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was schedule to have surgery the following day. As you notice, the entrance is located in a 9-3 area, where the Fire (9) burns Wood (3). This entrance is naturally adverse adverse to our occupant, as it destroys destroys her energy. In addition, the bedroom is located in an area where Earth (2) affects the female reproductive organs. It is the nature of the Kun Trigram (2) to be very Yin, hence to develop in hiding and to show only when at a very progressive stage. At that time I recommended Stella to relocate her bedroom to a smaller guest room located in the 4-8 section. Since structural renovation was not possible, I advised her and her husband to relocate to the smaller room at their earliest convenience. However, the couple chose not to follow the suggestion. In spite of the medical treatment, Stella’s condition did not improve and she passed away within six months of our meeting. CASE STUDY # 2
Occupant: Ms. Borrini: Female, Trigram Kun, Element: Earth Location of the Property: Parma, Italy Location of the Entrance: SE Section (6-6) Location of the Bedroom: East (5-7) In this case study Ms. Borrini is an Earth person sleeping in the East section of the building (East is Wood and Wood pierces Earth). At the time of the visit she was diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer and an d was scheduled to start chemotherapy shortly after. The potential of this building– identified by the numbers in the center section, which in this case is 7-5– is for illnesses illnesses related to the chest or mouth. In addition, the bedroom is also located in an area with 5-7. The entrance is located in the 6-6 area, often relating to surgery. Remembering the experience of Case Study #1, I suggested that Ms. Borrini move temporarily while undergoing her medical treatment to their house in the country side (which was not far away form the current one), since suggesting relocation of her entire large family was not going to be acceptable. I spoke to Ms. Borrini a year later and she was feeling very optimistic; the treatment she received had worked well and she was recovering to her full strength. At the end of the conversation she mentioned her intention of moving back to her family’s main house within the following months. About two years later I received a call from a common acquaintance informing me that Ms. Borrini had passed away.
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From the information I was able to gather afterwards I learned that Ms. Borrini had indeed moved back to her family’s family’s main house and shortly after her cancer had come back. This time she remained in the main house during the treatments the whole time and she didn’t survive. CASE STUDY # 3
Occupant: Bette: Female, Trigram Xun, Element: Wood Location of the Property: Irvine, CA, USA Location of the Entrance: Southeast Section (6-6) Location of the Bedroom: South Direction (2-1) Bed Headboard Orientation: NW Direction Bette belongs to the Wood element, whose energy is adversely affected by the energy of the house (Metal) and by the double Metal energy (6-6) present in the SE section where the entrance to the house is located. The Southeast direction is related to the Xun element, so naturally she is the first first one to receive the effect effect of the 6-6 residing there. there. As we established earlier, the building is not supportive for health. At the time of the visit Bette had just been diagnosed with cancer of the uterus at a very early stage and was schedule to have surgery. As you notice, in addition and once again (like in Case Study # 1), the bedroom is located in an area where Earth (2) effects the female reproductive organs. It is the nature of the Kun Trigram (2) to be very Yin, hence to develop in hiding and to show only when at a very progressive stage. In addition, the bed headboard points towards Northwest, once again a Metal direction, which is seriously adverse for every Wood person. In consideration of my experience with Case Studies #1 and # 2 at the time of this visit, I recommended that Bette relocate to a different house as soon as possible. This couple took my advice and relocated to a building more favorable for health. I received a note from them about nine months later informing me that all the cures had been successful and Bette was now cancer free. CASE STUDY # 4
Occupant: Suzy: Female, Trigram Zhen, Element: Wood Wood Location of the Property: Costa Mesa, CA, USA Location of the Entrance: SE Section (6-6) Location of the Bedroom: West (9-3) When I visited Suzy for the first time she had already recovered from meningitis, a car accident where she hit her head on the windshield and had been hospitalized, and had recently been diagnosed with the beginning of a brain tumor. Interestingly enough, in her house not only the entrance, but also the entire garage was located in the 6-6 area. In addition, a straight path from the garage door lead to a long straight
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corridor to the bedroom door and into the bed (since she used to sleep with the door open). Her energy weakened by the 9-3 section (like in Case Study #1) and the effect of the 6-6 (6 related to Qian and the head) could have easily been the cause of this trouble. Upon suggestion, Suzy placed the property on the market the following day and sold it in a few weeks. She moved by the end of the month and is now a successful real estate agent in Orange County, CA (in the USA). CASE STUDY # 5
Occupant: Darius: Male, Trigram Kun, Element: Earth Location of the Property: near Venice, Italy Location of the Entrance: Southeast Section (6-6) Location of the Bedroom: Northeast (1-2) Darius is an extremely successful business owner and leader of his own company portfolio. During the time he had lived in this house he experienced an attempted kidnapping in front of his own house, two car accidents acc idents resulting in severe concussions, and meningitis. As in Case Study #4 the location of the primary entrance in the 6-6 area– related to the head-which directly relates to head injuries and illnesses. The number 2 in the bedroom, for its Yin qualities (Kun is the most Yin of all Trigrams) could relate to the secrecy of the attempted kidnapping and also directly relates to his trigram. Note: I reviewed another case where the owner had been subject to kidnapping– this time successful– but his room was located in the 2-5 section. The building also was different from the one considered in this paper. The value of 5 significantly exacerbated the potential of the 2, making it into a very health-dangerous combination. In this particular case the person was released after two years of detention, but he never recovered from the suffering of the experience and died a few months after coming back home in the 2-5 section. CASE STUDY # 6
Occupant: Mr. Porta: Male, Trigram Zhen, Element: Element: Wood Ms. Porta, Daughter: Female, Triagram Dui, Element: Element: Metal Location of the Property: Reggio Emilia, Italy Location of the Entrance: Southeast (6-6) Location of the Bedroom for Mr. Porta: West (9-3) Location of the Bedroom for Ms. Porta: East (5-7) The Porta family lived in this building for less then two years when they decided to spend the summer on the Elba Island Island just off the coast of Italy. Italy. Mr. Porta and his daughter embarked on the night ferry while Mrs. Porta was delayed at work and was scheduled to fly in and meet them the following day. During the crossing the ferry was hit by a large cargo ship that split the ferry in two. One half, where Mr. Porta was located (according to the reconstruction of
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the designated authority), exploded, and his daughter’s body, which was located in the second half that got crushed, was found dismembered from the crushing metal. In the analysis of the house I noticed that Mr. Porta’s bedroom was located in the 9-3 (fire, 9, and explosions, 3 – and related to Mr. Porta trigram), in the West section, also not favorable to Wood element people. The daughter’s room was located in the 5-7 (metal cuts and severing), which doubles with the house potential of 7 –5, doubling the adverse potential, particularly from her being Trigram 7 (Dui) in which case the 7-5 combination would interpret as “cut and bleeding for the Dui person.” Interestingly, Mrs. Porta belongs to the Qian (Metal Trigram). Not only was she not physically effected by the accident (other then of course emotionally), but she continues to live in the building even after the premature departure of her family. She’s an extremely successful business owner but often suffers migraines, another consequence related to the 6-6 combination at the entrance.
CONCLUSION
The case studies presented in this paper lend significant support to the theory presented in the Xuan Kong System as to the direct affects that time of construction and orientation have on a building’s Qi. It also clarifies how ho w the theory on the interpretation of the Xuan Kong Chart drafted by the calculation applies to the relationship between the real life of the house’s occupants and their health. The conditions of the houses presented in this paper proved of such magnitude that becomes just about impossible to correct them without significant structural structural changes to the building, or by advising the client to relocate. Even when using the traditional elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood) we find that in extreme situations like these, they do not seem to be sufficient to modify such strong convergence of adverse aspects. And yet, most clients find the option of relocating unattainable, often because of budget and family ties, causing them to be stuck in the adverse Feng Shui. In addition, we find that once a condition has manifesting in the form of a critical health issue it cannot be fixed by Feng Shui alone. Even with correction, renovation, or moving to a more health-supportive building, medical assistance is still necessary to reverse the effects of a chronic illness. I recommend the compilation of more detailed lists of case studies documented and submitted by Feng Shui practitioners. In addition, I recommend such case studies to be made available to the Scientific Feng Shui community so that each expert, or aspiring one, can draw from previous experiences in their own practice and while advising architects and planners so as to help avoid costly mistakes at the expense of the unsuspecting occupant’s future health and well-being.
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REFERENCE
Mainini, Simona (2004), Feng Shui for Architecture, Xlibris, Philadelpia, PA—USA. Ruo Guan Dao Ren (or.ed. 1790 – reprint 1999), Ba Zhai Ming Jing (Eight House Bright Mirror), Wuling Publishers, Ltd., Taibei Sang, Master Larry, (1994), The Principles of Feng Shui, American Feng Shui Institute, Monterey Park, CA - USA. Shen Zhureng (or.ed. 1924- reprint 1999), Shen Shi Xuan Kong Xue,(Master Shen’s Xuan Kong Knowledge), Wuling Publishers, Ltd., Taibei
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