The Energetic Map used in Feng Shui is called the Lo Shu Square. It is also referred to as the Magic Square. The Lo Shu Square is a method in which a nine-sector grid is superimposed on the floor plan of the home or space. It is a three-by-three-grid that is said to have first appeared on the back of a turtle over 4,000 years ago. The first person to see it was a sage named Yu.
Lo She Square
The Lo Shu Square is one of the most powerful Feng Shui tools. This tool allows the practitioner to unlock the meanings of the home energies, as well as the type of energies in any given time and space.
Each square, grid or chamber has an assigned number from 1 to 9. Each number represents one of the 9 human aspirations –
1 = Career
2 = Marriage and Relationships
3 = Family and Ancestors
4 = Wealth and Prosperity
5 = Health
6 = Helpful People
7 = Children and Creativity
8 = Knowledge and Self-Cultivation
9 = Fame and Reputation.
The Lo Shu Square is “magic” because the sum of the three numbers placed in the grid always adds up to 15, regardless of which direction they are added: vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The number 15 represents the number of days it takes for a new moon to reach full moon.
The significance is huge because in Feng Shui time is measured by the cycles of the moon. The Chinese New Year begins in the second new moon after the winter solstice. This date usually falls at the end of January or beginning of February. Thereafter, every new month begins with a new moon cycle.
There is a basic and archetypal pattern or arrangement of the numbers 1 through 9 in the grid. This is the basic grid that was first revealed to Yu in 2205 BC. From left to right, it consists of the numbers 4, 9, 2 on the top third. The numbers 3, 5, 7 on the middle section. And the numbers 8, 1 and 6 on the bottom third.
In Western Feng Shui, also called BTB or new age Feng Shui, the entrance is always aligned with the bottom of the grid, no matter what direction the home or building faces. Therefore, the Wealth and Prosperity section is always at the rear left of a building. With this school of Feng Shui, the entrance will be any of the numbers 8, 1 or 6 that occupy the bottom third row. The front door location or energy then depends on whether the door is on the left, center or right of the building. If the front entrance is in the center, then it is where the energy of Career is and the number 1. That means the residents of the home will enjoy good careers provided the front of their home is well cared for.
In Classical or Eastern Feng Shui, however, the entrance depends on the compass direction. Therefore, the main door or entrance to the building might be any of the numbers or areas according to the compass reading, no matter where in the world the space is located. With this school of Feng Shui the Wealth area is always the SE of a building or land, between, 112.5 to 157.5 degrees. Sometimes it can even be an entrance. The residents to this home enjoy wealth energy coming in, as long as their space is well balanced and enhanced appropriately.
Classical Feng Shui also incorporates the time element to its practice. It has been established that our universe is in constant vibration; that means energies change. That change is also manifested in the Lo Shu Square by the changing of the numbers. This method is called Flying Stars. With this method, the numbers change every month and every year, at the start of the new moon cycle. A space that enjoyed great energy the previous year, might not have the same energy the next year, as related on my previous blog “Feng Shui Insights”.
In 2012, or the year of the Dragon, the South area did not enjoy good energy. In general, that means that the area should not be enhanced or disturbed with renovations or construction. A friend of mine decided to renovate their basement and located the cutting table on the South area of their basement. The project had more mishaps than normal, including an accidental break of very costly custom glass doors that had to be replaced. Had I known of their project ahead of time I would have advised them to place the cutting table in a good energy area so the project would go smoothly.
By avoiding areas of negative energies, Feng Shui can provide a smoother, more prosperous and healthier life.
In part 2, I will be bringing light to the cross-cultural features of the Lo Shu Square and the types of grids used in Classical Feng Shui.