The Mouth of the House

Facing a good direction can continuously bring abundant joy, good health, spirituality and success to your life. In fact directions have always been very important in traditional houses, as it was believed that facing the proper direction brings good luck and prosperity while the wrong one brings misery and pain. That is why certain directions were considered auspicious and some not.

The direction of the main entrance in the house has the greatest value since it is known as the mouth of the house from which energy flows inside.

We can look at the idea of auspiciousness of directions of the main entrance, windows and openings from various perspectives, from which nature and culture seem to be the two most significant. While culture refers to spiritual and esoteric concepts, nature is related to environmental and climatic factors.

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Directions from Esoteric Point of View:

Based on traditional and spiritual sciences, there exist great beings, who are in charge of different directions. These higher beings are often called the Directional Lords or Guardian Angels, each sending out a certain quality, type and color of energy. In different cultures various names have been given to these great beings. In the creation of Mandala these Directional Lords basically decide the placement of various rooms in the plan as well as the directions of the main entrance, doors and openings.

In Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui there are ten important directions which should be taken into consideration when building any property. These ten directions include the 8 directions, plus center above and center below. Among these ten directions, the four cardinal ones are the most important; the north, east, south and west.

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Directions from Environmental Point of View:

Here, the directions are studied in relation to the sun, wind as well as magnetic poles of the earth.

Sun rises from the east, passes through the south and sets in the west. However due to the 23.5˚ inclination of the earth from its vertical axis, east is not the first direction that receives the sun rays; it is northeast. The same is applied to west. In this way, if we draw an imaginary line from northeast to southwest, the southern half will be the light zone with more heat while the northern half is the dark zone with less heat. In this case the southeast, which is in the middle of the light zone, will have the natural light throughout the day and is recommended for places like kitchen that need light throughout the day.

Sun ray consists of visible white light together with invisible infrared and ultraviolet rays. Approximately from 6 am the effects of infrared rays start which is beneficial to the human health and has purifying effects. From 11 am to 3 pm the effect of ultraviolet rays will be very high which is harmful for the body. From 3 pm until the sunset the effect of infrared rays manifested as heat quality will increase. That is one of the reasons why in Vastu Shastra books south and southwest are normally considered inauspicious and are recommended to have fewer openings.

In relation to the wind, in certain geographical areas that wind blow intensely from a certain direction, that direction has been considered inauspicious as it used to bring disease and cold for the inhabitants. That is why in China, the direction of the north is considered inauspicious, since from this direction cold winds were entering the house and causing sickness. In India and other countries however, north is most of the time an auspicious direction.

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To summarize the concepts discussed from cultural and environmental contexts, the 10 directions can be described as followed: (The name of the directional lords discussed here are mainly derived from Indian geomancy and Vedic Textbooks)

East – This is the direction of the rising sun. Indra is knows as its deity. This direction is considered one of the most auspicious directions that gives wisdom, position and spirituality. The early morning sun’s light, warmth and energy are vital to our health; therefore this direction should have windows and openings. In this way by facing east while studying or designing, the enlightenment that comes from the east will inspire us.

Southeast – It is the direction of light and fire. Agni, the lord of fire is the relative deity of this direction. Southeast supplies heat and light which are the purifying factors in nature. In Indo Tibetan Buddhism also Agni is considered as the guardian angel of the southeast direction: ‘Make your hearth in the southeast corner of the house which is the quarter of Agni.’ (Tuluku & Perrott, 1987, p. 20)

South – South is the direction of excessive sun rays. Yama is the directional lord of this direction. Since unbearable heat will pass through this direction in summer, it is recommended to keep it closed. Yama in Indian tradition is considered as the god of death. This direction is one of the most inauspicious directions in Vastu science.

Southwest – This is the direction of radio-active infrared rays of the afternoon sun. Pitar or Niruti is connected to this direction. It diffuses poisonous like sun rays and should be kept high, heavy and closed. This direction is associated with ancestors and should have the least openings.

West – It is the direction of sun set which gives natural light until late hours. Varuna is the directional lord of this direction. This direction is also inauspicious in nature since Varuna is the god of rain, law and the underworld that is associated with night.

Northwest – Northwest is known as the direction of fresh winds. Vayu, the god of wind, is associated with this direction. It supplies pure air for the house as the greatest purifying agent of nature.

North – North is the coolest direction and along with east direction, it provides cosmic energies. So there should be windows and openings towards this direction as well. Kuber, the god of wealth is connected to this direction. Thus it is considered auspicious and produces health and wealth for the inhabitants. This direction should be kept low and with many openings.

Northeast – It is the most pious direction. Ish is its directional deity. Traditionally it was believed that Northeast supplies the most beneficial ultra violet sun rays which have curative effects.

Ish in Sanskrit means the “invisible power that controls the universe.” It is basically similar to Ishana or Ishwar in Indian tradition which means “the lord.” Ishana signifies the subtle form of Shiva that represents transcendental knowledge and has five heads denoting the five basic elements. Association of Ishana to northeast signifies the sum of two auspicious qualities of north as wealth and east as knowledge in this direction. Hence northeast is known as the source of positive cosmic energy which flow through the southwest corner.

Upward space – In traditional societies, upward space covers all the space surrounding us. Its lord is Brahma. This direction gives the power of word and rules all the communications between the two worlds of mortal and immortal.

Below earth – Downward direction is often a symbol of dark depths of the earth. Its lord is Vasuki, the king of cobras. This direction provides stable foundation for the building. Lethargy, inactivity and solidness are its relative qualities.

To know more about the directions, the quality of their energies, their effects and properties you are highly encouraged to attend the Pranic Feng Shui workshop, developed by Master Choa Kok Sui.

References

1. Frawley, D. (1993). Gods, Sages and Kings: Vedic Secrets of Ancient Civilization. Motilal Banarsidass Publ.
2. Krishna, T. (2001). The Vaastu Workbook: Using the Subtle Energies of the Indian Art of Placement to Enhance Health, Prosperity, and Happiness in Your Home. Inner Traditions .
3. Kumar, A. (2005). Vaastu: The Art And Science Of Living: The Art and Sciene of Living. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
4. Linrothe, R. N., Watt, J., & Rhie, M. M. (2004 йил 2-6). Demonic Divine: Himalayan Art and Beyond. Serindia Publications, Inc.
5. M. Cox, K., & Eden Karn, A. (2000). Vastu Living: Creating a Home for the Soul. Marlowe.
6. Tuluku, S., & Perrott, M. (1987 йил 22-6). A Manual of Ritual Fire Offerings. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Originated from the University of Virginia.