Vastu Shastra is a Sanskrit term that refers to the study of cosmic directional forces in their interaction with the buildings and structures that people and animals live and work within. Vastu Shastra originates from the Vedic traditions of India and is a good, if not necessary compliment to Vedic Astrology (Jyotisha). The proponents of Vastu Shastra say that Buddhist Monks carried the ancient knowledge of Vastu Shastra across the Himalaya Mountains into the Chinese culture where it was developed and refined it into Feng Shui.
The underlying principle of Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui, of course, are the unseen forces of energy flow and the directions of their positive, and negative influences upon all living beings. The earth’s magnetic field flows from the north toward the south, just as any polar magnetic field will flow from its North to South Pole. This northern directional energy is referred to as gravitational energy and is represented by the primary element of water.
The eastern direction, where the Sun rises exactly on the Spring and Fall Equinoxes, is represented by the fire element. This early morning solar energy is the life supporting ultra violet rays that every living being requires in order to flourish. Solar energy changes into more malefic forms as the day, and the Sun, moves forward in our earth view of the sky. At noon, the solar energy has changed into infra red energy and during the setting phase of the Sun the destructive gamma rays are said to flow.
Even western science admits that increased activity on the Sun affects the weather and other atmospheric conditions here on earth. There is evidence of a “solar wind” which appears to be made of electrically charged particles that are blown along the Sun’s magnetic lines of force through the solar system. This solar wind is then funneled into the earth through its polar regions, the main entry point being the North Pole. As these electrically charged solar wind particles circulate in the earth’s atmosphere, they act as “seeds” that can produce rain, snow, or other forms of storms such as hurricanes. As the Sun spot activity increases in its intensity, the solar winds become more “gusty” and they can cause more turbulence in the earth’s atmosphere. Some of the savants of India have suggested that the increase of activity on the Sun’s surface is related to the influence of Jupiter in its orbital relationship to the Sun. For example, at the time of the hurricane Katrina, Jupiter was in opposition to Mars in its orbit pattern around the Sun. Saturn was approximately 90 degrees between both of them. This image of the three planets forms a “T” square among them and indicates the strongest of oppositional and cross turbulent forces that might affect the Sun’s atmosphere, as well as the earth. |
In the sidereal zodiac, at the time of hurricane Katrina, Saturn was transiting the water sign of Cancer, Jupiter the air sign of Libra (the Sun’s fallen sign), and Mars was almost stationary in its own powerful sign of Aries. The turbulent influence of the primary elements can evidently be hazardous on planet earth.
 I mention these more turbulent forces around the influence of the other planets just to make a point that these energies do exist and they do transmit their forces to the planet earth. The milder forms of these energies are present to us every day and at every moment. They affect our physical and mental health, even perhaps, promoting or obstructing our spiritual practices. The design and function of our living and working structures affect how these subtle and not so subtle energies flow around our presence..
Of course these principles are not at all accepted by the scientific mind of western society.
Are we living as abundantly in relation to health, wealth, and balance of mental functioning as we would like? Could we think in terms that would hold our architects and building designers responsible for the karma that accrues to the people that are using their structural designs? That idea would not be rational thinking in today’s model, but this is a large consideration in our current rational/logical/divisive thinking society.
The remaining two cardinal directions, south and west, are the directions of destructive flows of energy. From the south, represented by the primary element of earth, flows the geomagnetic energy of the earth and the infra red energy of the Sun. From the west, represented by the air element and the wind, flows the destructive energy referred to as gamma rays. There is a fifth primary element called ether (akash), which is usually referred to by its common name of space. This ether is the cosmic space in which all of the earth’s inhabitants live. Space has no location because it is everywhere or omnipresent. In terms of buildings, the space element is referred to as the center of the structure and should not be cluttered. Akash, or space, is also the center of astrological charts and the subtle energy system we call chakras.
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