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With this article I'm digging into one of Feng Shui’s most essential tools, the Bagua.

An eight-sided energy map, the Bagua uses your space as a metaphor for your life, helping you bring the power of Intention to important things like your health, finances, and intimate relationships.

The Bagua is an ancient and profound instrument with almost limitless implications which I’m able to outline only briefly here. Let me know your questions and I’ll be happy to answer them in my blog which I update several times each week. 

How to Use Feng Shui’s Bagua Energy Map
Feel free to download the attached map so you can follow along more easily. Orient the map so the entry to your space aligns with one of the three areas at the bottom of the map. 

Use the Bagua to identify the parts of your life that need a boost and place appropriate enhancements in those areas.  For example, if you feel lethargic and want to bring a sense of vitality into your life, make enhancements to the New Beginnings & Family area of your space.

I suggest attending to just one or two areas at a time so your Intentions are clear and your enhancements can start to have their intended effect.


Let's get started!

Bagua Area: New Beginnings & Family
Represents your parents and ancestors; growth, strength, flexibility, vitality.
Element: Wood
Color: greens & blues
Shape: Vertical column
Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Botanical prints, green items, plants.
-- Things made of wood or that look like wood.
-- Family photos (except in the Bedroom).
-- Vertical items like floor lamps and columns.

Bagua Area: Wealth & Prosperity
Represents your abundance and prosperity as well as your sense of gratitude.
Color: purples and golds
 Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Items that symbolize prosperity to you.
-- Things for which you feel truly grateful.

Bagua Area: Fame & Reputation
Represents your integrity and how you are known (and wish to be known) in the world.
Element: Fire
Color: Reds
Shape: Triangle 
Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Lighting, candles.
-- Red items.
-- Triangular shapes.
-- Animal prints, leather items, photos of animals.

Bagua Area: Love and Marriage/Intimate Relationship
Represents your most important romantic relationship, your ability to nurture yourself and your lover, mother earth, devotion.
Color: Rosy Pink
Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Pairs of things.
-- Things symbolizing intimate relationships.
-- Items that have the color pink in them.

Bagua Area: Children, Legacy and the Future
Represents your sense of joy, openness and discernment, as well as your ability to complete projects.
Element: Metal
Color: Whites & light pastels
Shapes: circles, spheres, arches, ovals
Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Items that help you visualize the future: a vision board, for example.
-- Things that symbolize the completion of important projects.
-- Metal things.
-- Rounded things – circular or oval items, archways.



Bagua Area: Travel & Helpful People
Represents getting out in the world to make things happen; your ability to get and give help, and to create synchronicities.
Color: greys & pastels
Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Travel souvenirs, a globe or maps.
-- Photos and artwork honoring people who have made a difference in your life.
-- Symbols/photos of people you would like to come into your life.
-- People in whose lives you have made a difference.

Bagua Area: Life Journey/Career
Represents the journey of life, including your career.  The Water element also symbolizes cash flow.
Element: Water, both moving & still
Color: black, very dark colors
Shape: Sinuous
Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Artwork about water, a water feature or fountain.
-- Glass and mirrors.
-- Sinuous textiles.
-- Dark colors.

Bagua Area: Knowledge & Self-Cultivation
Represents the cultivation of knowledge, skill-building, contemplation.  “A place where wisdom can develop.”
Color: dark colors: greens, blues 
Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Art symbolizing study, stillness, contemplation.
-- Books, a place to read and study.
-- A personal retreat.

Bagua Area: Center/Tai Chi
Represents your physical and emotional health. A clear and open Center helps keep all the other areas connected and in balance.
Element: Earth
Color: Yellows, earthtones
Shape: square
Good enhancements for this area include:
-- Keep this area open if possible, helping Chi energy flow freely in your space.
-- Square items.
-- Earthenware and ceramics.


Take your time and let all this information sink in. And don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

You'll find more great information about important Feng Shui concepts on the Open Spaces Feng Shui blog.