Ba zhai (house formula) - Part III
Matching the owner and the house
by Jayashree Bose

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Now that you know how to decode the auspicious and inauspicious locations of your house, the next step is to know how to utilize these locations.

Ancient masters and contemporary masters have many rules in applying the ba zhai pai formula. I am writing about a few of them. Rules can be confusing especially when there is more than one person penning them down. Over the years different masters have added their understandings, even as I write this article contemporary masters rewrite the rules as they understand them. I am reminded of a saying I had read in a book once shu er bu zuo, it means "narrate, don't write". It is difficult for any person to directly narrate what is being written without adding his or her own thoughts. In this article I shall try to narrate what I have been taught and I have read - as time passes by I shall add my own views.

In ba zhai it is important to understand the difference between location and direction. Directions are derived from a person's kua number (to know your directions click here) whereas locations are derived from the house. Correct blending is required, relying on one and not following the other will be harmful.

Rule 1 - the house and the owner
1.1 - It is considered favorable if the auspicious directions according to your kua number and your houses auspicious locations match.
E.g. If you are gua 1 and your house is sitting north then your auspicious directions are southeast, east, south and north which is similar to your house's auspicious direction.

1.2 - Incase the above rule is not a possibility then you should at least try to have a house that matches with your kua number.
E.g. - If you are gua 1 and your house is sitting south then your auspicious directions are southeast, east, south and north and your houses auspicious locations are east, southeast, north and south. In this case even though you're the locations and directions are not identical they are still similar.

1.3 - Incase you are in a house where both the above rules donot apply then you are in a house that is unsuitable. In this case location and direction of main door, master bedroom/study (where you spend most time), bed, kitchen and stove play an important role.

1.4 - The house should always match the main earning member. Incase there are two earning members and one of them doesnot match the house then adjustments in bedroom, bed placement, stove etc will play a vital role.

Rule 2 - the door
The door is regarded as the mouth of the house, therefore it is important that it receives good qi.
2.1 - All contemporary masters agree that the main door should be facing one of your four auspicious directions. It is the location of the door that the masters differ in opinion.

2.2 - Some contemporary masters say main doors should be located in and face one of your four auspicious directions.

2.3 - Some contemporary masters say main doors should be located in good areas according to house gua formula and face one of your four auspicious directions.

My observations - if you cannot have the main door located in one of your good areas at least let it face one of your favorable directions. It depends on the situation and the kind of house you live in. Ba zhai is one of the many formulae in feng shui to judge the quality of qi in a particular area and direction it is not the only formula.

Next month more on bedroom, bed and stove placement.

Related article
Ba zhai - house formula (Part 1) - Auspicious locations
Ba zhai - house formula (Part 2) - Inauspicious locations
Ba zhai - (Part 4) - Locating the bedroom and the bed.
Ba zhai - (Part 5) - Locating the kitchen and the stove.
Ba zhai - (Part 6) - Locating the study and the desk.
Ba zhai - house formula (Part 7) - Internal corridors, toilet and store