The eight directions, in plain words

Where attention goes, energy flows. It is the simplest way I know to explain how the compass works in feng shui.

In the traditional compass school, each direction of your home stands for an area of your life. These are called the eight aspirations. Choose the area you want to change, give that part of the house your attention, and the tradition says the energy there begins to shift along with you.

The eight areas

• North. Career and opportunities. Worth a look if you are wondering what comes after the work you do now.
• North east. Education and knowledge. The course you keep meaning to take lives here.
• East. Family and health. The people you love, and how you feel in your own body.
• South east. Wealth, abundance and prosperity. The classic spot for money symbols.
• South. Fame, recognition and reputation. How you are seen, and what you would like to be known for.
• South west. Love and relationships. Partners, and also the friendships that carry you.
• West. Children and creativity. Grown children, grandchildren, and the projects you finally have time for.
• North west. Networking, mentors and helpful people. The ones who open doors for you, and the ones you can now help in turn.

Finding them in your house

Stand near the middle of your home with the compass on your phone and note where each direction falls. Some areas will land in a bedroom, some in a hall, and one may well land in the laundry room. That is fine. Every house has a few awkward corners.

Symbols as reminders

Some people like to use traditional feng shui symbols in a particular area, a money frog by the front door for example. I think of these as reminders. Each time you walk past one, it brings your attention back to what you want, and that can help you start building a plan to get some traction in that part of your life.

Every area also has its own enhancements and cures, ways to strengthen good chi there and to turn away the effects of bad chi. Colour, the elements, plants, mirrors, water, sound, scent and symbols all play a part, and in feng shui they are said to work best together.

You do not need all eight at once. Pick one area. Give it your attention for a season and see what moves.

If you would like to go a step further, your personal energy number is the place to start. In the tradition it tells you which directions are said to suit you best.

From the archive. First written for my journal years ago, and rewritten for life after 50.