Macramé Owl Photo credit: Bill Davenport

Feng Shui

Traditional feng shui (pronounced fung shway) is an ancient Chinese practice (earliest evidence dating back to 4000 BC). Feng shui utilizes astronomy and geography to influence the outcome of the relationship between humans and the spaces in which they move and dwell. It aims to create an auspicious, healthy, life enhancing environment. It was, and in many places still is, used to determine a place to live, work, and as a burial site.

Modern practitioners use feng shui to arrange furniture and objects to positively enhance the flow of Chi or Qi (vital life energy) to an optimum. In turn, this flow can improve health, wealth and relationships. Stagnation of chi can lead to ill health, misfortune, loss, and general negativity in one, several or all aspects of life.

While skeptics may dispute feng shui as superstition or psuedoscience, many of the practices are actually derived from basic science and pure common sense.

The Bagua

The bagua is a type of compass divided into eight trigrams. Each section has the attributes of a compass direction, season, natural element and other meanings. The ninth area is in the centre of the bagua, and represents balance throughout all areas.

The bagua is used in feng shui as a template that divides any space into nine areas. Each area corresponds to a different aspect of your life. Whatever is going on energetically (good or bad) in that part of your space will affect the related aspect of your life.

Feng Shui ‘Cures’

A feng shui ‘cure’ is some modification of the environment to shift the flow of chi in the environment, thus creating a more beneficial and prosperous energy state.

Owl Symbolism in Feng Shui

Buddhists believe the owl to be an independent seeker of truth that is familiar with meditation. Ancient cultures believed the owl offered protection against evil spirits and ill health. Owl figures increase the Yang in the environment – the positive and masculine chi energies.

Feng Shui Cures and Auspicious Placement of the Macramé Owl

View the bagua to see what part of your home you would like to enhance with the qualities of the owl, and place your Macramé Owl in that area.

For example, if you want to have educational success, improve knowledge or wisdom, place your Macramé Owl in the knowledge area, which is in the southwest (or bottom left) corner of your home (as you apply the bagua template to your home); or put it in the southwest corner of the room that is used for study purposes.

If you want to improve eye sight and hearing, place your Macramé Owl in the family/health (‘west’ or left) area. To improve your career, place your Macramé Owl in the career (‘south’) area, which would be by the entrance to your home. To increase wealth and prosperity, place your Macramé Owl in the ‘northwest’ (or far left) corner. To gain insight into your primary relationships, place your Macramé Owl in the far right corner.

For general balance and positive energy in the home and in life, place your Macramé Owl in the centre of the home. You can also place your Macramé Owl in the centre of any (or every) room for balance in any area of the bagua.

Why the Macramé Owl is an Ideal Feng Shui Cure

Not only is owl symbolism incredibly powerful; the materials used to create a Macramé Owl are also feng shui friendly. Natural materials (such as hemp and driftwood) can be incorporated to add more positive and balancing feng shui elements. The hanging structure of the Macramé Owl allows it to sway in the breeze, causing chi energy to flow.