Incorporating Vastu Shastra in Your Home
Ancient architectural and design practices are becoming popular with homeowners again.
Vastu Shastra is an ancient Hindu system of architecture long used in the construction and layout of temples, houses, public spaces, and even entire cities. The concepts central to Vastu Shasta are based on the integration of directional alignments and geometric designs with both structural functions and nature. Ancient archaeological sites like Mohenjo-daro incorporated Vastu Shastra into their layouts.
The principles of Vastu Shastra can be applied to homes just as they are to other buildings and larger sites. The designs promote ritual and spiritual meaning and positive energy within a home. The orientation of a home, its room placement, proportion, and even building materials can have an impact on the energy of a house, and therefore its occupants. Adherents to Vastu Shastra can consider its principles when creating a home design.
Some principles, such as directional facing of doors and windows, can’t always be accommodated when searching for a home — builders in New England don’t necessarily have Vastu Shastra in mind and are also bound by certain constraints inherent to building location, lot alignments, and such. Don’t let that sway you away from an otherwise perfect home! There are plenty of Vastu Shastra principles that you can apply inside your home and on your home’s exterior that will compensate for a seemingly less-than-perfect door location. Here are just a few:
The Entryway
As the doorway to your home, this is the first place both residents and guests set foot when entering your house. Here are a few ideas to foster harmony at the very first step over the threshold to your home:
- Add a nameplate to summon prosperity and happiness.
- Avoid a drab front door; this can be accomplished by painting a beautiful design or including other embellishments.
- Replace old or damaged front doors to ward off difficult times.
- Do not keep trash receptacles near the front door, as they release negative energy.
The Living Room
Living rooms are important because they are used both for socializing with guests and for private time with family. Here are some principles to keep in mind in order to increase positive energy in your primary living space:
- Avoid paintings or art portraying any negative images such as war or tears.
- Paint the walls blue, yellow, green, or white, but avoid the negativity of red or black.
- Choose furniture with angles rather than round tables and other furniture.
- Do not include artificial or dried flowers in your décor, as they attract misfortune.
The Bedroom
Since the bedroom is primarily a place for sleeping, placement of the bed is of utmost importance. Here are a few notes on encouraging peace and prosperity:
- Never sleep with the head toward the north.
- Avoid any sort of beam over the bed.
- Wrought-iron beds should be avoided in favor of a wooden bed frame.
- Electronics should remain some distance from the bed so as not to interfere with sleep patterns.
- Lighting should be soothing.
- Do not keep an aquarium in the bedroom.
The Bathroom
Bathrooms are very important in terms of reducing disease and promoting peace and harmony. For the best energy, here are some principles to keep in mind:
- Choose soothing or bright colors for the walls.
- Dirty linens should be placed in the west of the bathroom as the setting rays of the sun kill bacteria.
- Certain directions are more favorable for pipe drainage, placement of fixtures, and mirrors.
The Kitchen
Since the kitchen is a source of food and nourishment, it is considered as an important contributor to the health and well-being of occupants of a home. Here are a few considerations:
- Dining tables should not be placed in the center of the kitchen, as food should not be served there.
- Cooking is best accomplished facing east or north.
- Built-in storage is best to keep the kitchen looking clean and orderly.
- The kitchen should have adequate cross-ventilation.
- Green, orange, and pink are best colors for the kitchen.
- Since fire and water repel each other, sinks and cooking units should not be in close proximity.
For those who are interested in learning more about the application of Vastu Shastra in the home, there are many websites with additional information. I have yet to meet a homeowner who isn’t interested in transforming a house into a home filled with happiness and good fortune. Vastu Shastra is one of several traditional philosophies promoting harmony and well-being in your home.
