The Sixth Nine Houses of the Bagua: Heaven (Helpful Friends)

Heaven represents the creative force of the universe and is the source of all things. It is associated with the archetype of the father - a figure of authority, strength, leadership, masculinity, achievement, awareness. Yet this house is more popularly known as Helpful Friends and represents all your visible and invisible means of support. Who do you rely on? Baby sitters, people who run errands for you, and those who show up in your life like angels to get you out of a fix or as a shoulder to cry on. The force works both ways, however, so it also represents your spirit of philanthropy and your willingness to give of yourself to others.

This house is associated with the energy of metal, the colours white and silver, the season of autumn, and the northwest. It is represented by jewels, precious stones, crystals, symbols of masculinity and authority, legends, myths and stories.

If this area of your home is missing or lies in a built-in garage, you will miss out on the support of helpers and you will have difficulties with authority. As the energy here is the most masculine, men's fortunes and abilities will be undermined, children will not pay attention to their father, there could be upsets with male superiors at work, and men may spend more time away from home because there is less masculine energy resonating there. You can stimulate this energy by introducing metal, and nourish it with soil energy. Becoming a helpful person by doing voluntary work and making charitable donations can also help. The area of Heaven has a strong relationship with the house of Fortunate Blessing in the opposite corner of the bagua. The more active of this part of your home, then the greater the polarity between the two houses. This means that the more you give away of yourself in terms of philanthropy and time for others, the stronger the magnetism of Wind and the more Fortunate Blessing will come into your home and your life.

A projection in this area could mean that the household is very sociable and popular, with lots of comings and goings. As their energy is more strongly developed, male occupants would be favoured, and there is greater potential for them to be popular figures in the community but equally, with this emphasis on masculine authority, there might be an excess of male ego. Men may have a tendency to be dogmatic, while women are likely to feel less comfortable.

The Fifth Nine Houses of the Bagua: Tai Chi (Health)

The fifth house lies in the centre of the bagua and although it does not have a trigram, it is strongly associated with Earth and soil energy. It represents a unification of all forces and, as the key meeting point for all the energies, the Tai Chi is an important point of stability and balance, hence its more popular name of Health. This area of your home needs to be kept clear so that the flow of energy can pass through it freely. Clutter and stagnation here will have a great impact on all aspects of your life as it contains aspects of all trigrams: whatever is present here will affect the stability of your life, health, relationship, family and plans.

This area is particularly important for your health, so keep it clean, tidy and uncluttered. Because real vitality and well-being can only be achieved if everything is in balance, make this space feel harmonious, using a good blend of all the lements and not just a predominance of one. You could reinforce the connection with Earth to act as a reminder to yourself to stay centred and grounded, which will strengthen your positive attitude to life. Introduce ceramics, empty containers and anything that is soft and receptive to help you to this end.

If this area is missing from your home, it can be a tremendeous benefit. Indeed, traditional peoples would often leave an open courtyard in the centre of their house and use it as a garden, bringing elements of the outside world into the side. At least two thirds of the space would still be clear rather than being entirely garden.

As this is an important gathering point and social centre, try to keep the middle of each room clear, particularly the living room. Do not block the central space by filling it with a coffee table; put that to one side to allow a better flow of energy and people.

The Fourth Nine Houses of the Bagua: Wind (Fortunate Blessings)

The house of Wind, or Fortunate Blessings, is to do with our experience of blessings and good fortune. Although the energy here does manifest itself in the world as money (which explains why it is often referred to as the "wealth corner"), it is worth noting that our blessings often come to us in other currencies - opportunities, invitations, our children and friends.

The I Ching trigram for Wind carries the image of a flexible tree which bends in the wind. It represents growth, maturing, our sensitivity and assimilation of ideas brought to us like seeds on the winds of change. Because movement is associated with Wind, mobiles, fans and kinetic sculptures all stimulate Wind energy.

The energetic association with wealth means that having a bathroom and toilet in this area can be financially challenging. Energy is constantly being depleted by being dragged down the drains and basins, and the downward movement of energy when the toilet is flushed sucks away the positive Chi energy which has gathered in your home, making it difficult for it to manifest itself as hard currency in your life. Take heart, there is a remedy that does not involve major repumbling. Healthy, upward growing plants, pictures of plants (for interior rooms without natural light) and small stones from a river bed acting as anchors can reverse the flow of Chi. The toilet seat should be kept down at all times, plugs left in the drains and a small mirror hung on the outside of the bathroom door (which should also be kept closed).

When this area is missing in a house, accidents and misfortune generally follow. Adjustments involve tree energy again: plants and the colour green. And wood likes to be nourished by water, so this is an ideal place for an indoor fountain or fishtank. Pictures of moving water can also be used, for throughout time, water has been associated with life-giving properties, nourishment and the generation of wealth. If the missing area is contained in your garden, it is worth investing in exterior lighting, a bird bath and attractive plantings for even though it is outside, the space is activated by these, and positive energy is still generated. When there is a projection in this area, on the other hand, the household prospers and everything the inhabitants put their energy into will be more successful.

The Third Nine Houses of the Bagua: Thunder (Elders)

The third house of the bagua, Thunder, is associated with the family, elders and that which has come before us. In Eastern and traditional cultures older people are revered for their wisdom; indeed, they are often referred to as the "long living". Their counsel is sought and they are shown great respect. We carry the spirit of our ancestors in our energy just as we carry their DNA in our genetic make-up and it is important for us to acknowledge our heritage. How can we know where we are going when we do not know from where we have come? Gratitude to our family needs to be expressed somewhere in our home; this area, most frequently referred to as Elders, is an ideal place for family photographs and treasured mementoes.

Stagnation in the form of clutter, things which you no longer use, or broken items in this area of your home may result in unresolved issues in your life and difficulty in starting anew. A lack of forgiveness on our part of some past misdemeanour or thoughtless act by an old friend or someone in our family can end up having a strong influence over the future. When we don't let go but hold on to the hurt it takes up space in our psyche and ends up holding us back from creating the future we want. This inability to let go is often mirrored in our surroundings when we hold on to old things from the past which serve no purpose now. A big clearing out of belongings, which you know deep-down you no longer need, can have a truly cathartic effect on your present and help to open up a new future. Lack of support from a strong Elders area will also affect your ability to be creative. Anything that symbolically represents difficulty from our past will affect the new future we are trying to create.

The shape of the trigram for Thunder from the I Ching has a solid line underneath which gives it a deep, base resonance, and indeed, it is associated with sound and noise-making. The energy of Thunder rising up in the east represents new beginnings, spring and the start of a new cycle. Thunder is associated with tree energy, which is represented by the colour green, tall shapes and plants. It signifies vitality and movement in the home.

As regards your home, a projection in this third house will mean a greater sense of maturity in the household. If the section is missing, occupants will lack energy and endurance, they may have to work harder, or find they have family problems. As this energy is connected with sound, where occupants are lethargic and stubborn, they can be shaken up and stimulated with the thunder of loud music flooding through the house. Noise-making machines like air-conditioners, hair-dryers, refrigerators, televisions and stereo systems all vibrate Thunder energy, and so does the human voice. Conversely, if you have problems with noisy neighbours, calm down the Thunder energy in your home. You can redirect this unwanted intrusion by a single tall plant to act as a channel for this strong energy. Reducing the colour yellow helps, too.

To correct an imbalance, you need to bring in the tree element - tall green plants, tall furniture and chairs, the colour green, artwork featuring green or woodlands or symbols of support, like pillars.

The Second Nine Houses of the Bagua: Earth (Relationship)

Earth is the element of receptivity, openness and yielding. Energy here is manifested in the physical world in partnership or, more generally, the Relationship area, so it is often called the marriage corner. If this area is missing in a house, it could be the reason why the occupant is single; couples living there are likely to have difficulties.

To maintain harmony and balance in relationships it is important to check out every relationship corner of the home to see whether negative space exists. The most important is the one in the bedroom since this is where you are most intimate in your relationship with yourselve and with a partner. If the Relationships area is missing, you need to pay special attention to make adjustments. Moreover, as this house of the bagua carries the most feminine energy, a lack of this house can mean that female occupants will be less fortunate and happy. Make sure that this corner is not collecting clutter or housing on overflowing basket of dirty laundry.

Check out the imaginery of your pictures: are there solitary figures or couples having fun? Even a picture of two flowers reinforces the message of duality. Similarly, make the most of your relationships by showing mementoes of your life together. You need to energize the area, with uplighting, plants, a crystal hanging in the window, a landscape painting with depth, or a mirror - whatever feels appropriate.

The nature of the element of Earth is one of openness and invitation. It is strengthened by flowing lines and soft items. Bring nature into your environment with flowers, plants, candles and water. Cushions and pillows on the bed are ideal reinforcements. The colour yellow holds the gathering nature of earth and can be used in the decor. Avoid furniture and decor that have a hard, unyielding quality. See where you can create welcoming corners that invite closeness and support togetherness - a window seat or a soft-covered pair of low, comfortable chairs facing each other.