About the Homepage Bagua

Homepage Bagua

The grid that appears on the Home page is a representation of the energetic map used in many schools of Feng Shui. Commonly called the Bagua or Pakua, its attributes are amazingly layered and include representations of systems like the cycle of the seasons, the elements, phases of human life, colors, shapes and even transcendental patterns of wholeness.

The images were chosen for any number of reasons relating to their position (or gua) within the grid. You can see one set of traditional names for each gua in the grid below. Following that you'll find a brief description of how each image evoked different traditional qualities of that gua for me.

The bagua is traditionally read from the bottom, beginning in Water (winter), around in a clockwise circle, until Heaven (late fall) is reached. The Tai Chi is last and represents the balance point of all the others.

Used with the permission of Axel Kuhlmann, following license.

Water- This beautiful photo of a Norse waterway speaks to me of the power of the journey we come to this planet to explore. Our life purpose is this grand and we do well to pay it attention. This is more than what we do for a living. It is what we came here to do. The darkness of the blue and black, the deep dark of winter, are emblematic of water. The ears and hearing are associated with water. Hearing is the first sense to develop and the last to leave us at death, hence my choice of this photo for a representation of Sound Healing, a cutting edge, yet ancient, concept. The power of water, over time, trumps all other elements. See how it has carved this majestic channel, overcoming earth and fire and metal and wood.

Used with the permission of Walfrido

Mountain- It is rarely useful in communal life to become so consumed with self-knowledge that we must stand alone like the mountain peak, and yet, we must learn to know and love ourselves before we can hope to love another well. Mountain speaks of this phase of learning deeply about Self. The hermit in the mountain cave, who is still and calm, the picture of yin Earth, comes to learn how best to share their treasure. The sun, readying itself to peak around the edge of this mountain speaks clearly to me of the emergence into the whole of a solid self-loving being.

Used with the permission of andrewlee1967

Thunder- The spring begins in Thunder. The sap rises from our ancestors, teachers and mentors, who give us the spark of beginning. This photo spoke to me in its green-ness, a color associated with the wood element which this gua embodies, as well as its locale in the British Isles, land of my own ancestors and home to countless labyrinths and wisdoms of sorts that speak to me. Think Stonehenge, and Newgrange, and the power of ancient history supporting new beginnings.

Used with the permission of Mark Lawrence © Copyright 2007 by Mark Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.

Wind- Unlike Thunder, which represents yang wood, here we have yin wood, more pliable and yielding. As a representative of wealth and fortunate blessings, the flexible but persistent quality of wood that can stand up to Wind, is exemplified in this impressionistic painting of trees in wind. The green and red together are a traditional Chinese representation of wealth and thus have become the place holder for my rates. Fortunate blessings though, come in many forms. I count nature and art among my most favorite expressions of wealth.

Used with the permission of Brian Mahieu

Fire-Fire is fun. It's parties and lanterns and late nights, Oh my! Fire is the holder of our fame, or infamy. It's the sense of awe that we feel at the wonder of this life and how we dance among those we call our community. This whimsical painting was all I needed to remind me that we are here to shine.

Earth- Late Summer, our home and place of deep nourishment, is here in the Earth gua. It's no wonder that our intimate relationships and art handmade by children would represent this gua. Thus I've chosen a painting by my own love, created at age 5. What are the chances of being able to combine intimate partnerships and art made by children in one image? Eric offered it up in complete humility but with a keen sense of design and meaning for which he is renowned.

Used with the permission of Wendy Hodge

Lake- Joyous lake! this metal gua is the picture of freedom and creation. Metal is often a more boundaried concept, but here it expands into a shimmery expression of possibility. Remember the spaciousness of autumn that was beginning to take on the form of school? So much possibility, so many new ideas but still the joy of freedom and bringing to the table the whole of your experience. This is Lake, pastel and visionary.

Used with the permission of Jane Winther

Heaven- There are helpers who gather on our behalf, beyond our realm, but within our ability to understand. Deep autumn where the alchemical change of nature takes place, the plant matter dies down and the secret of regeneration is consolidated into seed, the magical blueprint of the future. Here lies the hidden gold of shifts still coming. Tibetan bowls have always spoken of promise to me. The tones and overtones, the intentions of monks in their making, these are the wings that carry us through the dark of winter, the unknown, and deliver us whole and new on the other side.

Tai Chi- The eye of the storm lives here. It's the place where all roads meet and deliver their gifts if we open ourselves, make ourselves fluid and malleable to receive them. For me this is represented by my home, the Labyrinth House, which for the past 15 years has been my inspiration and joyful challenge. The Tai Chi represents the heart of your home, the place where all healing is honored, and balance and unity reign supreme. My ministry, if it could be called such, is to honor the Earth, to promote peace, and to heal personally. Jai Ma!