David Meek

I have a real estate listing in Stetson Valley and it generated a notable phone call this evening.

The caller was very warm and inquired about the home for sale. She seemed less interested in the stainless steel appliances and new granite countertops than she was in the orientation of the home on the lot. She wouldn’t consider a home that faced south or west.

My listing faces north. The kitchen is on the SE corner of the home. Both are favorable signs.

Intrigued, I asked a few questions about her motivations to find a home that faced east or north. The prospective buyer, of ethnic Indian descent, described that she was trying to find a home that reflected the principles of Vaastu Shastra. It was my first encounter with the practice.

What is Vaastu Shastra?

The concepts are rooted in Indian culture and ancient astrological Sanskrit texts. In a sense, Vaastu Shastra is the application of astronomy to architecture. The concept is to guide homeowners to create places of harmony within the home that align with universal forces.

Spatial arrangement, geometric symmetry, and directional alignment are all core components of the philosophy. Homes that are built with the Vaastu principles are believed to conduct positive, life-affirming energies. These enlightened forces bring happiness, prosperity, and health.

By contrast, the absence of these design principles in a home will invite struggle, financial stress and discord to its inhabitants.

Vaastu (also spelled Vasthu) loosely translated means living under one roof. Shastra means doctrine or teaching.

How is Vaastu Shastra different from Feng Shui?

At first glance, Vaastu Shastra might resemble the Chinese art and practice of feng shui, but there are differences between the two philosophies.

Feng shui focuses on encouraging the flow of spiritual forces, or Chi, that move throughout the home’s structure and its occupants. Vaastu, by contrast, incorporates planetary and solar alignment in combination with the earth’s magnetic poles to optimally orient a home. For example, an east-facing home addresses the sun as it rises.

According to Hinduism, the universe is comprised of five basic elements; earth, space (ether), water, air and fire. These are known as Paanchbhootas. In the Sanskrit texts, living beings are comprised of a combination of these five elements and the planetary globes. An imbalance causes illness and dissonance. Vastu Shastra works to align these elements through design.

What are elements of Vaastu Shastra design?

  • Front door should face E, N or NE
  • Kitchen is optimal in SE corner of home
  • Rooms in N and NE of home must be well daylighted
  • Patio or balcony faces E toward unobstructed rising sun
  • Master bedroom oriented in the W, SW or S area of the home
  • Living room oriented in the N, NE or E direction
  • Light candles in the early evening and morning in dark areas of the home
  • Square and rectangular rooms are best
  • Location of a guest room in the NE or NW is considered auspicious and beneficial
  • Keep dark corners lighted with as much daylight as possible
  • Display fresh flowers in a glass vase at the home’s entrance
  • Study areas should be green in color
  • Passive energy sources like solar panels and geothermal heat are encouraged
  • Orange hues are ideal colors for the kitchen
  • Blue colors bring calm in bedrooms
  • Wind chimes are desirable
  • Use natural elements in home construction like wood, brick, adobe and finishes like stucco
  • Swimming pools should be located on N, E, or NE side

What to avoid:

  • South or west facing front doors
  • Caging of animals (birds, dogs, cats etc.) inside the home
  • Captive fish in an aquarium
  • Paintings or framed photos depicting war, tragedy, eagles, bears or owls invite negative energy
  • Odd-shaped or triangular walls for bedrooms
  • Bathroom immediately adjoining the kitchen
  • Homes near high-tension electrical power lines or microwave cell towers
  • Trash cans and heavy objects in N or NE rooms
  • Mirrors in bedroom or (if present) cover them while sleeping

Vaastu Shastra principles can also be applied to the development of gardens, neighborhoods, and even entire towns and cities.

How do I find homes in Arizona that reflect Vaastu Shastra?

The Phoenix MLS system lacks the ability to search listings by the orientation of the front elevation of the home. As a result, there is not an efficient way in an online real estate search to sort for homes for sale in the Valley that incorporate Vaastu design components. However, tools like Google Maps make short work of discerning the direction that a home faces once you know an address.

As for the interior layout of a home, it will likely require a personal visit to investigate a floor plan and orientation of rooms.

Are you looking for a home in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe or Mesa that aligns with Vaastu Shastra principles? It would be an enjoyable challenge for me and I would be excited to assist you.

What aspects of Vaastu Shastra have I omitted? Please leave me your comments below.

 


The centuries-old history and culture of India, majestic architectural monuments and museums of Delhi, Agra and Mumbai have a unique attractive force. – Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation