Feng Shui & the White House

Here’s the skinny:

1. The ideal placement for an important building follows the Armchair Principle: a solid mountain or high ground at the back for support

   • The Capitol building sits on high ground (Capitol Hill), effectively acting as a powerful “backing mountain” for the White House to the east.
   • The South Lawn opens up beautifully toward the Ellipse and the National Mall, with the Potomac River further out. The prominent fountain right in front of the South Portico acts as a classic wealth activator, circulating positive chi before it reaches the building.

2. The architectural shape of the main residence is favorable

   • Square or rectangular footprints represent the Earth element, which signifies stability, security, and solid foundations.
   • The strict classical symmetry of the North and South facades creates a balanced flow of yin and yang. There are no missing corners, which prevents any area of the bagua from being compromised. Of course this is all about to change with the new East Wing (see below).

3. There are some design issues that are not so favorable

   • The White House has two main entrances directly aligned on the North and South Portico. When doors align perfectly across a building, energy rushes straight through and chi is lost. This is called a “pierced heart”, making peace, stability, and health difficult to maintain.
   • Additionally the alignment of the East and West Wings promotes fast moving chi, which again has the potential for negative outcomes.

Now for the New East Wing:

The massive expansion and redesign of the White House East Wing will shift its structural energy, unbalancing the architectural harmony by heavily magnifying the Green Dragon or East sector (illustration on the far left).

Traditional Feng Shui relies on balance and proportion. By allowing an redesigned wing to dwarf the central Executive Residence, the primary governing center loses its commanding energetic position and that will not bode well for the residents or the country.

The Oval Office’s layout and desk placement:

1. The desk sits at the far end of the room. This establishes dominance over the room and puts him in the Command Position

   • The Resolute Desk is a massive 1,300-pound partners’ desk gifted to U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880. Crafted from the oak timbers of the British Arctic exploration ship HMS Resolute, it has been used in the Oval Office by most American presidents since John F. Kennedy.
   • In Form School Feng Shui, a large, solid-front desk acts as a protective shield. It anchors the occupant’s energy and creates a physical barrier that commands respect.

1. While the desk placement facing the room is excellent, what lies behind the president is a classic Feng Shui vulnerability. Ideally, a leader (and the rest of us) need a solid wall behind them symbolizing a “mountain” of support.

   • Instead, the president sits directly in front of three floor-to-ceiling windows. Glass does not support energy as it allows chi to leak out. Sitting with your back to a open window can lead to feelings of vulnerability to outside forces.
   • To fix this, presidents always flank the desk with heavy, grounded elements. Notice the placement of the American and Presidential flags directly behind the chair, along with thick, heavy drapery. These act as Feng Shui adjustments to create a sense of a solid wall or ‘mountain’ backing. This may be more or less effective depending on the chi of each president.

1. The Oval Office has a main entrance, along with 3 other doors – the door to the secretary’s office, the door to the private study/corridor, and the door to the Rose Garden. Even with the Command Position of the desk it makes the space unpredictable and difficult to focus

   • The Oval Office has a unique energetic profile as curved walls keep energy constantly moving. There are no solid corners to anchor chi, thus the environment is always subject to rapid change. On a positive note, circles represent the Metal element which is associated with leadership and authority.

Many of the principles (and mistakes to be avoided) that I discussed for the White House can be applied to your own home and office. The best way to do so is to have a consultation with a professional.

Wishing you a Wonderful August
Judith / Sacred Currents

btw, the Year of the Fire Horse is barely 1/2 over.
There still important information to glean for your year.
Click on the Fire Horse to discover.