Feng Shui

When Jack McConnell visits China next month on his autumn trade visit, he’ll no doubt invite his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao, to come to Scotland. However, the First Minister may find that his hosts aren’t too keen on coming to see his spanking new parliament building. Why? It’s all about the chi. The art of channelling the chi in our environment is known as feng shui. Chinese philosophers believe chi, or circulating life energy, pervades all things, and that a balance of negative and positive forms in the body is essential for our good health. Chi Wing, … a lecturer at Strathclyde University, thinks that it was a mistake not taking his discipline into account… Since no such consultation was undertaken at Holyrood, we took the task upon ourselves.

GENERAL SITE

The entrance faces north east and, because of its late completion, has a “Parents Sequence energy chart, which indicates that chi will flow freely,” says Chi Wing. “But because of the positioning of the site, there are many risks of which they should take note. These depend on the individuals involved, but there is the opportunity for adultery, knife attacks, flirtation and law suits. There is also the chance that a younger member of parliament will challenge leadership and authority, which could mean trouble for Jack McConnell.”
WATER POOL IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE

Analysis: “The position of this pool places it under a wicked star called Lian Zhen, or the Devil of Ferocity, and is a disaster area activated by water. This couldn�t be in a worse place because everyone has to walk past the pool to enter the building and they�ll automatically bring that negative energy into the parliament with them.”

Remedy: “They could move the pool or empty it of water, but these are hardly feasible. This should have been dealt with before construction.”
ENTRANCE

Analysis: “The entrance hallway is squashed. Immediately on entering you double back on yourself and enter a narrow, cramped lobby with a low ceiling. This is a tactic used by casinos in order to squash people�s auras, making them feel unimportant, insignificant and affecting their financial fortunes. The canopy over the entrance is also unfortunate. It points like a cannon towards the palace and forms a very hostile and aggressive feature.”

Remedy: “The entrance should be moved 100 yards to the left, between the two water pools, where people could enter a wider, roomier hall. That would also have been next to the cafeteria, which is a good social space. Having a bright hall allows the chi to accumulate.”
COMMITTEE ROOMS

Analysis: “Architecturally, the high, curved ceilings look modern and attractive, but they are poorly designed for free-flowing chi. High, flat ceilings are ideal for optimal distribution.”

Remedy: “Not much can be done.”
NATURAL LIGHT

Analysis: “It is very surprising that they have made such minimal use of natural light. Even aside from feng shui, it is generally understood that natural light is a helpful, necessary feature. This design fails to capture that element, which is shocking. The lobby area is yin, the dark and negative female principle of the universe. Yin requires the positive, masculine yang for balance, but as there is none here, the lobby lacks harmony.”

Remedy: “They should maximise light wherever possible, although this will be a challenge.”
SOCIAL AREAS

Analysis: “The lobby couches are wasted because they are not in a field of good socialising energy. They look out at the sharp-edged towers, exposing guests to hostility. The cafe, however, is the one thing they got right. The energy there is particularly good for human traffic, a great place for people to move about, have something to eat, and chat.”

Remedy: “Move the couches over to the cafeteria area to maximise energy.”
DEBATING CHAMBER

Analysis: “The one saving grace of the chamber is that MSPs sit facing a positive energy field. But, the impact of this is hampered by the towers opposite. Beyond the chamber wall, these towers block chi and, because of their sharp edges, stand as hostile poison arrows, channelling negative energy towards the MSPs and increasing tension dramatically. Good chi can no longer flow in.

“The fact that the MSPs do not have their backs to a wall is also negative. Ideally, we should have support directly behind us to stimulate our mountain energy, which affects health, personality and relationships. In feng shui, it is believed that mountain energy provides a positive boost to people and a harmonious environment that brings our minds and bodies into balance. The spectators in the gallery enjoy a little of this, but not the MSPs themselves. The position of Arthur�s Seat at the left-hand side of the chamber is also unfortunate because it de-activates the energy required for wisdom.

“The chamber isn�t conducive to political debate. In most businesses you would want to minimise confrontation, but in parliament, that debate is necessary for accountability and discussion. Currently, the atmosphere is too familiar. Additionally, the seats all face the same way, forcing the MSPs to look directly at someone else�s back. It is difficult to turn to face those speaking behind, which is not helpful for stimulating communication.

“The lighting beams are also a concern. They point downwards at a sharp angle, which directs bad energy towards everyone in the chamber, specifically those in the seats underneath. This could cause tension issues which manifest in health issues, like headaches.

“My feng shui compass wouldn�t work inside the chamber because the electromagnetic field was so strong. This suggests MSPs could experience the same health concerns as those who live near mobile telephone masts.

“Finally, the overall positioning of the chamber is wrong because the areas of good chi are not maximised. The best chi is in the narrow, middle section, where width is limited.”

Remedy: “They should give the MSPs high-backed chairs to boost their mountain energy as much as possible, and they must ensure the lighting beams are cleaned regularly so dust doesn�t accumulate above the MSPs. The length of the chamber is wasted, and would have been better if turned by 90 degrees.”
MSP OFFICES

Analysis: “The desks back on to the window - another failure. There is no solid wall behind the seat, causing the same problem as in the debating chamber, and because wind will blow directly in from the window, this further undermines support.

“The contemplative space is poor because again, the roof is curved, not flat, and the windows are covered with bamboo. They have failed to strike a balance between modern architecture and feng shui.

“The residents of the adjacent apartments have cause for concern. The windows have a strong wood element which helps to purify and redirect chi. This could be helpful or damaging, depending on the charts of the apartments, but given that the window shapes are pointed, giving a strong fire energy, this is not a helpful design.

“Fire is a very potent and strong elemental remedy. It is not to be used haphazardly because fire strengthens the earth element, and earth elements can be a very harmful form of chi.”

Remedy: “Move the desk so that the MSP sits with his back to the wall, and take the bamboo off the windows.”
GARDEN LOBBY

Analysis: “The glass-roofed pods are particularly shameful. The edges are incredibly sharp and even if they were important architecturally, they should have been positioned in a less offensive manner. As they stand, they point directly at the MSP building, attacking the MSPs.

Remedy: “Again, the fault is in the construction, so without rebuilding them there is not much to be done.”
PARLIAMENT�S ASPECT TO: THE SCOTSMAN BUILDING

Analysis: “The corners of these buildings directly face each other, causing a feng shui war between the two organisations. The Scotsman generally has much better feng shui - it has an open entrance, plenty of room for chi to accumulate, and is supported by Arthur�s Seat at its rear.”
OUR DYNAMIC EARTH

Analysis: “This is good for the parliament. The round shape with spiked antennae is good for the debating chamber because of the fire energy, which, although potentially harmful, when placed correctly as it is here can strengthen wealth chi.”
HOLYROOD PALACE

Analysis: “They have created a “peeping tom” scenario. Between the two buildings, there is a low wall and the palace lodge. Because of this obstruction, the parliament effectively peeks over the wall, spying on the palace, and vice versa. It is bad feng shui for both.”

Remedy: “The parliament should have been lower and should not have been built so close to the palace walls so a gap could let the chi flow. All they can do now is knock down the lodge house in the middle so that the buildings openly face each other.”
ROUNDABOUTS

Analysis: “The roundabout in front of Dynamic Earth is useful, as it stirs Wu Qu energy, which is the Angel of Gallantry, boding well for prosperity and finance. It would be good for people to walk past this roundabout on their way to the building.

“The roundabout between the parliament and palace is not good. It accumulates Po Jun energy, which is the Spirit of Solemnity, associated with theft and robbery.”

Remedy: “Move the entrance so that people don�t walk past the Spirit of Solemnity on entering the building.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Feng Shui consultations by Chi Wing, MSc BSc (Hons) MCMI MIEE.
See www.chiwing.co.nr or call +44 (0) 7763 561 321