There is a high chance that you have already read about many different rules of Feng Shui to follow throughout your journey. Little, however, is talked about the numerous exceptions to the rule that one has to keep in mind. Generally speaking, on the internet, mainly the common rules of Feng Shui are spilled out, but to notice an exemption, this requires experience.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the basic principles of Feng Shui and the exemptions that can be made in certain circumstances. Whether you’re new to Feng Shui or a seasoned practitioner, understanding these exemptions can help you create a space that is both beautiful and energetically balanced. So, let’s dive in and explore the fascinating world of Feng Shui together!

One of the most intriguing cases that I have encountered is related to our former home. It had a double sitting, a feature that is typically beneficial for health but not for wealth. However, in this particular instance, the outcome was quite the opposite. Despite bringing us substantial financial gain, my wife experienced ongoing health issues during our time there. It may seem perplexing, but there were indeed exceptions to the norm, which I will elaborate on in detail in this article.

Sitting with Back to Door

Given that many people use the same office and few love the idea of being caught off guard, I totally agree that setting up one’s desk with a view of the entryway is a highly prudent approach. Conversely, sitting with one’s back facing the door can foster feelings of vulnerability, as occupants are unable to discern who or what is entering the space, thereby generating a sense of unease and discomfort.

When you face the door, you have a “commanding” view of the whole room and can easily keep an eye on people coming in and out. This fosters a sense of safety and control, promoting calm and concentrated productivity.

Exceptions to the rule:

When working from home, it might be okay to ignore the “commanding position” rule if it gives you a chance to face your best direction. It has been proven that using this universal 15-degree energy section rather than the aforementioned guidelines has a greater impact on improving one’s professional prospects.

Additionally, an exception may be made if one can occupy an exceptional flying star section based on the principles of the small tai chi or big luo-shu grid rules of Feng Shui.  Finally, the “face the door rule” would be insignificant, if the placement of the desk affords a breathtaking view of the outside scenery.

Sleeping directly Aligned with the Bedroom Door

According to the rules of  Feng Shui, the bedroom holds great significance as it serves as a space for rest and revitalization. One crucial tenet of bedroom Feng Shui involves avoiding the alignment of one’s sleeping position with the bedroom door.

This is because in traditional Chinese culture, this position is called a “death position” because it points the feet toward the door, which is how a dead person’s body is carried out of a room. This can foster a subliminal sense of discomfort and unease. Moreover, assuming such a position may increase one’s sense of vulnerability and exposure, leading to disrupted sleep and difficulty relaxing.

Exceptions to the rule:

The above example of a small apartment serves as an excellent demonstration of why it is necessary to disregard certain rules of  Feng Shui in such a space. First of all, the positioning of the bed right next to the bathroom wall, specifically the toilet bowl location, is problematic, as the proximity of the waste pipes creates Sha Qi that can impact one’s health.

Secondly, the kitchen stove is located one meter from the bed, generating excessive “fire” energy and ups the chance that oil will spill onto the bed. All in all, this makes the current location of the bed unsuitable. Thus, it is recommended to shift the bed to the other side of the wall, even if it means it will be aligned with the door.

Additionally, there are some other advanced rules of  Feng Shui that need to be considered, such as the directional sector in terms of flying stars, whether the bed is in a favorable personal direction, and whether there are other design flaws that could affect one’s health, such as EMF exposure, overhead beams, or sloped ceilings.

Living on a Busy Road

It is commonly advised that living on a busy road should be avoided due to the high levels of sha energy caused by the constant rush of cars. Further, it should be remembered that noise pollution can interfere with sleep, car emissions can cause pollution, and living in a place where accidents could happen might not be the safest place for small children to play outside.

But is there ever a time when it would be okay to not follow these Feng Shui rules? While it is generally recommended to steer clear of such locations, there are a few potential reasons why someone may choose to live on a busy road despite the downsides.

Exceptions to the rule:

In Europe, there are numerous villages and neighborhoods located directly adjacent to highways. However, the homes in these areas are safeguarded by a tall noise protection wall and a peaceful landscape adorned with shrubs and trees. As a result, living in these homes is a serene experience, as one wouldn’t even notice the highway with its speedy cars just a stone’s throw away.

Moreover, young individuals, particularly university students, relish living in lively and bustling environments since they invigorate and stimulate them. Additionally, residing in a well-insulated apartment on a higher floor also qualifies as an exception to this guideline.

The “in”-famous T-Junction

I don’t think the Feng Shui T-junction needs any more explanation, since this flaw is almost always talked about in books and blogs for beginners on Feng Shui. You must be getting excited to learn about the rules of Feng Shui exemption for this configuration.

Exceptions to the rule:

To begin with, there are certain flying star combinations that can actually thrive off the dynamic energy of a T-junction. It may come as a surprise, but having one of these auspicious stars at the front door of a house can bring great prosperity.

Additionally, there are T-junctions situated in pedestrian-only streets where delivery vehicles have to move at a slow pace, thus creating limited traffic.

LUO-SHU GRID for Interior Purposes only

The basic idea behind the Luo-Shu Grid is to focus on the internal space of a home to identify the various energy zones. That is the underlying principle set out in the classical text. However, as we are exploring exceptions in this post, let’s delve further.

Exceptions to the rule:

There are indeed some exemptions to the rules of Feng Shui for the Luo Shu Grid. The ability to apply the grid to a piece of land to identify the most auspicious regions is one example. This is often done for large commercial developments such as shopping malls or amusement parks.

Another circumstance is extending the interior energy sector outdoors to determine the best placement for water features based on the indirect and direct spirit principles.

In some cultures, such as Bali, individuals devote more time outdoors than in interior spaces. In some circumstances, we can genuinely incorporate an outside area into the Luo Shu grid. The image above showcases a prime example of how the Luo-Shu Grid can be used in an outdoor space for the kitchen and living room.

Sitting Side not always Determines the Home’s Orientation

In Feng Shui, the orientation of a home’s sitting side is very important. It can account for as much as 95% of the overall decision about the type of house and how energy flows through it. For example, a house with a northeast-sitting side is classified as a “Ken” house, which dictates the entire flying star energy chart of the structure.

Although the sitting and facing sides of a home are typically parallel, this is not always the case. In instances where there is uncertainty regarding a home’s orientation, it is advisable to rely on the sitting side to ascertain the direction of the home.

Exceptions to the rule:

There are always exceptions to the rules in Feng Shui. We give the facing side more weight when it has a superior panorama or is noticeably longer than the sitting side.

Front Doors vs Side Doors