The South West direction in Vastu Shastra represents the earth element, governing stability, strength, authority, and longevity. It is considered the zone of the head of the family and the foundation of the household's prosperity. However, when a plot or house has an extended South West corner, it creates a significant Vastu defect. This extension is believed to disturb the natural balance of energy, often leading to financial instability, health issues, and discord within the family. The defect manifests when the South West corner projects outward more than the other sides of the plot, making this zone excessively heavy and dominant. While this condition is considered serious, Vastu Shastra offers specific physical and energetic remedies to neutralize the negative impact and restore harmony.
Understanding the implications of a South West extension is crucial for homeowners and prospective buyers. The earth element's dominance, when excessive due to an extension, can lead to a feeling of being "stuck" or overwhelmed by responsibilities. The provided sources emphasize that the South West must always be heavy and closed, not airy or empty. An extension violates this fundamental principle, creating an imbalance that affects the occupants' financial health and physical well-being. Fortunately, by implementing the correct remedies, the negative effects can be mitigated, allowing the residents to enjoy the inherent benefits of a stable and secure living environment.
Understanding the South West Direction in Vastu Shastra
In Vastu Shastra, the Southwest direction is governed by the earth element, which symbolizes stability, strength, support, and overall well-being. This direction is ideally suited for the master bedroom, heavy furniture, and storage units. It is associated with the head of the family, usually the father or the primary breadwinner, and represents authority and power. When this zone is balanced, it contributes to security and success in both personal and professional life.
The significance of the South West lies in its ability to provide a solid foundation. It is the zone of permanence and longevity. For this reason, the placement of rooms and objects within this direction is strictly regulated. For instance, the master bedroom in the South West is recommended to ensure the head of the household remains healthy and authoritative. Similarly, heavy furniture helps in grounding the energy of the house. However, any imbalance in this zone, such as an extension, can lead to severe consequences. The earth element becomes too heavy, causing an overwhelming force that disrupts the flow of positive energy.
According to the guidelines, the South West should never be left open or airy. It must always be heavier than the rest of the house. This weightage principle is vital for maintaining the center of gravity—both physically and energetically. When the South West is extended, it becomes disproportionately heavy, pulling the energy of the house towards this corner and creating a vacuum in the North and East directions, which are supposed to be lighter and open for the flow of positive vibrations.
Effects of a South West Extended Plot
A South West extension is considered one of the most serious Vastu defects. The imbalance created by the excessive earth element can invite negative energies that disturb peace and prosperity. The effects are often noticeable in the form of constant struggles in health, finances, or relationships. Without correction, the occupants may experience financial struggles, constant health problems, and family discord.
Specifically, the defect can lead to instability in the financial status of the family. The head of the family may face setbacks in career or business, leading to a loss of authority. Health-wise, the excessive earth energy can cause issues related to the bones, knees, and potentially the kidneys, as indicated in the source data. The reputation of the family might also be damaged, leading to social isolation or legal troubles.
The presence of a South West extension often results in a feeling of stagnation. Residents may find it difficult to progress in life despite hard work. Relationships within the family, particularly between the head of the family and other members, may become strained. The energy of the house becomes heavy and lethargic, affecting the mental peace of the inhabitants. It is observed that such houses often house individuals who are prone to chronic ailments or face persistent hurdles in achieving their goals. The defect is serious enough that it requires immediate attention and correction to prevent long-term damage to the occupants' prosperity and health.
Remedies for South West Extension
Correcting a South West extension requires a combination of physical structural changes and energetic balancing tools. The primary goal is to reduce the heaviness of the extended portion and balance the earth element. The remedies suggested by Vastu experts range from simple placements to major construction modifications.
Physical Corrections
The most effective remedy is a physical correction that restores the plot to a regular square or rectangular shape. This involves cutting off the extended portion from the main plot.
- Create a Partition: The most effective solution is to cut off the extended portion from the main plot. Building a compound wall to restore the plot into a regular square or rectangular shape directly removes the defect. This physical correction is considered the gold standard for fixing this Vastu dosha.
- Raise the Floor: If construction of a wall is not feasible, raising the floor level of the extended portion can help. By making the floor of the South West extension higher than the rest of the house, the heaviness is symbolically and energetically balanced.
- Keep the Area Heavy: Since the South West is ruled by the earth element, placing heavy furniture, stones, or storage units in the extended portion helps stabilize the zone. You can also use this area for parking heavy vehicles or planting big trees, but it is advised to avoid tamarind trees.
Energetic and Symbolic Remedies
When physical changes are not possible due to structural constraints, energetic tools can be used to balance the energy.
- Install Metal Strips: If construction isn’t possible, place Vastu partition strips made of copper, brass, or lead on the floor along the boundary of the extension. These strips symbolically cut off the extension and balance energies, acting as a barrier to the excess earth energy.
- Pyramid Partitions: A pyramid divider set (3, 9, or 27 pieces) is highly recommended to block the excess land in the South West. Copper pyramid dividers are particularly effective in neutralizing the negative energy of the extension.
- Vastu Strips and Energy Plates: Modern Vastu practitioners suggest using copper, brass, or wooden strips fixed on the floor or walls of the extension. Additionally, installing energy balancer plates in the center of the house (Brahmasthan) can neutralize the overall imbalance caused by the extension.
- Brahma Crystals: Placing crystals in the Brahmasthan (center of the house) is another advanced remedy to stabilize energies that have been disturbed by the South West extension.
Color and Aesthetic Corrections
The use of specific colors can help balance the earth element.
- Use Earthy Colors: Painting the extended walls in earth tones like yellow, beige, or peach balances the excessive earth energy. These colors resonate with the earth element and help in grounding the excess vibration.
- Decor: Use earthy tones for decor in the South West area. This creates a harmonious visual environment that supports the stability of the zone.
Balancing the Opposite Zone
To counteract the heaviness of the South West, the opposite zone must be strengthened.
- Keep the Northeast Open: To balance the heavy Southwest, keep the Northeast corner clean, open, and light. This corner represents growth and positivity. Placing a water fountain or small pond here further enhances balance and ensures that the positive energy flows into the house to counter the heaviness of the South West.
Specific Remedies for Kitchen and Toilet in South West
If the extension contains essential rooms like the kitchen or toilet, specific remedies are required to mitigate the damage.
Kitchen in South West
The kitchen represents the fire element. Placing fire in the South West (earth element) creates a conflict that disrupts harmony.
- Shift the Stove: Place the gas stove in the South East direction, which is the natural zone for the kitchen.
- Secondary Kitchen: If shifting is not possible, have a secondary kitchen in the South East zone (the real direction of the kitchen). Make sure to prepare something small at that place every day to activate the fire element correctly.
- Color: Paint the kitchen in shades of yellow.
- Elevation: If possible, raise the area of the kitchen compared to other rooms of the house.
- Washing Area: Ensure that the washing area is located outside the kitchen.
Toilet in South West
A toilet in the South West is a major defect as it represents the water element disturbing the earth element.
- Keep Door Closed: Keep the door of the toilet always closed to contain the negative energy.
- Pyramid Placement: To nullify the effect, place a Vastu Pyramid outside the toilet on the South West wall.
- Keep Clean: Maintain high levels of hygiene to reduce the impact of the negative energy.
Advanced Vastu Remedies and Energy Balancers
For those unable to undertake physical renovations, advanced energetic tools offer a viable alternative. These tools work on vibrational principles to harmonize the space.
- Sacred Symbols: Installing auspicious symbols like Om, Swastika, or Shri Yantra in the South West area can help neutralize negative energies. These symbols carry high vibrational frequencies that purify the environment.
- Brahma Crystals: As mentioned earlier, placing Brahma crystals in the center of the house stabilizes the core energy of the home, which is essential when the periphery (South West) is imbalanced.
- Energy Balancer Plates: These plates are installed in the Brahmasthan to create a positive energy field that counteracts the heaviness of the South West extension.
- Regular Maintenance: It is crucial to declutter and maintain the South West space regularly. Clutter blocks the flow of energy and can exacerbate the negative effects of the extension.
Practical Example and Final Recommendations
Consider a scenario where a homeowner owns a plot where the Southwest corner projects outward more than the other sides. The family experiences constant financial struggles and health problems, particularly affecting the head of the family. By consulting Vastu principles, the homeowner decides to construct a compound wall to cut off the projection. They paint the walls of the South West room in beige and place heavy furniture in that corner. Additionally, they keep the Northeast corner open and place a water fountain there. Over time, these changes help in significantly improving the harmony and stability of the household.
A Southwest extension is among the most serious Vastu defects that can affect the stability, health, and prosperity of a family. While physical correction by building a wall is the best remedy, energetic tools like strips, pyramids, and crystals can also help if construction changes are not possible. Every plot and home is unique, and the exact remedy may differ depending on the size of the extension, the layout of the house, and other surrounding factors. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to consult a qualified Vastu expert for personalized guidance.
Conclusion
The South West Corner Extended Plot Vastu is one of the most significant aspects to consider when buying or constructing a home. This corner represents stability, health, and authority, but when extended, it can invite serious challenges like financial instability, relationship issues, and health problems. The good news is that Vastu offers powerful remedies to minimize these effects and restore balance. From partitions and Vastu strips to pyramids and earthy colors, corrections are possible. By understanding the principles of the earth element and applying the appropriate remedies, homeowners can transform a potential source of negativity into a foundation of strength and security. Ensuring the South West is heavy and balanced, while keeping the Northeast open and light, remains the cornerstone of harmonious living in Vastu Shastra.