How Removing A Pointy Plant From Our South Window Stopped Our Bad Luck Streak (Or At Least That's What It Felt Like)
A couple in a small apartment notices a run of bad luck and minor health issues, then realizes their spiky jade plant in the south-facing window might be the problem.
Location
Portland, United States
Property Type
Apartment
Room
Living Room
Direction
South
The Problem
For about four months, my partner and I had the worst luck. I lost my job, our cat got sick (he's fine now, but the vet bills were brutal), and I started having these weird tension headaches. We were snappy with each other, money was tight, and the apartment just felt... heavy. The south-facing window in our living room had this big, spiky jade plant that my mom gave us. It was kind of ugly, but I felt bad throwing it out.
What They Tried
A friend who's into space clearing came over and casually mentioned the jade plant. 'That thing is really pointy,' she said. 'Might be throwing off the room's vibe.' I thought she was being woo-woo, but I moved the plant to the east side of the balcony. It still gets light, but it's not facing the main living area anymore. I also swapped the heavy curtains for lighter ones to let in more morning sun.
What Happened
Nothing dramatic happened overnight. But within two weeks, the tension in the apartment eased. My headaches stopped. I got a callback for a job interview. Our cat stopped hiding under the bed. I know correlation isn't causation, but the space genuinely feels lighter. I'm not saying the plant was cursed, but I'm also not moving it back.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 离 ☲ · Li |
|---|---|
| Direction | South |
| Element | fire |
What works best here
Li (9) · Fire. South should feel more open and lower than North for visual balance.
Place: low-profile furniture, mirrors, glass surfaces, warm lighting.
Recommended crystal
Clear Quartz or Sunstone — placed where it catches natural light, like a windowsill or console table
Mirrors work exceptionally well here — they reflect light and make the room feel larger
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Chinese
午沙出穷郎，亦主非命亡，形若三角起，双月一齐伤，心痛为小事，野娘伴似娘，子水再相见，吐血面皮黄。
English Translation
A text from the Qing dynasty notes that when a sharp, triangular object is placed in a southern area, it can correlate with financial hardship and health issues. The recommendation is to soften the area or remove the sharp object.
2. About the Source
金锁玉关 by Anonymous (private manuscript) · China · Pre-Song Dynasty (before 960 CE)
The Golden Lock and Jade Pass is an esoteric classical text on residential site analysis, passed down through private manuscripts. It provides a systematic method for evaluating how the surrounding landforms — heights, depressions, and water features in each compass direction — shape the experience of a living space. Its sand-and-water framework remains one of the most practical tools in the landscape assessment tradition.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
This case illustrates a common spatial psychology principle: sharp, pointed objects in a high-visibility area can trigger a subtle stress response. The brain registers the 'threat' of a point, even subconsciously, raising cortisol levels. The south side of a home, often associated with activity and visibility, amplifies this effect. Removing the spiky plant and adding softer elements (lighter curtains, more light) likely reduced the ambient visual stress, which in turn improved mood and sleep quality. While the classical text frames this in absolute terms, the modern mechanism is about visual comfort and the reduction of subconscious triggers.
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Case source
Erin Ruby Design, LLC
24+ years of commercial and residential interior design. Registered architectural interior designer and Feng Shui consultant. Specializes in blueprint Feng Shui assessments for architects and developers.