My Dad Stopped Getting Headaches After We Built A Wall In The Northwest Corner
An interview with a homeowner whose father's chronic migraines disappeared after a contractor explained the problem was a pool visible through the northwest window.
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Property Type
Suburban house
Room
Living room
Direction
Northwest
The Problem
My father moved in with us after my mom passed. Within a week he started getting headaches every afternoon. He thought it was grief or stress. But they were so regular — 3 PM every day like clockwork. He'd sit in the living room, rub his temples, and say nothing. It was awful to watch. The doctors found nothing. We tried blackout curtains, white noise machines, even changed his pillow. Nothing helped.
What They Tried
We had a contractor over to fix a leaky pipe in the basement. He glanced out the living room window and said, 'That pool is a problem.' I thought he meant the water bill or the algae. He explained that a large body of water visible from the northwest corner of the house creates a kind of visual stress — the eye doesn't know where to rest, so the brain stays on alert. He suggested we build a solid wall or fence to block the view. We didn't build a full wall. Instead, we put a tall bookshelf filled with dense, dark books in front of the window. Then we added a heavy curtain over the remaining glass.
What Happened
The headaches stopped within three days. My father said the room felt 'quieter.' He started sitting in that chair again. He even reads now. It's not a miracle — he still gets sad sometimes. But the physical pain is gone. I didn't believe the contractor at first. I still don't fully understand it. But I can't argue with results.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 乾 ☰ · Qian |
|---|---|
| Direction | Northwest |
| Element | metal |
What works best here
Qian (6) · Metal. Northwest should feel open, organized, and uncluttered.
Place: clean-lined storage, metal objects, minimal decor, organized shelving.
Recommended crystal
Clear Quartz or Hematite — placed on a desk or shelf where it stays dust-free and visible
This sector supports clarity and order — keep it clean and intentional, not crowded
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Chinese
五、六白方乾水
English Translation
The Golden Lock and Jade Pass (金锁玉关) states: In the northwest (qian) direction, water is unfavorable. Water here can harm the patriarch of the household, and may affect the head and lungs. The solution is to block the view of the water with a solid barrier such as a wall, a tall building, or a dense screen.
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 principle from the classical text 'The Golden Lock and Jade Pass,' which advises against visible water in the northwest sector of a home. While the reference to 'patriarch' and 'lungs' may sound superstitious, the underlying mechanism is surprisingly modern: a large, reflective body of water visible through a window can create a low-level visual stress response. The constantly shifting light patterns on the water's surface force the brain to keep readjusting focus, which can trigger tension headaches in sensitive individuals. Blocking the view with a solid barrier eliminates this visual instability, allowing the nervous system to settle. The father's symptom relief within days is consistent with this explanation.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
Sourced from altitudes above 4,000 meters in the Himalayan range — the highest place on Earth and the closest to the sun. These crystals formed over millions of years in some of the planet's most pristine conditions, untouched by industrial pollution. Each piece carries the raw, unfiltered energy of the mountains. Whether placed on a nightstand, a desk, or a meditation corner, they serve as a quiet anchor — a daily reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Related Elements
Case source
Marie Burgos Design
High-profile luxury interior design firm with offices in NYC and LA. Founder Marie Burgos holds IFSG Red Ribbon Master certification. Deeply integrates modern French luxury design with Eastern Five Elements Feng Shui. Regularly featured in top design media.