What it does
Uses the house to strengthen weak planets instead of only predicting their effects.
Explanation and notes
Different parts of the house represent the nine planets, so the orientation and balance of the house decide how much of each planet's energy is captured. For this reason Vastu is held to be a notch above Jyotish.
The word Vastu comes from the Sanskrit vas, the land of residence, so the condition of the land is judged before any direction. Land energy decides about 70 percent of the result.
Vastu is defined in complementary ways: the land of residence, the architectural art of coordinating nature and human, orientation according to the sun, the free movement of air, a structure that controls the mind, the management of universal energy and the balance of the five elements.
Energy rising from the land (geopathic) meets energy from the planets and stars (cosmic) and forms a third energy that can turn intense or toxic when mixed with household activity, so it must be able to leave the house. Every room therefore needs ventilation.
Early morning sun brings positive ultraviolet rays rich in vitamins and metals, while after about 2 pm the rays turn infrared. Openings and wall thickness are planned accordingly so the building admits good energy and blocks harmful energy.
Sun rays are described as miracle rays that carry silver, gold, iron, mercury, lead and other minerals as well as vitamin D and vitamin B12, each at a particular time around sunrise. No electric light can supply these.
Griha arambh (start of construction), griha pravesh, factory opening and other auspicious (mangalik) events are held in daytime, because work begun with the sun's energy goes well. After sunset creation is considered asleep.
The sun's movement from East to West creates a magnetic effect with North and South poles. A plot, building, room or hall whose North-South axis is longer (chandra-bhedi) holds the strongest magnetic field, giving attraction and concentration; one whose East-West axis is longer is called surya-bhedi.
When a plot's North-South axis is short, the magnetic field is increased by planning every room long in the North-South direction or, failing that, by placing heavy magnets and hematite mineral on the North-South axis.