Depending on the school of feng shui, or even the practitioner, the spiritual influences of Buddhism and Hinduism may or may not be a part of their feng shui expression. Feng shui can be applied in a secular manner and using Buddhist iconography is not required. However, if you are attracted to Green Tara, she can be a powerful way to bring feng shui into your home if she resonates with you.
Who Is Tara?
Tara is one of the most adored and well-known goddesses in the Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu pantheon. The name “Tara” comes from Sanskrit and means the one who takes you across. She is a female deity that can take you across the ocean of samsara, which is a Buddhist concept of our continual cyclic existence of life and rebirth. Samsara is sometimes likened to a hamster wheel, where we keep mindlessly running around in circles. Tara can offer support to take you across to enlightenment. She is considered the mother of all Buddhas, or awakened ones. Tara is also a bodhisattva, which means she has dedicated her life to end the suffering of all beings. A bodhisattva takes a vow to remain in samsara until every being has reached nirvana, or enlightenment. One story says that Tara was born from tears cried by Chenrezig, another bodhisattva, who wept at all the suffering in the world. Ultimately, Tara represents compassion for all beings.
Green Tara and White Tara
There are many Taras, but Green Tara and White Tara are the most popular. They are depicted differently, and as you might guess, they are of different colors. According to some legends, White Tara was born from the tears leaking from Chenrezig’s left eye, while Green Tara was born from the tears of his right eye. Green Tara has green skin, and she has a specific posture that distinguishes her from other Taras and other female deities. You will find Green Tara with her right hand in the giving mudra of generosity and her left hand holding a half-opened blue lotus flower. A mudra is a symbolic hand gesture, while the lotus is a reminder that there is beauty within even the darkest of times. Most notably, Green Tara has her right leg outstretched, ready to spring into action. She is always available to help and assist anyone in need. It is said that you can simply call out her name or her mantra, Om Tare Tu Tare Ture Swaha. White Tara sits with both legs crossed and holds a fully opened white lotus in her left hand, while her right hand is in the same mudra as Green Tara’s. Unlike Green Tara who has two eyes, White Tara has seven: three on her face, one on each hand, and one on each leg. This symbolizes her omniscience in knowing everyone in need of compassion. While both forms of Tara emanate endless compassion for all living things, they have different associations in Tibetan Buddhism. White Tara symbolizes the day, and is associated with grace, serenity, and a mother’s love for her child. Tibetan Buddhists pray to her for healing and longevity. Green Tara symbolizes the night, and is associated with activity and abundance. Prayers to her ask for wealth and protection on a journey, as well as freedom from delusions or negative emotions. In some schools of feng shui, Green Tara is evoked to uplift emotions as well as invite support and compassion. Green is connected to the element of wood in the Chinese five elements. (The other four elements are fire, earth, metal, and water.) Wood element inspires rejuvenation, compassion, flexibility, and growth.
Feng Shui Placement for Green Tara
You can bring the energy of Green Tara into the feng shui of your home by placing her image in an area connected with the aspect of life in which you need her assistance. You can place Green Tara as a statue, artwork, or even chant her mantra while inside the appropriate area of your home.
Family Room
You can activate the family room or den with Green Tara if you would like more healing and harmony for yourself and your family. This room is connected to your family because this is where you spend time together. A statue or image of Green Tara can be placed on a shelf, altar, or wall.
Wealth Area
One aspect of feng shui is the bagua map, which conceptually divides a space into nine areas, each associated with a different aspect of life, such as family, health, career, or creativity. To find your home’s wealth area on the bagua map, stand at your front door looking in. The wealth area is the corner of the house furthest to the back on the left. Placing a statue or image of Green Tara in the wealth area will help not only with monetary wealth, but also with general feelings of abundance, generosity, and gratitude.
Health Area (Center)
The center of your home is connected to all the bagua areas, so it affects your health and overall well-being. Try placing Green Tara in the center of your home if you’d like to call on her support to improve the well-being of all the people in the household.
Front Entry
The entry or foyer is an ideal place for a spiritual reminder like Green Tara. Seeing her as you come in and out of your home will help you acknowledge her teachings on compassion, as well as remind you that you are not alone.
Meditation Area
If you have an altar or place where you meditate regularly, a statue or image of Green Tara will be a welcome addition. You can explore all the wisdom and compassion she has to offer to your spiritual life.
