Book summary

Touting itself as the Indian spiritual equivalent to Feng Shui, Vaastu is an ancient system of architecture and placement that applies spirituality and practicality to bring a building, room, or space into harmony. Incorporating the five basic elements of Indian philosophy--space, air, fire, water, and earth--Vaastu addresses the lifestyle, health, and needs of the occupants as much as it dictates design. Richard Craze's VAASTU is a gorgeous book illustrated with over 120 full-color photographs and layouts. This practical book gives novice practitioners a short overview of India's history and the origins of Vaastu. The section "Shastra" focuses on the principles of Vaastu design and its modern day application. "Ayurveda" covers living a healthy and balanced life, again under the principles of Vaastu, and "Jyotish" is a detailed explanation of the role astrology plays in Vaastu design. The Jyotish section is especially interesting as Vedic astrology is markedly different from Western or Chinese astrology, and VAASTU provides a basic introduction for interested readers. Craze is an expert on Vaastu and has spent years studying its practice. His concise, lucid book is a fine introduction to creating beautiful, modern living spaces with the assistance of this ancient art.