Use a good compass
A magnetic compass or a reliable compass app on your phone works well. Stand at the centre of the house, or at the main door facing outwards, and hold the compass flat, away from metal objects, electrical panels and appliances, which can disturb the reading.
Step-by-step
- Stand inside the main door facing out. The direction you face is the direction of your entrance.
- Take the reading at least three times from different spots and compare.
- Mark north on a printed floor plan.
- Divide the plan into 16 zones of 22.5 degrees each, or at least eight directions of 45 degrees.
- Note which room falls in which zone.
Magnetic or true north?
Most Vaastu consultants use magnetic north from a compass. The difference from true north is small in India (about 0 to 2 degrees), so it rarely changes the result.
Common mistakes
- Taking the reading near a fridge, steel cupboard or car
- Assuming the road side is the facing direction without checking
- Judging directions by where the sun seems to rise, which changes with the seasons
Once your directions are clear, the rest of Vaastu becomes simple. Our free Vaastu assessment uses these directions to check your home.