A spectacular view of the Potomac River greets visitors as they step out onto the portico, just like it did in Washington's day and last year, when this photo was made.

The Potomac side of the house also contains the only consistent downstairs bedroom. The quiet and personal Little Parlor is also on the Potomac side.  The larger West Parlor was used for entertaining guests.  At one time the Little Parlor was also used for a bedroom, providing further confirmation that the quiet (or yin) side was the Potomac side at the rear of the mansion.  Mount Vernon has some support from buildings in the northeast and southwest, but no support at either the Potomac side or the facing northwest side.  After comparing survey maps done by George Washington, and doing my own on-site reading, I've determined that Mount Vernon has a facing direction of 329° northwest.

The Potomac River flows at the rear at the house, violating the basic Feng Shui principle of support at the back.  There is no mountain to emit the qi essential for the health of the people, nor was there a mountain to protect the building from winds and weather. 

Mount Vernon sits on a hill like a beacon, both beautiful and vulnerable.

Monica Hess,  Feng Shui Consultant, Instructor and Lecturer, Lexington, KY

www.monicahess.com

member  Feng Shui Research Center  and  Feng Shui Network