Understanding Namkha: Harmonizing the Five Elements
Namkha serves as a powerful tool to harmonize the Five Elements that comprise an individual’s energetic makeup, as defined by Tibetan Astrology.
Within a person’s energetic constitution, there exist nine psycho-physical aspects, each governed by one of the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Conflicts between these elemental aspects can be resolved through harmonization, altering their manifestation and consequently their impact on our lives.
CALCULATING THE PATTERN
The calculation of the Namkha pattern takes into account the nine aspects of an individual, based on the Element-Animal-Mewa number combination of their birth year according to Tibetan Astrology.
From the calculation results, we assign an element and color to each aspect (green for Wood, red for Fire, yellow for Earth, white for Metal, and blue for Water).
ACHIEVING HARMONIZATION
The central rhombus represents the central aspect, SOG. Surrounding the central SOG aspect are four other aspects: LA, WANGTHANG, LUNGTA, and LIFE MEWA. The colored bands around them are known as “harmonization bands.”
If these four aspects have a harmonious mother-son relationship with the central SOG aspect, the harmonization bands are wound in the mother-son sequence. In the case of conflicting friend-enemy relationships, the harmonization bands are wound in the friend-enemy sequence until harmonization is achieved. Resolving conflict between the SOG and Life Mewa is particularly crucial.
The construction of the Namkha begins with writing the seed syllable of the SOG element at the central notch, forming the central rhombus. Harmonization bands are then added according to the calculations, wound around three times until reaching the mother element, which also represents an essential ninth aspect known as LA (protection). Each color is tied by a knot to the following one, leaving the last thread hanging loose. Once all rhombi are completed, the loose threads are joined by the Harmonizing Thread, encircling the entire Namkha. In essence, if the Namkha were to be unwound, you would find a single unbroken thread.
AUTHENTICATION
To activate the Namkha’s full potential, it must undergo the Namkha Authentication ritual, which involves empowerment or blessing. During this sacred ritual, the Five Elements are invited to reside within the prepared Namkha. The Namkha is then connected to its owner, and the harmonization function is activated through meditation and mantra. To ensure the effectiveness of the ritual, it must be performed by a practitioner who has received transmission from a qualified master. In this case, it was Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, who used to authorised his students to the practice he resurrected and propagated.
Once authenticated, the Namkha is kept by its owner on a shrine or in a room, preferably in close proximity to the individual. Throughout the owner’s life, the authenticated Namkha diligently works to harmonize conflicting aspects, as described, and resolves environmental conflicts, including astrological influences.
By embracing Namkha and its harmonizing power, we embark on a transformative journey that brings balance and harmony to our inner and outer realms.
Example of a well-balanced pattern: Namkha of the Metal Dog year (1970)
In this namkha, the Body, Capacity, Lungta and Life Mewa are in harmony with the Life Force (Sog). The aspects all happen to be Metal; Metal is in mother-son relationship with Earth, which rules Sog in the centre.
The only conflict to be harmonized is the Fire in Capacity Mewa against the Life Mewa, which is Metal. Otherwise all the other aspects in that pattern are in harmony.
An example of an unbalanced namkha: Water Snake year (2013)
In this namkha, all the aspects surrounding Sog are in elemental conflict with it (Water x Fire, Metal x Fire). The worry here in particular is the conflict between the Sog (Fire) and Life Mewa (Metal).
When left untreated, conflicts between the various aspects and the Life Force (Sog) in the pattern may sooner or later manifest as various problems in life, physical, emotional, material, relationship, health problems and issues relating to success and achievement. Namkha also serves an important protection function by minimizing health and accident risk, removing obstacles in all aspects of life.
Read more on the subject > How Namkha Heals
Here, I have aimed at a brief summary of how Namkha is calculated and how it functions in practice. Namkha is a vast subject that brings together several fields, from Tibetan Astrology to Buddhist ritual and meditation. I am by no means an expert in all of those. My knowledge about Namkha is based on the teachings of Namkhai Norbu collected in his book Namkha and my personal journey with Namkha. Feel free to leave a comment or contact me to inquire about having a namkha made for yourself or your dear one(s).
NAMKHA 