Apr 29 2008
A feng shui garden in 4 easy steps
Get a Feng Shui Garden in 4 simple steps.
Feng Shui! The mind boggles! Directions… a compass… the bagua… different interpretations- where to start- and to finish- in making sure you’ve got good Chi?
It’s my intention, in 4 easy steps, to help you create a garden that welcomes new Harmony, Prosperity and success.
How to do this? Simply, by putting in place the cornerstones of what good energy is attracted to in the garden. The basics of good feng shui can be created in 4 simple ways. From this base, feel your way to creating your own garden of personal taste and beauty. You’ll find Universal energy working for you and smoothing your path.
1. The original elements- Wind & Water
Any positive space has recreated the actual meaning of Feng Shui- wind and water. Indoors, this means there’s proper airflow in the home (wind) and there’s movement in every area- even regular dusting of an unused corner ensures that stagnation doesn’t happen. Water in the home means fluidity- that there’s nothing blocking up key movement areas, like things left in doorways.
Outdoors, a Feng Shui garden will be tapping the elements Wind and Water, too. Wind can be tapped literally by hanging a windchime, using a windmill, flying a flag or using a weather-vane. But more importantly, the symbol of Wind present will mean that every area of the garden has a purpose and is busy doing something, or is regularly tended. Water literally means that a fountain, water feature, pond, birdbath, sprinkler system or swimming pool has a place in every garden. And symbolically, there will be a flow to the garden- garden beds and paths curved or rounded, not square, or straight and sharp.
2. The Polar energies- Yin & Yang
Have you ever seen a Yin-Yang symbol? The balance of Yin and Yang underpins Feng Shui principle, and is essential to create an environment that continually attracts good chi.
Yin is the female- the dark, soft, evening energy. Yang is the loud, hard, bright, morning energy. Before we bring in a windchime or a water feature in, Feng Shui reminds us that the balance of the polar energies, Yin and Yang, is paramount.
I want you to think of your own garden, at this time. A balance of Yin and Yang means that you’d have a mixture of small and large plants; hot spots and shady corners, plants that thrive in the harsh climate here and softer ones which you nurture in a different space.
Only once you have your Yin and Yang in order, are you ready to use accessories or bring in new objects to create balance.
3. The Welcome Mat
By a welcome mat, we mean a clean, clutter-free environment. This is as relevant in the garden as it is indoors. We all know what a clean house entails. A clean garden is free of weeds and pests, as you deem them, and is neither too dry nor too wet. Hedges and bushes are neatly trimmed, borders are tidy, there’s no debris hanging around and accessories are neatly organized.
4. Positive Plants
There are three reasons why a plant can be considered good feng shui; you may divide Feng Shui plants, then, into 3 categories.
There are plants that, through symbolism, represent good fortune to the Chinese, whether by word association or image; 2, plants that absorb pollutants and/or electromagnetic radiation, and 3, plants which offer Sheng Chi, or good energy, with soft, round leaves, as opposed to those which create Sha Chi, or poison arrows, with sharp leaves or spikes.
The first category of plants offers good feng shui because of their meaning in Chinese culture. Fish in feng shui are a symbol of abundance because, in Chinese, the word is Yu, which sounds like a similar word for riches. Oranges and tangerines are given as gifts at Chinese new year because the words for these fruits sound like “luck” and “wealth”. So a plant may be considered good feng shui by association. This is the case with the Jade plant. It’s recommended to place a jade plant at every door to your home to invite wealth chi in and encourage it to linger longer. The ancient Chinese believed the jade plant to symbolize emeralds; hence it’s association with wealth to this day.
The second category of plants can be considered good feng shui for a more modern reason. Particular plants have been proven to be especially effective at absorbing pollutants and electro-magnetic radiation in an environment, and because of their abilities to transform negative to positive chi, these plants can be classified as good feng shui. Some of the most effective include:
• Peace lilies- which absorb toxicity and electromagnetic radiation (EMR)
• Date palms- they absorb xylene, which can be omitted by some art supplies and petroleum storage
• Ficus plants- absorb formaldehyde, which all interior surfaces and industrial areas omit; they’re especially good in offices.
• English Ivy- thrives in a spot of high earth radiation and a good absorber of EMR
• Baby’s tears, aka Irish Moss, an excellent de-charger, and you’ll feel your tension dissipate as you hold your hands over it’s soft leaves.
The third category of plants reason for being auspicious takes us back to the underlying principles of feng shui; creating a flow of positive chi. Feng Shui believes that negative energy is created in an environment through the presence of poison arrows- sharp corners, exposed edges and pointed objects. These sharp corners cut into positive chi and create friction. Hence, plants such as Cacti, with their spikes, and sharp-leaved varietals, are not considered good feng shui for the poison arrows they create. Conversely, all plants with soft, rounded leaves are excellent feng shui, such Banana or Rubber plants.
Outside, citrus trees are auspicious because of the fruit they bear. Plants with spiky leaves should be kept well away from doors to the home where they may “cut up” the positive chi that enters. In addition, every home seeking luck should have a bamboo plant- for bamboo
sounds like “prayer” in Chinese. Its flexible stalks also represent good health in old age, making it a welcome symbolic (as well as a low maintenance) gift to somebody elderly.
Not one of these three steps is rocket science; it’s almost obvious that to have a clean environment and healthy plants throughout garden will promote balance.
So, just to recap:
- Get your yin and yang- dark and light, in balance.
- Get your Feng- wind, or movement- and Shui- water, or fluidity- present.
- Make sure your garden is tidy and clutter free, and,
- Have the above-mentioned auspicious plants working for you.
With these priorities, you will be the proud owner of a garden which relaxes the eye and soothes the soul of all who enter. Now that’s feng shui in action!
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By Samantha Honey, director of Feng Shui By The Sea in the Gulf. Sign up for Feng Shui By The Sea’s free monthly e-newsletter filled with positive life attraction and home style tips! Register here: http://www.fengshuibythesea.com/contact.htm
