A Touch of Feng Shui in the Garden

From the beliefs, culture and mythology of China, Feng Shui was born.

It is an ancient belief in the art of placement.Literally translated, Feng Shui means wind and water symbolizing the two major forces of nature. Feng Shui promotes a scientific and philosophical approach to design and site a home, public building and spaces to maintain harmony with the nature. This harmony is believed to allow light from the spiritual realm to shine upon those who believe and adopt the principles to their home and environment.

Interpretation of this belief has expanded into many directions. Over the past few years, Feng Shui has swept through the Western world/ culture according to what's practical, adaptable and suitable.

This is the wonder of Feng Shui- it allows for differences, and innovation according to the beliefs of a particular culture. It inspires personal perspective and creativity.It fosters harmony between man and his environment.

Adapting some of the principles of Feng Shui encourages a gardener to create a place which radiates more than beauty to please the eye. It is the visual attraction of a garden that draws people to it. But be aware of unseen and subtle energies taking place in the garden.

Today, a garden is an extension of the living space of a person or a family. It offers a place to entertain, a respite from the busy and chaotic world, a private space to relax and reflect, at times, a place to seek healing.

Sans the tools, a touch of Feng Shui, can enhance and actually generate positive vibrations outdoors and into the inner sanctum of the gardener.

With intuition, common sense and dedication,simple rules of Feng Shui can be applied. It promotes a garden that is friendly to Nature and ultimately infuse creative and vibrant energy and ensures the positive flow of chi.

Balance

Balance is a very important aspect of Life. It is the Yin/Yang in practice. It is opposing yet complementary.Tidbit: public parks exhibit the yang space, a private garden shows the yin.

A garden design that incorporates a balance of plants, ornaments and furniture is appealing to look at. If it's visually attractive, and it feels good, it is a gardener's pride and joy. The energy must be vibrant.

The Elements in Feng Shui

A little attention to the elements in a garden provide an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

Fire Color: red, and purple Plants with pointed leaves Structures/ornaments: pyramids, obelisks,lights trellis/ support for plants This is a powerful element, don't let it dominate the area.

Wood Color : green. All plants are wood element, it is the shape and color that suggest other elements. Trees and shrubs strongly represent wood element. Structures/ ornaments: decking, planters, logs, and furniture

Earth Color: yellow, orange, and brown Structures/ornaments: soil, rocks, stones, walkways, fences A walkway or fence that dominates the garden slows down the flow of chi.

Water Color: dark blue, black Structure/ornaments gravel, meandering paths, water features, glass.

Metal Color: white, silver Structure/ornaments: bowls, domes, and hammock.

Working with the elements

The natural world beckons. Gardening has ignited passion for creating a magical world of plants, colors, ornaments and design, with Nature as the canvas for the artist. A garden fills a space that would otherwise be void and saturated with stale energy.

It is with the shapes, colors and garden ornaments and structures that spells balance and introduce the elements to bring out positive energy.

Ponds are popular features, Perhaps unknowingly,ponds represent the lake, rocks and pebbles stand for the mountains. Water symbolizes wealth and a good collector of chi, so long as it is not stagnant. Careful choice of ornaments can create a balance of the elements in a pond.

Take a cue from Nature- it tries to achieve balance between shape and color. Whatever feature you add, proportion is important.

There are ways to remedy existing structures. Add some pots along a straight walkway to give it a feeling of meandering. Add a splash of colors to make it look interesting.

Appeal to the senses

Sight A visually attractive garden touches upon the sub-conscious .It is leaves an impression that can impact deep into the psyche. Clutter anywhere is annoying. It hinders the flow of chi. In the garden, it is important to keep it free of debris and clutter.

Arrangement of plants, mixing plants with a variety of color and blooming periods, and giving thought of the flowering season adds balance to a garden.

Sound No one wants to live in a noisy neighborhood.There are sounds in the garden. Bees and birds bring about welcome sound. Gurgling water can be soothing. A bamboo wind chime sends out gentle sounds resembling the rustle of leaves.Leave the leaves for a little while and listen as you crunch through in the fall.

Smell The natural sweet scents from a garden is superior to the most expensive perfume.Enjoy the fragrance from your garden wafting through the air, especially with the evening breeze.

Touch My four-year old great niece fascinates me when I see how carefully she touches things around the garden- from the little animal ornaments the leaves.and flowers. She does not pick the flowers, she tries to feel the softness with her little fingers. I have little colored stones at the bottom of a bowl that glimmers under the sun, she approaches these quietly as she timidly dips one little finger to feel them.No, nothing bites her little finger. She does this with so much concentration that anyone who watches her has to experience the sensation of "touching."

Other suggestions:

For focus, use smaller potted plants in a group or one large pot For abundance, fountains and water features

For illumination, lights for particular features

For stability use urns, large pots, rocks and stones

Show off your achievement or passion with art collection

Wind chimes to stir up energy and create movement

To receive gifts of the earth and the Universe, empty pots, dishes and urns.

This article barely touches upon the basics of Feng Shui. But, it's a start.

Bonnie Moss writes to inspire and motivate her readers to reach deep within their hearts and soul to find more meaning to Life .Visit her website: http://goldencupcafe.tripod.com

How Shapes Of Buildings Implicate Feng Shui

There is something about shapes of buildings, which in feng shui are associated with one of the five elements. Basically, these shapes are; square or cube, rectangle, the circle or sphere, the wave or curve liner, and the pyramid or triangle. Each of this shape represents or associate with five of the elements; earth, wood, metal, water and fire. It is possible to use these shapes to incorporate subtle yet effective feng shui harmony into buildings. Beside the shapes, elements, direction where the building sits also plays a important part in feng shui. Element Shapes can also be used as a means of enhancing or exhausting certain sectors based on either Flying Star combinations or the 8 Mansions formula.

The five elements of feng shui and shapes

EARTH - Square
FIRE - Triangle
METAL - Circle
WATER - Curve liner
WOOD - Rectangle

Five Elements and Shapes of Building

Square Shape building represents the element of earth. It will be auspicious if a square building faced or sits in the direction of SW/NE. It is said that square shape building command authoritative with dominance, therefore, it will be suitable for a corporate offices and bank. Enhanced the building with an earth element base, using material such as granite and marble will offer strong earth energy which benefits the luck of the building. SW and NE are the direction for earth element.

Triangle shape building signifies the fire element. The ideal sitting location should be south, the sector of fire. Building with the shape of triangle, the best orientation would be a North-South axis, with the building facing north and sitting south. To enhance the luck of the triangle building, the alternative location would be for the building to sit East or Southeast, in this way, the wood element would then feed the building's fire element.

A circle or Sphere shape building signifies the metal element. So long there is a curve within the overall building in concept, it suggests that the building is a circle shape. It needs not to be overall circle in shape. To enhance the luck of the building, the use of glass and steel are beneficial. Such buildings are excellent sitting West or Northwest, so facing East and Southeast.

A curve liner building symbolizes the element of water. Water is an element that is constant movement. Curve liner buildings adopt a prominent curve form that extends throughout the building design. The curve liner gives a powerful statement of visual 'wave'. Shopping malls or exhibition centres will benefit from this design concept. Curve liner building forms are efficient for creating the flow of speed. It is advisable to avoid building with such shape for office or residential locations. The direction for a water element building should be to face South and sit North. Use full steel-base "look" material for the base of the building to enhance the water element of the building.

A rectangle shape building is associated with the element of wood. Many popular of high-rise building shapes is the rectangle. It will be beneficial if the building can incorporate wood or water elements energy. Avoid glass and concrete dominate the building. Blue-tinted glass, which represents water energy, is a good ideal for the building. Once can also provide the building with a "wood' look as enhancements. The best directions for this type of building, is to sit East, Southeast or North.

More Feng Shui Tips at Good Feng Shui Tips

Apex Lim, will soon be a publisher of Feng Shui eBook. Currently, he spent most of the time reading and reseraching on Feng Shui. His aims is to improve the life of people around the world. You would like to visit his Feng Shui Blog @http://goodfengshuitips.blogspot.com

Powerful Feng Shui Tips for Health & Well-Being

Do you know where the power position is for your bed? Did you know everyone who has ever slept in your bed has left some of their energy there?

Your bedroom is the most important room in your house and your bed is a crucial factor in the flow of energy there. Your bedroom affects your health and well-being more than any other room because you spend so much time in it, and when you sleep you are more open to absorbing the energy around you.

Place your bed in the power position. The beds position in relation to the door is the most important consideration for creating a good flow of energy in your bedroom.

1.The sleeper should have a clear view of the door from their sleeping position. On the deepest level we need to feel protected from unwanted surprises. If this is not possible, you can restore good Feng Shui by placing a mirror to give you a view of the door.

2.The bed should be as far from the door as possible. Ideally it should be in the opposite corner from the door. The farther you sleep from the door and the more of the room you can see while in bed, the more you will feel in control of your environment and your life.

3.Your bed should not be in a direct line with the doorway. If it is, the power of the energy coming in the door towards your bed can create illness, or can split a relationship if it runs up the center of the bed. The worst situation is if your feet point directly towards the door. If you cannot avoid this, you can hang a metal wind chime halfway between the door and bed. The sound of the chime will deflect the rushing chi. Or you can hang a faceted crystal over the foot of the bed.

Your bed holds the energy of anyone who has slept in it. Here are a list of good times to buy a new bed, linens and pillows:

1.You get married create a fresh, powerful start together.

2.After the death of someone you share the bed with this will help you move on.

3.You move to a new house if you want to leave old energy behind.

4.If anyone sharing the bed experiences a major sickness this will support you in creating good health and preventing illness.

5.A relationship ends helps clear out old energy and bring in the new.

Who are you sleeping with? It is highly recommended not to buy a second hand bed. This will be holding the energy of a previous owner and all their bedmates! It can retain sexual energy, emotions and illness.

By placing your bed in the power position and knowing who youre sleeping with you have a better chance of creating good health and romance in your life.

2003, Vicky White. All rights reserved. May be duplicated with attribution and copyright notice intact. http://www.LifeDesignStrategies.com/

Vicky White is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and Life Coach who works with clients both locally and internationally. Get your FREE 7-part e-course Your Secret Weapon: Powerful Feng Shui Tips To Give Your Business The Competitive Edge at http://www.LifeDesignStrategies.com/