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Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that has become increasingly popular over the last several years. The keys to feng shui are placement -- the placement of the house, the rooms and the furniture, and chi, which is energy, or life force. Proper placement will allow the chi to flow smoothly through the house and garden and when all the elements are in harmony it will bring wealth, happiness and health for the occupants of the home. In order to determine the correct placement, you will need a bagua*, which is a map or compass to help balance the elements of your home. The bagua has eight points, which are made up of the energies of each direction. You simply line up the bagua with a plan of your house to see where your items are placed, and whether they should be moved for a more positive chi. When planning or redesigning your garden, you might try working with the five elements in feng shui -- wood, earth, fire, metal and water. For instance, the wood element covers all plants in the garden or yard, but adding a wooden bench or an arbor would create a calm and restful place. Plants with pointed leaves and those that are triangular, as well as red and purple flowering plants suggest the fire element. Lights and the grill can serve as fire elements, but a chiminea or firepit adds a more tranquil aspect. The earth element can be represented by clay pots, boulders and paving materials, and the colors yellow, orange and brown. Paths should be curved to allow for a longer journey. Garden stones suggest a slower, more relaxed pace, or a deviation from the main path which creates more time for reflection. Fountains, birdbaths or even a pond or stream are part of the water element and represent a soothing and healing component in the garden. Dark blue and black also portray the water element. The metal element is symbolized by round shapes, domes and the colors of white and silver. Statues and planters can also add to the energy of your garden. Feng shui is about balance. Try not to clutter your garden or backyard, as it will bring down the energy level. Work with what you love to create an outdoor space that allows you to relax and reinvigorate your positive energy.
Resources The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui by Gill Hale (Hermes House, an imprint of Anness Publishing Ltd., 2000) * You can find examples of bagua as well as many other resources for feng shui on the Internet.
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