Feng Shui in the Garden

Feng Shui can be applied toany garden to energize thelandscape and simplify the Chi, thus bringing good fortune or deflecting negative energy.Gardens in cities or towns are often tiny. Owners have little or no control over elevations and surrounding shapes in the neighborhood. In such circumstances, space must be expanded visually as much as possible with clever use of perspective, patterns, shapes, and colors so that, whatever the orientation, the natural energies of the environment will be enhanced. Where possible, create a meandering pathway to direct auspicious energy in the direction of the house itself.

Assessing the location ofyour garden

Apply the Five Element theory to the design of your garden. Determine its compass orientationwith an ordinary compass, standing outside your main door. Do separate readings for the front and back gardens.

Now you can apply the element equivalents to energize the good luck of the garden. The southwest, for example, has big earth as its ruling element; oriental-stylegardens with pebbles and stones are therefore best in this sector. You must also check the destructive cycle of elements: in the southeast, for instance, metal is harmful, therefore avoid hanging metallic windchimes or containers here.

A north-facing garden

North is associated with the water element so water featuressuch as a small pond,ideally stocked with carp (koi carp are perfect), or a small turtle or terrapin, will make your garden extremely auspicious especially if they are located at the back of the home. Keeping fish creates Yang energy in the water corner, and a turtle activates the symbolic celestial creature of the north. Do however, observe thefollowing rules:

• Keep the water constantlymoving or aerated. Stagnant water allows dead Chi to accumulate. Fish will energize the water and prevent stagnation.
• Always keep the water clean to prevent harmful Chi being created.
• If any water creature dies, replace it immediately.

Remember that the sound of trickling water attracts Chi,especially when sunlight is allowed to play on the surface of the water. To create movement, use a small pump or fountain and never keep water in the shade.

If you have room you can dress your water feature with plants, but do not overdo it. Plants should enhance not distract from the main focus, which is the water. If yourpond attracts frogs, encouragethem: life in the garden representsYang energy and is excellent Feng Shui.

A south facing garden

South is associated with the fire element and south-facing gardens will be more auspicious if they open out from a dining area rather than from a kitchen. (Kitchens create fire, so an excess of this element will create an imbalance.)

• Because fire provides symbolic warmth, plants will thrive in a south-facing garden.

• A well-lit garden, particularly during winter nights, will enhance the luck of the garden. Lights can be placed at various levels.

• A triangular-shaped garden is most suited to this location. Try to design your garden around a ceramic garden sculpture of a parrot, arooster, or a crane (the symbol of longevity and thus doublyauspicious). Better still, have aphoenix — a celestial bird — in this, its most auspicious corner.

A west- or northwest-facing garden

West is associated with the small metal element; northwest with big metal. Round shapes, metal chimes,bells are suitable for the west; stone or metal sculptures and windchimes for the northwest.

• Trees, preferably fruit orornamental, will counteract the excessiveYang energy created by the strong afternoon sun.
• Such gardens should not open out from the kitchen.This will weaken the metal element and deplete any Chi entering the house from the garden.
• Create your garden around a small, round sculpture (statues have negative, hostile, or abstractconnotations) to enhance theelement of the corner. White marble sculptures are particularly auspicious, but must be in proportion with the garden.
• Pebbles, stone slabs, or steppingstones, which represent the earth element, will also enhance this corner, as will three old Chinesecoins, tied with red thread and placed under one of the stones just in front of your house.
• Windchimes attract good luck,especially when tinkling in the breeze. Hang them just outside your main door rather than on a tree: in the destructive cycle of the elements metal destroys wood so avoid this clash of elements.

An east- or southeast-facing garden

East is associated with the big wood element and southeast with small wood. Ornamental trees, bamboo, and flowers are suitable for the east; small leafy plants and flowers are best for the southeast, especially chrysanthemums and orchids.

• Try to simulate the auspicious green dragon in your garden design by shaping flowerbeds and selecting plants to represent the flowing shape of the dragon. Alternatively, place a small ceramic dragon to symbolize its presence, or have undulating levels in the garden.

• Ornamental trees are associated with both big and small wood, but do not allow the trees to grow so big that they create an imbalance in the garden. Magnolia is most auspicious and peonies equally so.

A northeast-facing garden

Northeast is associated with the small earth element, so designs that incorporate pebble gardens or paths and small rockeries are suitable.

Gardens with oriental themes,herb gardens built around rockeries, and lights are good.

Build brick walls or raised,bricked flowerbeds to simulate the earth element.A low wallrepresents stability and solidity. Because the earth element issquare, square flowerbeds within bricks are great Feng Shui.

A southwest-facing garden

Southwest is associated with the big earth element.

• Japanese-style gardens will bring out good fortune Chi.

• Large boulders are very auspicious, especially if placed to simulate the crimson phoenix of the south.

• Introduce the fire element (such as through lighting) to simulate the Yang energy of fire and strengthen the earth element. The fire element (light) produces the earth element (plants) in the productive cycle of the five elements, creating an ideal balance of elements.

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