Feng Shui and The Garden (Part Two)
Feng Shui Notes - July 2006
Last month we looked at how the senses of sight, smell, sound, touch,
and taste can either enhance or detract from your garden’s Feng
Shui. If you did not receive this newsletter and wish to read it, go to
the archives. This month we will begin to explore
the Five Elements and their relationship to landscaping.
How the Five Elements show up In The Garden
The five elements are as important to the Feng Shui of the garden as they
are to your home and often easier to implement. A vibrant healthy garden
usually already includes all of the elements. Although this article focuses
on the areas of the Bagua where the elements are most at home, future
articles will expand on this with information about using the creative,
controlling, and reducing cycles to bring about more balance in your landscaping.
Each of the Elements are related to areas of the Bagua as follows:
Wood – Family and Wealth
Fire – Fame
Earth – The Tai Chi (or Center), Relationship,
and Knowledge
Metal – Children and Helpful People
Water – Career
It’s usually desirable to have some of the corresponding element
in the related area of the Bagua.
WOOD Since all plants correspond to the Wood element,
it is found to some degree in all gardens. Shapes, colors, and other characteristics
of the plants and decor used will indicate how much Wood is actually present.
It’s desirable to have some Wood in the Family and Wealth areas.
The Wood Element is obviously also present in structures, decking, ornaments,
furniture, and planters made of wood. The color green and tall or long
thin shapes also represent Wood. In an urban landscape, you will often
find an overabundance of the Wood Element in the form of tall buildings.
FIRE Thorny plants such as cactus, roses, and other plants with stickers
express Fire and can be placed in the Fame area. If they are close to
where people congregate, make sure that they are trimmed back and safe
to stand near.
A colorful medley of flowers represent Fire and are especially good in
Fame. Also, particularly good are plants with pointy leaves, angularly
shaped flowers, lighting features, and items related to the Sun.
EARTH The earthy colors of yellow, orange, and brown
relate to The Center. Even though they are not the main colors of the
Relationship and Knowledge areas, they can be used to bring in the Earth
Element--although other symbols representing Earth might be easier to
work with.
Don’t be afraid to use orange. Many folks avoid orange, but in color
science it’s considered important and is known to have a beneficial
effect on our overall well-being.
Anything made of earth materials, such as stucco, rock, mud, and clay
represents the Earth element. Flagstone walkways and stone retaining walls
are good choices for bringing in Earth. Also, the use of short square
or rectangular shapes works well in areas where Earth is needed.
Too much of the earth element can slow down the flow of ch’I, so
be sure to balance it with other elements. Frequently I’m asked
about low maintenance yards that are designed around rock. These gardens
are usually lacking chi and are not recommended. If you do have this type
of yard, consider placing an abundance of pots filled with colorful flowers
and other brightly colored decorative items around your property, planting
at least one tree, and installing a water feature.
METAL Use white, icy pastels, and metallic toned accessories
and plants in the Children’s or Helpful People’s areas whenever
possible. Round and dome-like shapes do especially well here too. Areas
that need Metal can also be a good place to establish a small theme garden
with defined boundaries.
Statues of people, dragons, or angels are appropriate in the Helpful People
area. Since plastic is related to the Metal element, it’s okay to
place well-maintained plastic furniture and accessories in either Children
or Helpful People.
WATER Ponds, fountains, and other water features, along
with flowing watery shapes, meandering pathways, most glass, and the colors
of black and deep cobalt blue all represent the Water Element. Although
the Career area is the natural home for the Water element, the Family
and Wealth areas are also usually enhanced with the addition of Water.
Keep in mind that that flowing water should always be directed inward
toward the home or building that you wish to nurture. This includes actual
water and water depicted symbolically.
May your garden bless you!
Class Offerings:
FENG SHUI & VISION plus NATURAL EYESIGHT IMPROVEMENT
Saturday, August 19th – 9:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m.
Learn about the structural and placement features in buildings that influence
your vision and the health of your eyes. AND, learn techniques for improving
your eyesight.
This fast-paced, experiential class is packed full of information about
vision and how to maintain and improve the health of your eyes. The basics
of eyesight improvement are presented in a playful and unique format to
assist you in integrating natural vision activities into your daily life.
(Before becoming a full-time Feng Shui Consultant nine years ago, I spent
ten years helping people improve their eyesight naturally.)
Natural vision training is especially appropriate for people who are nearsighted,
farsighted, have astigmatism, and presbyopia ("middle-aged"
vision). I find that my greatest success as a Natural Vision Instructor
has been with folks who are nearsighted and those who have middle-aged
problems up to +2.00. This class is also recommended for people who want
to maintain good eyesight and learn how to care for their eyes. (People
with other vision problems are welcome and are expected to benefit. However,
the class is designed to assist people with the problems mentioned above.
Please phone to see if this class would be appropriate for you.)
The Feng Shui information will be woven throughout the class and is based
on 18 years of study, practical experience, and observation.
Other
Upcoming Classes:
FENG SHUI FOR CLUTTERBUGS
6 Weeks -Tues. Evenings Beg. Sept. 19th – 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
ENHANCE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH FENG SHUI
Saturday, October 28th - 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
FENG SHUI BASICS
Tues., Nov. 7th – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m (Offered through D-11 Schools)
PRIVATE
MENTORING
If you are interested in a class, but are unable to attend or wish to
learn more about
any other aspect of Feng Shui, please contact me at (719) 260-7207 for
information about
working together privately. Mentoring sessions can be conducted by phone,
e-mail, or in my office.
To arrange for a consultation for your home or business, for a flyer or more info on classes or private mentoring, phone Suzanne at (719) 260-7207 or send an e-mail with "Feng Shui Info" in the subject line to FengShuiServices@yahoo.com
Feng Shui Consulting Services • (719) 260-7207
Suzanne Metzger, Consultant
www.FengShuiConsultingServices.net