Suzanne Metzger - Feng Shui Tips

FENG SHUI & THE GARDEN (Part Two)

by Suzanne Metzger

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 http://www.fengshuiconsultingservices.net/newsletters.htm. 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.