FENG SHUI FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

With midsummer upon us and people spending more time outdoors, it's natural to be thinking about the external elements of our environment.  From a Feng Shui perspective, some important clues about our "issues" can come from our yards and the surrounding features of our neighborhoods. We'll spend some time in future newsletters exploring some of these features that can influence our quality of life.

THE PATHWAY TO OUR FRONT DOOR can be first indication of whether outside ch'i (or energy) is able to nourish and bring opportunities. The ideal walkway meanders a bit--either literally or by artificially the directing the eye gently along several points. For example, if your sidewalk or driveway goes straight into your home, you are probably being bombarded with too much energy. If possible, try to divert the eye with planters or something appealing along the pathway to draw your attention and cause you to visually slow your approach. It's also helpful to place a wind chime or windsock near the front door to help slow the ch'i before it enters your home.

Sometimes a different problem exists. If visitors cannot easily locate your front door, nourishing ch'i and opportunities may not be able to easily reach you. If this is true for you, find a way to mark the path to your door. Some ways you can accomplish this are with lighting, the arrangement of plantings up your walkway, or small signs or statues indicating directions along the way. I also recommend a chime and/or windsock near the front door. In this case, it's purpose is to give your door a "voice" and assist the flow of opportunity into your life.

If you have a larger property, it's also ideal to have curving pathways throughout your land leading to the various spaces. One of those spaces could be dedicated to creating a CHILDHOOD GARDEN. Since many of our issues have their seeds in childhood, recreating a childhood garden on all or part of your property can have a therapeutic effect. This can also be done on a small scale in a container reminiscent of an earlier time. Many containers have the advantage that they can be brought inside during the Winter months or even kept inside year around. Ideal placement areas for this type of garden would be the Children's or Knowledge areas of your home or lot. However, any area will work.

There are endless possibilities of how you can create this type of garden. Think back to a particularly memorable time in your childhood, either positive or negative. Notice what plantings surrounded your home at that time. Or, notice if there are plants or flowers that cause you to experience a particularly strong emotion--perhaps a sense of peace, joy, anger, or simply a feeling of uneasiness--and create a garden area featuring that flower. If your garden is in the Children's area, add some statuary or other symbols that remind you of your childhood. If your garden is in Knowledge, place a reminder of your goal to attain the wisdom to handle your issue or to connect with a Higher Power.

If you know the Three Secrets Reinforcement, use it as you create your garden to enhance your intention for healing (Call me at (719) 260-7207 if you need more information on this).

May your path be gentle and nourishing!

Fortunate Blessings,

Suzanne