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The Feng Shui Garden
Feng Shui in the Garden
by Judy Adler-Morris
Our exploration of Feng Shui in the Garden starts with a basic understanding of how qi works. We understand that qi is the 'stuff of life' so it is essential to the well being of life on this planet, Earth, and her inhabitants. The basics of how qi functions are best stated by Guo Po, so I have repeated him in this introduction.
Qi existence and properties
Qi cannot be defined but it can be described. It may exist in the form of matter or energy or both simultaneously. However, we cannot equate matter or energy to qi.
There are many peculiar properties of qi. Guo Pu, who lived in the Jin Dynasty (265-420 AD) wrote the famous Burial Book and tried to describe some of the properties:
Qi rides with the wind and is dispersed, but it is retained when it encounters water.
Qi applications
The ancients collected qi so that it does not dissipate, and directed it so that it is retained. For this reason this art is called Feng Shui.
Therefore, a site is most fortunate if there is water, followed by one that
catches the wind.
Mountains are what protects a site from strong winds that disperse qi. Therefore, we always refer to mountains and waters in the study of Feng Shui.
Mountains take care of the people while water takes care of wealth.
In the garden this means that we need good wind breaks and raised garden beds for the qi to reside in the appropriate places as well as water in its appropriate place. The question you may ask at this point is "Where are the appropriate places and how can I determine the proper locations for my home?" The simplest and easiest way to do this is to buy my favorite Feng Shui book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Feng Shui, Second Edition" by Elizabeth Moran, Masters Val Biktashev and Joseph Yu.
The most effective way to work with Time-Space Feng Shui in the garden is to calculate the
flying star chart for your home then determine the best locations for the raised beds and the water features. Next you can determine how you want to lay your pathways for the best use of qi. This pathway can take you to each of the Seven Garden Elements and where they are best placed. Spotting the Seven Primary Garden Elements
As Feng Shui has its elements, so do gardens. Garden designers tout seven primary garden elements. They are:
The Threshold
The Hut or House in the Garden
The Enclosure
The Grove
The Meadow
The Mount
The Spring
If this all sounds too complicated, please do not despair. I will break this down for you in simple terms each month to guide you through the process. Feng Shui can be fun. We are working with Mother Nature to optimize our quality living experience.
Take this month to get your book, a simple compass, a Boy Scout to show you how to read the compass (smiling), sketch pad, pencils, and eraser to begin building your Feng Shui garden on paper. We are in the planning stages right now. I will give you the first hint about where to put the raised beds and the water: Raised beds go where the mountain stars 8 and 9 are located. Water goes where the water stars 8 and 9 are located.
Happy Holidays!
About the Author
Judy Adler is the first American designated Feng Shui Master by Master
Joseph Yu, founder of the Feng Shui Research Center in Ontario. She has been
practicing and teaching Feng Shui professionally since 1993. Although she
resides in the Austin, Texas area, she provides services for clients
internationally. She can be reached at Judy@FSRC.net
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