FENG SHUI IN THE GARDEN

Feng Shui (pronounced Fong Shuay) translates literally as “wind and water”. These are the principles from which the homes and gardens of ancient China have developed into a form of environmental art. Feng Shui refers to the arrangement of your spatial surroundings in order to bring about auspicious changes to your existence.

Masters of Feng Shui believe in strong interconnectedness linking the environment to our individual circumstances; what happens in our objective environs acutely maneuvers our psychological and spiritual well-being.

A Collective Life Force

Not long from now, the weather will turn cool and glorious, here in Bahrain, and arranging your garden with Feng Shui in mind, will provide you with a sanctuary of peace and beauty, while enhancing your possibilities for better health, good fortune, and trusted friendships. In addition, the quality of energy or chi, outside our homes, or flats attracts positive forces to the inside of our living spaces. Chi is the collective life force that inhabits in all things --animate or inanimate; it surrounds us, rising and falling around trees, gates, furniture, etc. It is invisible --but it is evident in the natural world through the rounded and irregular scenes of mountain peaks, sandy mounds, oceans, meandering brooks and wild-flower trails.

Experts know that straight lines and jagged angles contain damaging energy; common sense makes us cover up, or plant greenery to soften pointy or sharp areas in our living spaces. Gardens can capture propitious chi with water components such as ponds, fountains or simple bird baths of clean, clear water. Chi moves in a winding manner, slowing down wherever water is present. Water attracts the company of birds, insects and butterflies adding exuberant vitality to your landscape. When chi is allowed to playfully meander through your property, it positively influences all aspects of your life.

The Chinese believe that landscapes should be gently embellished, but should not be held back. Temperate areas yield magnificent flora in the cooler months so we can adorn that environment without controlling it. Feng Shui gardening is in actuality very rational. Most gardeners probably unknowingly, already integrate the principles of this ancient philosophy in their choice of flowering shrubs and trees. Taking a walk around your immediate garden area, look at what’s there. Is what you see pleasing to your senses? Do you feel peace and tranquility? If not, incorporate some Feng Shui gardening principles and you will soon be able to notice positive changes.

The Four Mythical Animal Formations

In Oriental design the perfect building site should be supported by a knoll at the back. The reason for this is to have the protection of the mythical Black Tortoise lending good backing to your home by re-directing energy all around it.If you have no hill or wall behind your house, you can compensate by planting a clump of banana or palm trees (they are fast growing), or by putting up elevated lights behind the property. In this manner it will appear higher than the front, thus allowing chi to flow effectively. The front yard is the domain of the red phoenix, who in a position lower than the other formations, allows wealth enhancing opportunities to enter your garden and your home. The left side of your house, as you stand facing out of your front door, is the green dragon’s territory -symbolizing power and abundance. The right side is the realm of the white tiger, the embodiment of yin energy. The all-powerful dragon’s side should be slightly higher than the tiger’s to keep the latter’s unpredictable energy under control. To remedy the fact that both sides may be level, you can always place a high pole with a wind sock on the left, to make it higher, and to bring positive energy to the green dragon’s side. In essence, the ideal house should be in the center of the property with protection at its back; slightly higher on the left than on the right side, and indented at the front -thus allowing chi to freely enter the land. A residence surrounded by high walls is not beneficial in Feng Shui.

Yin and Yang

The philosophy of universal duality is conveyed by the forces of Yin and Yang, opposite, yet mutually complimentary. Yin represents a quiet, dark, passive, soft force while yang is an active, bright, noisy force. Akin to shadows and sunshine, or babbling water running over quiet rocks in a stream; both are harmonizing yet different. A happy balance between these two forces can bring wholeness and unity to the garden. Yin and yang can be synchronized. Harmony between sunny and shady spots can be achieved by placing bougainvilleas or hibiscus in shady parts or by adding white smooth rocks to dark, narrow paths. Dry areas can be complemented with small babbling fountains and ponds while simultaneously balancing silence (yin) with sound (yang).

The Five Elements in the Feng Shui Garden

Feng Shui gardeners use the five elements and interplay them to bring about creative, auspicious energy. Water, wood, fire, earth, and metal co-exist in harmony in the garden while having positive and negative interactions. They are the ‘agents’ of chi representing colors and shapes. Their importance in the Feng Shui garden is to make sure no singular element is dominant over the others, and that there’s a yin/yang balance at all times.

Feng Shui Gardening Tips

1 - Gardens should be simple and natural using plantings that grow well in our area. These include common fig, temple tree or Singapore plumeria, oleander, and pencil trees amongst others. There are some beautiful eucalyptus trees in many climates, but they take lots of care, and years to reach maturity.

2 - Balance the size and shape of plantings.

3 - Give paths that are straight, a meandering look with potted plants, or stones along their edges.

4 - Bougainvilleas, jasmine and hibiscus are great cover ups for sharp edges and see- through fences. Make an area for contemplation near some fragrant bushes with perhaps a bench and a water fountain nearby

5 - Water in the garden is important and should be balanced with rocks or pottery. Nice touches for permanent ponds could include gold fish for wealth or a turtle for long life.

6 - In a smallish courtyard or balcony, residents can recreate the feeling of profuse gardens by using taller potted plants or shrubs towards the rear; a small water fountain with babbling sounds, hanging baskets of hardy, trailing ivy, wind chimes, and a wind sock, flying from a bamboo stick. All these ideas would certainly make for a lovely while simple arrangement!@ESW2004