Achieve Balance and Harmony In Your Garden With The Elements of Feng Shui

So you purchased a new home - congratulations! Now you would like to add some of the individual touches that will make it 'your home'. With the summer months approaching you decide that it would be wonderful to create an area outdoors where you can get away after work or perhaps a place where you can take up gardening or nurture an already existing passion for growing plants. Regardless of the outdoor area you may have, there is always a way to create the area of your dreams. You are starting with a blank canvas so let's get started! Placement and selection are very important elements. Don't just randomly run out and get garden furniture, unique garden accents or ornaments and don't feel compelled to use what you already have, especially if it doesn't 'fit' the image you have for your space.

Let me tell you about the art of Feng Shui. This art has been in existence for many years and has been used to allow people to achieve balance and harmony in ones life as well as within any indoor or outdoor space.

Feng Shui (pronounced phung schway) means ‘wind’ and ‘water’. It is the Chinese ancient art of placement and it is believed that the cosmic energy or Chi is the life force energy that penetrates all human existence. Basically Feng Shui captures essential energy creating balance and harmony in your environments and every living thing on earth is interconnected.

To ensure that man and nature live in harmony with one another it is necessary to our well-being, health, and happiness to let this invisible energy called Chi to radiate throughout our environment. The Chinese sages believed that any man-made aspect could affect the flow of Chi so they established rules of placement that are fundamental to this philosophy.

Particular thought to detail and the balance of Yin and Yang energy is important. Yin and Yang energy together establish the two forms of energy central to the notion of Feng Shui criterion and outline the quality of the energies in any area. Yin energy or the feminine energy includes the earth, rocks, ponds, plants, flowers, and trees. Yang energy or the masculine energy includes the home, brick, wood, nails, and other solid construction. The Chi needs to move freely and smoothly through its surroundings in order to establish harmony and balance in the garden.

If you wish to introduce Feng Shui into your garden, there are some key factors that must be achieved. The essential characteristics of a garden including the rules of Feng Shui are:

· Use curved lines rather than straight allowing for the natural energy to flow more easily.
· Never create a crowded garden.
· Try to keep your garden design as natural as possible.
· Incorporate a variety of shapes and sizes into your garden.

Yin energy and its elements are shadows, darkness, winter, night-time, wet, soft, receptive, passive, negative, inner, north, creation, earth, and is symbolized by the moon. Yang energy and its elements are light, openness, vigour, growth, summer, daytime, spirit, dry, hard, active, positive, sky, heaven, south, outer, energetic, and is symbolized by the sun. Yin and Yang energies are complementary to each other.

The personal aspects of your life are influenced by the Feng Shui of your house, while the more public views of your life and the outer aspect of your house are influenced by the Feng Shui of your garden. The front garden is more Yang while the back garden is more Yin, the private side of your life. The best way to examine the Feng Shui of your garden is to treat your entire property as a single unit.

Plants that exhibit Yang energy include large-leafed plants that create a powerful presence and create good Feng Shui when placed beside water features such as a pond or fountain. These plants contrast nicely with feathery foliage plants such as ferns. Plants that exhibit Yin energy include ferns that help to dissolve any negative energy in the garden. Hanging plants will lift energy or allow energy to flow. It is a good idea to hang baskets around areas where you like to socialize. Window boxes encourage beneficial Chi toward the home.

Introducing Feng Shui into your garden or patio not only creates a visually appealing space it will bring positive energy into your life. Having an image in your mind to follow will help you make the decisions that need to be made with more confidence. Always keep in the mind the essential elements and the rules of Feng Shui and you will create the space you desire. The power of Feng Shui will bring critical energy into your environment producing balance and harmony with all of the elements in your life.