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| \r\n \r\n <!-' + '- message, attachments, sig -' + '->\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n <!-' + '- icon and title -' + '->\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n  \r\n\r\n Feng Shui Your Garden\r\n \r\n <!-' + '- / icon and title -' + '->\r\n \r\n\r\n <!-' + '- message -' + '->\r\n \r\n \r\n Feng Shui Your Garden \r\n <!-' + '- / message -' + '->\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \n \nFeng Shui (pronounced Fung Shway) is the ancient Chinese art of placement to \nenhance the flow of "vital life energy" known as Qi. Practitioners believe that \nrooms, buildings and all environments can be arranged and decorated in a way \nthat maximizes the flow of Qi and resulting in improvements to health and \nhappiness of those who live in that environment. Although the translation of \nFeng Shui basically means "Wind and Water", its scope and breathe are much \ndeeper than this. We Feng Shui our homes and our office, burial grounds and \nschools, the garden is another place that lends great balance to our lives. \n \nI often like to introduce the Five Element Phase Theory into a Garden Setting. \nThis natural progression just seems to make so much sense. The Five Phases \n(Elements) Theory, which states there are five interrelated elements: fire, \nearth, metal, water and wood is one of Feng Shui\'s oldest and respected \ntheories. \n \nThe following are the ways (or cycles) in which the elements are interrelated. \nThese are the two balanced/physiological cycles: \n"Sheng"-Generating/Nourishing (Creative) Cycle \nIn this cycle, one element generates/nourishes or creates the \nfollowing element. The nourished element is also known as the child \nelement. The nourishing element is known as the mother element. This \nis an important aspect of Feng Shui and Traditional Chinese \nMedicine. The pattern is: \n \n* Fire nourishes earth \n* Earth nourishes metal \n* Metal nourishes water \n* Water nourishes wood \n* Wood nourishes fire \n \n"Ke"-Controlling (Destructive) Cycle \nEven as each element nourishes another, it also controls an element. \nThe controlling element is sometimes referred to as the grandmother \nelement. This cycle is as follows: \n* Fire controls metal \n* Metal controls wood \n* Wood controls earth \n* Earth controls water \n* Water controls fire \n \n \nEach element has a direction, which can help in dividing the garden into five \ndirections and corresponding elements. By looking at the elements that are in \nthe different areas, we can then see if an element is missing from a particular \ndirection. It is also a possibility that a controlling element is present, which \ncan therefore cause the element for that direction to be weakened. For example, \nfire\'s direction is south, so a pond or fountain located in the south of the \nyard would severely weaken the fire element. \n \nWater\'s direction is north. Wood\'s directions are east and southeast. Fire\'s \ndirection is south. Earth\'s directions are northeast, southwest and the center. \nMetal\'s directions are west and northwest. \n \nElements may be adjusted by adding the appropriate color of plant, element or \nshape to the area. Therefore, water may be assisted by adding a fountain in the \nnorth. Red flowers in the south would enhance fire. A wind chime in the west and \nwhite flowers in the northwest would enhance the metal element. Tall, thin trees \nin the east and a wooden arbor in the southeast can be used to strengthen wood. \nA stone sculpture as the centerpiece of the garden with yellow flowers in the \nnortheast and decorative rocks in the southwest would \nadd the balancing touch. \n \nHere is a good reference chart of "cures" for the elements: \n \nThe Wood Element \n* All plants \n* Wooden furniture, decks, fencing, and pathways \n* Arbors, wooden gazebos, trellises \n* Rattan and wicker \n* Stripes and floral prints \n* Columnar and long, thin shapes \n* Blues and greens \n \nThe Fire Element \n* All lighting, including oil, electrical, and candles \n* Fireplaces and barbecues \n* Pets and wildlife \n* Statuary and garden art depicting people and animals \n* Triangular and conical shapes \n* Reds \n \nThe Earth Element \n* Brick, tile, and adobe \n* Earthenware pots and garden art \n* Square and rectangular shapes \n* Yellows and earth tones \n \nThe Metal Element \n* Metal furniture, fencing, and statuary, sculpture \n* Metal wind chimes \n* Rocks, stones, and sand \n* Circular, oval, and arched shapes \n* White and pastels \n \nThe Water Element \n* All water features: birdbaths, fountains, ponds \n* Reflective surfaces, such as glass, crystal, and mirrors \n* Asymmetrical, free-form shapes \n* Black and dark tones \n \n \nAs a general fact: most gardens already tend to have an over abundance of Wood \nelement in them. Try to balance out this element with aspects of each of the \nother elements. \n \nIf you are confused as to which items to use in each direction, I highly believe \nin meditating on it. Sit in front of your garden. Cross your legs in a \ncomfortable nature and close your eyes. Take several deep breaths in and slowly \nout through your nose. Take your time and simply visualize your perfect garden. \nWhat feels "right " to you? At some point Listen to the sounds around you. At \nsome point Smell the air around you. Allow your intuition to guide you. \n \nBreath. Take your time. 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 15 minutes. Let your mind quiet. \nAt your own pace, slowly open your eyes. \n \nThis is a great way to visualize what you really want. Then, when you go back \nand compare it to the "cures" chart above you may be surprised as to how "right" \nyou have allowed your instincts to be! \n \n______________________________________ \n \nAt the writing of this article, 5/16/2013 on the Eastern seaboard: \n \n-You can plant seeds or potatoes in the ground now. \n \n-wait another week for bedding plants like tomatoes and squash. \n \n______________________________________ \n \n \nHappy gardening! \n \nAndrew Pacholyk, MS, LA \nhttps://www.peacefulmind.com/food.htm\r\n \r\n <!-' + '- controls -' + '->\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n <!-' + '- message, attachments, sig -' + '->\r\n\r\n  \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <!-' + '- / controls -' + '->\r\n | \r\n
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Better safe than sorry. lol
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