Extend Feng Shui from House to Garden

For those who like the idea of improving the flow of energy in their surroundings, feng shui is the way to go.  Applying the principles of feng shui is so simple that you could get started today and experience a healthier balance immediately.  Once you’ve incorporated the elements of this ancient way into the home, it’s time to move to your outdoor spaces.  It is said that feng shui in the backyard acts as a support for the energy within the home. Without balanced energy outside, chances of imbalance indoors increases.   Create balance of energy in your outdoor spaces and you benefit not only your home but also the surrounding homes!

Your typical garden may contain benches in outdoor spaces, flowers or maybe a small vegetable garden.  These are all very nice.  Using feng shui, there may still be a place for each of these – that bench for outdoor purposes, the lemon tree or the fragrant jasmine.  The difference here is simple placement.  The feng shui garden will make use of the bagua, just as is used in creating balance inside the home.

It is helpful for a backyard garden area to have a southern entrance.  This allows you to better incorporate the bagua.  With this, you better know where to place your favorite bench for outdoor use, or that fire pit or water fountain.  Beginning with due south, you will bring in elements of fire.  This could be your grill or even a simple fire bowl.  In the due south portion of your garden, you may also incorporate colors associated with this element, such as red.  In the southwest section is where you want to bring in earth elements, such as rocks or clay pots.  To the southeast, the element of wood sits.  This area is ideal for cozy wood benches for outdoor use.  Be sure to incorporate wood that has been treated against sun, wind and rain.

Moving up to the next level of the bagua, the center of your feng shui garden should remain open.  This allows energy to flow freely.  To the west is where the element of metal may be incorporated.  This could include a metal bench for outdoor usage, metal wind chimes fastened to a wrought iron stake hanger, or an arbor.  East is also where a wood bench for outdoor applications is ideal.  Other wood elements could be a tree stump carved into a small side table or wooden wind chimes.

The last level of the bagua will begin with north, where water is brought in.  Here is where you may place a birdbath, small fountain or even a pond.  Whatever water feature you incorporate, the water must be kept clean in order to maintain proper energy flow.  It is important to choose water features wisely for this reason.  In the Northwest section of the feng shui garden, metal is once again appropriate.  Consider a metal chair or perhaps a bistro set made of metal.  The last section, the northeast area, works again with the element of earth.  Colorful clay pots or decorate stones are perfect here.

Your feng shui garden need not be perfectly square, and should actually incorporate nice curves and room for plants to grow.  Using the bagua as your guide, your backyard space will perfectly compliment your home!