Aboriginal Angel Garden Sculpture
Image taken on 2008-01-18 02:52:51 by feng shui consultant.
Feng Shui Your Spring Garden @ The Millbrae Library
Image taken on 2009-05-27 21:10:40 by San Mateo County Library.
Feng Shui in the Garden Part II
Feng Shui in the Garden Part II
Placement
Planning the height and layout of vegetation to create a layered effect is an effective way to produce a visually pleasing outcome. Good design in garden feng shui suggests the size and height of foreground plants should gradually segue towards the taller foliage positioned at the rear. This creates an attractive view with the trees or shrubs ‘framing’ the scene and helps to enhance and focus the aesthetic qualities and beauty of the prospect.
Compare the relative merits of evergreen versus deciduous species; and consider their appropriateness when planning and in planting. Evergreens provide a year-round ‘freshness’, generally with low maintenance – but there are many beautiful deciduous trees and shrubs that can supply that blaze of russet autumn glory. These may drop their leaves in winter, but recycling leaf-fall into compost and mulch is an eco-savvy way to help reduce our overall carbon footprint and put some goodness back into the soil.
‘Go native’; by planting endemic species; plants that are indigenous to your district. These have the added advantage of being naturally adapted to the soils, climate and rainfall of your particular area. This is especially relevant as further climate change is inevitable. Caution! Do consider the final height of any shrub or tree that you may plan to grow. Be wary of roots invading foundations or pipes; and of branches or leaves creating a hazard as the tree or shrub reaches full maturity.
Time
Luck changes over time, and feng shui therefore, has a time dimension. Feng Shui has many layers. It begins with the basic study of landform, compass direction, environmental influences and how these affect the people living nearby. Then it moves to more complex examinations, deeper levels: such as ‘Nine Palaces’ feng shui and the ‘Bagua’ or ‘Black Hat’ schools of thought. There is also ‘Five Elements in Healing’, a philosophy that we touched on earlier. And becoming increasingly popular is ‘Flying Star’ feng shui, and its interpretation of the natural flow of energy. Flying Star Feng Shui incorporates the dimension of time, as well as that of space, in order to define and categorise influential energies. Taking a holistic approach accepts the basic premise that time is significant in good garden function and design. Flying Star feng shui explains that there are specific (time) cycles. The basic period is a twenty year cycle.
Each twenty year period has been allocated a special, designated number: (from 1 – 9) and that number has predictable and distinctive cosmic influences. The present sphere of influence is the number 8 ‘star’; which covers the period from 2004 through to 2023. What does the number 8 ‘star’ mean? Well, each star is not really a physical star, but a representation of the energetic qualities or Nature’s influences. So between 2004 and 2023, the characteristic energies of this star influence our opportunities, finances, relationships, even our general health and well-being. That’s it for this article. Stay tuned for article III in the series: ‘How we can use the 8 Star to advantage in the garden.’ And for more information on holistic gardening techniques; Google “miles trench”. Bye - smiles from miles 
‘Biography’ — Miles Trench
Address: Australia
Email Address: milestrench_22@yahoo.com.au
http://au.geocities.com/milestrench_22/milestrenchwebpage.html
Published: Holistic Gardening – The Five Principles of Success[Expected] – October 2008, Divan 7 – Institute of TAFE, Victoria (poem) ‘a moment’ – August ed. 2008, Scibbligum – ‘Very Highly Commended’ & ‘Highly Commended’ – (2 poems) – August ed.2008, Warm Earth Organic Gardening (article) My No-Dig Veggie Garden – July 2008, Backyard Farmer (Earth Garden) (article): Basic No-Dig Gardening
March 2008, Scribbligum – ‘Highly Commended’ – (poem) Flores – October 2007, Kerneweck Lowender – ‘Highly Commended’ A Piece of Paper…
Oeuvre to Date: 56 poems, 28 short stories, 1 book, various fragments and many ‘works in progress…’
Qualifications: 2007 Diploma Professional Writing (external) ARTS SA
Certificate III Tourism (Operations) TAFE Noarlunga Campus
Influenced: Faulkner, Steinbeck, ‘du Maurier, Burgess, Bruce Dawe Sylvia Plath.
Motto: ‘Learn, create, explore and believe‘
Using Feng Shui to Create Your Garden
A garden is a very important element of a home or office and it attracts a lot of positive energy if designed correctly. This article discusses about some of the ideas that you may implement in order to welcome a beneficial chi into your garden.
The first and the most basic tip is to have healthy plants in your garden. Next is to invest in plants that are considered to be very lucky. Some of them include the silver crown, plum, bamboo, orchid, chrysanthemum, peony, magnolia, pine and jade. Some alternatives to peony include the begonia, hibiscus and gardenia. Lotus, lily and bulb varieties are also regarded as very lucky. Fruit trees like peach and orange are considered very lucky if grown near the front door. Try not to plant these trees facing the door though.
Stunted plants, plants with thorns and weeping plants are generally not considered very auspicious.
Water features are very good when integrated effectively and maintained regularly in gardens. Round fish ponds with goldfishes is very good. Similarly a round bird is a friendly feature to have in the garden. Always consider planting lush green plants surrounding the water feature.
Pathways and stepping stones are excellent additions to a garden. Always consider building a pathway in a curved design rather than a straight line. Entrance gates to the garden should be proportional to the size of the house and must always open inward. Keep the gates free of rust and do not allow any vines or other creepers to grow on the gate.
Lighting in the garden must be soft and should create a sense of harmony.
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Feng Shui for Your Garden ? Part 2
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In the last installment we explored how a water feature (ponds, swimming pools, waterfalls, or fountain) can improve the feng shui of your garden. Although a water features are great feng shui, you must take note on where you install it. Never install any water feature on the right hand of the garden (right hand as you look out of the door). Although this will bring in lots of wealth luck, it will cause infidelity among lovers and couples in the household.
Another great feng shui tip is to use the green dragon and white dragon formula. In feng shui, the Chinese believe that the environment is governed by four celestial creatures- the green dragon, white tiger, black tortoise and phoenix. We can emulate the elements of the green dragon and white tiger in the garden. As you look out from the front of your house, the right hand side of the garden represents the white tiger and the left, the green dragon. The left side of your garden should always be higher than the right, so that the green dragon can control the aggression of the white tiger. This can be done by having higher plants and shrubs on the left side of the garden.
Trees and flowers are also wonderful feng shui energizers. They generate a lot of fresh chi that is good for the home. There are however, some trees that are more auspicious than others. The bamboo, for instance, is a symbol of good health and longevity. Strong, solid tress like pine trees and oaks are also good feng shui as they represent strength. There are certain trees and plants which are not as auspicious. Willows are beautiful trees, but their fragile and weak demeanor signifies illness and weaknesses. Cactus or plants with lots of thorns are also not auspicious. Tall slender trees such as the coconut tree or palms are also not favorable. Their long and slender trunks resemble poison arrows that can be harmful for the household.
The trees that you plant should never overwhelm your house. Trees should be proportionate to the compound of your home. They should also be planted on the sides of the gardens and should not be in direct view from the font door.
After all said and done, there is one final tip for your garden. If you have decided to have luscious garden, you must commit to keeping it trim and beautiful. An overgrown garden with lots of weeds and untrimmed plants is extremely bad feng shui as they accumulate stagnant chi.
There is so much you can do to your garden to create good feng shui. Watch out for the next installment of garden feng shui. Meanwhile, happy gardening!
For more practical Feng Shui Tips visit: http://www.fengshuitipstoday.com
Designing Your Garden Layout
When deciding about your garden furniture sets, it always helps to have some kind of basic plan in mind. This means either making lists or putting together a plan or a map so that you know what you want where. As this is only a tentative decision, it helps you get a clearer picture in your mind of what can and should go where. And you will also be able to better decide not only the items, but also the material the garden furniture sets should comprise so that they last longer and bring out the beauty of your outdoor space.
The following are some of the tips that you can use when designing your garden layout:
* The most important thing is to decide where you want to set up the seating area. If you have a small space, then it is easier to make this decision. But if you have a large area, then you might want to actually take a chair around and sit in a couple of places to make sure that you are getting the best view and best protection from the elements. If you are going to construct a gazebo-like structure, then there is no need to worry about the rain or excess sunshine, but if not, then you might want a few shady trees over your main seating area.
* Deciding on the kind of material of your garden furniture sets is also important. Wooden garden furniture is very eco-friendly if it is made from trees that have naturally fallen down. They also blend well into garden and hence are usually top on the list of furniture to buy for outdoor areas. If you do not want this, you can also go in for rattan garden furniture that comes in attractive weaves, colors, and designs. Sometimes the rattan is combined with wooden armature, while at other times, with aluminum or some other metal. Depending on the kind of look you want to go for, you can choose between any of these. And if you want to go simple, then garden hammocks are ideal for the low key, chilled out look.
* Apart from the seating arrangement of the garden furniture sets, it is also important to plan the fencing, flowers, and any fountain. Having a water body is always very relaxing and recommended by both feng shui and meditation practitioners. And if you want to have fish in the pond, then the location is important so that birds or other predators do not get a glimpse of them.
* There are a number of online programs you can download for free that will enable you to design your garden layout. And you need not have any special skills or training to do this. These kinds of software are very useful, especially if you have a large space that might get complicated if you draw the layout by hand.
Once you have finalized your layout, it becomes easier for you to go out and buy all the items you need. Shopping online is always convenient, especially the parts where you get great discounts and free home delivery. And since summer is already at your doorstep, the sooner you do this the greater the chances of you getting some good deals.
While planning your garden layout, it is important to decide what goes where right at the beginning. Garden furniture sets , lawns, fencing, flower arrangements, and pond need to be placed out beforehand as also whether you want wooden or rattan garden furniture.
A picture of tranquility and serenity- Chinese Garden
The Chinese Garden is better known to Singaporeans as the Jurong Gardens, being based in Jurong East near the MRT Station and adjacent to the Japanese Garden. The garden which is based on Chinese gardening concepts was designed by a Taiwanese architect named Professor Yuen-Chen Yu in 1975. The main characteristic of this style is the seamless melding of outstanding architectural features with natural environs, as seen in Chinese imperial gardens.
The entrance to this area is guarded by marble stone lions, the traditional Chinese animal signifying sovereignty. The White Rainbow Bridge is found almost immediately upon entrance; bridges are significant aspects of any Chinese garden and this one is built in the fashion of a miniature 17-Arch Bridge of Peking’s Summer Palace. A seven storey pagoda perched upon a small hill rises gracefully beyond the bridge. The magnificent Main Arch building which the bridge leads into, houses two courtyards: the “Early Spring Courtyard” and “Garden Courtyard” as well as a fishpond all of which make for very scenic backdrops for shutterbug tourists to pose against.
The Stone Boat, which is an architectural achievement of Chinese culture lauded by art-lovers the world over, and the Tea House are two other notable features of the garden. Both these are built along the lines of the ones at the Peking Summer Palace; it may be argued that the Stone Boat even surpasses the one in Peking.
Last but not least, we come to the main architectural highlight of the garden, which is also the signature markers of a Chinese style leisure park – the pavilion, plateau and tower. These are integral to the Feng Shui of the area; there are strict rules governing the balance of their relative heights and sizes and special care is given to the quaint footpaths, streams and plant life which lie between this constructional trifecta. The sights of the garden do not end with its architectural features, however; the main landscaping highlight is the beautiful Bonsai Garden housing over 2000 bonsais imported from China. A Bonsai Training Centre has been launched to enthuse fledgling Bonsai students and the garden is gaining a reputation as being one of the largest of its kind outside of China. The Garden of Abundance, which boasts pomegranate trees interspersed with zodiac sculptures and symbols of longevity and abundance, is one of the newer additions to the Chinese Garden, while the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum is an unexpected glimpse into rare species of fauna sure to enhance the pleasure of an evening’s exploration of this venue. The entire ensemble of art, flora and fauna is completed with a seafood restaurant that assures the visitor that not even the best of China can make the discerning Singaporean forget about the finer things in life!
All this and more can be experienced by a visitor careful to pick the right Singapore hotel in which to base themselves. Raffles Hotel, Singapore is a five star hotel in Singapore which is also one of the city-state’s most elegant and recognized landmarks; any guest fortunate enough to find lodging there would be assured a complete experience of Singapore’s best and finest sights and attractions.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
Feng Shui for Your Garden ? Part 1
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For many of us, the garden is the favorite part of our home. It’s a therapeutic place where you can relax, tend to your flowers, have a barbeque and so on. In feng shui, a garden is much more than just trees and shrubs. If your garden, like any other part of the home, has good feng shui, it can do wonders for you and your family, and the reverse is also true.
Most of us have our gardens in front of our home. If you have a small compound in front of your house, even if you hate gardening, keeping the compound neat and tidy is the least that you could do for good feng shui. If your front compound is dirty and filled with junk, the flow of chi that enters into your home will be unhealthy.
Any respectable feng shui practitioner will advise that a water feature will create wonderful chi for your garden. Waterfalls are very popular and if you have one in your garden, make sure that the water is flowing towards the home. This signifies money luck flowing into your home. Never have a waterfall or water feature where the water flows away from the home. This is bad feng shui, as it resembles wealth luck escaping from the home.
If any of you have the luxury of building a mini artificial stream in your garden, let the stream start from the edge of your garden, flowing towards your home. Fountains in your garden are also excellent wealth energizers.
Water features are only good feng shui for gardens in front of your home. If your garden is in your backyard, do not install any water features there. Having any water elements behind the house is bad feng shui as it resembles missed opportunities.
For more practical Feng Shui Tips visit: http://www.fengshuitipstoday.com
Feng Shui in Your Garden: How to Create Harmony in Your Garden
Product Description
This title should appeal to anyone who has an interest in gardening with a spiritual approach and to those with an interest in the application to modern life of traditional Eastern ways of thinking.
Feng Shui in Your Garden: How to Create Harmony in Your Garden
Feng Shui Garden
Image taken on 2008-02-12 12:36:24 by feng shui consultant.