Feng Shui in the Garden

Paving | Fences and Hedges | Symbolism of Plants | More Symbolism for the Garden

The size of your Garden is irrelevant when it comes to planning and layout. The basic Feng Shui principles of the Five Elements, the Bagwa or Pa Kua, the significance of compass directions and the Nine Basic Remedies apply equally to your garden as to your home.

The Garden is the Yin and the home is the Yang, so the overall effect of your garden should convey the balance of Yin and Yang. There should also be a balance in the way straight lines and angles associated with a house are complimented to achieve that balance. Flower beds and curved paths can be used to counterpoint and balance the straight lines of a house.

Balance can be achieved in the garden with the use of contrasting textures, such as the roughness of rocks joining the smooth surface of water. The contrast of rocks and water also represents the balance of stillness (rocks) and movement (water) and the harmony of humans and nature. The size of your garden may make it difficult to include a watercourse. This can be overcome with the simple addition of a birdbath or fountain.

Paving

It is good Feng Shui to reduce Sha (negative energy) when using paving, by avoiding the use of overtly straight lines. Curved paving stones are best, but straight-edged paving stones laid in curved lines or a herringbone pattern will help break up the edges and encourage Chi (positive energy). If you have a large existing paved area which is impractical to re-lay, the carefully placing of a table and chairs or plants according to Feng Shui principles will enhance the Chi flow.

Fences and Hedges

It's ideal Feng Shui for the boundaries of your property to be of curved walls or irregular shaped hedges and flower beds rather than high straight fences. If your boundaries are made of high fences they can be easily broken up with flower beds or creeping vines. The principle behind applying Feng Shui to the garden is to ensure that it is balanced within itself in all areas and then balances with the home located within it. Remember that the components of your garden such as pathways, garden beds, fences and retaining walls all play an important role in balancing Feng Shui.

Feng Shui in the Home

Entrance Ways | Stairways | Lounge Room | Dining Room | Kitchen | Bedroom | Bathroom | Study

Entrance Ways

It is important that the flow of Chi from the front to the back of your home is not hindered. It is also best to have it flow through in a meandering path and not a direct line. Entrance ways off the street or through your garden to the front door will determine the qualities of Chi that flow into your home. Therefore it is important to use curved pathways or garden beds. Breaking up the direction of pavers to allow curved lines will also help. A birdbath, fountain or a small pond along the way will bring balance and improve the qualities of Chi.

Too large a doorway will allow Chi to escape from your home. If this is a problem for you it can be easily counteracted by placing a wind chime outside the door. This will also discourage Sha (negative energy) from entering your home. Too small a doorway will not allow enough Chi to enter the home, but placing a mirror on either side of the door or on a wall opposite the door will help to fix the problem.

If the back door can be seen from the front door, Chi can flow straight through your home without circulating. Placing a large potted plant or a screen in between the two will break up the straight lines and help to deflect Chi.

The entrance hall is most auspicious in terms of Feng Shui as it is the place where one might pause upon entering or leaving the home, thus being energized by the Chi that flows through it. Entrance halls that have no windows or doors leading from them or are enclosed in some way can cause Chi to stagnate. Again mirrors or a ceiling fan or maybe a small water fountain will solve this problem.

Stairways

Poorly positioned stairways can cause problems in the way they defect Chi. A stairway directly opposite the front door will allow most of the Chi to rush through and up to the next level causing the ground floor to starve. Mirrors, wind chimes, potted plants and screens are all effective ways of slowing down the movement of Chi in this case.

If you have an open stairway that uses risers as opposed to filled in steps it will not allow enough Chi to flow to the next floor. Placing plants beneath the stairs will help to deflect Chi upwards, thus allowing the flow to continue. A skylight over the stairs will also help improve the situation.

Stairways that curve along their path are obviously ideal, but what can be done to help if there is too sharp a bend. Again we solve this dilemma with the use of mirrors, plants or windchimes.

Lounge Room

The lounge room is the place reserved for relaxation, conversation, interaction and relationships. It is therefore considered in Feng Shui terms to be the heart of the home.

The lounge room should be in the south side of the home or should face south. West is also a good outlook and it should have a pleasant view. If the view from your lounge room has harsh lines or angles such as a neighbouring home or a city skyline, try breaking the lines up with large plants.

Your lounge room should be square or rectangular in shape and the furniture should be placed so as to break opposing straight lines. This will allow Chi to flow gently through a room. Alcoves and dead areas can be broken up with the placement of plants, large items of furniture or fish tanks.

Flat ceilings are best for promoting the flow of Chi. If, however, you have a sloped ceiling or exposed beams you should use wind chimes or bamboo flutes as a remedy.

Many lounge rooms are adjacent to dining rooms or kitchens and in these cases it is best to have a visual barrier placed between them such as a screen or large plants. If you have doors in between, try to keep them closed.

Seating in your lounge room should be placed in a way that breaks up direct pathways. Avoid placing the back of a lounge chair or settee directly toward a wall. This will break the lines and secret arrows which produce Sha energy. There should also be an even number of seats in the room. The most comfortable seat in the room should be reserved for a guest and should never have its back facing a door. The lounge room should have an open and inviting feel to it. Avoid overcrowding the room with furniture. If necessary remove the least used items in the room to achieve this feeling. An area that has stagnant Chi is best remedied with an aquarium or a television. The placement of flowers or potted plants are also effective cures for these areas.

Colour your room wisely. Don't use harsh colours or colours that oppose the furniture or artwork. Where possible derive the colours from your artwork to help create a harmony between the two. Soft pastels are always good. Before making a final decision on colour, check the symbolic definition for them. e.g. Yellow = authority, White = purity, Green = longevity, Blue = heavenly blessings, Red = happiness.

Dining Room

The seating arrangements for the family dining table are based on the order of the trigrams in the Bagwa. The ideal shape for your table is the octagon of the eight sided Bagwa. However tables of this shape are difficult to come by and not always practical. A round table is said by some experts to be "as good" symbolising earth and stability. If your table is rectangular or square, the placing of an octagonal centre piece or place mats is good Feng Shui.

When arranging furniture in the dining room ensure that chairs do not restrict doorways. There should be ample space for guests to walk around the table without having to manoeuvre around chairs or other furniture.

There should be an even number of dining chairs and remember to seat an honoured guest facing the doorway. Dining chairs with a horseshoe shaped back are ideal Feng Shui as this shape represents the "Dragon embracing the Tiger".

If your dining room has no windows a chandelier or a ceiling fan will assist the flow of Chi. Always use soft even lighting in the dining room as well as soft colours such as shades of green or yellow.

Kitchen

The Chinese believe malevolent spirits come from the North and so Good Feng Shui dictates that your Kitchen should NOT face this direction as it may increase the chance of mishaps. The use of crystals or wind chimes hanging from windows or doorways facing this direction is an effective cure.

The kitchen sink represents water and your stove represents fire. Ideally these two elements should not be side-by-side. The stove should be positioned so as to avoid the cook standing with their back to a doorway. A mirror or any highly reflective kitchen appliance placed above the stove will counteract this problem by providing reflection so that the cook can not be taken by surprise. Good lighting and ventilation by the stove will reduce the influence of Sha.

White is the preferred colour for kitchens. It symbolises purity and therefore promotes good health from well prepared (pure) food. Cutlery should not be stored in a stagnant area as the negative influence on sharp object will serve to cut your health. Place them in a drawer nearest to the doorway or window.

A toilet next to a kitchen produces Sha (negative energy). Keeping the door closed and the toilet lid down will help as will the placement of a Bagwa on the toilet door.

Bedroom

Adults will benefit more from a bedroom facing west into gentle rays of the setting sun, where as children will reap the rewards of the bedroom facing east toward the invigorating morning rays. Those with no children should decide which is best for themselves, be it a deeper more relaxing sleep (west) or the vitality and motivation of morning (east).

The bed should not be placed so that the occupants feet face a doorway. This is the way the deceased are carried from a room. Neither should your bed directly face a window as the glare attracts Sha energy. A wind chime or Bagwa will remedy this situation.

No more than two mirrors should be placed in a bedroom as this will excite Chi and avoid placing a mirror at the foot of the bed or opposite a window. A bedroom beside the living room is good Feng Shui and in the case of a two-storey home directly above a lounge room.

Remember this is a room for relaxation the colours you choose should be peaceful and tranquil. Too vibrant a colour will excite Chi making it difficult to rest. This also applies to the lighting in your bedroom. Try lowering the wattage of the globes used in this room.

Bathroom

The bathroom facing north is ideal as this direction is associated with water. The colours Blue and Black are favoured here for their significance to water also. North is also associated with malevolent spirits and therefore subject to mishap. Great care should be taken to ensure the safety of children and the elderly for this reason. Sharp objects and non-slip surfaces are things to consider as are the proximity of water to electrical outlets.

Bathrooms and toilets are used for hygiene. These rooms can actually pollute Chi and so we encourage the speedy flow of Chi here. The aim is to wash away the pollution and replace the Chi as quickly as possible. Breezy windows, mirrors and Feng Shui crystals will assist the flow of Chi. Keep the toilet door closed and the lid down also place a Bagwa on the door.

Since we are encouraging the flow of Chi in this area we need to be careful not to drain Chi from a wealth area such as a home office or study nearby.

Ensure that from the bath or shower the door can be seen, a carefully placed mirror can help prevent the bather from being taken by surprise.

Study

It is important to keep this room tidy and uncluttered as failing to do so will produce Sha. As this is a room where we require creativity and contemplation we must do all we can to produce Chi. It is helpful to have an area with no shelving where a comfortable high-backed chair can be placed for quite contemplation. The Chinese refer to this area as the Ming T'ang. Placing a picture symbolising water behind the chair will help encourage the flow of creative energy.

Place the desk so that the window is to the left of the seating position and so that the door can be seen from the desk. Do not allow the occupants back to face the door. If there is no window available put a mirror in its place.

Take care to remedy the view of threatening elements from the window with wind chimes or plants. Cactus and Bamboo are plants grown in very harsh conditions and symbolise good fortune, thus making them ideal for placement in the home office, study or wealth area. Any sharp leaved plants are good Feng Shui in this area as they are believed to deter harmful influences.
 

Feng Shui for your Business

Selecting a Site

There are a number of aspects to consider when selecting a site for your business. First, consider the immediate landscape. Taking into account that circles and horseshoes are auspicious shapes. A business or home near the base of a hill with elevated land either side and facing opening land is considered most auspicious and will bring good fortune. Partway down a slope would be better than at the very base where symbolically it would be exposed to the full force of the avalanche. Placed at the foot of and facing a large hill will bring many obstructions. You will face an uphill battle.

Try to avoid having a business whose location is exposed to the elements, such as on top of a hill, a beachfront property that is exposed to wind or a great expanse of water. Facing a small to medium sized lake would be ideal. However, being situated on a point leaves you exposed. In the case of the beachfront property it would be preferable to be located at the edge of a bay or small cove rather than facing the open ocean. Looking upon a steady flowing meandering stream or river is also considered most auspicious. Avoid facing a fast flowing river, as this is more likely to expose you to excessive levels of Yang energy and Sha Chi. Compass points are required when facing flowing water. If you face a primary direction (north, east, south or west), looking upon the water, it should flow past your front door from left to right. If facing a secondary compass point the water should flow from right to left.

Roads have the similar effects as rivers and should be regarded in the same manner. Traffic flow devices such as traffic lights, roundabouts and speed humps have a calming effect on the traffic and keep it flowing whilst controlling the speed. A business situated near these features would be preferable to one on a highway or facing any fast moving traffic. Ideally a business in a busy street with a slow steady stream of traffic will be most prosperous. A road that points toward your business is most inauspicious.

Hostile structures: Check the outlook of your site for hostile structures such imposing land formations or buildings. Large monuments and sculptures in the immediate vicinity can also produce secret or poison arrows. Church spires or crosses pointed in your direction are also harmful influences. It is also advised to occupy a position amongst varied roof heights rather than in a line of exact heights, which form a wall and poison arrows. Varied roof heights may give the impression of wavy lines, symbolising the water element, which brings good fortune.

Cures for poison arrows directed at your doorway

A doorway facing east or southeast (direction of the wood element) can be cured with the placement of a metal wind chime. A poison arrow from the north can be controlled with the use of the earth element. An arrow from the south for example may be countered by placing an urn of water at the entrance.

History

If taking over occupancy of an existing building it is advised to check the history of the previous tenants. Did they grow out of the space and move on to larger surroundings or did they go bust? A history of businesses going bust is evidence of bad luck and intrinsic of lingering Sha Chi. Never ignore these signs.

The Entrance

Your main entrance should face an open area creating a bright hall effect. A door opening into a T-junction or opening down a hallway is considered inauspicious. The size of the entrance door should not be too small, as it will restrict the amount of Chi that enters. Equally, it should not be too large as to appear unbalanced and out of proportion to the size of the shop front. Good lighting is also an important factor here, as it will create good Yang energy and attract Chi. Be careful though not to overdo it.

Mirrors

Mirrors can be used wisely in your business. For example, a mirror hung by the cash register symbolises a doubling effect, thus it signifies the doubling of turnover. Hung on the side walls signifies the doubling of stock and customers. Full length mirrors are advised in this case as smaller mirrors will signify cutting the customer in two, bringing bad luck. Avoid hanging a mirror on the back wall unless it is not visible from the entrance, as this will reflect the Chi entering the store. Also take care not to reflect bathrooms or staircases. Mirrors are also well used to wrap square columns to relieve the effect of the poison arrows they create.

I Ching coins are good to place near the cash register as they attract wealth. You may also stick them to order an invoice books. Try sticking them to your computer or use a screen saver featuring coins.

Hang a good luck bell on your front door. This is especially suitable for doors facing the west or northwest. Each time the door opens the bell sounds and energises the entrance and whoever enters brings good luck into the store with them. Sharp corners in the shop or offices can be overcome by placing large plants or a crystal there.

Reception

Reception areas should be open and well lit to encourage the flow of Chi. However, if the reception area is too open and allows traffic to pass by too easily, the strategic placement of a divider or some kind of screen or a rectangular planter box will slow the flow of Chi.

An area such as a typing pool with many small workstations can be cold and stark with many straight lines and pathways. These features cause harmful Sha Chi and prove detrimental to the staff in this area, thus affecting harmony and, in turn, production. Staggering workstations so as to cause Chi to meander through and circulate evenly will improve this situation. Placing plants at the end of desks or dividers will soften the sharp edges and help to remove poison arrows as well as adding life. The main entrance to this area should be screened or surrounded with large plants to slow the flow of Chi also. Talk to people who work here, you will receive interesting feedback on their feelings about their workspace.

The southeast corner of the office is the wealth corner and should be energised. A water feature here is very effective and considered most auspicious.

Desk position

Never have your back to the window as this lacks support. Having your back to a door symbolically leaves you open to attack. If you are directly facing the door you may be overpowered by the incoming Chi. You are best placed with your back to a wall adorned with an Earth element such as a picture of a mountain, thus lending support. Angled away from a doorway or facing a wall featuring a water element such as a fish or a picture of a lake or even art work containing wavy lines.

Desks can be energised with objects that symbolise the five elements to attract work luck. Placed strategically to reflect the Lo Shu grid. Here are some examples:

North: Your cup of tea or coffee
Northeast: A crystal paperweight
Northwest: Your computer terminal
East: Fresh flowers
Southeast: A small green plant
South: A desk lamp or something red

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