Creative Designs

Since most garden spaces and landscapes have predetermined boundaries, you typically must focus on what's inside the garden rather than concerning yourself with the shape or dimensions of a garden area. This supports the spirit of Feng Shui, as it is the art of directing the energy of an environment. It's less about creating a space and more about shaping it.

When planning and designing a garden or landscape using the principles of Feng Shui, you have an opportunity to work with each of the elements in their truest forms. It's not just about using color or arranging shapes as you would when working inside. Outside in a garden you can choose and place actual rocks. You can build a pond or a fountain. Plants are no longer the focal point but rather one of the five elements represented in your space.

By using the fundamentals of Feng Shui in combination with your own personality and creativity, you're sure to create a wonderfully balanced space that is in harmony with your own energy. This will be a space where you feel comfortable, yet inspired. You should feel invigorated and yet relaxed. Visitors should feel welcomed and curious. These are all things that will result naturally from designing your garden or landscape using Feng Shui.

Let's assume Wood is the most predominant element when beginning the garden. This would make sense because grass, plants, shrubs, these all represent the Wood element. You should probably reduce the amount of wood so the completed garden or landscaping is neither dominated by Wood nor overbuilt by trying to balance the proportion of the other elements to that of the Wood.

Earth will also likely be quite abundant in the beginning stages of a garden or landscape project. Again, you will need to reduce the amount of Earth with the idea that the finished space will be balanced by equal proportion of all five elements.

Keep in mind that the elements can be represented by color, shape, and other ways rather than sheer mass. You need not have a large pond to represent Water. Gravel, glass, or even a meandering groundcover all represent the element Water. Domes and bowls are metal, but so are the colors white and silver. And Fire, which is represented by the colors red and purples as well as lights, pyramids, and arrows, is a very powerful element. Be careful not to let Fire get out of proportion in relation to the other elements.

Planning and designing a garden using Feng Shui is a great way to develop an appreciation for by the art of Feng Shui and the elements themselves. Your garden will be an ever-changing landscape where you will always find balance...a true oasis for your soul.

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posted by lks  # 2:07 PM