Last month’s newsletter explored how our senses can either enhance or detract from the Feng Shui of our home.
This month we’re looking at the Five Elements in the garden. A vibrant healthy garden usually already includes all of the elements. However, a bit of fine-tuning can enhance areas in your life where you desire more energy.
Each element is related to one or more areas of the Bagua as follows:
- Wood – Family and Wealth
- Fire – Fame
- Earth – The Center, Relationship, and Knowledge
- Metal – Children/Creativity and Helpful People
- Water – Career
WOOD
Since all plants correspond to the Wood element, it is found in all gardens. It’s also present in building structures, decking, ornaments, furniture, and planters made of wood. The color green and tall or long thin shapes also represent Wood. In urban landscapes, it’s also represented by tall buildings. It’s especially desirable to have strong Wood in the Family and Wealth areas. You can also increase Wood in these and other areas by adding the Water element. Avoid thorny plants, such as rose and cactus, and too much plastic or metal in these areas.
FIRE
The Fire element and the color red are related to the Fame area. However, all brightly colored plants and flowers, as well as plants and décor with angular and pointed shapes, are at home here. This is the area where you can safely plant cactus and thorny bushes. However, be aware of poison arrows. Poison arrows are straight lines of negative energy that are aimed directly toward you.
They are especially harmful in those areas where you spend a lot of time—such as your bedroom or office. They can come from any object with a sharp or pointed edge. In the garden poison arrows generally affect us when we spend time seated near thorny plants or have lawn furniture with sharp edges. Dramatic lighting and decorations related to the Sun strengthen the Fire element this area. Avoid ponds and other water features here. If you already have too much Water in Fame, add more plants.
EARTH
The earthy colors of yellow, orange, and brown relate to The Center. Although these are not the main colors of the Relationship and Knowledge areas, they can be used here or wherever you need more Earth. Anything made of earthy materials, such as stucco, rock, mud, and clay also represent the Earth element. Flagstone walkways and stone retaining walls are good choices for bringing in Earth. Also, the use of short, square, or rectangular shapes works well in areas where Earth is needed.
Don’t be afraid to use orange. Many people avoid it. However, orange has a balancing effect on our overall well-being and it’s beneficial to have touches of it though out your environment. Too much of the earth element can slow down the flow of beneficial energy, so be sure to balance it with other elements. Also be careful not to add to much of the Water element (except in the example covered in the next paragraph).
Frequently I’m asked about low maintenance yards designed with an abundance of rock and few plants. These gardens are usually lacking chi and not recommended. If you do have this type of yard, consider placing pots filled with colorful flowers and other brightly colored decorative items around your property. Also, plant trees and think about adding the Water element to counteract the overabundance of Earth.
METAL
Add metal furniture and accessories along with white and icy pastels to the Children/Creativity and Helpful People areas. Round and dome-like shapes do especially well here too. Areas that need Metal can also be a good place to establish a small theme garden with defined boundaries. This can be a small healing or herb garden or it can have another theme such as abundance or, even better, a theme related to the area where it’s located.
For instance, a Helpful People garden, dedicated to honoring the helpful beings in your life, can be built around statues of people, dragons, or angels. Since plastic is related to Metal, it’s okay to place well-maintained plastic furniture and accessories in either Children or Helpful People. You can add the Earth element here, but avoid too much Fire.
WATER
Ponds, fountains, and other water features, along with flowing watery shapes, meandering pathways, most glass, and the colors of black and dark blue all represent the Water Element. Although the Career area is the natural home for Water, the addition of Water also enhances the Wealth and Family areas and spaces where Wood is needed.
Keep in mind that that flowing water should always be directed inward toward your home or any building that you wish to enhance. This includes actual water and water represented symbolically in your décor or artwork. Avoid an abundance of the Earth element here, but feel free to add Metal accessories.
For more information on color and the five elements, refer to my book, COLOR POWER to Enhance Your Feng Shui.
May your garden bless you!
Suzanne
©7/30/11 Suzanne Metzger • Feng Shui Consulting Services