subject: Outdoor Feng Shui For Finest Living [print this page] The way ones house looks, both on the inside and the outside, is a reflection of how a person acts and feels according to an ancient Chinese theory and practice. The ancient art of organizing or placing certain items in a directional area is called outdoor Feng Shui and began over 3,000 years ago in China. This ancient art form began as a way to balance ones energies with their life, a way to balance an individual's belongings and their spiritual energies.
The words of this ancient Chinese practice mean wind and water respectively although there are deeper meanings to the good things that will happen to a person when they practice this ancient art of placement and organization. The energy flow brings people good luck in all they do, their family life, career and work and love life among other areas of their life. Certain objects are used to help persuade the good energy to come to ones house or garden, items such as crystals, certain colors, mirrors and clocks. Another possibility for bringing in the good energy is that that person must believe the Earth is alive and breathing with the people that in habit it.
The ancient Chinese practice contains five elements, metal, earth, water, wood and fire. Once these five elements are combined in a certain way, they will put forth a powerful energy and a path to follow that will bring an individual good fortune. There is a certain way of combining these elements in decorating the interior and exterior of a home in order to bring about the good flow of energy. For example, one might use wooden lawn furniture with metal trim in the garden to help with healing and good winds. Water is another item that would help in a garden atmosphere.
The five elements have colors which correspond with each of them in order to bring about the right winds of change. All of these colors could be found in nature and if an individual wanted their backyard for good will and good fortune. Earth's colors are light brown and sandy or earthy browns; water is black and blue; metal is gray and white; fire is red, pink, orange, purple and bright yellow and wood is green and brown.
In order for the energy to flow properly, the colors and items must be placed properly and in accordance with the winds so the good energy flows towards the good people. The directional issue is also important, just as the colors are. In the northern position, an individual should place something blue to represent ample support for their family and good career paths. A piece of blue placed in the east could help with health issues and family matters. A piece of wood in the southeast corner of the garden or yard could bring money and nourishing wealth to a family. Remember to always place something yellow in a southern corner when throwing a party to make sure guests have a happy gathering and for everyone to have a good time.
A vegetable or flower garden in the backyard of a person's home is a great place to usher in the good and scare out the bad. An individual will self-cultivate and have their personal growth be challenged by the northeast corner of the garden or yard. A pond or a fountain, a water feature, should be placed in the southeast part of the yard where money and abundance are centered. If one is having difficulties with their family or health, then center the water near the east and the north is where the path of life and career are most likely to be helped by a water way.
Since there are no straight lines in nature, or rarely are there straight lines, one should not use them in their garden. Flowing, relaxing shapes and bending curves work the best for the flow of energy in gathering gardens. Placing gold balls, such as Christmas ornaments, in a fountain, will bring wealth abundance working gold and water together.
There are many different books and online websites that could help a homeowner to create an outdoor Feng Shui for optimal living. There are many designs of backyard patio and gardens that one could choose from that would be both functional and beautiful. The key is to follow the maps or patterns as precisely as possible in order to make sure the good flows forth and the bad flows away from the home and family.
