The same elements of feng shui used to reorganize an office space or bedroom can also be applied to your yard or garden for balance, health and growth.
This spring, take a tip or two from feng shui master, Raufa Magid, who explains that keeping your garden clear of dead foliage and branches, incorporating meandering pathways (favored over straight paths as they encourage one to slow down) and adding a welcoming front door, are basic principles to creating a natural outdoor haven.
Magid recommends consulting the bagua map—an eight-sided symbol used as feng shui tool—when choosing plant varieties for your garden. The bagua map specifies which colors enhance specific corners of your garden to increase the energy of each area.
You can even feng shui your vegetable garden. “If you have a square space, use the corners for flower plantings, matching the color according to the bagua,” says Magid. “This will also attract bees and helpful insects.”
The easiest way to incorporate feng shui principals into your garden is to address the five elements:
Fire: Passion & Productivity
Use red flowers, plants, shrubs or trees
Earth: Stability & Inner Strength
Make sure your soil is well balanced and fertilized with organic matter
Water: Reflection & Peace
Add a bird bath or water fountain to your patio or yard
Metal: Creative Energy
Consider placing a few potted plants in metallic-colored containers around the garden
Wood: Growth & Optimism
Keep your trees and shrubs healthy