Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that uses specific laws to govern how space is organised. The core belief is that organising space in a particular way helps chi (energy) flow in various patterns, with good chi being present in a space if Feng Shui principles of decor and design are incorporated. Many people are familiar with the concept of Feng Shui as it relates to interior design and decor, but not much is discussed about outdoor Feng Shui principles. While it’s easy to place emphasis on the consistent flow of chi in your home, equally important are the outdoor spaces. After all, if your outdoor space isn’t optimised for good energy, it may render all your interior Feng Shui efforts useless.
Here are 7 Feng Shui principles to consider for good energy outdoors:
1. Declutter your garden area
The first important step to take towards incorporating Feng Shui principles in your garden is to get rid of any items you no longer need or desire. One of Feng Shui’s biggest principles is harmony, and this can only be achieved if you’re happy with your surroundings.
You should also cleanse your garden by wiping down surfaces, raking leaves, pruning plants, and so forth.
2. Consider the Bagua (energy map) of your garden
Bagua refers to an energy map. In Mandarin, it means ‘eight areas.’ It is a powerful tool used to determine what the energy grid of your environment looks like and is usually drawn as an octagon or a square. To use your Bagua for your outdoor space, you can lay an accurate floor plan of your garden and overlay your Bagua on top of it to determine which elements of Feng Shui you should apply.
Learn more about creating a Bagua here.
3. Use all the elements
There are 5 elements that need to be present and balanced in Feng Shui for environmental harmony. These are wood, fire, metal, earth, and water. By using all 5 elements, you increase prosperity and good chi.
Water is said to bring forth financial abundance, with Feng Shui philosophy recommending that you place a pond or a water feature next to the front door (this symbolizes inviting wealth into your life), with a waterfall signifying replenishment.
Rock gardens are great additions to represent the earth element and they’re said to ward off any negative energies. Wood represents vitality, kindness, and growth, and can be added as a fence or as plant racks in your garden.
Metal represents clarity, justice, and vision. Wind chimes, vases, and metallic Buddhas work well as an addition to your garden. The last element, fire, represents passion, warmth, and vitality. You can add red flowers, red decor, fireplaces, fire pits, grill areas, etc.
4. Directions are important
A huge part of Feng Shui is knowing where to place each of your elements. Certain elements don’t do well together, and certain elements only flourish when placed in a specific direction. In addition to this, each direction represents a certain aspect of your life.
For example, the south represents recognition and fame and is where fire elements should be placed. The south-west represents marriage and relationships, the west represents descendants and children, the north-west represents mentors and networking, the north represents career and life purpose, the north-east represents education and knowledge, the easy represents family and health, and the south-east represents wealth and prosperity.
5. Incorporate elements that arouse your sense
Fragrant flowers, wind chimes, fountains, and other items that arouse your senses will add to the positive chi of your outdoor space, so be sure to incorporate them.
6. Your house’s paint colour is important
The colour of your home should blend in with the elements of your garden as well as the neighbouring homes. It should also be unique enough to attract positive energy, so strike a balance between blending with the environment and standing out.
7. Your front door is everything
Your front door attracts the chi and is the focal point of your home’s exterior, so make effort to keep your door looking great. Give it a fresh coat of paint and remove any old decorations or dead plants from it. Depending on the direction your door faces, you can paint it a specific colour to attract good chi.
By using the above 7 Feng Shui principles, you can ensure that your garden is a place of harmony and good energy.