FSIM Newsletter Detail

 

So how do I, as a Feng Shui practitioner, take the Feng Shui wisdom harvested through years of study into my garden along Rice Creek?

 

I go deep into the roots of Feng Shui, tuning in to my inspiration, honed by the guidelines and principles of our practice to balance both the Seen and Unseen aspects of every space. I tap into the felt knowledge that everything is energy. Since we are intimately connected to every other sentient being in the Universe, I approach every gardening project the way I approach my Feng Shui clients.

 

In gardening, it's a partnership of three: 1) the human gardener; 2) the Nature spirits; and 3) the entire landscape.

 

Each of these voices need to be invited to speak so that all of our hopes and dreams are taken into account. First, I investigate my own intentions and wishes using the following:

 

            What qualities, habits, routines do I wish to release as I de-clutter the winter debris, thin                   overgrown plants, sweep off steppingstone paths, and pull weeds?                                            What areas of my life do I want to open up?

            What projects or opportunities do I wish to make space for?

            What aspects of my chi need a reboot and re-balancing?

 

            What types of soil conditions are present and how might they need amending?

            What might have changed over the winter that affects how much shade and /or                                 sunlight will be available to nourish my plants?

            What other conditions have changed?

                This year, the deer seem to have found most of my budding plants in what they                              consider their salad bar much earlier and a number of my perennials didn't survive 

the winter.

            What varieties may be less attractive for the deer?

            What types of flowers, shrubs, possibly garden ornaments, etc. do I want to add to the                      garden to anchor my intentions for change?

 

Once that I'm clear about what I want, it's time to communicate these intentions to the nature spirits who reside in the ground, plants, bushes and trees with a brief ceremony. I may do one of our feng shui clearing ceremonies at the beginning of the season along with the physical de-cluttering.

Later, each time I enter the garden to shift things, I make some small offering by sprinkling a bit of water, tobacco, blessed birdseed or rice, along with a centering mantra to ground myself. My visualization of the plans for the day opens the lines of communication with the garden and prepares my partners for what's about to happen. Taking the time to do a small ceremony also helps me remain open to what my garden may be asking for that day. The conversations can be quite illuminating.

 

Now I pose questions to hear from the other 2/3 of my team, whose answers I take into my meditation and journaling time:

            What do you want me to add, move, or take out?

            Are there perennials that are not longer happy to be here or are so overgrown that they             are calling out to be thinned and moved? Which ones?

            Which new plants, bushes, and/or trees would be beneficial for you?

            Are new garden ornaments needed or wanted?

            Where would you like to have me place anything new that's coming in?

And other questions arise as needed....

 

Listening deeply to the suggestions from all the garden team members enables me to make the most effective Feng Shui adjustments.    

 

From this guidance, I make my garden renewal plan and head out to the local greenhouses.

Shopping excursions with my unseen partners mean that I pay attention when I "hear" other plants or things that beg to jump into the cart and be taken home for my garden.

 

Every year my shade garden gets some splashes of yang energy in the form of brightly colored annuals that blossom throughout the season while being quite comfortable in the deep shade. The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine influence which annuals I choose based on their overall shape, or leaf and flower shape, or colors. Alternately, I can select colors according to which gua they will land in. Other possible Yang elements may include things to attract animals i.e. a bird bath or feeder; something moving like flags, spinners, whirligigs; a fish pond or fountain, etc. Our Feng Shui tradition provides so many options!

 

My only sun garden contains a few pots of vegetables and a hanging basket on my deck. We're still in conversation about what yin item will be added this year to create the proper yin-yang balance there. Yin elements we're considering include a small statue, a decorative stone or two, or possibly, a dark-colored trellis.

 

Our garden evolves as this three-way communication continues through the seasons.

 

Every change is reinforced with the Three Secrets at the end of every visit to my garden, connecting the visible additions (and subtractions!) with the invisible power of intention to heal and smooth our own chi, the chi of the neighborhood, city, country, and, ultimately, of the Planet.