|
Planting
the Bagua
A great way to
rethink our gardens and landscapes is to put on our "feng shui" eyes
and use symbolic connection as a planting strategy. The
art of feng shui reminds us that man is not only connected to nature, but is a
part of nature. We have benefited from plants for thousands of years as a food,
medicine, and to make our personal world one filled with beauty, color and scent.
Plants give us breathe and life. Plants
have cultural and symbolic meanings, uses and legends that can be traced back
for thousands of years. In Feng Shui, we access symbolism to set intention and
create positive energetics in our space. For example, an Evergreen has been a
symbol for longevity and prosperity with it's ability to "stay green"
during the cold winters when other plants have gone dormant or died. Planting
an Evergreen in the bagua area of wealth is a powerful symbol. The
bagua is the energy, chi or life map of feng shui. Based on ancient theroy and
science such as the I Ching, the bagua allots the energy of a space into 8 guas
or houses with the center for a total of 9 areas. One
word of friendly caution. Many of my clients go into complete panic when they
work with the bagua. They are afraid to make a mistake, they feel that they have
to color code their homes exactly as the bagua color system, etc. Use the bagua
as an overview of the entire balance strategy of your garden. Plantings should
work in harmony with your climate and theme of your home. Plant sustainable and
environmentally friendly. Be kind to yourself and make your yard support your
schedule. If gardening is your hobby, then an intricate landscape plan is in your
energy field. If you are a busy person, on the go most of the time, then your
yard and garden needs to be easy upkeep so that it can nurture you, not add additional
stress. So let's jump into
the bagua and see how we can use our yards and gardens with intention and purpose.
Align the bagua to the main entrance of your property or garden. Your alignment
may differ as there are several alignment strategies.
Choose one that you
harmonize with, and begin. It will be either aligning to the traditional compass
directions or to the "three mouths of chi- entering through knowledge, career
or helpful people".
Bagua
Garden
Sun
4
SE | Li
9
S | Kun
2
SW | Chen
3
E |
5
Center
| Tui
7
W | Ken
8
NE | Kan
1
N |
Chien
6
NW |
Chien
- Helpful People & Travel - 6
Element - Metal - Heaven
Getting
the help you need in life - being helpful
Garden colors - White and supporting
yellows, oranges
Shape : Round
Hydrangea, Lambs Ear, Globe Thistle
Gardenia
- all embracing
Japanese Maple - protect values
Raspberries - giving and
nurturing
Apple tree - release any negative energy
Statues of angels, helpful
friends & creatures
Metal structures, round structures
Clear quartz
gems
Tui -Children
& Creativity - 7
Element - Metal - Lake
This area nurtures children
and your inner child, creativity, harvest
Garden Colors - White supporting
yellows, oranges
Shape: Round
Hydrangea, Lambs Ear, Night Jasmine, Globe
Thistle
Pine - immortality
Shasta Daisy - endurance
Aloe - heal past
transgressions
Butterfly bush - attract helpers
Statues of angels, Kwan
Yin, doves, children
Metal structures, round structures, globes - balls
Kun
- Marriage & Relationships - 2
Element - Earth
This area relates
to intimate relationships and marriage
Garden Colors - Pink and supporting
red ( for passion)
Shape: Square
Juniper, Rockrose, Boxwood
All pink
flowers, and additional
Marigold - remove jealousy, represent selfless love
Jasmine
- protection from sorcery
Clover - good luck
Symbols of Two - ducks, geese
deer
Bench to seat "two", use multiples of two to energize
Activate
with pink quartz
Li
- Fame & Reputation - 9
Element
: Fire
This area is about illumination, fame, reputation, being paid what you
are worth
Garden Colors - Red and supporting green and purple
Shape: Triangle
Spruce,
Tulips, Pines, Fountain Grasses
All red flowers and additional
Iris - creating
a new reality
Violets - keep status
Buttercup - clear vision
Fire objects
- fireplaces, barbacues, pointed shapes
Upward lighting, live animals
Avoid
water
Sun
- Wealth & Prosperity - 4
Element
- Wood - Wind
This area relates abundance, prosperity, communication, wealth
Garden
Colors purple & green
Shape: Rectangle
Grasses, Bamboo( Wealth &
longevity), tall trees, Windflower
Peonies - luck and acceptance
Hibiscus
- reach out
Great for decks, trellis's, gardens, wood furniture
Great for
moving water, fountains
Chen
- Family & Ancestors - 3
Element - Wood - Thunder
This area relates
to family, growth, harmony, rebirth, peace
Garden Color -green (bright spring
green)
Shape: Rectangle
Grasses, Bamboo, Tall trees, Hydrangea, Honeysuckle
Magnolia
- good luck
Cedar tree - cleansing
Mint - growth & cleansing
Think
Green and wood
Decks, trellis's, gardens, wood furniture
Ken
- Self-Knowledge & Wisdom - 8
Element
- Earth - Mountain
This area relates to self-cultivation, wisdom, nature, meditation
Garden
Color - Blue and additional yellow & orange
Shape: Square
Boxwood, Juniper,
Rockrose, Poppy
Blue flowers plus
Daffodils - bright ideas
Sage - pure
thoughts
Sunrose- emotional wisdom
Use earth such as stones, clay, brick
Sundial,
Blue gazing ball
Kan
- Career & Journey - 1
Element - Water
This area relates to life
journey, career & work aspirations
Garden Color - Black, Navy plus supporting
White
Shape: Wavy
Marigold - release jealousy
Jasmine - confidence
Morning
Glory - optimism
Junipers - trust in judgement
Fuscia - courage
Water
and metal elements are in harmony
Tai
Chi - the Center - 5
Element:
No one element, but related to Earth as the bagua is aligned to the earth. Relates
to health.
Shape - Square
Color - Yellow
Ideally kept clear as an integration
point.
Avoid too many trees, use square shapes when possible
Boxwoods,
Juniper, Rockrose
Verbena - restore balance
Tulip - restore health
Rhododendrum
- well being
Stone patio gathering place - square or hex shaped
|
