Feng Shui in the Garden

Our 1st meeting of 2014 started off on a balanced foot.  Dracut Garden Club members were treated to a presentation by professional Feng Shui consultant, Natalia Kaylin.  Feng Shui can be defined as the ancient Chinese science and art of creating beautiful and balanced environments that are in harmony with people and nature.  Natalia's presentation focused on how to apply Feng Shui principles to our landscape and gardens.  We learned how to maximize Shen Chi or Vitality, and minimize Sha Chi (negative, unbalanced energy). Natalia says that "we respond to our surroundings through our five senses which are sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.  If we consciously engage all of these senses in the garden, we can enrich our experiences and emotional states".

Natalia showed us a picture of The Bagua Map, an important tool that consists of 8 compass directions.  Each direction or part of a space correlates with particular areas in life.  The map can be superimposed over a room, building, or landscape and by applying Feng Shui principles, you can energize a certain area of life.

image credit:  take5moment.com

Using the Bagua Map and the 5 Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), we learned where and how to create a Wealth Garden, Love Garden, and a garden for Meditation & Healing.  Natalia encouraged us to create balance (Yin/Yang) in our gardens and homes, and to observe and enhance the flow of energy.

"By engaging all of our senses within the garden, we create a deeper connection between ourselves and nature, and this is the essence of Feng Shui."  --Natalia Kaylin

image credit:  www.designershowcaseaustin.com