MAKING WAVES WITH FENG SHUI

Garden Goodies For A Sensational Spring And A Marvelous May

 by Dennis Fairchild

Dear Dennis,
After months of snow and cold and reading my garden porn (the seed and bulb catalogues), I’m ready to plant. I’m curious which plants may be auspicious for this year’s Chinese Year of the Pig. Also, does it mean anything that I have my bird bath in the north?
Grateful gardener Jo
(born in Year of the Pig)
W. Bloomfield,MI; internet

You Go, Jo!
At last, after a long winter, spring is finally here! And, for us gardeners, the soil is under our fingernails and in our flip-flops too. Feng Shui (pronounced “fung schway”) is the ancient Asian belief that everything around you and me and the neighbors affects everybody – and, not just colors of rooms, furniture placement, locale of home – the types of plants and flowers that we place in our space too.

For centuries, many rich and famous flora and fauna folks have incorporated Feng Shui into their landscapes both at home and at business. And, for hundreds of years, these “tips” have been regarded as secret, private and only for the privileged. So share what follows with only groovy lovers of green, OK?

By the way, bird baths and water features like koi ponds or waterfalls are not happy in the Southern areas of one’s property – conflicting elements. Do use fountains, waterfalls, bird baths, ponds as well as metal and glass garden features in the northern area of your garden, which is associated with water and is enhanced by metal. This area also represents career and business growth/inspiration.

Bottom-line: in order to bring happiness into one’s home and onto the property, surrounding gardens and landscapes must reflect and titillate Ma Nature. Although constructed by human hands, gardens should never look like a pet cemetery or be a generic cookie-cutter lay-out cranked out by a computer. And, of course, one can have a Feng Shui garden in an apartment, as well – think window-box or potted pretties. The Feng Shui-basics are that red-toned plants are Ma Nature-motivators for increasing health and physical energy; yellow buds bring clear thinking and the ability to state your case and thoughts; white doesn’t offer much intuitive oomph, so try to minimize this color from your front areas as its pale shade is said to make co-habitors angry, scattered, want to retreat.

Let’s first tackle types of plants that are Feng Shui-fine. The silver crown (Cotyledon undulata) is a member of the cactus family. Like the common nursery Jade plant (Crassula ovata) that is often found in many Chinese restaurants and homes, this thick, leafy, luminescent beauty features fan-shaped leaves with a silvery sheen. It’s a bit tricky to grow in the midwest but not impossible whatsoever. When placed in the southeast portion of a garden or home, it’s said – like it’s emerald brother – to bring prosperity and improved income.

And, for all non-gardeners, a common Jade plant/tree placed indoors in your library, den or home office is a positive money-magnet (especially on the upper-left of a flat surface). Install asap!

Similarly, the hearty Philodendron scandus, a shade-loving plant with heart-shaped leaves, is also known for its money-attracting properties and calm during turbulent relationships – especially when planted or placed in the southwest of a home or garden (but keep it out of the bedroom, unless you like arguing). It comes in a variety of colors. The deeper its green, the more powerful its charm. But try not to plant this hearty green-guy near a favorite tree as it has a tendency to take-over, creating hostile ch’i (pronounced “chee” – energy).

Tree-wise, you can’t go wrong planting a healthy Peach tree (Prunus persica) or cherry tree, both yummy favorite fruit trees of Chinese Immortals. Ditto for the magnolia or any flowering bush with orangey or white-pinkish buds. The Chinese word for orange sounds like the word gold.

Interior-wise, to attract money, display a potted pair of Orange trees on both sides of your front door hallway near the main entrance of your dwelling. Best to feature them in pairs/twos in a shiny, light-colored earth-tone container, preferably with green moss-covering atop soil. If an apartment person with no green thumb, it is a-OK to place an odd number of oranges (glass or real) in a light-colored bowl near your main door, too, for same economic-energizing effect.

Fushias, with their dangling lantern-like flowers, are considered very profit-positive when placed in a southern window or southern area of your backyard. The deeper the pink, the better. However, other “crying” -shaped plants like weeping willow or wisteria are not considered economically-auspicious due to a visual sense of “sadness” symbolized by their downward-turning shapes and buds. Purple wisterias rule, by far.

And don’t be overly concerned about midwest weather with these items. Plant them in moveable pots and bring them indoors when Ole Man Winter approaches in 5-6 months! On a similar note, beware of having too many bonsai plants indoors as their symbolic connotations suggest “stunted growth” rather than abundance. If you, like me, are a bonsai fanatic, keep them indoors clustered around the westerly sector of your home – suggesting that loved ones and family will “stay put” or “grow steadily.”

It’s a fave Feng Shui idea to use lights, statues of animals and things with pointed shapes that represent flames – like a pagoda, arborvitaes – “live” in the south area of your garden, which is associated with fire and enhanced by wood. Southern garden spots represent opportunity, fame, reputation.

Upward-growing rectangular shrubs and trees are considered very favorable, especially when planted/located in the east or southeast; avoid situating them in southwest and northeast spots whenever possible. Their shape is good and acts as ch’i-builders for health, recovery. Spikey, umbrella-like trees or shrubs are not honored as “good” unless situated in the east or southeast.

If there is only one flower or two that you’re able to Johnny Appleseed, plant or place a peony or chrysanthemum – both esteemed as attracting great happiness, affection – especially in your southwestern or eastern home or plot. The deeper the red or golden hue, the better. The opposite is true with Impatiens flora: Feng Shui frowns on them; but if you gotta have ‘em, plant the white rather than scarlet and avoid arguments, sloth, scatteredness.

Let’s briefly run down the esoteric impact of your land plot. North areas in both the front and back yards are associated with water and love odd-shaped flora and fauna and bird feeders, fountains; its colors are blue and black. South is what’s called a fire element/Phoenix and should always be well-lit; spikey and scarlet plants with abundant green leaves are best. The west enjoys round-shaped leaves, metal chimes or bells. In the east ornamental trees – especially bamboo – is favored, as well as flowers with huge bud displays, like hydrangeas.

The southwest areas enjoy pebbles and rocks and stones rather than plants. Ditto for the northeast. The northwest is also a good place to hang your metal windchime or display a metal sculpture or long, long-leafed greenies. The southeast is called small wood and prefers tiny little blossoming plants like tea-roses, dandelions, lillies-of-the-valley.

You don’t have to be a master gardener or Ma Nature-buff to enjoy Feng Shui-flora and fauna. Just play with the basic principles. Grow with the flow.

The world is its own magic.
Shunryn Suzuki

Dennis Fairchild is a Royal Oak-based psychic astrologer and author of many books on divination and will be lecturing at Body, Mind, Spirit Festival this month. For info on astrological/tarot/numerology consults, phone (248) 546-6912. Feng Shui questions for consideration can be directed to e-mail DenFairchild@aol.com.