Five Tips For Garden Sanctuaries

The design of your garden has an amazing affect on your family's health and well-being. Here is how you can create harmony in your garden-which is considered a living entity-and bring peace and happiness within your home.

Vastu Shastra is an environmental science written about some 7,000 ? 10,000 years ago in India by rishis, or men of great wisdom. They observed the workings of Nature and recorded how different rays of the sun, the magnetic poles, the makeup of the land, soil, slope, structures, etc. affected all living things. It is the oldest recorded architectural treatise known to man and it is from this science that some of the world's most enduring structures have been created.

According to the science of Vastu Shastra, all five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) need to be in harmony. When a seed is planted, it requires that all five elements be balanced for a seed to germinate, sprout and become a strong, healthy plant. The disproportion of any one element- whether it is the quality of the earth (soil ph), the amount and quality of water, wind (air), sun (fire), or the amount of space it is planted in-will inhibit its growth. In this way a wise gardener sets up a balanced environment for his plants to grow free from disease and stress.

Briefly, each area of your garden is associated with one of the five elements. The earth element is associated with the southwest area of your garden and creates a sustaining and grounding force. In the northeast, the water element is at home. This element allows plants to flourish. The fire element in the southeast supports disease-free plants. The northwest is related to the air element encouraging cross-pollination. The space element is associated with the central area of your garden, enhancing the flow of beneficial influences that nourishes the other elements. Positive magnetic energies coming from the north and the positive solar energies coming from the east promote harmony and balance.

Here are five great steps you can use to bring the five elements into balance within your garden and make it a sanctuary that is not only beautiful to look and wonderful to spend time in, but will actually have an empowering affect on the health and well-being of you and your family.

1. Build up the southwest area of your garden to produce the stabilizing force of the earth element. You can do this with a rock garden, tall trees and even a stone statue. This will help to collect and hold the positive solar and magnetic energies coming from the east and north. Since yellow is the color associated with the southwest, choose daffodils, roses or wisteria to accentuate this area. This is also a good place for a storage or tool shed.

2. Represent the water element by using low plantings in the northeast that will allow the flow of positive solar energy. Add a fountain or reflection pool or pond in this area to reflect this beneficial energy throughout the garden. Herbs, white pansies or geraniums can be used as accents.

3. Add a barbeque or a fire pit in the southeast as your fire element. Red symbolizes this direction so plant tulips, geraniums and dahlias here.

4. Use wind chimes to balance the air element in the northwest. Since blue is the color of this area, plant bluebells, forget-me-nots and iris to enhance the influences coming from this direction.

5. Represent the space element by an open area in the middle of you garden. It can either be a patio or grass. Finally, by keeping your garden neat and tidy you will be maintaining balance and attracting the positive influence of each of the directions.

A well-designed and tended garden, using the principles of Vastu Shastra, will benefit you and all the members of your family for years to come. By reconnecting with the natural balance inherent in the environment, you will encourage better personal health, improve the quality of relationships and enhance well-being.

About The Author

Michael and Robin Mastro's synergistic approach successfully assists people in living in peace and harmony with themselves and others, and in creating balanced lives filled with unlimited possibilities. Visit us at www.VastuCreations.com

Pond Filter

A pond filter is one of the most important components... Read More

Plant Hardiness Zones

When selecting plants for the landscape, is important to select... Read More

Rose Meanings Explained

Roses are the traditional gift given on Valentines Day, but... Read More

Theme Gardens

Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual... Read More

New for 2006 - Granite Flexible Preformed Rock Ponds

Traditionally, preformed ponds are large shells, which are extremely burdensome... Read More

Hot-Weather Fish Feeding Facts

Summertime provides the best time of the year to water... Read More

Tips On Caring For Your Cut Flowers

Imagine it's a special occasion and you've just received a... Read More

Easy Care Of Phalaenopsis

Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More

Flowers and Butterflies, the Perfect Combination!

Spring is coming fast and with it the colors of... Read More

Cat Repellent or How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden

Do cat repellents work? How to stop a cat from... Read More

Grow Organic Vegetables

There are more reasons than ever why anybody with access... Read More

Balcony, Patio, and Courtyard Gardening

People choose balcony, patio, and courtyard gardening for many different... Read More

Outdoor Living Cleanses The Mind, Body, and Spirit

Through the use of various mediums pertaining to the outdoors,... Read More

Grey Water- Not Drinking Water- For Your Garden

The average home can reduce their water consumption by around... Read More

Mole Traps: Can You Use Them?

Mole control is one of the most complicated problems that... Read More

Simple Lawnmower Maintenance

Do you have trouble starting your lawnmower up in the... Read More

Patio Design and Patio Furniture - The Use of Focal Points

A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More

Canopy Swings - Escape the Weather with One

Do you love to sit outdoors and swing for hours... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bulbs for Your Spring Flower Garden

Choosing the right bulbs involves more than just selecting colors... Read More

Adirondack Chairs - How to Choose One

In Blue Mountain Lake, New York, you will find a... Read More

Butterfly Gardening

Butterfly gardening is not only a joy, it is one... Read More

Orchid Care What The Flower Tells

In Orchid Care The Flower Will Tell You About Some... Read More

Wild Flower Garden - Yours to Design and Plan

To design a wild flower garden, you do not need... Read More

Lawn Edging

How do you make those flowers bloom where they are... Read More

Plan Before Buying Rose Bushes

So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your... Read More