1. Plan your garden so it simulates the perfect Feng Shui environment – an armchair:
a. That means there's a high back (even if it's a statue or wall) that represents the tortoise (protection); which represents the North.
b. There should be a knoll on the right side (as you're
facing the back) even if it's a bushy plant. This represents an armrest; and the East dragon.
c. Another knoll should appear on the left side (as you're facing the back). This represents the other
armrest; and the West tiger.
d. And, it's ideal to overlook the water.
Will the garden slope toward or away from the front of the building? What are you considering for the size and shape of the water feature? Take into account existing features such as plants or structures. Mark
their position on a piece of grid paper.
2. Using the grid paper, draw the garden as though you're viewing it from the sky (called an aerial view). Scale it as accurately as possible and include the position of
the building, the front door, existing garden and geographical features.
3. Using a compass, take several readings and note North, South, East and West directions on the layout. Avoid metal, magnetic,
and electric influences (such as vehicles, septic tanks, electric poles and wires, etc.).
4. What is the direction of the sun? How do shadows cast over the proposed garden? Are there areas that will
have full sunlight most of the time? Are there areas that won't receive much sunlight most of the time? Full sun is yang; partial to no sun is yin. Knowing how much sun the plants and the water will have is crucial
to a successful garden.
5. Investigate plant families that do well in your zone. Talk with neighbors on their successes, and visit nurseries. Are there trees around that will drop leaves or seeds into
the water?
6. Will your water feature be inclined to flood when it rains? Will anything cause water to back up into your pond or fountain? Will it have adequate drainage that won't affect the building
or neighbors? In Feng Shui there is a water formula that shows how water should flow, and drain. Ideally no one should see where the water exits.
7. Lay a bagua template over your plan. How do
aspiration sections complement the natural conditions of your garden? Make notes of anything that already exists in the Southeast, East, and North sections. If something is going to remain, does it complement the
elements for those sections (water feeds wood, and SE and East are wood; metal feeds water, and North is water).
8. You need to know your trigram at this point. Refer to the article What is My Feng
Shui Kua or Trigram? What are your most favorable elements? What's the trigram of the building? You'll need to know for the water formula.
9. Evaluate the architecture of the building and
surrounding buildings. Should the water feature be formal or informal? An example of formal is trimmed hedges and plants. An example of informal is casual and less structured. Does the garden and water feature need
to be childproof? Remember Feng Shui is about working with the environment, so if you've done a good job animals will be attracted. What can you do to discourage unwanted vermin, and encourage good ones (earthworms,
birds, bees, or butterflies)? Our water garden attracted Labrador retrievers (dogs that love water), and children wanting to catch some fish. One time there were sticks tied with string and erasers. It was funny at
first, but we ended up installing a fence for their protection as well as ours. Your next steps are to decide on the size and depth of the water feature, and water filtration/maintenance features. Water should move,
not be stagnant.
10. Have a telephone number handy of another enthusiast or local garden center. Start digging and have fun! The rewards of watching it evolve are wonderful. So is spending time near it.
If you decide you'd like a Feng Shui professional to assist,
