Volume 3, Issue 5 May, 2007

FENG SHUI NEWS Published byFeng Shui Market & Publishing

Feng Shui for the Garden Summer is approaching and there is no better time than now to start planning your garden. We can introduce Feng Shui principles into our garden by using furniture, accent pieces, plants and colours that work in harmony with each other to create a balanced and harmonious environment for us to enjoy. The goal for creating a Feng Shui garden is to incorporate the Five Elements ensuring there is a balance of Yin and Yang energy and that no one element dominates.

Wood (Family; Prosperity Zones) All plants are a representation of the wood element. By selecting plants and trees with different shapes and colours they can suggest other elements. To introduce the wood element, specifically choose plants and trees that are columnar in shape, such as Spruce trees; and add wooden plant supports and structures. Fire (Fame Zone) The Fire element is very strong. Triangular and pyramid shaped items and plants represent fire. Choose plants with pointed leaves, the colours red and purple. You can also add plant supports, garden lighting and always a splash of red. The BBQ and fire pit are perfect in this zone. Earth (Skills & Knowledge; Health; Relationships & Love Zones) The earth element can be introduced with paving and walkway materials as well as terracotta pots and earthenware garden accents, rocks and stones. Add square and rectangular shapes. Metal (Creativity & Children; Helpful People & Travel Zones) Choose plants that have grey or variegated leaves. You can introduce metal structures and sculptures, metal containers and pots and metal furniture. Introduce round and dome like shapes. Water (Career & Life Path Zone) The water element can be achieved by low plantings and meandering shapes. This area of your garden would be the perfect site for a hot tub or swimming pool, as well as water features and bird baths.

Recommended Plants by Zone Prosperity (Primary Colour: Purple) Evergreens, Lilac, Tulips, Jacobs Ladder, purple Clematis, Hollyhock Fame (Primary Colour: Red) Schubert Choke Cherry, Burning Bush, Sumac, Peonies, Geranium, Tulips, Zinnia Relationships & Love (Primary Colour: Pink) Iris, Tulips, Hydrangea, Lily, Bleeding Hearts

Creativity & Children (Primary Colour: White) Snowmound Spirea, Baby’s Breath, Lilac, Lily of the Valley Helpful People & Travel (Primary Colour: Grey / Silver) Dusty Miller, Silver Mound, Lamb’s Ear Career & Life Path (Colour: Black / Dark Blue) Tulips, Pansies, Day Lily, Iris Skills & Knowledge (Primary Colour: Blue) Blue Spruce, Blue Bells, Iris, Lobellia Family (Primary Colour: Green) Evergreens Enhancements & Information for Your Garden Rocks, stones and large pots represent stability Wind chimes or objects create movement Fountains and water features represent abundance Trees in your garden add growth, vitality and new life Empty urns and dishes allow you to receive and accept

gifts from the universe Use lighting to illuminate paths, specimen trees or

features in your garden An octagonal, circular or oval table is auspicious and

allows everyone to communicate The front garden is the “Mouth of Chi” to your home –

focus on this area first – it should be inviting and well maintained and cared for

The backyard represents support and nurturing Soften straight and sharp edges of driveways and

walkways with ground cover and/or potted plants If there is no front fence, plant a curved flowerbed or

hedge across the front of your yard Fragrant plants in the front garden attract Chi Trees should be allowed to grow naturally; since their

beauty is in their true shape An avid gardener, Lee Horbachewski is the owner of SimpLee Serene Interiors simpleeserene@platinum.ca, specializing in creating harmony & balance for your heart and home. An instructor in the Feng Shui Practitioner Certificate Program at Mount Royal College she also develops and runs Workshops for Building Authentic Connection (Spirituality). She also works on the Leadership Team for the Connections Retreat (Inside Out Leadership); info@insideoutcanada.ca. Lee can also be reached at 403.938.1096

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Flower Power

I LOVE this time of year. There is something primordial in my love for green as it breaks through the ground…and in my case, quite harsh ground. I have many pine trees that are selfish and powerful monoliths. These big green giants take what nourishment is required, leaving the ground bereft of many nutrients or water. But – I have these amazing plants that despite those odds…come back over and over. Borage, flax seed, yarrow. Many of my plants are edible, and adding them to a meal gives a plain platter petal pizzazz. Say that three times fast. When planning to serve flowers at the table, it’s critical to be sure of the safety. There are great culinary plant books on which flowers we can eat, which grow here in our part of the world and which ones are poisons…including lily of the valley and foxgloves. The flower of some vegetable plants - tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, for example - can be dangerous if ingested. For this reason, children should be taught never to put any plant material in their mouths unless they’re with a knowledgeable adult. Start by introducing a small amount at a time to avoid allergic reactions. And those with allergies to ragweed should avoid flowers from the daisy family including sunflowers, chamomile and cone flowers. The sunflower seeds are great though! Don’t think you can run in to your local florist or garden center and buy an ‘edible plant to go’ either. These are usually sprayed and grown in conditions that are chemical and unhealthy. You may want to think about purchasing starter plants from a local organic garden center. Starter plants instead of seeds are usually the way to go in our city of Calgary because of our six seasons. Summer, autumn, winter, spring, other and anything goes. Not always in that order. A pot of lavender on the balcony will provide summer flavor (and fragrance) for years. Nasturtiums flower in crazy profusion, are easy to grow from seed, and have a pleasant peppery taste. High in vitamin C, their leaves and seeds are also edible. (A downside to nasturtiums: aphids find them highly attractive, and after a short courtship, settle happily around the stems and flower. Check the blossoms carefully before using them. When picking edible flowers, recently opened blossoms are freshest. Check them for insects or spiders. Be certain that no pesticides have been used on them and obviously use only clean sources you can be sure of. Pick the blossoms from the stems, removing the parts that contain the pollen. Rinse in cold water, then remove the petals and pat dry with a towel. Toss petals among fresh greens or sprinkle them on top for a colorful garnish. Violet or pansy flowers, frozen whole in ice cubes, add whimsy to cold drinks. Children also love colorful petals in frozen popsicles. Well, so do I…

Snip chive blossoms into your favorite vinaigrette recipe for added punch to your salads and marinades. Place a spoonful of goat cheese into a squash or zucchini blossom and sprinkle with chopped sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Or make a pesto with sage flowers instead of the usual basil, using walnuts instead of pine nuts, and flavoring with garlic and red onions….oh my… Flowers enhance sweet dishes, too. Unopened lavender buds are to LIVE for when added to fresh berries or fresh organic third grade honey. Good for you too! Rose petals provide a hint of fragrance when snipped into sago lemon desert or strawberry jam (first remove the bitter white tips). I have a side garden that is just for red clover and chick-weed. And not so obvious is my clandestine dandelion patch. These are fabulous for us, and liven up any fresh vegetable juice or salad… Also – if you stayed too long in the summer sun, or bugged a bee, or strained your back while plucking those petals…a few things you should know. Arnica is the first remedy to use for any type of accident

or injury. It helps to soothe the mental and physical shock of the trauma and to heal capillaries and dissipate bruising. After a recent accident which left severe contusions on many parts of my body (obtained from that harsh – and unyielding – ground I referred to) I can attest to the swiftness and effectiveness of arnica.

Apis should be given after an insect sting when redness,

heat and swelling develop rapidly with itching and/or burning pain that may feel better after cool applications. This remedy may also be useful if extreme sensitivity to the sting causes an allergic systemic reaction.

Pure Aloe Vera gel, calendula and lavender oil applied

directly to a burn will immediately start the healing process and sooth the sting.

A comprehensive list of many edible wonders can be found at: www.perennials.com/edibleplants.html. Margo Laing, RHN, NCP is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner and Registered Holistic Nutritionist with a special interest in Ayurvedic Medicine. She has been a natural health writer for about 15 years, has a strong interest in cancer prevention, and has a special focus on Breast Health. Her goal? To assist those with imbalances by using her gentle ‘warrior makeovers’ involving body, mind and spirit. Margo can be reached at margolaing@shaw.ca or 403.246.5549. “The body will always strive for homeostasis. You have inside you what you need for balance...for a powerful and perfected life. It is in the strength of intention, love for self, love for others…an awareness of something more when you draw each breath.”

~ Margo

You Asked About It …

Q. When facing my home from the street, my front door is at the front right hand side of my home and faces another house rather than the street. Things aren’t going all that well for us and I’m wondering if the front door is having any impact.

A. The front door is the ‘Mouth of Chi’ of your home and it should be visible from the street for the greatest energy flow. Your front door is considered a ‘hidden front door’ and may very well be a part of the problem. You can improve the energy flow to your front door by mounting an 18” convex safety mirror in a location that allows you to see the door when approaching the house and also allows you to see the street from the front door. Also, place lights and/or plants along your pathway from the street to guide the energy to your front door.

Product Special

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A Bagua Mirror attracts good energy into your home, while redirecting negative energy away. It has the energy of its auspicious 8-sided shape; the energy of the colours red, o deflect negative energy and Trigram markings that represent the pure energy o

nature. Our exclusive Bagua Mirrors have been custom made for Feng Shui Market – the Trigrams are correctly positioned to be consistent in every respect with BTB Feng Shui.

green and gold; a mirror t f

Don’t feel tempted to purchase the ‘fancier’ decorator style Bagua Mirrors as they probably will not have the correct balance of colour, trigrams or size of mirror; and you could be incurring unnecessary expense. Special Price

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Remember – Bagua Mirrors should be replaced if they get damaged, when the colour starts to fade or the wood warps – usually about once a year.

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Clearing Clutter with Feng Shui CRN 50575 Tues., May 8, 15, 22, 29

Clearing Clutter with Feng Shui CRN 50576 Wed., May 9, 16, 23, 30

Feng Shui and Spirituality CRN50217 Wed., May 9, 16

Residential Decorating with Feng Shui CRN 50479 Sat., May 12

Feng Shui for your Garden CRN 50175 Sat., May 26

Advanced Feng Shui for the Garden Sat., June 2

Practical Feng Shui Consulting CRN 50342* Wed., May 30, June 6

Practical Feng Shui Consulting CRN 50370* Sat., June 9

* Practical Feng Shui Consulting is the last of the 8 courses in the Mt. Royal Certificate program. It is recommended that students register early to receive pre-course work instructions.

Upcoming Feng Shui Classes at Mount Royal College

Click here to view more information about Feng Shui classes

To register call Mt. Royal College 403-440-3833 or 1-888-240-7203 or online at mtroyal.ca Click on My MRC

Feng Shui Market & Publishing Mailing Address 195, 612 – 500 Country Hills Blvd. N.E., Calgary, Alberta Canada T3K 5K3 Phone 403.295.7336 www.fengshuimarket.ca email: info@fengshuimarket.ca