22 January 2014,
If you thought that Feng Shui begins inside your home, then you are mistaken as Dato’ Joey Yap shares some insightful advice on outdoor Feng Shui.
Feng Shui isn’t all about positioning or location (although they do play a rather huge role); it’s also about seeking a balance in your residence, to catalyze certain changes or harmony to your life. Thus, if you think that Feng Shui is all about the placement of your baby cradle or the size of your aquarium inside your house, then you are right at being wrong. Balance, in Feng Shui, is about maintaining the factors both inside, as well as outside of the residence.
Let me clarify that Feng Shui actually begins from the external part of the house before it flows gracefully into the interior. So why give 100% effort on the inside while leaving your external, the starting point of Qi, deserted?
OF GARDENS, PATIOS AND PERGOLAS
While Garden Feng Shui works its craze around the world, you don’t have to practice it blindly. Sure, pathways, plants, and trees improve the aesthetic nature of your garden but don’t hope for more – they certainly do not result in positive Qi. Garden lamps, on the other hand, could hurt the flow of Qi if it’s placed directly in front of any door to your property – so beware!
As you do not sleep there at night, the patio is not really an important consideration for outdoor Feng Shui. A pergola may be an arresting sight, but observe the direction of the edges of its roof, and make sure they do not point to the Main Door directly.
THE DRIPS ON EXTERNAL WATER FEATURES
Take note that the flow of Qi could easily be affected by the placement and presence of drains. Visible deep drains with constant flow, which cuts across your property, embodies the very negative Cutting Feet Water. This could spell disaster in Feng Shui. If such feature is visible, it is important to cover and conceal it, or at best, avoid it.
Ponds or lakes are considered very good Feng Shui fixture, as they help to collect Qi in its sentimental water. While it is favourable, it is important to note the correct location of it in relation to your property. Waterfalls are soothing but are they friends or foes? The latter apparently, as the thunderous sound of water clashing attracts negative Qi, in the form of Sha Qi. This form of Sha Qi is damaging to your career prospect and the mental well-being of the residents.
PROTECT YOUR FENCE AND GATE
Feng Shui or not, the fence and gate are the protectors and sentinels of your home. If used correctly, fences can direct and coagulate the Qi to your advantage. Used incorrectly, however, it could suppress good Qi and attract the negative ones. As an owner, you should pay extra attention to these kinds of fences: fences that point inwards, fences with gap or cracks, fences that are too high or too close to the house.
Likewise, the gate to your home is the Qi mouth to the property. It should always be located at the place where it’s conducive towards Qi flow.
When it comes to Feng Shui, always look at the bigger picture. Plucking and practicing one aspect of Feng Shui will not help in improving anything significantly. Balance is everything, so remember to retain this in your life.
Joey Yap
Dato’ Joey Yap is the leading Feng Shui, BaZi and Face Reading consultant in Asia. He is an international speaker, bestselling author of over 120 books and master trainer in Chinese Metaphysics. He is also the Chief Consultant of Joey Yap Consulting Group and founder of the Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics.