Having been indoors more then your share during the cold Yin of Winter, we are now going into our Yang phase. If you’re not familiar with Yin and Yang, it’s what’s considered to create a balance. Yin is cold, unyielding, dark, night. Yang, on the other hand, is it’s complimentary opposite. Yang represents bright, active, bright, day. Everything in life and in the Universe need a balance according to Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese philosophy that helps promote harmony and balance in your life based on your surroundings.

Creating a garden oasis that is your own personal sanctuary can be as easy as 1, 2, 3. It need not take more then a few minutes of time and will be yours to enjoy for months to come. So let’s look at how we can achieve a beautiful space to get outside and enjoy the Yang. Survey your yard and find an area that is away from the main part of the house and where you may be able to incorporate a few plantings. What we seek to achieve in this area is feeling of tranquility, peacefulness, and, for some of us, regaining our sanity after a trip on the LIE or the Southern State parkway.

In this area that is to be our own, we are going to be surrounded by The Five Elements, an important Feng Shui Principle. They are: Water, Fire, Wood, Metal and Earth. First find a comfortable lounge chair, one that is well cushioned and you feel wonderful in. The kind that makes you sigh when you finally have to get up because there’s no place else you’d rather be. I prefer wooden ones that allow you to move the back, but whatever you choose, think of the element it’s made of. It can be aluminum and you’ve just added your metal element.

I love the sounds of nature and attracting wildlife, particularly birds. Using a bird feeder (Red would symbolize Fire) or a birdbath (a Water Element) would attract them if you like them as well. And you’ve added another element. Aromatherapy has been around for years, pick and choose what flowers will be planted close by. Signifying Earth energy, it can be restful and satisfying to get some fragrant flowers. And will add a burst of color to your oasis. Live flowers and plants add pure Chi, or life force to an area. Do be careful not to place them too close to your lounge chair as they may attract wasps or bees. Reconnecting with Nature after a long winter or just about anytime you need to get away from the stresses of life is a wonderful way to restore your energy.

Depending on your choices and your own personal taste, work with the space you have. It can be a small area of the yard that you just designate as your own. Wind chimes in this area are also lovely. They are used frequently in Feng Shui for their lovely sound and to keep energy flowing. And think about a CD player, if you’d like a more meditative state to listen to soothing sounds and music.

You’ll need a small table and keep things on it you’re likely to need outside. A cool drink, a good book that you just haven’t gotten to and your sunglasses are always handy. If you’ll be in the sun, be sure to use a have a good sun screen handy. You won’t have to get up often, if at all.

You may not have much time in this small sanctuary you’ve created, but it’s all yours. Use whatever time you do have to focus on the beauty of nature that you’ve surrounded yourself with and let the stresses of the day leave you. This is your time, enjoy it!

source : www.hamptons.com | Carole Provenzale, CFSP