Feng Shui for Gardeners 2013 : Year of the Water Snake

Posted on January 17, 2013September 20, 2019 by Stephanie Stewart

We’re coming up on the end of the year of the Yang Water Dragon or Ren Chen. How was it for you? I think it lived up to the predictions of sudden changes and reversals. One step forward, two steps back. A year of hard work just to stay in place, rather than moving ahead.

In terms of the garden I’d say Ren Chen was a good year. I didn’t lose any plants last winter and don’t expect to this year. As I write the Daphne bholua, hellebore and Yuletide camellia are in bloom.

Hellebore Cinnamon Snow — Helleborus x Balliardiae “Cinnamon Snow”

Camellia Sasanqua "Yuletide" — Camellia Sasanqua “Yuletide”

The little gardenia hedge is sheltered enough by it’s location and the more mature plantings this year so no winter damage so far. If I feed it it will probably go like gangbusters this year. The only thing that really stands out about the year in the garden was the very, very dry fall and how much watering was needed even into October.

But now it’s time to start thinking about the coming new year of the Yin Water Snake. In the Chinese Zodiac the sign of the snake is associated with the truth and truth telling and therefore also its opposite: lying.

In general you’ll want to be aware that the year of the Yin Water Snake is also called “Snake in the Grass”. Etymologically speaking, the word “snake” describes something that creeps or crawls. The idea is that it’s easy for the snake to go unnoticed until it’s too late. The phrase “snake in the grass” also carries a sense of betrayal and so we sometimes apply it to backstabbers and traitors.

That may give you a hint to proceed with circumspection this year. There may be hidden dangers ahead or you may find that circumstances are not what they seem to be. Be careful of those who are not telling the truth. Don’t be afraid of those who are and are branded as rebels.

In terms of practical matters here’s the least that you need to know if you have projects to do after February 3rd, 2013:

Tai Sui
The Tai Sui or Grand Duke is located SSE (compass degrees 142.5-157.5) in the year of the Snake. If your house faces SSE it is clashing the Tai Sui. You need to avoid activating that direction by minimizing movement. No construction or digging in this area.

Sui Po
The Sui Po sits opposite the Grand Duke so this year it is the Pig and is located at NNW (compass degrees 322.5-337.5). No digging, renovation or construction in this area. If you spend time facing NNW this will be helpful because it puts the Tai Sui behind you.

San Sha
For the year of the Water Snake the San Sha are located in the east from ENE or Tiger mountain to Dragon mountain in the ESE. This covers the compass degrees from 52.5-127.5. Keep the areas quiet; no digging, construction or drilling should be done. Avoid having your back to those directions.

Flying Stars

This year the Flying Stars chart is the same as the Post Heaven Bagua. Here is the Flying Stars chart for 2013:

Every house (and every lot) will have the 5 Yellow Disaster star in the center this year. This means you’ll want to try to minimize use, noise and traffic in that area if possible. If the center of your house is an area that is used often, such as a stairway, bathroom or kitchen hopefully you have already hired a feng shui consultant. If you haven’t, this would be a good time to do that.

For most residential lots the house is covering the center of the lot but if this is not the case for you then you must not dig holes, install a fountain, build a playhouse, or install a swingset in the center. Don’t set up the above ground pool in the center. You get the idea.

Four Pillars or BaZi
Another way to look at the new year is to consider Four Pillars.The first day of the new astrological year is thought to set the tone for the year and is used to make predictions for the year.This is the BaZi Chart for the first day of the Water Snake year:

Richard Ashworth predicted that Obama would win the recent election based on his birth chart and the relationship to the chart for 2013. Obama was first elected in 2008 which was the year of the Yang Earth Rat or Wu Zi. The first hour of the Water Snake year is Wu Zi or Earth Rat. Since he won in 2008 the energy of the first moments of 2013 predicted another win and he could be expected to be our president in 2013. The first day of the water snake year is Yin Metal Ox – a match with Barack Obama’s birth year.

Barack Obama Four Pillars Chart — Barack Obama’s Four Pillars Chart

One of the aspects of Chinese Astrology that I find most interesting is the concept of energy/time cycles. For example one might see an Earth Tiger day as the “preview” or “historical perspective” for an Earth Tiger year. I like to keep up with the daily energy by tracking the almanac and taking note of what the day was like for me. If you study Four Pillars this is a helpful way to figure out what your favorable elements are.

I wanted to know what the Water Snake year was going to be like for me so I took note of the day’s feelings and events on November 28th, 2012. That day it was easy to do some clear thinking and writing so I worked on a BaZi chart that had been sent out as homework by a teacher of mine. I got the best feedback that I had ever received from that teacher. I have high hopes for 2013, but just knowing that I can make some real progress with my studies isn’t enough. I have to actually take action. I don’t think 2013 will be my luckiest year but I’ll make the best of what is offered. That way when my luck is really good I will be ready to fly.

Thank you for reading my simple summary. If you want to read detailed predictions for 2013 then check with an expert like Richard Ashworth or Bernice Low (aka BaZi Queen).

Whether or not this is a lucky year for you, keep working hard, doing good deeds and focus on personal growth. Free will and choice are just as important (and sometimes stronger) than any other factors that influence your llfe.

Hurricane Sandy

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Stephanie Stewart

Sometimes I feel like a bit of a ghoul in the pursuit of knowledge when it comes to feng shui and ba zi. Whenever I hear about someone’s misfortune, which people tend to discuss more than their good luck, I immediately start thinking of questions: When did that happen? How did the person die? In what part of the house did the fire start?

One time I heard of an acquaintance’s house burning down and had to restrain my self on more than one occasion from going to take a compass reading and trying to find out more about the events of that day. I ended up settling for looking at the land form on Google earth and doing a drive by. Sort of creepy, right?

The great thing about studying feng shui and ba zi is that you can analyze absolutely anything so you can study all the time. When you need more fodder for study it is not that difficult to get accurate and detailed information about natural disasters like an earthquake or a storm, or “public” things such as information about the latest celebrity death or political candidates birth charts. The question in my mind is always “why?” Why at that moment on that day in that year did such and such happen? Timing is an important component in both feng shui and ba zi.

In this year of the Water Dragon (Ren Chen) many feng shui masters and consultants predicted we would see natural disasters related to flooding and earthquakes due to the yang water over yang earth nature of the Water Dragon year pillar. Yang water would be associated with flooding while yang earth is often associated with earthquakes. There are predictions that on December 21st of this year there may be a big earthquake due to the elements that will be present. History does show that there are earthquakes of large magnitude in Dragon years.

But this is supposed to be about Hurricane Sandy. What started me on this post was reading Cliff Mass’ blog: Hurricane Sandy’s Transformation.

What stands out:

In relation to the North American continent, Sandy started in the SE. This is the Dragon direction. The storm will get even more destructive as it moves toward the Dog direction or NW. The Dog is sitting opposite the Dragon. They clash.
This is the Dog or Xu month in the Dragon or Chen year, so it’s a month of clash energy where water and fire are released.
Sandy starts as a tropical storm (warm) but becomes stronger when it switches from a storm with a warm core to a storm with a cold core. Is anyone else thinking of yin/yang right now? In ba zi or feng shui terms, the yin yang relationship intensifies the effect and makes the expression more powerful.
Look at the pictures in the Cliff Mass post, especially the ones that show the temperature change – remind you of anything?

Don’t forget about the Hunter’s Moon (October 2012 Full Moon). It’s a major player in the storm that is hitting the east coast tonight.

Dry Earth

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Stephanie Stewart

You don’t have to be a gardener, farmer or feng shui consultant to know that the earth in Seattle is dry right now. It’s drier than than I have ever seen it before.

This is the first year I have considered the usefulness of an irrigation system. Rather than relying on regular watering my garden depends on mostly native plants placed properly. Californians that can take care of themselves and look good while they do it are welcome too. What I mean by “placed properly” is that every garden has micro climates. For example maybe you have a sheltered area, an open area, sunny, shady, dry, wet…If you plant things in the micro climate they want it will be much less work to maintain them. This is also how feng shui works.

Even if your garden was planned with feng shui and drought tolerance in mind, water will have to be added at some point in the season. If you have new plantings, transplants or seedlings they are going to need regular watering during their first year at least.

As long as your soil drainage is good and you keep the soil at a fairly consistent level of moisture, water will sink right in. The moist areas of earth tend to stay at a cooler temperature. If you are planting, transplanting or starting seedlings this is the type of earth you need. In feng shui and ba zi this cooler and moister earth is called Ji or yin earth. The wettest, coldest soil arrives when the thaw of winter begins.

The warmest, driest earth is present as summer turns into fall. Dry earth feels warmer than wet earth. Annuals or any newly sprouted/planted things tend to shrivel up and die when the earth gets too dry but the perennials, shrubs, and trees can tolerate it. This year, however, it’s been so dry that even many of the mature trees in my neighborhood were drooping and dropped their leaves early, obviously due to a lack of water.

When the earth is dry it tends to get more compacted here in Seattle and is testy about accepting water again. Until you’ve softened it up with a few days of sprinkling, the water tends to puddle on the surface and take awhile to sink in. In feng shui and ba zi this warmer and drier earth is called Wu or yang earth.

Today marks the first day of the Xu month or the month of the Dog in the Chinese Calendar. The main qi of the dog is Wu or dry earth but not typically this dry. We are so there.

Yin Yang Garden Design

Posted on March 27, 2012September 20, 2019 by Stephanie Stewart

Most garden design concepts can be explained in terms of yin yang and achieving a balance between the two. Applying the theory of yin yang correctly in your garden will result in a flourishing landscape that surrounds your home with good energy and enhances its value. Gardeners already understand this balance in the use of different sizes, shapes and colors of foliage, shrubs, trees and flowers. A garden where every plant has tiny leaves would be too yin or busy looking, yes?

A nice yin yang balance makes your garden a place where you will want to spend time. Balance provides areas to enjoy with groups of family or neighbors, and private areas where you could meditate or rest. If your lot is too shady, consider pruning or even removing trees and shrubs. If your lot is too hot and open or plagued by wind, plant some trees. Plant water loving plants in damp areas, drought tolerant plants in dry areas, and they will require much less maintenance. If the garden is so overgrown you can barely see the house sharpen those pruners and get to work. You get the idea.

Maintaining yin yang balance also enhances the security of your home. The houses that get broken into the most often have more yin qualities than the houses around them. I base that observation on professional and personal experience.

Here’s one more tip about your landscape: Keep the path to the front door clean, clear and inviting. Make sure the door (or the location of the door) is clearly visible from the street. If the door itself is not visible from the street or path use color, lighting, ornament or landscaping to indicate the location of the door.

Feng Shui for Gardeners 2012

Posted on February 22, 2012September 20, 2019 by Stephanie Stewart

For purposes of Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology calculations are based on the solar calendar. On February 4th, 2012 we entered the Year of Ren Chen or Water Dragon. Buckle up your seat belts, it may be a bumpy ride filled with unexpected events and reversals, good and bad. In Chinese folklore it is said that the dragon can surprise you because it is not possible to see the head and the tail at the same time.

As the energy started shifting I had a preview of what I think the Ren Chen year will be like. In the last month of 2011 into the second month of 2012 I personally benefited from a huge reversal that no one would have predicted. The situation involved a long slow collapse of power and revelations that created a stressful ride to a safe harbor. Many lies were being told by others involved in the reversal, and unethical deeds from the past surfaced at the worst possible time. Those who lied and manipulated others lost big in the end, while those who did not found a good place to land. Be careful and remember that the outcome of any situation can be changed through your hard work, free will and good deeds. What good is luck if you are not prepared?

As I have mentioned before, the zodiac animals in Chinese Astrology are really just representations of a particular phase of energy that provide a way for us to understand and talk about them. Those born in a Dragon year should take note as they will be the first recipients of the year’s offerings, both good and bad.

I’m a little late in getting this post out this year, but if you are a gardener, or thinking of renovating in 2012 please read on.

First of all, no digging in the SE, S, SW and NW and no renovating in the house in the SE area. Why? You must not disturb the energies of these locations this year.

Second, regarding renovation, if you are living in a house that faces or sits South this year do not renovate anywhere in the house. Period. Do not drill holes, pound nails or hang pictures. Don’t refinish the floors. If you are planning to renovate next year please consult with a Feng Shui professional to get the most out of your renovation and avoid any problems.

Here is how it works:

You can imagine these energies are like sleeping gods under the earth that do not want to be disturbed or awakened. If they are activated there will be negative results such as loss of wealth, accidents or health problems. The person of the household that is associated with the affected area will be the one most hurt by disturbing the sleeping gods. For example, the SE position correlates with the women of the household, the oldest daughter in a family, or a woman who is in that particular age phase of her life. Each compass direction (i.e. SE, NW, N) correlates not only with a family member or gender but also with “types” of energy. Tamper with the NW this year and you may hurt the father of the household, find yourself in trouble with your boss or even the law.

With the Water Dragon in the Tai Sui (Year God) position in the SE that means the Sui Po is Xu or Dog, sitting directly opposite in the NW. The Dragon is part of a trinity with Zi (Rat) and Shen (Monkey) which creates force against the South, specifically Si (Snake), Wu (Horse), and Wei (Sheep).

As a gardener how do you manage all of this? Each year I focus on the areas where it is okay to dig and work and think about what areas I won’t be able to touch next year. For example I made a point to finish the plantings for the SE area at the end of the season last year, so this year there will still be progress in that area with the plants in and growing. It’s not at all difficult to plan your projects this way. If you absolutely have to do repairs or other work in an area that should not be disturbed contact a Feng Shui consultant.

Using Science to Understand Five Elements Theory

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Stephanie Stewart

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITpDrdtGAmo[/youtube]

I saw this video of Richard Feynman explaining the physics and chemistry behind fire on Diane Kern’s blog and just had to share it. I don’t think most people understand that a scientific style of observation is the foundation of practicing Feng Shui.

Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology and other components of Chinese Metaphysics are becoming easier to understand and explain as science reveals what is really going on around us. You don’t have to believe in chemistry and physics in order to be able start a fire. You don’t have to believe in gravity for it to hold you down. You don’t have to believe in Feng Shui either but it is still affecting you.

Feng Shui for Gardeners 2011 : Year of the Metal Rabbit

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Stephanie Stewart

On February 4th, 2011 we will enter the year of the Metal Rabbit or Xin Mao. Some also call it the year of the Golden Rabbit. It’s fun to talk about the Chinese Zodiac and what animal represents your birth year, but did you know that the animals of the Chinese Zodiac are actually terms that were assigned to describe a particular type of energy? It’s true. Darn, there go those generalizations about people born in the year of (your least favorite animal here).

During the Metal Rabbit year the Tai Sui is, of course, Mao or Rabbit. The Sui Po is You or Rooster. They are directly opposed to each other with Mao representing a Wood type of qi and You representing a Metal type of qi. In terms of five elements their interaction will break down the wood energy and weaken the metal qi. In this particular combination, we will see events similar to those of 2010 such as unusual and unpredictable weather and natural events, bankruptcies and civil unrest. Whatever you do, don’t use these predictions as an excuse to give up on 2011. Keep studying and working and you will be fine in the long run.

Now, for all you gardeners out there here’s the most important stuff:

For 2011 you need to avoid digging in the following areas: E, W, SW and NW. Disturbing the earth energy in these areas will bring bad luck and problems to the household.

Imagine a grid superimposed on your lot that divides the lot into 9 sectors. Use a compass to determine which sector corresponds with the compass directions, i.e. N, NW, W, SW, S, SE, E, NE. You don’t have to be exact, you just need to know where the areas are in general so that you know what to avoid. It’s okay to keep these areas weeded and cleaned up but don’t dig.

Don’t kid yourself that you can have someone else do the work and avoid the effects of awakening the sleeping gods. The person who creates the energetic disturbance will be most affected but there will be consequences for any residents of the house as well.

Each area on the grid represents a type of energy but also a family member. For example the outdoor position of Rabbit or Mao (E) represents the middle daughter, so if that area is disturbed it will have the strongest effect on the middle daughter, females, tween/teen females, or anyone born in a Rabbit year (1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023).

Using Feng Shui to Grow a Lemon Tree

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Stephanie Stewart

You might be asking yourself what a lemon tree has to do with Feng Shui. My Feng Shui practice is inspired and informed by my garden. Living in the Pacific Northwest I have learned that you can grow just about anything in your garden as long as you find the right spot for it. If you study Feng Shui you understand that this is the same for people. What is good is relative to the particular needs of that plant or person. If placed correctly they will thrive.

I have always wanted to have a Meyer lemon tree in my garden. The sight and smell are a lovely reminder of the lemon tree my Grandma ‘Tona had by the back door of her house. Most people will tell you that maybe you can grow a lemon tree in the PNW, but you will need to keep it in a pot and bring it indoors in the winter. Being the stubborn kind of person I am, I took this as a challenge. I killed 4 small lemon trees before I finally found the right spot for one that is now in its second year in the front yard. Not being satisfied with that experiment, I planted two more that are now blooming. I’m still not taking it for granted that I will ever get any lemons, but even if it’s just the scented blooms and the sight I’ll be satisfied. In nature it is easy to see the cycle of yin and yang and accept it, knowing that there will be a spring to follow winter, or the sweet relief of fall after harvest time.

There is no perfect Feng Shui, not even in the most lovingly tended garden of the most knowledgeable gardener on earth. But that’s okay. We don’t need perfect Feng Shui to be happy in life. All we need is to understand the environment we are living in and its influence on us, study, work hard, do good in the world, and make the best choices we possibly can. And of course lots of time to do gardening.

It’s risky to try to grow a lemon tree outdoors and in the ground in the PNW. If you listen to everyone’s advice, you won’t even try. Would you like to try to achieve something that no one thinks you can do? Using Feng Shui lets me put you in the right place so that you can succeed in your endeavors – just like the lemon tree. Find the right spot for you and do the unexpected.

It’s All About Me (or You)

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Stephanie Stewart

A teacher of Chinese Metaphysics I once studied with said something that has become a guiding factor of my study and practice of Feng Shui: It’s all about me!

What she meant was that when your goal is to create the best balance of energy in a space you should orient everything based on your specific needs in that specific time in that specific situation. When you are the client, for your consultant it’s all about you and your relationship to the qi. There is no general rule to apply for every situation. For example, a bed in the master bedroom of a healthy 40-something CEO would probably not be placed properly in a corner but there are some adults who may benefit from placing the bed in the corner.

Each of us exists in a complex web of relationships with our environment and the people in our lives. It’s useless to try to make generalizations about someone’s situation. It does not happen that one consultation is exactly like another, although it is possible to apply something you learned to multiple situations. This is why when you describe a situation you may have encountered to your Feng Shui teacher and ask “Is that okay?” he or she will tell you “It depends…”. The question can’t be answered without knowing all of the specifics.

Even if you gave a thorough description of the audit including birth information, photos, a qi map, a report, etc. to a Feng Shui consultant, in reality he or she is not able to accurately assess a site without going there, looking around, and meeting the people or person who hired him or her. A consultant is like a CSI gathering evidence at a site to take back to the lab in order to study it and understand the story of the crime. Although there can be copycat crimes, there is some detail or characteristic that makes each crime unlike any other. The same is true of houses. If everyone on your block is facing the same direction and has the exact same house plan, the same lot size and shape, the same grade to the land, that doesn’t mean you will all lead identical lives.

I know Feng Shui works. You don’t need to believe in it. I want more people to be able to enjoy the benefits of it and feel like it was worth the price they paid their consultant. Don’t believe people who say they can do “remote consultations” or who practice some “one-size-fits-all” method they learned from a book. It’s simply not true.

The Freeing Power of Failure

Posted on August 19, 2010September 20, 2019 by Stephanie Stewart

I just had to share this article I read in the NY Times this morning about 81 year old Joan Dye Gussow. Where do I begin?

I’m inspired by the life choices she has made and the way she has educated herself. I’m inspired by the thought of being 81 and still able to lug around some bags of topsoil, but also having an elegance in knowing my own limits.

I have always known I don’t fully appreciate and understand the life-giving qualities of “destruction” – even after all this time studying Feng Shui. I see the expression of this natural cycle every day when I look at the Tai Ji and tell myself I understand it, but it is in the garden where I’m finally getting it on a gut level.

Losing a tree, plant, or an entire garden is an opportunity to start over and make it what you really wanted this time.