Fundamentals of Feng Shui Gardening
One of the earliest meanings of feng shui is the study of climate, geology and vegetation. It was thousands of years ago in China that the seeds of this natural science were sown.
Natural climatic conditions such as wind and water were viewed as sacred signs that were looked upon by shamans as ways to help determine the most auspicious places for houses, altars and graves. When ideal spaces were not attainable, their search for remedies led to the ideology of feng shui, blending Taoism, astronomy, alchemy, astrology and shamanism.
In early times, Chinese philosophers seeking refuge and the serenity of nature headed to the countryside to paint landscapes of majestic mountains reaching up toward misty skies with winding rivers and pine trees. Their awe of natural beauty was expressed on silk scrolls, screens and ceramics, as well as through verse, poetry and calligraphy. It was from this desire to be in harmony with the natural world that the philosophy of Taoism was founded, based on simplicity, intuition, spontaneity and the way (Tao) of nature.
Feng shui is about the flow of chi and how it affects the human energy field. Taoism is about the unity of humanity and nature. Combining the two, it became apparent that having comfortable and harmonious environments helped inhabitants to survive and thrive.
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