A Spiritual Boost Can't Hurt-Feng Shui curb appeal

I recently wrote of my renewed interest in Feng Shui. It was inspired by a visitor to my open house. He found it of the utmost importance in considering the home I have listed. He did mention that there are several schools of Feng Shui. I am not sure what he meant exactly, but I assume that he may have been referring to types or depth. It continues to be on my mind, so I think I will likely follow this interest further. My goal is to read and learn more- allowing a time slot in my day planner at least once a week.

With the housing industry slowly making a comeback, an old familar selling suggestion is back in vogue again. As the story goes, just bury a pocket-sized statuette of St. Joseph upside down in your yard and the home will sell. I respect the theory. I am a person of faith. Many sellers and Realtor's have stories to tell of this ritual. However, I think I am drawn to an alternative way to help homes sell, that can be lived daily and seems to have some "teeth" to it.

I found another description that mimics what was in my last blog. I think this may be a very good overview: Feng Shui, literally defined as "wind and water", is the practice of creating harmony and balance between all elements in the physical world, so that ones spirit may find more peace, good fortune, and prosperity as they proceed down life's path.

I believe this can have impact on my personal home and in the homes of some of my selling real estate clients. The main objective of Feng Shui, as I understand it, is to align your home with your life goals. Feng Shui real estate practices consist of ridding a home of it's negative energies and aligning the home towards positive elements. The belief's seems to be fairly complex yet the fundamentals of it seem doeable for anyone.

Today's research took me outdoors. I was so excited to find what I will be sharing with you, listed below. That quick taste of spring weather earlier this week had me thinking about getting into the garden. Everytime I took my dogs out on the beautiful day, I was planning my landscape revisions in my head.

Here is what I now know about incorporating the philosophy of Feng Shui into your garden:

Basically, if you place your belongings in the correct position in any physical environment, the residents of the area will invite balance and harmony into their lives. The art of Feng Shui divides any environment into eight sectors known as trigrams. Each trigram is represented by a compass direction and specific characteristics. The trigram is a guide when designing your garden. Finding a good book with a diagram of this;it helps to understand it better. I found one online, but can not wait to get to the book store!

Feng Shui Garden Designs

North

Represents: Career

Element: Water

Shapes: Waves and Curves

Color: Blue and Black

Number: 1

Cures: Ponds, waterfalls, fountains, metal accents, silver plants, metal chimes

Northeast

Represents: Knowledge

Element: Earth

Shapes: Flat, square or rectangular shapes

Color: Turquoise and Beige

Number: 8

Cures: Rocks, stone statues, stone benches, rock garden, ceramics, terra cotta planters or wall decorations

East

Represents: Family

Element: Wood

Shapes: Columns, tall rectangular shapes

Color: Green, Beige

Number: 3

Cures: Trees, herbs, decks, wood furniture, fountains

Southeast

Represents: Wealth and Abundance

Element: Wood

Shapes: Columns, tall rectangular shapes

Color: Green and Purple

Number: 4

Cures: Fruit trees, vegetable garden, flowers, decks, and pond

South

Represents: Fame and Future

Element: Fire

Shapes: Pointed and triangular shapes

Color: Red, Orange, and Blue

Number 9

Cures: Outdoor lights, barbeque, fire pit, triangular decorations or triangular flower shapes, and wood furniture

Southwest

Represents: Personal Relationships

Element: Earth

Shapes: Low and flat square surfaces

Color: Yellow, Pink, and Beige

Number: 2

Cures: Plants in pairs, two lounge chairs, pink flowers, earth items in multiples of two

West

Represents: Children and Creativity

Element: Metal

Shapes: Circles and arches

Color: White and Metallic

Number: 7

Cures: Children's play area, area for your hobby interests, metal decorations, wrought iron furniture, and metal wind chimes

Northwest

Represents: Travel and Helpful People

Element: Metal

Shapes: Circle and Arches

Color: White, Grey, and Metallic

Number: 6

Cures: Metal Wind chimes, metal archway, wrought iron, and metal decorations

Garden Paths

•Pathway should gently meander to the front door.

•Straight pathways create negative chi.

•Soften by using plantings of flowers in colours such as blue, pink, green, white and yellow.

•Front door should not be wider than the pathway leading up to the door.

Trees

•Do not place too close to each other and thin them to allow the sun to shine brightly on your property.

•Avoid trees with sharp pointed leaves. Ideal plants and trees have rounded leaves.

•Trees behind a property offer protection.

•Place two trees on either side of the door for protection. The trees should not hide the home from the street but rather as an accent.

·Trees represent wealth, prosperity, and abundance, therefore it is important to keep them healthy and strong.

View Ohio Real Estate at www.pamosterhomes.com

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT HOME or SELLING YOUR CANTON,OHIO HOME shouldn't be complicated. Call in a Real Estate professional to help you get to Sold quickly. I will worry about all the details.

Pam Oster, REALTOR DeHOFF REALTORS serving Stark County, Ohio 330.936.3480