`Feng Shui in the Garden'

Flower & Garden Magazine, March, 2000 by Paulette Cohn

"Feng Shui remedies vary in the time it takes to feel their immediate effect, especially if the momentum has been going badly. It's like a train--the train has to slow down, stop, and then it can proceed in the opposite direction."

Paulette Cohn is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer.

RELATED ARTICLE: TRADITIONAL AND NEW AGE FENG SHUI

There are two types of Feng Shui, the traditional ancient, which has been around since before paper was invented, and the New Age Feng Shui that began in the '80s. "There is the traditional, scientific Feng Shui, which is taught at the American Feng Shui Institute in Monterey Park, California," Odle says. "In the United States, most everyone who practices this type of Feng Shui is taught by Master Larry Sang.

"The Black Hat version of Feng Shui was founded by Thomas Lin Yun in 1986. He brought to the U.S. the Ba-Gua, an eight sided mirror, which labels each direction with an aspect of your life. He founded the Tibetan Sect Tantric Buddhism, through which he conducts blessing ceremonies and teaches people intuitive Feng Shui"

Black Hat practitioners simplify Feng Shui in order to make it one size fits all, which is much easier to market. According to traditional Feng Shui and the I Chi (Book of Change), everything in the universe is different and in constant change.

Odle states, "In traditional Feng Shui, if you place the remedies in the appropriate spot, they will work. There is no belief system involved and no blessing ceremonies. The earth element remedies should blend with your decor."

If you want to embark on an ambitious Feng Shui program or just one or two elements to start, research first--there are many fine books out there on the subject. And as in all things, find out what benefits others have experienced--and you're on your way!