Custom Feng Shui is replete with many sayings. Among the many such sayings, there are many that concerns the surroundings.
In viewing Feng Shui from the perspective of the environment, we can start off by checking out features that fall under the category of ‘Sha Qi’. Sha qi are those that have a bad effect. A common example of what constitute a sha would be an imposing street lamp directly in front of the main door.
The greenery, meaning the trees and shrubs outside our house is likened to the skin of the home. This analogy is used based on the idea that the house is the body, the structure the bones and the walls, doors, windows and furnishings, its muscles, tendons and organs.
A community with trees and shrubs is like a man with clothes. Too thin and it will not ward of the cold of the winter. Too thick and it will be unbearable in the heat of summer. As such, a balance is necessary.
Each specie of tree has different fengshui effect. And with that, many discussions on what the implication of each particular type of tree. The peach tree is suggested for the east for this will bring honour and respect. So is the poplar. For the south, the plum is recommended along with the date. To the west, the jasmine and the elm is suggested.
To the north both the peach tree and the almond is ideal. All of these trees are considered as bringers of good luck.
Having said that, we must also be careful. It is also said that if there is an almond at the east, a peach at the west, a date at the north, a peach at the south, then it encourages carnal desire. Be warned!
I would say that whatever tree there may be, the most important is that they should grow luxuriantly and not away from the home. The following rules may also be useful:
1 tree should not overshadow the house
2 the branches should not crowd onto the roof.
3 trees should never be knocking on the front door
4 a tall solitary tree like wearing a hat unless you plan to lead a homeless life
5 badly knotted trees like flowers on the trunk
6 slanting trees like they are about to fall down
7 Vine creeping and suffocating tree
8 Ghoulish looking tree
9 twisting and turning tree especially knotted
On an added note, I recall looking at one building which was up for sale. It sits uncomfortably close to its neighbor. I suppose the owner had wanted to maximize the footprint and did not care two hoots about how his building would affect those around it. There was also a papal tree growing out of its wall reminding me of the wats of Angkor. This building has been infiltrated so bad with yin but even if it was not, it would not be good for the long term. It would only be an investment for the short term and not for keeps. Hopefully, any taker can quickly maximize and get out before the music stops.
This book is a translation of a text by FengShui Master Jiang Da Hong (ca1640) with my explanations and comments. The root text is a section on yang dwellings from his book “5 Songs of the Heavenly Principles”.
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Question: I have read or heard that weeping trees like weeping willows or weeping cherries affect relationships and cause one to live a solitary life. Is this true?
Too much reading of sad Chinese novels. Weeping willows are melancholic. Try watching them on a moonlit night with the breeze swaying and you will understand why all eastern ghosts have long hair and white costume.
It has been said that if a weeping willow slants towards your home, someone will die. If it is right in front of your door, that’s also a harbinger of death. But put them in a clear lakeside, with a lovely pavillion to match, that’s romance.