A big part of Feng Shui theory relates to the natural environment. So, evaluating open spaces should be included in all schools of Feng Shui.
The shape of a lot can have an influence on the eventual building that sits on the land. Even before a community is built up, there are directional areas of the land that will be relevant to the center of the parcel.
As an example, the direction of east is associated with the throat, feet, and nervous system. So if a parcel of land is missing an east sector in relation to the whole shape, then future occupants may encounter health problems related to the throat, feet or nervous system.
The land level will also impact the future building. For instance, some buildings do better with downward sloping land behind them and others do better with sloping land in front of them. In the traditional Schools of Feng Shui, the symbolic animals (tortoise, phoenix bird, tiger, and dragon) relate to earth formations, nearby mountains or even other nearby structures. There is a certain type of developed symmetry which is sought after in exterior environments.
The “health” of the soil and any plant life will also have an impact on future occupants on the land. Generally speaking, when the plants and trees have poor health and are dead or dying, that will drain the health of future occupants too.
Views will influence the health, energy levels and mood of the future occupants and though it is somewhat subjective, there are many almost universally appreciated and ideal views.
Now, can land that nobody occupies affect any group of people? This depends on how close to the area in question people are actually living. For example, mountains that are close can affect an entire community, in the same way that the ocean can affect those who are living near the coast, but too far away to even see the ocean directly. Obviously, the further away one is from any natural or man-made feature, the less they will be influenced by it.
In the advanced traditional Schools of Feng Shui, there are calculations which can reveal when it is ideal to have certain areas of land left wide open in relation to the part of the parcel that is developed. Master Sang recently discussed how China has left much of its Northwest region undeveloped and how this has supported China’s growth in world power.
Consciously keeping certain areas open and undeveloped can have a wide variety of affects: from increasing the prosperity of the occupants to aiding or hindering their health and relationships. Even where we park cars or store trash cans can have a predictable outcome.
As with interior environments, we generally do not want to build on land that is inherently too yin or too yang. Although modern living and construction has made it possible to live in places that previously would have been impossible. Case in point would be Las Vegas, or any city in the blazing desert. By bringing in the water, and air conditioning, we can survive and thrive in a natural landscape that might otherwise be completely inhospitable.
Author: Kartar Diamond
Company: Feng Shui Solutions ®
From the Landscape and Exteriors Blog Series
