Astral Health » Feng Shui Fountain http://astralhealth.com Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:10:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 The Japanese Stone Basin http://astralhealth.com/the-japanese-stone-basin/ http://astralhealth.com/the-japanese-stone-basin/#comments Sun, 30 Apr 2006 04:55:44 +0000 http://astralhealth.com/the-japanese-stone-basin/ The Japanese word for the stone basin is chozubachi. Its raison d’etre is to offer the visitor to the garden a refreshing drink of water. The basin that catches the water is usually carved right into the stone and ideally the visitor would be drinking rain water. Traditonally a bamboo ladle may be supplied as a spoon to dish the water from the basin. Often because of pollution, this water is not drunk. The water is simply touched to the lips or forehead to symbolize purification.

  

Not all stone basins are used to refresh a thirsty visitor. Some ornamental basins are simply containers of water that are used to display water lilies or fish. Large stones carved in the shape of lucky animals such as a tortoise, crane, frog, fish or turtle can also serve as a statutory centerpiece for this kind of ceremonial garden pool.

Peace Be Still Sam

]]> http://astralhealth.com/the-japanese-stone-basin/feed/ 0 The Symbolism of Waterfall Steps http://astralhealth.com/the-symbolism-of-waterfall-steps/ http://astralhealth.com/the-symbolism-of-waterfall-steps/#comments Fri, 28 Apr 2006 04:15:40 +0000 http://astralhealth.com/the-symbolism-of-waterfall-steps/ The Sakuteiki, Japan’s ancient manual of garden design, has much to say about waterfalls, describing ten different forms of construction, stipulating the proper height and width of a cascade, and advising the reader on the appropriate types of stones.

If you want to be true to the Sakuteiki the two most fortunate numbers of stone steps for your waterfall cascade to have are three and five. Awaterfall that consists of three steps to the Buddhist Trinity, and states that Fudo, one of the Five Kings of Wisdom in esoteric Buddhism, is associated with tall cascades with five or more steps.

 
Multi tiered waterfalls are easily created by adjusting the height of the stones.  Unless you live in some kind of alternative universe where water flows upward, all you have to remember that water naturally flows away from the tallest boulders and that it settles naturally in the lower crevices and you will be fine.

Peace Be Still Sam

]]> http://astralhealth.com/the-symbolism-of-waterfall-steps/feed/ 0 The Symbolism of the Splash Stone http://astralhealth.com/the-symbolism-of-the-splash-stone/ http://astralhealth.com/the-symbolism-of-the-splash-stone/#comments Fri, 28 Apr 2006 04:11:50 +0000 http://astralhealth.com/the-symbolism-of-the-splash-stone/ True traditional Japanese waterfalls are constructed so that the water falls in a certain way. 

First of all the fallof water is usually framed by tall, vertical rocks and broken by a single  big flat stone at the bottom of the composition. This “splash stone,” which divides and spreads the water at the point that it enters the pond or stream, not only adds visual interest to the way the water cascades into a pond. 

Even more importantly but also serves a symbolic purpose, The splash stone is symbolic the carp that attempts to swim upstream. This is common Chinese and Japanese metaphor for the individual aspiring to a higher existence In the language of the metaphor, the carp aspires to become a dragon. This is why waterfalls that are braced by two vertical rocks and have a splash rock are referred to as ryumon-no-taki, or “Dragon Gate Waterfall.”

Peace Be Still   Sam

  

]]> http://astralhealth.com/the-symbolism-of-the-splash-stone/feed/ 0 Is a Japanese Pond Worth the Hassle? http://astralhealth.com/is-a-japanese-pond-worth-the-hassle/ http://astralhealth.com/is-a-japanese-pond-worth-the-hassle/#comments Thu, 27 Apr 2006 03:52:42 +0000 http://astralhealth.com/is-a-japanese-pond-worth-the-hassle/ Before you construct a pond, you might want to take into account that they can be a lot of work. They seem romantic, but they they can be very high maintenance. They can become fetid and smelly and attract a lot of mosquitoes.  They can also attract animals such as raccoons and rats.

Your pond becomes even more high maintenance once you dump koi fish in it.The koi fish in these ponds can also be easy prey for birds and animals and larger ponds may present a safety hazard to children in the neighborhood.

If all of this seems a little much for you than you might want to consider building a dry waterfall or riverbed instead. Dry waterfalls and riverbeds simply symbolize water and look like dry creek beds.You can easily construct one out of sand and stones. Simply think of the sand as substituting for the water.

 
The easiest of tubsbe constructed out of plastic tubs. These tubs are usually molded in irregular shapes. If the pond is over eight feet in length it is recommended that it be lined with black polyethylene sheets to slow the leakage of pond water into the ground. If you want to build a pond that is over fifteen feet in place then it is recommended that a professional construct it.

Peace Be Still …Sam

]]> http://astralhealth.com/is-a-japanese-pond-worth-the-hassle/feed/ 0 The Water Element in Japanese Gardens http://astralhealth.com/the-water-element-in-japanese-gardens/ http://astralhealth.com/the-water-element-in-japanese-gardens/#comments Tue, 18 Apr 2006 00:37:49 +0000 http://astralhealth.com/the-water-element-in-japanese-gardens/ A Japanese garden is not a truly delightful Japanese garden unless it incorporates an element of water. At least that’s my opinion but many people prefer the Japanese Zen and stone gardens.

Fountains are generally not characteristic of Japanese gardens, as they are too artificial. Fountain elements however are common in Chinese gardens. The one exception to this rule is with Koi ponds that need to be aerated by the use of a spray fountain in the middle of the pool. However rather than resorting to this, Japanese gardening purists would create a bubbling waterfall that tinkles into the pond to accomplish the same type of aeration. There just would be no drama.

 
Waterfalls and bubbling brooks also serve the very useful function of screening out the noises coming from neighbors or a nearby street.  The sound of water, which is called “preaching” in China creates a harmonious effect as well as an atmosphere that is more conducive to such activities as contemplation and meditation.  Usually the path of water through a property follows the path of the sun, from east to west, or from northwest to southwest which is an adaptation of a Chinese Feng Shui rule regarding the flow of prosperity in one’s life.

 
Peace Be Still, SAM

]]> http://astralhealth.com/the-water-element-in-japanese-gardens/feed/ 0 PROPER FOUNTAIN PLACEMENT http://astralhealth.com/proper-fountain-placement/ http://astralhealth.com/proper-fountain-placement/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2006 03:02:00 +0000 http://astralhealth.com/proper-fountain-placement/ One mistake that beginning practitioners of Feng Shui often make is to think that a fountain is an all-purpose cure. This is because of the flow of water’s reputation for bringing good chi for an area however this is not true of every sector in your house.    Good places to put a fountain are:    At the front door, especially if it I faces the Southeast, North or East. However if you are single don’t place the fountain to your right as you look out the front door as that placement can hamper the finding of a mate (you will be rich but lonely!) 

  In the north sector of your office or living room to draw wealth    Places to avoid putting a fountain are: 

  The bedroom …in fact it is bad chi to have your bed in a second floor spot that is directly above the first floor spot of a fountain. It inhibits prosperity and causes nightmares.    In any enclosed space such as a big closet, a nook with dropping eaves or underneath a stairway as this can cause illness and misfortune. 

  To the right of a fireplace or a stove. The water element will consume the fire element causing poverty.    Peace be still, Sam 

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