| Feng Shui theories are complex yet the principles | | | | 'comfort zone' too. The branches and leaves |
| behind them are quite simple. The full face of feng | | | | should not overhang the eaves. Roots of most |
| shui requires years of learning but there are some | | | | trees grow as far as the spread of the branches |
| basic rules which all can use. As often said if we | | | | so it is a safe bet that if the branches do not |
| can make things work in our favor without harm | | | | overhang, then the roots would not have grown |
| to others, why not? Even if it appears to be | | | | in under the floor. Roots can cause damage and |
| something mysterious which we cannot fully | | | | harbor ants which is not what we want. |
| comprehend. | | | | 2 The leaves of the tree or trees should be |
| I love nature. I love trees. In feng shui, trees | | | | constantly swept away and dispose of. |
| often are mentioned. Briefly, trees are a | | | | Superficially, dead leaves are symbolic of decay. |
| manifestation of nature and like other living things | | | | From the aspect of energy, they represent the |
| can be said to contain the qualities of yin yang | | | | quality of old mother. Before you misunderstand, |
| and the five elements (of metal, wood, water, | | | | this is just a label. The essence of feng shui is |
| fire and earth). In other words, they contain Qi or | | | | very much about energy and in application, the old |
| life force. | | | | mother is neither good or bad. It is just an aspect |
| So, are trees bad luck? | | | | in the interplay of forces. |
| Have you heard from some feng shui pundits that | | | | Experienced practitioners with a keen eye can |
| trees growing in front of a house carry with it yin | | | | see this interplay but for us, it is better to keep |
| energy and thus, is not good for you? | | | | those leaves swept. |
| If you do, you are not the first. You see them | | | | 3 The tree should not be in the direct line of sight |
| talking about it on videos and read about them in | | | | looking out from the front door. This one has |
| books, magazines and ezines. How far can they | | | | some supernatural explanation to it but will not be |
| be believed? | | | | dealt here. The feng shui label for this is 'sha' |
| I hope those who talk about them know what | | | | which loosely means something that can cause |
| they are talking about. Some may have just | | | | harm. |
| borrowed them from somewhere. Others may | | | | If you have a tree right smack at your front |
| have learnt it somewhere. The point is have they | | | | door, remove it. If the local council does not |
| put some of their own thoughts into them and | | | | permit you to do so, consider relocating the front |
| figured it out for themselves. Have they put what | | | | door. |
| they hear or learn under the microscope? Some | | | | On a related point, what about trees outside your |
| just ad-lipped it from somewhere. | | | | window? The same rule applies. If it is a bedroom |
| To say whether a tree growing in front of your | | | | window, I have reason to say that a huge solitary |
| house is good or bad depends on so many | | | | tree in a direct line of sight is even more potent. |
| factors like how big, how old, how near, in which | | | | 4 The roots of the tree should not be exposed in |
| direction, how it is orientated, what kind of tree, | | | | that they appear to be creeping and crawling |
| who are living there, where is the road coming | | | | above the surface. |
| from, when was the house built and some more. | | | | 5 Hanging creepers and roots are to be avoided. |
| Often, "experts" make it look so neat and easy | | | | As was said earlier on, much depends on the |
| by outright declaring trees lining your front porch | | | | nature of the tree but for the benefit of reaping |
| as bad luck. | | | | more yang energy, it is better not to have a tree |
| But then there are a few rules we can use. As | | | | with creepers and hanging roots. Humans thrive |
| always, I prefer to look at and apply those | | | | on yang for the added boost in perseverance and |
| 'no-no's as this is very practical and does not need | | | | expression. Having said this, on balance, yang is |
| too much study. Often, it is what we do not do | | | | missing in most of our contemporary |
| rather than do that helps. This is particularly true | | | | environment. |
| when so many experts are recommending some | | | | These are just some quick pointers. I only hope |
| form of feng shui remedy or other. | | | | that this does not start an anti-tree crusade. I |
| 1 Trees too old should not encroach into the | | | | love trees and my house is surrounded by trees. |
| space of the house. Like humans, houses have a | | | | |