Yin and Yang your garden

Yin and Yang are opposites, but not in a bad way. Yin and Yang teaches us that without one, the other cannot exist. When you have both, you can create a harmonious atmosphere. This includes your back yard.

Yin = the feminine energy. Yin is soft and quiet, cold, dark and round. Yin is the night, the dark shadows.

Yang = the masculine energy. Yang is hard and loud, hot, bright and sharp. Yang is the day.

Sun and Shade = balance

Yin and Yang are compliments. You can balance these in the back yard by using certain colors, shapes, lighting and texture. For example:

• Make sure you have some sunny areas and some shady areas in your yard. A yard with no shade gets blasted with bright, hot sunshine and is too Yang and uncomfortable. A yard with too much shade is too Yin and can create a depressing outdoor space.

Feng Shui is about being in tune with your surroundings and that means nature too. Seasons possess Yin and Yang qualities as well. Summer is bright and hot and we crave a bit of Yin (such as a quiet, shady spot to relax or read a book). In winter, plants are dormant in Colorado and it feels quiet and it stays darker longer. This time of year, we crave the bright sunlight for some Yang energy!

Use Yin and Yang in your yard to create a harmonious environment for you and your family!