Water features in the garden bring good health, peace of mind and good luck. It may be a small fountain, man-made waterfalls with a running brook or a small pond.

We all know that water has oxygen that purifies and cleanses the air we breathe. It also cools down the surroundings. Water has negative ions that balance with the positive, this making the air breathable.

The sound of running or gurgling water against rocks and pebbles soothes tired minds and the sight or ripples or cascades relaxes the eyes. Altogether, it soothes the nerves.

Not too many people know that a water feature in the garden (or even indoors) can bring good luck. According to Marites Allen of the World Of Feng Shui Boutique, yang water can bring prosperity. It is water that has life. For it to be able to invite good health and luck to the home, water should be running, not still or stagnant. Living water must have fishes and/or plants that suggest growth and luck, Marites added.

In her study and training of feng shui under Lillian Too, a would-renowned feng shui master and writer who helped in making many people prosperous and successful, Marites learned that water should flow inwards, not outwards. Fountains and waterfalls filled with clean, well-filtered water bring money making opportunities and business luck.

A six-tiered waterfall is one of the most powerful among wealth enhancers in the garden and home, especially when correctly placed. The six-layered waterfall should be placed in the southwest indoors direction to invite positive energies. The southwest, according to Marites, is described as the place of indirect spirits or elements and water in this sector of the room or garden will harness a lot of wealth/luck. Try to make sure, though, that the waterfalls’ size (width and height) is in balance or proportionate to the garden or room and does not overwhelm it.

You can choose the water feature you will use for your garden or home from a wide range of decorative tiems found in the World Of Feng Shui Boutique at the ground floor of the Podium at No. 18 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Here are more tips on installing a water feature:

• Locate the water feature in the front half of the garden where it could be seen from the main door. If placed behind the house, it goes contrary to feng shui principles.
  
  
• Place the water feature on the left side of the door (from inside looking out). If it is on the right side, the man of the house has the tendency to be unfaithful to his wife.
  
  
• The north, southeast and east are the best sectors for water facilities to be in, but if those directions are behind the house, it is better not to have the water feature at all.
  
  
• Round or carved water shapes - if it is angular, the pointed corners might hit the door or any part of the house and may become "killing" points.
  
  
• If you have a fishpond, make a shape that "embraces" the house, not cut into it.
  
  
• Keep the water always clean and moving to invite good luck. Stagnant water makes life stagnant as well.
  
  
• Craps, koi, goldfish and arowana are fishes of good luck. If your fish dies, replace it immediately. This means the fish absorbed you bad luck.
  
  
• Like your indoor water features, be sure that the ones outside are proportionate to the size of your garden.

The following article is taken from the "MIRROR (Mar 2005)"