A LITTLE PARADISE

The word 'paradise' originally referred to an enclosure or park, and gradually came to mean a walled garden; its later identification with heaven gave it the added connotation of a beautiful, secluded, scared place, a sanctuary.

Gardens holds a very special to many of us. From the grandest of public estates to a tiny rooftop represents a heaven, somewhere you can go to touch the natural world for a while.

What does the term 'garden' mean to you ? A square of grass where you can sunbathe ? A plot where you can grow vegetables ? Somewhere for the children to play in safety ? A formal garden with carefully pruned and maintained shrubs and flowerbeds. or a natural wildlife garden full of native flowers, insects and small animals ?

"A garden fills all the senses, soothes the mind and the body and allows us time and space to commune with our inner selves."

Create A Garden As Sanctuary :

A garden is never truly finished. It grows and changes over the years-- just as you do -- displaying different aspects of its beauty in different seasons. Take time to enjoy its many aspects, in whatever from they take for you.

• Plan your ideal garden: include everything you can think of, from favorite plants ad features to paths and seating areas. Include some rocks and stones in a variety of colors.
                              - These are crystals just as much as those inside the home.
                              - But be sure you buy them from a reputable source and don't lift them from the natural landscape.How much is possible in your own garden.given your space and financial constraints? How much of it could you do yourself, and how much would need to be done by a professional gardener ? Consider whether you are prepared to put in the necessary work to maintain it.
• If you don't have an outdoor garden, or would like another one, plan to create one indoors, there is huge rage of expensive and harder to care for (such or orchids) to and easy -care varieties/ There are even a few plants such as aspidistras. that thrive on neglect. Find out which plants will do best in which rooms : cacti, succulents and most flowering pot-plants will do well on sunny windowsills,while ferns will prefer shady areas. Include one large tall plant if at all possible it brings the forest in to our home. place moss agates on the soil around the plants because this crystal fosters strong growth.

If you can not manage even a pot plant in your home at least obtain or make miniature Zen garden : the sand and stones represent water and mountains and act to focus the mind on the larger world outside. use yellow or white sand and citrine and tiger's eye crystals instead of rocks and keep your garden in the space you've designated as your sanctuary. The act of slowly and carefully raking the sand into flowing patterns calms the mind and spirit. while contemplating simple serenity of the miniature landscape is soothing and re-energizing - a powerful way of re-balancing chi.