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Gardens
for the Soul
Book
Review Trevor Edwards
19 June 2002
 The
front slipcover of this coffee table sized hardback
book has a breathtaking close up photograph
of a water encapsulated Tulip like flower by
John Glover.
The book deals with Designing Outdoor Spaces
Using Feng Shui, Ancient Symbols and Healing
Plants!
Pamela Woods' approach to garden design teaches
you how to create a garden that reflects your
spiritual beliefs and inner emotions. She invokes
the power and beauty of ancient symbols such
as Celtic wheels and spirals with Eastern practices
such as feng shui to create gardens that are
relaxing, meditative and, above all, beautiful.
The book contains discussions about what makes
a garden spiritual and how to analyse and channel
energies in the garden. It also looks at ancient
symbols and systems, such as the Tree of Life,
the Medicine Wheel, spirals and labyrinths,
and shows how to incorporate them into your
own outdoor space.
Having
read through most of the chapters I am afraid
that whilst I can decipher some of the reasoning
and theory, I find it all too minimalist, tiring
and troublesome to grasp completely. Many of
the theories have interesting historic medicinal,
religious and even cultural origins. However
for me like many gardeners we simply enjoy gardens
and gardening because we are privileged to the
observe the beauty of Trees, Shrubs, Seeds,
Corms and Bulbs, and their diverse and intriguing
forms scents, textures and colours. For me it
is enough for me to enjoy individual plants
and the marriage of groupings that create the
form and beauty we call landscapes.
This
all said, I welcome the instruction that this
book provides to anyone who wishes to develop
all or part of a garden or even a meaningful
focal point in a reflective or spiritual manner.
To
quote from the inside of the jacket cover –
"Simple graphic illustrations, helpful
plans and John GloverÂ’s evocative photography
combine with spiritual theories and practical
garden advice to help you create a space that
is full of peace and resonance – an extension
of your own soul and somewhere you will feel
completely at home".
How
to DOWSE – the final page of the book provides
instruction in the ancient method of detecting
earth energies such as water. I tried it –
regrettably it did not work for me, but I do
know some people for whom it does work! Fascinating
– Happy Dowsing!
Book
Gardens
for the Soul
Author Pamela Woods
Publisher Conran Octopus
Price £20.00
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