What Happened When I Planted a Row of Bushes to Block the Neighbor's Shed — And My Husband Stopped Snoring
After years of fighting over the view of a rusty shed, we planted a row of tall bushes. A year later, I connected the dots: the shed was due south, and the timing matched a 'clash' year. Call it coincidence, but our sleep improved.
Location
Portland, OR, United States
Property Type
House
Room
Bedroom
Direction
South
The Problem
My husband and I bought a fixer-upper two years ago. The backyard faced south, and right in our sightline from the bedroom window was the neighbor's rusted shed. It wasn't just ugly—it felt oppressive. We argued about it constantly. He wanted to build a fence; I wanted to move. We were both exhausted, and our sleep was terrible.
What They Tried
We compromised: instead of a fence, we planted a row of fast-growing arborvitae along the property line, directly between our bedroom window and the shed. It took about a month to fill in. We also added a small stone birdbath in the corner of the yard, just because it seemed nice.
What Happened
The view improved, and so did our mood. Within a few weeks, we stopped bickering about the yard. My husband's snoring—which I'd blamed on the stress—quieted down. We started sleeping through the night. I can't prove the bushes did it, but the timing was weird: it was a 'clash' year for our zodiac signs, and we'd expected something bad. Instead, we got peace.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 离 ☲ · Li |
|---|---|
| Direction | South |
| Element | fire |
What works best here
Li (9) · Fire. South should feel more open and lower than North for visual balance.
Place: low-profile furniture, mirrors, glass surfaces, warm lighting.
Recommended crystal
Clear Quartz or Sunstone — placed where it catches natural light, like a windowsill or console table
Mirrors work exceptionally well here — they reflect light and make the room feel larger
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Chinese
劫害出于何方，则取三合四冲之年应。遇吉则发，逄凶则灾。注解：穴场有凶山凶水为劫害，三合有：寅午戊合火，巳酉丑合金，亥卯未合木，申子辰合水。四冲有子午卯酉冲，寅申巳亥冲，辰戌丑未。此地支三合四冲。天干三合：乾甲丁，坤乙壬，巽庚癸，艮丙辛。天干四冲：甲庚丙壬，乙辛丁癸，乾坤艮巽。如午上有凶山凶则主寅午戌及子午冲合生人及上之年份主祸，其方有吉山吉水也如上应之以福。
English Translation
This classical text explains that if a harmful mountain or water feature is in a certain direction, misfortune (or fortune) arrives in years that 'combine' or 'clash' with that direction. For example, a problem due south might trigger in a tiger, horse, or dog year—or when a rat and horse clash. Good features bring good results in the same way.
2. About the Source
雪心赋 论后龙 by Bu Yingtian · China · Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
The Snow Heart Rhapsody is a poetic yet rigorously analytical classical text on landscape assessment. Written in rhymed prose, it covers mountain forms, water patterns, terrain energy, and site selection with remarkable literary elegance. Its observations about how land contours create sheltered, comfortable settings for human habitation remain relevant to modern site planning and environmental psychology.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
This case shows a practical application of 'timing' in spatial analysis. The shed due south was a visual stressor, and the couple's decision to block it created a sense of enclosure and calm. The text suggests that negative features 'activate' in certain years, which the homeowner noticed retroactively. Modern psychology explains this as confirmation bias—but also as the real benefit of improving a view, which reduces chronic stress and improves sleep quality. The birdbath added a focal point, further shifting attention away from the negative.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
Sourced from altitudes above 4,000 meters in the Himalayan range — the highest place on Earth and the closest to the sun. These crystals formed over millions of years in some of the planet's most pristine conditions, untouched by industrial pollution. Each piece carries the raw, unfiltered energy of the mountains. Whether placed on a nightstand, a desk, or a meditation corner, they serve as a quiet anchor — a daily reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Case source
Amanda Gibby Peters
Founder of Simple Shui. De-mystifies Feng Shui for the modern American lifestyle with warmth and humor.