Energy in the Landscape and Its Manifestations

I perceive energy more as a layperson than as a physicist, electrical engineer, or other specialist in energy flows; as its user and also as its possible distributor and transformer. I walk through landscapes, parks, human settlements, and homes not only as a lover of nature, gardens, and diverse spaces, but also as a part of all of it, which continually envelops and rebirths me.

Current theories of ecological interdependence (David Abram), ecozoism (T. Berry), and other movements in ecopsychology finally recognize reality as a set of processes of continuous change, of which we are a part. Our life takes place in a field of consciousness that permeates everything, so there is no "us and them", "here and there", but "here we are everything". According to not just my opinion, in that "everything" one can find entities of different qualities and strengths that interact and create something together.

What matters is not what our field is, but our openness to the unknown, awareness (of our surroundings, of our inner environment), and our ability to act (changes, developments).

Energy of the Whole

Surely each of us is aware of the difference between the environment in an apartment and in the landscape, or in individual rooms or different landscape components. This is caused by different groupings of elements, dispositions, activities, and the inhabitants of these spaces, and if we go down to the quantum level, these are essentially different clusters of different vibrations that create the resulting impression of a space, thus of spaces of various energy qualities.

For illustration, let us describe two distinct spaces in a building, for instance, a studio and a bedroom, which I know well and enjoy spending time in. If we were to enter the studio with our eyes closed, we would hear the sound of computer fans, the rustling of paper, scratching pencils, clicking mice or rapid typing on keyboards, and more sensitive ears would hear the buzzing from CRT screens, smell a bit of ozone from the copier, and be drawn into the mood of colorful and diverse imagery of the walls and shelves with binders. Likewise, the movement of the inhabitants would not be relaxing in any way, but rather fully active, quick, full of thoughts, images, or words, the mood (though it may sound tired) is sharp, full of hope, like a stream flowing from the mountains to the lowlands, jumping over boulders, logs, edges, creating meanders, channels, and shallows. On the other hand, in the bedroom we mostly perceive calm, silence, soft surfaces, muted colors, larger shapes, the scent of bedding, the breath of resting people with calm, dreaming or non-thinking minds; we feel relaxation, a certain completeness, but perhaps also a breath of freshness (of a new day), just like a meadow in the evening, at night, and at sunrise.

Of course, everything can also be influenced in the opposite direction, e.g., by placing a certain disruptive or distinctly different element (color, fragrance, surfaces, furniture arrangement, shapes, living and non-living materials) or activities (the bedroom will include a space for sewing, the studio won’t have printing going on, music will play, the air conditioning will hum, a small child's cries will sound), just as you can change the quality of a space with lighting or the direction and intensity of air flow. The impression and quality of both described spaces can then be completely different, and of course, the location of the house relative to the external environment and the history of activities and their qualities by its inhabitants also play a role. Here we dive into the second topic - the broader connections of local realities.

Energy of Entities

If we look into a "room" in a botanical garden and in a square, we can find similar elements that create the overall impression and subsequent quality of the space (of some kind and purpose). However, in this case, we encounter many external influences and connections that take place in a broader field. These spaces are embedded between the "Universe and the Earth" in certain systems (e.g., societal or ecological) in a time horizon that far exceeds the horizon of one human generation, one architectural firm. The source of energies in these "little rooms" is the same as in human rooms, but here we perceive much more of the natural ones.

When we talk about possible work with energies in the landscape, about energy places or places related to them, we speak of so-called alternative energies, in which none of the physical, measurable forces (gravitational, electromagnetic, nuclear...) are the essence of the energies acting at energy sites. In short, I translate a brief description of various types of these alternative energies.

Natural:
- energy of terrestrial origin - point (radiating energy from the center of the Earth to the surface, e.g., through cracks, springs, veins), zone (e.g., geopathic), network (e.g., trigonal)
- energy of cosmic origin, which has more components - basic cosmic (the character of star energy, prana, chi), higher cosmic (originating from interstellar space of the galaxy, utilized by spiritual beings and the highest initiates), highest cosmic (originating from the creation place of the cosmos - spiritual space that is the abode of spiritual beings) and the so-called zero energy - relic residual energy generated during the birth of the universe, the so-called Big Bang)

Derived:
- energy of places (of points, groups, wholes), e.g., the energy of a spring, water flow, sea
- energy of shape (has a specific connection with geometry, shapes of sacred geometry, such as the Golden Ratio, are particularly positive for us, patterns from nature are often used in architecture)

Artificial, secondary:
- created by machines and humans (cars, airplanes...) or other beings (crop circles), mechanically or mentally, using other existing energies, e.g., secondary, gravitational radiation, and energies of spaces
- created by activities (events, happenings in space) - movement, music, emotions...some of these energies can also be dated backwards (e.g., events of strong emotions - murder, natural disasters), they can also be so-called residual energies from past activities (e.g., rituals); methods described further can also date them, but they may also fade from the space over time
- created by beings (humans, including deceased ones, elemental, spiritual, and other beings), e.g., bioenergy, mental energy

Energetic Systems

Energetic entities can create systems that have further quality and purpose. Known are:

• points and flows - standalone energy places that may have different functions, e.g., a place connecting with Mother Earth, with Universal energy, descent of High spiritual beings, for communication with extraterrestrial civilizations (often in patterns in fields), places with access to specific information, places for personal transformation, for healing, etc.
• sources and other systems - intersection sources, chakras, yin/yang systems, exhalations/inhalations (qualitative and energy centers), lines (ley-lines - transport of energy from source places to receiving places), drains (places for transforming bad and polluted energy), vortices (places for direct connection with spiritual essence)
• patterns - line, triangle, rectangle, trapezoid, T-shape, dragon… individual points and lines can form a geometric and energetic system, which additionally has another energy as a shape; at the local level, circles, eights, squares, stars, spirals, and labyrinths may also have an effect.
• beings and activities of beings - there are many beings, present almost everywhere, and many pages would be needed to describe them. However, each has its function and task, and we are often part of it, e.g., for Earth (elemental beings), for people (elemental beings, being of Earth, angels, high spiritual beings, extraterrestrial), for spiritual development of the cosmos (especially extraterrestrial and high spiritual beings), for extraterrestrial civilizations (extraterrestrial beings), for specific places and nations (astral beings of deceased people and other entities), etc.

Examples concerning Czech conditions are mentioned in the last chapter.

Energy in Parks and Gardens

How to utilize these experiences in garden architecture practice? There are many possibilities and also evidence that the work with energetic places was not unknown to our predecessor colleagues.

If we start with a garden, which is usually tied to a house, we can initially focus on the conditions of the place, which, if not respected, can cause difficulties to its new users.
It is already common to conduct research on the geopathic network (which is the Global Grid Network of Hartmann and Curry), which is important especially for interiors and the orientation of buildings. However, the space for the garden and its possible connections is derived from the building. Although geopathic zones are essentially not harmful to us (is it harmful to know the negative compared to the positive?), they can harm human health in certain connections, so the house or walls of rooms are oriented towards these zones and their intersections, and the space in rooms or places most frequently used or for relaxation is outside these zones.

In this context, it is possible to address the house with the garden according to Feng Shui principles, that is, simply put, the proper placement of functional sectors according to orientation to the sun and according to shapes, to create harmonious flow of chi (ki, prana, or life energy that is in us and around us). Various materials are also used here, which act differently on the space and its inhabitants. The same principles are used in the garden, possibly in a park or landscape. Harmonious occurrence of yin and yang elements and all four elements is fundamental, however, working with other layers of the "invisible", which are part of the history of the place, is more complex. On the land we can find all the aforementioned energy forms, in the case of the garden, landscape systems are excluded, but not their elements. It is not possible to provide a general guide on what to do with what, but it is essentially good to concentrate and find negative elements (like places we avoid) and positive elements (like sources of energy, healing, inspiration). It is good to humbly ask the place itself to accept your energy, your contribution; this way you can avoid long-term problems, whether during construction, your own health condition, or throughout your life in that space. It happens that unintentionally you stop something that has the will to be active (e.g., an energy point) with something of an opposite character (a gazebo for sitting, a septic tank, a bedroom), and then unwanted things will happen to you (you won’t rest in this place, the septic tank will leak, etc.). However, you could work with this energy point for your own benefit, for example, by placing a stone here that acts as an "energy power plant" or healing point for the owner (inhabitant, user) of the garden. You can also place something that permanently brings positive perceptions, experiences, e.g., a flower bed that always blooms, an interesting tree, a stone object. However, it depends on the type of energy and thus on its possible use.

Negative elements can be places with a different vibration that feel cold or unpleasant, can be a source of tingling, various pains, frequent accidents. Those that originate from unfortunate events can be eliminated through spiritual work, certain reconciliation, agreement, working through it, personal change... the others are resolved individually. If this is not possible, it is better to avoid the place.

In the case of parks, you can meet much higher systems far exceeding its framework. We witness the utilization of energy lines and points in many castle parks and landscape designs. Some constructions were built on energy sites that, in the context of the broader environment, are sources that were previously used for various rituals or revered as shrines, etc. Essentially, most gardens that resonate with us have their strong place or energy. Let us not forget that they are also created by the energy of thoughts, emotions, the attention of people, events that are sometimes as strong as earthly and cosmic systems.

Energy in Landscapes and Settlements

A walk through the landscape is often for me the same adventure as watching a sci-fi movie. It is incredible what we can experience even a few steps from our home, if we are attentive and open. Even more interesting is to visit landscapes that have much wild, natural, original, historical, and living elements. In the Czech landscape, all the mentioned types of energies appear, and it is quite possible that many others are still unknown to us, or are just emerging (especially in recent years). Many people (including foreigners) affirm that our basin is significant not only for us Czechs but also for the wider world. It gains importance as never before, radically changing the lives of people living in and visiting it. Besides conscious sympathy for sustainable living, this should be the reason to protect our landscape against all possible pressures (whether commercial or political) damaging its quality.

Energy in the landscape is all the more complex the more diverse it is, both in space and time. Its age, geomorphological, biological and geological conditions, or the history and activities of people living within it influence it. Natural and artificially created dispositions and activities connect here. The energies of places, for example, encounter the energies of mountains, forests, or churches built upon them, mutually connect, and are strengthened by human attention (architecture and activities held within it - masses, rituals, care for the place and possible connection with spiritual essence) or, on the contrary, weakened by human arrogance (in the past, e.g., the destruction of sacred groves - then termed "God's temples", misuse of spiritual centers - e.g., monasteries, sacred chapels, springs, current political interests - e.g., during wars, communism, and currently, inappropriate interventions - e.g., regulation of watercourses, construction of large water reservoirs, mining of entire mountains, alteration of the species composition of forests, plowing of hedges).

We have realized that the human body is not only a physical aspect, but also has its mental and spiritual essence, affected not only by physical attacks but also by non-physical processes, e.g., colors, shapes, sounds, or other external and internal energies. A human being has its etheric bodies, energy centers (chakras), energy pathways (meridians), and points that influence the flow of energy in the body.
For healing a person, we use traditional methods of medicine, which unfortunately focus primarily on the physical and psychological (mental) parts of the body, but we also know other alternatives rooted in Eastern philosophy, which focus on the whole human being and the spiritual essence of the problem, thus harmonizing, for example, the flows of energies, releasing blocks, activating weakened areas, attracting necessary energies using acupuncture, acupressure, kinesiology, shiatsu, reiki, etc., of course also adjusting overall lifestyle, which includes spiritual work. See SOURCES and IMAGES.

Since our body develops on Earth, it must in our interest adopt its system of energy flows. A similar healing mechanism may apply to the Earth. Thus, besides the "repair" of its physical body as we know it from ecologically oriented buildings, revitalizations, and reclamations, alternative methods are also applicable.

A certain healing method for the Earth (and its surface landscape as well as its inhabitants) is lithopuncture. It is a modern way of working with energies, as our ancestors and especially druids knew it (dru translates from Celtic as wise, derwydd (Welsh) - knowers of trees), that is, scholars of natural phenomena in general, with extraordinary abilities that enabled bridging the interaction between people and the invisible reality. For the contemporary world, it was introduced by the Slovenian sculptor and geomancer Marko Pogačnik, and he has already had many successful projects worldwide, including the Czech Republic (geomancy is the science of subtle forces of the Earth and of how to understand them and work appropriately with them). Cities are also landscapes, where many natural dispositions have changed and where, compared to open landscapes, there are not as many chances for their restoration. And it is in this way that, for example, Prague is treated and harmonized among us.

OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH ENERGIES

Perception of Energies

The basic way to perceive energies is through our own body, senses, subconscious, and subsequently also consciousness. Every human being is a complex and almost perfect entity and has immensely many mechanisms to perceive reality and to become aware of it; unfortunately, they do not fully utilize them, and thus feel that, for example, what they see is all that is reality. We know ourselves that we often perceive even things that are hard to describe and are capable of things that are hard to justify, and it is precisely here that lies the evidence of our reserves. Practically, we can start training the senses that we use the least or less often, such as peripheral vision, touch, smell, third eye, listening to intuition, estimations, feelings, and further develop more abstract skills, such as imagination, expression through movement, gestures, breath, mimicry, sound, thought, feeling...
Playing with energies and telepathic transmission of information (especially between close individuals) are also training and open up further centers of perception. Of course, physical condition, diet, way of thinking, and care for one’s environment cultivate us and enhance sensitivity to everything around us.
Esoteric (psychotronic) aids may not need to be overly explained; however, they are often a good alternative, complement, or clarification to one’s own feelings. Thus, as mediums that respond to changes in the environment more sensitively than our receptors, we use dowsing rods, springs, L wires, pendulums. Especially for qualitative information, then dice, runes, various thematic cards, and symbols that "randomly" drawn provide information on what we are inquiring about.

Of course, we can misinterpret everything; something may be influenced by natural conditions in the terrain (e.g., wind, cold) or one’s own wishes, ego, thus the best scenario is a combination with learning under the guidance of a more experienced individual directly in the field, which will provide you with advice, control, and immediate feedback. So, if we have the task of finding an energy place and think we have it, we can verify with a teacher not only whether we found it correctly, but also whether we are able to determine its character. In this way, we learn how our body, mind, or feelings react to that quality, creating our own "coding dictionary" for the language of energies in the landscape.

Creating and Working with Energies

Energies can be worked with in various ways, and since there are many possibilities and also misleading interpretations of written texts, I will present the possibilities more conceptually.

Energies can be worked with purposefully and consciously; however, since we are a part of the whole, not everyone has access to everything. I will illustrate with an example of healing, which seemingly is unrelated to energy in the landscape, but in reality relates to the principle of "do not do what does not belong to you". It happens that a healer tries to help someone without asking if they can. Here, at least two life paths intersect—the sick person’s and the healer’s (student and teacher)—and also their tasks, which they must accomplish on their journey. It occurs that the sick person must find their specific healing path during the time of events, and if it makes sense for them to undergo some time of torment to "see through and understand," they cannot be helped at that time. Any attempt at external help can thus harm the one wishing to help. Therefore, the ability to work with energies does not imply their allowance to be used anytime and anywhere. I also touch on the clearing of "negative" zones, on creating energy points without understanding the reasons and causes, as well as on the manipulation with energies known from past and present times. That is why selected individuals who proved certain qualities were initiated into this work, such as the fact that they did not act for their own profit.

Even today, it is possible in our country to undergo similar schools of geomancy, and from my perspective, it is better to experience multiple types and then form a picture of your capabilities. After a while, tasks and possibilities will emerge that you can or must address, and also the right helpers will appear around you.

Examples of Places and Projects

In several examples that I know personally, I will briefly summarize the energetic elements and systems you may encounter in our gardens and parks; however, the most interesting is the actual visit and experience that you associate with a specific energy:

• The Castle Garden in Prague's Troja - energy line, labyrinth, energy points,
• The Botanical Garden and Zoo of the Capital City of Prague in Troja - lithopuncture steles, energy points, cosmograms, healing stones, stone circle, energy vertical, crown chakra of Prague, presence of high spiritual beings and much more,
• The area of Vyšehrad (energy points, both positive and negative), places connecting with the information field of the spiritual world, presence of spiritual beings, center of the air element, and much more important for Prague and the Czech nation,
• Stromovka - energy points, vertical, extraterrestrial energies, residual energies of rituals, presence of high spiritual beings, elemental beings, and much more,
• Star Summer Palace - remote energy line, vertical, the geometry of buildings and the composition of the surroundings also play a role here,
• Valdštejn Garden - besides the symbolism of the grotto, there are residual energies of rituals, energy line,
• The Valdštejn area between Jičín and Valdice - energy points and verticals, presence of high spiritual beings,
• Červený Dvůr near Český Krumlov - male and female sanctuary (disturbed),
• The Lednice-Valtice Area - energy lines, points, elemental beings - especially the old trees and meadows are very inspiring, as well as water beings).

Of course, in every park and garden, there are elemental (elemental) beings of plants, stones, water elements, transformations (e.g., compost), and usually also astral beings of deceased people, bound to their place or task. There would certainly be more examples, not only in the Czech lands but also abroad, where there is a tradition of creating gardens within terrestrial and cosmic systems (Italy, France, England, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece, India, Japan, China...).

You will gain the most information about the landscapes in the books and maps of Mr. Kozák. Among the landscape systems in our country, I will mention, for example,

• ley lines, for example, between Bolfánek near Chudenice, Svatobor, Dry Hill, and Knížecí Stolec
• the energy triangle of Mount Říp (Vladar, Sv. Hora, plus Klobuky, Kounov), or Holy Mountains near Příbram (with Old Bol-eslav, St. Jacob in Kutná Hora, and Damila mountain)
• the energy dragon: Sedlčanský (with Třemšín, Lom, Blaník, and Kněží mountain) or Amalínský (with Libušín, Damila, Prague Castle, Žiži, and Zbečno).
• The Czech basin also has its six protective hills with the central Říp, among which Blaník also belongs.
• many old healing stones and stone circles can be found in Sedlčansko.
• near Klentnice in Pálava is a new stone circle, which has significance not only for its healing abilities and spiritual ascent for people but also for the local landscape.

Note on terminology:
In basic concepts and typology, I draw from the school of Pavel Kozák - about energy in the landscape. Furthermore, I also refer to the field of Eastern philosophy, especially from so-called alternative medicine (India and China), and from modern trends of Western druidism and geomancy, as well as commonly used terms in ecology and architecture.

SOURCES

in practice
[1] Pavel Kozák: Energy of the Landscape (books, courses, seminars, working and study excursions in the Czech Republic, England, Scotland), http://www.archet.org/
[2] Anna and Marko Pogačnik: Geomancy, lithopuncture (books, courses, seminars) http://www.ana-pogacnik.com, http://www.markopogacnik.com/
[3] Jan Tajboš: Geomancy, lithopuncture (working and study excursions in the Czech Republic and Moravia) http://www.jantajbos.cz
[4] Jan Tajboš: Prague Lithopuncture Project, The Whole Project http://www.jantajbos.cz
[5] Anna Ulmová: Reiki (courses, working and study excursions in the Czech Republic)
[6] Frank van de Ven, Miloš Šejn: Body Weather, Bohemiae Rosa (workshops in the Czech Republic and Ireland) http://www.bohemiaerosa.org/, http://bodyweatheramsterdam.blogspot.com/
[7] lectures mainly by Václav Cílek, Jiří Zemánek, Oldřich Hozmann
[8] many other experiences through work with Reiki, minerals, plants, music, dance, yoga, movement, and stay in nature in the Czech Republic and Moravia, Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, France, Denmark, Lithuania, Germany, Poland

in literature
[9] P. Gardiner, G. Osborn: The Serpent's Grail, Eminent 2007
[10] V. Cílek: Landscapes Inner and Outer, Dokořán, 2002
[11] V. Cílek: Makom, Dokořán, 2004
[12] E. R. Orr: The Living Tradition of Druids, Eminent, 2006
[13] V. Westbury: Labyrinths, Da Capo Press, 2001
[14] F. Hageneder: Trees - The Big Book of Trees, Soul of the Tree, Fontána 2003
[15] J. Dolejší: Hidden Symbols of Prague Gardens, MH Beroun, 2003
[16] M. Livio: The Golden Ratio, Argo/Dokořán, 2002

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Ing. Petra Žerebáková (* 1976 in Klatovy)

1994-2000 Master's degree at MZLU in Brno, Faculty of Horticulture in Lednice, Moravia.
since 2004 Doctoral studies at ČVUT in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Architecture, field Environmental and Industrial Heritage. Dissertation thesis "Creation of Habitable Streets as Local Centers of the City (Focusing on Urban Greenery)".
Member of research team EBA3 focused on sustainable building and planning. Participation in the research project "Sustainable Construction" VZ 04 CEZ MSM 6840770005, which is a place of professional discussion among several departments of the Faculty of Civil Engineering.

Since 1999, private designer in the field of garden and landscape architecture.
http://www.volny.cz/atelier-ujezd/

Since April 2008, I work for the Partnerství Foundation (www.nadacepartnerstvi.cz) and Partnerství o.p.s. (www.partnerstvi-ops.cz) program Spaces (5P for Prague, Place under Trees, and its international EPSD network).

Since 2000, active in the civic association EKODŮM