Reflective BEAUTY
Water is the very foundation of life. From the irrigation channels found in early Egyptian gardens diverting water from the Nile to irrigate crops, to the well-stocked fish ponds of early Christian monasteries, its life-giving properties have long been treasured and revered. It was perhaps during the time of the Crusades that the therapeutic qualities of water were first embraced in the gardens of Europe. Decorative Islamic-inspired gardens – including the Moorish Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, in which a series of water channels flows through numerous interconnecting courtyards – were designed primarily for the purpose of reflection and heightening intellectual reasoning, firmly establishing the link between water and well-being.
HOLISTIC VALUES
Scientists today understand that minerals found in natural springs and the sea air can help reduce stress and lessen negative thoughts. The soothing sounds of lapping waves and rippling water have also been demonstrated to alter brainwaves, inducing a sense of calm and relaxation. Indeed, this was something that the Georgians and Victorians understood and embraced,
