The Three Sources of Power in Feng Shui

In our homes there are three sources of good energy – fresh air, warmth and light. How we deal with these powerful sources and thereby stimulate the flow of chi/qi energy in our environment is totally up to us. This discussion will assist you to harness these three sources and use them to your benefit.

Fresh Air ~ Without air, we simply would not exist. Air provides us with oxygen, which allows us to breathe. If there is too little oxygen in a room, the air feels sticky, musty, and stale. It is our natural instinct to open the doors and windows to obtain “fresh” air.

In every home there are two areas where smells can infiltrate the entire home – the kitchen and the bathroom. Smokers put an abrupt halt to fresh air and some hobby rooms, where people solder, paint, varnish, and glue, are enveloped in acrid air.

There are numerous causes for the air losing its freshness, and airing on a regular basis is the simplest solution. However, certain rooms need extra help.

Some bathrooms contain an entire family’s dirty laundry. A simple remedy for this is to place a few drops of pure essential oil onto a fragrance stone and place it on top of the clothes bin or on a shelf near the clothes bin.

Always use the ventilation fan when cooking in the kitchen. This draws the smells out of the area and helps to circulate the air. It’s a good idea to use a fragrance stone, aroma therapy diffuser, or potpourri in the kitchen for “scent cleansing”. Never leave greasy, smelly pots and pans in the kitchen sink overnight. It is not a good way to begin your morning, as it is symbolic of an incomplete task. If you don’t tend to it before you go to the office, it will remain in the back of your mind throughout the day and cause you to be distracted.

Additionally, take out the trash after the evening meal. Much of what we throw away has “smelly” qualities and can create a not-so-pleasant aroma the next day. Always keep a lid on garbage containers.

Warmth ~ Each of us has a personal temperature sensor that lets us know whether we feel comfortable or not. Many people are very uncomfortable when the temperature falls below 73°F. They shiver and reach for the nearest blanket. Others wear T-shirts, shorts and sandals at 32°F. When we heat our homes, we generally have some control over how warm we would like to have it.

Temperatures slightly cooler than in the living areas are ideal for healthy sleep, but there shouldn’t be a breeze hitting you in the face when you enter the bedroom. A pleasant and cozy warmth is necessary in the living room, where you would like to relax. The activities that take place in a workroom, will be the deciding factor for temperature control.

The most perfect source of heat is from a visible fire. The location of a tiled stove, or a fireplace should be as central as possible so that the warmth of the fire can radiate in all directions like a shining sun. If your fireplace is intended as a decoration, it is still important to use it on a regular basis during the cold season. A fireplace or oven that does not burn is a symbol of “extinguished” fire.

Light ~ Light is probably the most interesting source of good energy because we have enormous potential to optimize it. Look for our article titled "Feng Shui and Light" to discover helpful tips on the use of lighting in your environment.