Home is much more than just a place to return to after a long day, It’s a space where every detail should contribute to your well-being. The arrangement of your furniture, the colors you choose, and even the scents that linger in the air all play a crucial role in shaping the ambiance of your home. In the art of feng shui—an ancient Chinese practice focused on creating balance and harmony within a space—these elements are carefully considered to cultivate positive energy, or “chi.”
In this guide, we will delve into the principles of feng shui and explore how you can use the power of fragrance to bring your home into alignment. From selecting the right scented candles to understanding how different fragrances influence the flow of energy, you’ll discover how scent can be a subtle yet potent tool for transforming your living space into a true haven of peace and harmony.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng shui, which translates literally to “wind-water,” is an ancient Chinese practice rooted in the art of geomancy, or earth divination. Originally, geomancy involved interpreting the natural landscape—such as the flow of rivers or the position of mountains—to understand how these elements could influence the flow of cosmic energy, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”).
Over time, feng shui evolved from a tool for reading the land into a sophisticated system for designing human living spaces. At its core, feng shui is about harmonizing the relationship between people and their environment. By thoughtfully arranging the location, orientation, and layout of a space, feng shui aims to balance the natural energies within it, creating a flow that promotes well-being, prosperity, and peace.
Feng shui is more than just the physical placement of objects. It’s a holistic approach that considers the energy of a space as a living, breathing force. Whether applied to homes, offices, or places of spiritual significance, feng shui helps foster a deep sense of harmony and connection between humans and the world around them.
Simple Tips to Feng Shui Your Home
In Western feng shui practice, the Bagua energy map is a powerful tool used to align your home’s layout with the natural flow of energy, or Qi. The Bagua map is divided into eight areas, each representing a key aspect of life—such as wealth, relationships, and career—and corresponding to specific elements, colors, shapes, and even seasons. These areas are arranged in a grid around a central zone that symbolizes your overall well-being, providing a comprehensive guide to balancing the energies within your home.
Here’s a quick overview of the eight Bagua areas as well as the element and colors associated with each:
- Wealth & Prosperity – Wood; purple
- Fame & Reputation – Fire; red
- Love & Marriage – Earth; pink
- Health & Ancestors – Wood; green, blue, teal
- Children & Creativity – Metal; white, metallics
- Knowledge & Self-Cultivation – Earth; dark blue
- Career & Life Path – Water; black
- Helpful People & Travels – Metal; white, metallics
To get started applying feng shui to your home, superimpose the Bagua map over your home’s floor plan, orienting it around the front door. Then, choose up to three areas where you want to improve energy flow or harmony.
Here are some simple tips to get started:
- Incorporate the Corresponding Element: Each Bagua area is associated with a specific element, such as wood, fire, or water. For example, adding wooden furniture or plants in the Wealth & Prosperity area can strengthen financial energies, while incorporating a water feature or blue decor in the Career area can help boost your professional life.
- Use Feng Shui Colors: Colors have a profound impact on energy. Enhance specific areas by using their associated colors—for example, use red accents in the Fame & Reputation area to amplify recognition and success, or add dark blue tones in the Knowledge & Self-Cultivation area to promote learning and personal growth.
- Rearrange Furniture for Commanding Positions: The placement of furniture can influence how energy flows through a room. Place the most important piece of furniture, such as a bed or desk, in the “commanding position”—the spot farthest from the door but not directly in line with it. This positioning allows you to see the door while using the furniture, creating a sense of security and control.
- Prevent Energy Stagnation: Clutter and disorganization can block the flow of energy. Keep pathways clear, regularly declutter your spaces, and fix anything broken to ensure that energy can move freely throughout your home. This practice helps to prevent stagnation and maintain a positive atmosphere.
- Maximize Natural Light: Light is a vital element in feng shui, symbolizing energy and life. Ensure that your home is well-lit, using mirrors to reflect and amplify natural light where needed. Mirrors also represent the metal element and can be strategically placed to enhance specific Bagua areas.
Remember, the key to effective feng shui is intentionality. Focus on one area at a time, making mindful adjustments that align with your personal goals and desires. Your home’s layout may present challenges, but even small, thoughtful changes can significantly improve the energy flow in your space.
How to Use Scented Candles for Feng Shui
If the idea of completely rearranging or redecorating your home feels overwhelming, you can still harness the power of feng shui through more subtle means. Achieving harmony and balance doesn’t always require drastic changes—sometimes, something as simple as a beautifully scented candle from LAFCO can make all the difference.
Scented candles are a versatile tool in feng shui, particularly for enhancing the element of fire. Fire is the element of passion, transformation, and energy. By strategically placing a candle in specific areas of your Bagua map, you can help to stimulate and reinvigorate the energy flow in those spaces. For example, placing a candle in the Fame & Reputation area (associated with the fire element) can help amplify your presence and recognition.
When choosing a candle for feng shui, consider not only the element of fire but also the color of the vessel and the elements represented in the fragrance. A red vessel might be ideal for the Fame area, while a scent that embodies woodsy notes could enhance the Wealth & Prosperity area. Each detail plays a role in the overall energy of the space.
However, it’s important to be mindful of the quality of the candles you choose. Feng shui is about creating harmony, not introducing chaos. Poor-quality candles made with synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals can disrupt the energy in your home, clashing with the existing elements and creating a dissonant atmosphere.
This is where quality matters. LAFCO scented candles are an investment in your home’s feng shui, crafted with the utmost attention to detail. From the artisanal handblown glass vessels to the sustainable soy wax and pure essential oil-based fragrances, every aspect of a LAFCO candle is designed to contribute positively to your space.
5 LAFCO Candles for Feng Shui
LAFCO’s collection of scented candles offers an ideal way to incorporate the principles of feng shui into your home. Whether you’re looking to introduce the dynamic energy of fire or harmonize a specific area using color and fragrance, there’s a LAFCO candle perfectly suited for the task.
Here are five LAFCO candles and suggestions for how to use them to promote positive feng shui:
Fresh Cut Gardenia
This candle’s floral fragrance, featuring gardenia, orange blossom, and ylang ylang, embodies the vitality and renewal of spring. The association with the color green makes it perfect for energizing the Family & New Beginnings area of your Bagua map. Place it in this area to cultivate growth, health, and vibrant relationships, helping to foster a nurturing environment.
Marine
To enhance the Career & Life Path area of your home, consider the Marine candle. Its fresh, aquatic notes of jasmine, water lily, and marine accord, accented by bergamot and clove, introduce the water element—associated with flow, adaptability, and clarity. Positioning this candle in the Career section can help smooth your professional path and promote success.
Redwood
The Redwood candle brings a deep, grounding energy with its earthy blend of cedar, forest amber, and California redwood. Encased in a rich brown vessel, this candle is ideal for the center of your Bagua map, which represents overall well-being and balance. By anchoring this central area, you stabilize the energy of your entire home, promoting a sense of wholeness and harmony.
Lavender Flower
Featuring calming notes of petitgrain, lavender absolute, and violet, the Lavender Flower candle is presented in a vessel with marbled hues of purple and white. These colors and the floral notes are particularly well-suited for the Wealth & Prosperity area of your Bagua map. Use this candle to attract abundance, reduce stress, and encourage a peaceful, prosperous atmosphere.
Paradiso Fig
With its intriguing blend of fruity and earthy aromas, the Paradiso Fig candle comes in a sophisticated gray vessel. Place this candle in the Helpful People & Travels area to encourage supportive relationships and smooth travels. The grounding energy of fig complements the metal element associated with this Bagua area, fostering connections that can help you achieve your goals.
Bringing It All Together
Scented candles, with their ability to evoke emotion and enhance the energy of a space, are an ideal tool for applying feng shui principles in a simple yet effective way. Whether you’re seeking to ignite passion in your relationships, encourage prosperity, or create a peaceful retreat, there’s a LAFCO candle that aligns with your goals.
As you explore the art of feng shui, remember that the key is intentionality. Start small, focus on one area at a time, and allow the changes you make to resonate with your personal desires and the unique energy of your home. By selecting quality elements—like LAFCO’s luxurious scented candles—you ensure that every adjustment you make is a step toward a more balanced and harmonious life.