Feng Shui Homework: Focus on Home Lighting
November 13, 2012 
Franca Giuliani - As an unwilling participant of Hurricane Sandy, my family and I were very lucky. We didn't lose our home. We had no major damage. We were only inconvenienced for 9 days without electricity: no lights, no heat, and no hot water. And this experience has strongly reminded me how much I take for granted the power of light. By the third day without light and electricity, I started realizing how dark and cold things can get so quickly.
Light offers heat. It gives warmth. It changes yin (dark) to yang (light). In essence light increases energy. It is a symbol of the element Fire. Fire is a microcosm of the sun and brings that charge of the sun into our space.
If we're lucky enough to have access to light, we can use it to bring uplifting Chi, or life force, into a space. Keep in mind these decorating tips.
- Dark corners can become energized with light.
- A desk with a decent lamp that shines light directly where the work actually occurs is very important.
- Outdoor walkways can become alive with light, and this is a great opportunity to use solar lights.
- If the Recognition and Fame gua of your home (see the bagua chart below) is unusually dark (especially if you're not feeling any recognition at work), keep this area brightly lit, specifically during working hours.
- Consider spotlights wherever possible, because they have an added benefit of raising the Chi upwards compared to a small, low wattage table lamp.
Your Feng Shui Homework
Overall, for the month of November and every month to follow, your homework is to be grateful for light. Use it when you need it. Save it when you can. And be conscious of its many beneficial applications.
Until next month,
Be well,
Franca
Franca Giuliani is an environmental advisor, integrated feng shui consultant, and energy clearer whose inquisitive nature has led her down the path of the metaphysical world and related topics. Now Franca uses her expansive knowledge and experience to help individuals get their bearings and think differently about themselves and their space, enabling them to better plan for the future.
She collectively uses a number of modalities to help people become aware of their environment, acknowledge it, and then help them begin to reach a better balance. Becoming aware of one’s environment and understanding why things are happening is the foundation to a possible transformation of life.
Franca has studied feng shui, energy clearing, and astrology for over nine years and continues to study under world-renowned instructors. A graduate of the Feng Shui Alliance School formerly in Edgewater, NJ, she holds a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and a certificate from NYU. Additionally, Franca studied in Antwerp, Belgium and graduated from a Feng Shui Society of the United Kingdom accredited program.
Franca practices and teaches courses on relevant topics. She's consulted and lectured within the New York metro area, as well as in Italy. Italy has been Franca’s second home since childhood. She considers herself an Italian aficionado and organizes tours throughout Italy where she can share her knowledge and passion for this amazing country.
Hurricane Sandy, bagua, lighting in Sheffield School, feng shui 
Reader Comments (3)
The best wall reading lamp is one that provides enough light without being too harsh on the eyes. In this regard, a LED wall reading light is the best. Unlike halogen bulbs, LED lights are very energy efficient, plus they offer brighter and more focused illumination. Furthermore , they are energy efficient and consume a relatively low level of electricity.
You have made important points about lighting in the home. Sometimes people are not aware of all the options that they have as regards lighting. They make do with whatever options came with their apartment of house when they moved in. This means that often, lighting in the home has not been adapted to meet their needs.
A desk lamp is pretty standard yet people sometimes don't put one in and end up straining their eyes over time.
A very interesting read, I never considered lights could be used like that. Thanks!