Feng Shui and Candles

Chinese or non-Chinese, people are now getting into the Feng Shui craze.  But what is Feng Shui?

                              

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese’ art of decorating your homes in such a way that positive energy is harnessed.  The house or the room is positively transformed and energized so that anyone who enters will be affected visually and emotionally.  The five elements -- fire, earth, water, metal and wood -- and how they interact with each other determines whether it is positive or negative energy is flowing within.  In Feng Shui, you are not only looking at the layout of the house but also the decors used and how they are positioned at home.  The goal is to increase the positive energy inside the house and to make the space more comfortable and enjoyable.

Do you know that candles play a role in Feng Shui?  You would have thought that the presence of candles, its colors and its scent are only used in aromatherapy practice.  Think again.  In Feng Shui, candles represent the fire energy.  This energy is considered the strongest in summer.  They can be the fire energy that is missing in your space.  When decorating with candles, you have to consider three things -- the location, color and the fragrance.

Location.  One very important tool in Feng Shui is the Bagua map.  It is an octagonal map that is used as a guide depending on what kind of aspect you want your life to improve on.  Do you want your career to flourish?  Place the candles on the North part of your room.  Do you want fame?  Then south is where the candles should be.

MiKeRa Green Coloured 'Apple Marini'
Scented Soy Candle

MiKeRa White 'Coconut Rum'
Scented Soy Candle

KARMA SENSES red coloured 'Strawberry Ice'
Scented Soy Candle

Colors and Fragrance.  The colors of the candle that you use makes all the difference too because each colors (or scents) mean different things.  For example, green represents healing and new growth especially when combined with the scent of eucalyptus.  It also represents wealth because it is considered as the color of money.  Red on the other hand, is the color of passion; of love and lust.  A red-colored candle with an apple or cinnamon scent that is lit in the South part of your house can bring you the fame that you wanted.

KARMA SENSES yellow coloured 'Lemongrass tea'
Scented Soy Candle

Feng Shui is somehow like aromatherapy practice.  You identify which end results you want to have and study the different scents and colors and how it affects you and your overall environment.  Believe me, it gets easier each time.

Have you used Feng Shui at home too?  We’d love to hear from you.

MiKeRa Orange coloured 'Tangerine Delight'
scented CoCoSoy candle

MiKeRa blue coloured 'Ocean Breeze'
scented palm wax candle

CoCoSoy Candle Moments

I like candles. There is something about them that makes me feel relaxed and happy.  I like looking at that soft glow emanating from the wick that brings about this peaceful atmosphere.  Seeing the flicker of flame somehow forces me to slowdown and just enjoy the moment.

I personally prefer using CoCoSoy candles.  Aside from its creamy texture, it's all natural because it's made from the perfect blend of soy wax and coconut wax.  The scented candle is such a delight that I just can't get enough of it.  What I like most is that it burns cleanly.  It doesn't produce dark soot that often annoys me.  That's why I enjoy having it every single day. 

If you're wondering where you can use a CoCoSoy candle, I've listed my top picks which I hope you can draw ideas from.

Private Moment #1   Candle lit bubble bath. 

I look forward to this every day.  After all the chores are done, I just want to soak in my tub, turn the lights off and light a candle or two.  Aside from the fact that by doing that I am able to cut down my electricity bill, just the mere fact that the bathroom is only lit by a candle creates that relaxing atmosphere.  It transports you to a place where you don't have a care in the world and it's nice to do that sometimes.  On some days, I like to read in the bath.  When I do feel like reading, I just light more candles and still get the same ambiance.

Private Moment #2     “Me Time” 

There are days when I just need to just sit and do nothing and just take a break from my fast paced life.  When I do want to take a staycation, I just light a candle and turn the lights off in the room then sit back.  Nothing can get better than having my “me time” at the comforts of my own home.

Private Moment #3     Me and My better half

This has got to be my all-time favorite candle moment.  It's me being with him in a room illuminated by candles.  It's not just for a private moment with him in the bedroom but also having conversation with him over candlelight dinner.  I treasure those windless nights when we sit at the patio, gaze at the moon and the stars with a few scented CoCoSoy candles on the table.

What about you?  What's your favorite CoCoSoy candle moment?

Not familiar with CoCoSoy Candles? You can buy these candles online direct from the distributor at discount prices at Alma Importers.

Candle Wax Feature - CoCoSoy Wax Blend

We've featured natural soy wax and palm wax in our first two posts.  Now we're on the third post about different candle waxes available in the market. 

Do you have your favorite yet?  I hope not because this post is all about two powerful waxes combined - coconut and soy! CoCoSoy is our own unique wax blend that we have fine tuned over the past two years. It is a secret combination of creamy coconut wax and the all natural soy wax.

We all know where soy wax came from -- soybeans!  It is when the soy oil undergoes a process called hydrogenation in order to turn oil into solid.

 

If soy wax came from soybeans then coconut wax is a byproduct of coconut, a member of the palm family.  Coconuts are found throughout the tropic and subtropical area. They are known for its versatility because of its domestic, commercial and industrial use.  Charcoal can be made from its hard shell.  The coconut flesh can be dried under the heat of the sun and oil can be derived from it.  Coconut oil is used for frying and as one of the ingredients in making soaps and cosmetics.  And of course my favorite, the coconut water which is a very refreshing and healthy drink.

The process of making coconut wax starts from collecting those tropical coconuts.  Just like soy wax, coconut wax is also processed by hydrogenation.  After the coconut oil is cold pressed out of the coconut meat, it is then cleaned and filtered until we have that beautiful white and creamy wax.  It is natural, clean and healthy.  Adding on to the many uses of coconut is the use of coconut wax in candle making.

Why is CoCoSoy Different compared to other waxes?

CoCoSoy candles are a perfect blend of coconut and soy waxes.  Nothing can be more natural than the two.  With the coconut wax, the candles look more smooth, silky and creamy.  That's because coconut acts as a smoothing agent in the soy blend.  It's another natural alternative for someone who does not want to use paraffin.  It's biodegradable, water soluble and can be easily cleaned with soap and water.  With CoCoSoy, expect that your candles will burn cleaner and longer. 

Alma Importers offers CoCoSoy candles in different jar sizes.  Why we put them in a jar is because coconut wax and soy wax are softer.  For us to create a pillar candle from both waxes would mean adding another type of wax (like paraffin) to it. 

Visit our website and see the complete range of CoCoSoy Candles that we offer. 

Stress Busting Coconut Scented Soy Candles

A long work day at the office can be very stressful.  

The same is true for stay-at-home moms who had to keep the house and take care of the children.   

Stress can be good if it pushes you to perform at an optimum level but often, it can have a negative impact on one’s physical condition and it can also impact your emotions.

Effects of Stress

Your immune system could weaken.  That means there is a possibility of you getting sick more often and if you already have a chronic illness, this can make it worse.  You could have high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat.  Tension from stress could lead to shoulders, neck or back pain.  Stress is also linked to infertility or painful menstrual period.  Aside from all these, skin problems such as acne and psoriasis could worsen.

Stresses do not just affect your physical well-being.  It can also influence how you feel and how you react to certain situations.  You could feel cranky and frustrated on trivial things.  You could lose your patience and end up shouting inappropriately.  When you’re under a lot of stress, it’s almost too difficult to focus on one specific task and follow through with it.

When everything’s going crazy, always find time to stop and relax.  Your body is irreplaceable and besides, if you have been working hard, the best you could do for yourself is to give yourself a break.  It’s easy as arming yourself with food and scents that can help you bust stress away.  Close the door, light up a candle and enjoy the fragrance of Coconut-scented soy candles filling up your room.

Why Coconut-scented Soy Candle?

Coconut scent can slow your heart rate, blunting one’s natural “fight or flight” response on stress.  According to a small pilot study at the Columbia University, the blood pressure of the people who were able to breathe the fragrance of a coconut recovered quickly after a challenging task.  Researchers speculate that pleasant scent can enhance alertness and soothes our response to stress.

The choice of coconut-scented soy candle to battle stress is very ideal.  Because soy candles tend to burn slower than other candles, this gives you more time for yourself to relax and enjoy the aroma.  Soy candles also disperse the fragrance faster so you get to relax quicker.

Alma Importers offer coconut-scented soy candles in various styles of glass jars and tin containers.  These soy candles are made of natural 100% soy wax that contains quality essential oils and pure cotton wicks.  Buy coconut scented soy candles online now so you can have a stress free day (or night) in the comforts of your own home.  

See a full range of tropical scented soy candles here.