We Placed a Pair of Candles in the Southwest Corner of Our Bedroom and Stopped Arguing
A couple's constant arguing over small things led them to try something simple: activating the relationship area of their home with a pair of candles. The result was unexpected.
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Property Type
Apartment
Room
Bedroom
Direction
Southwest
The Problem
My partner and I were fighting constantly. It wasn't about anything big — just the usual stuff: who left the dishes in the sink, who forgot to take out the trash, whose turn it was to walk the dog. But it had gotten to the point where we were sleeping back-to-back, and I'd started dreading coming home. Our bedroom, which used to feel like a sanctuary, now felt like a pressure cooker.
What They Tried
A friend who's into space planning suggested we try something: place a pair of matching candles in the southwest corner of our bedroom. She said that area is associated with partnership and romance in some design traditions. Sounded weird, but we were desperate. We bought two simple white pillar candles from Target, put them on a small tray on the dresser in that corner, and lit them for an hour each evening.
What Happened
Within a week, the energy in the room shifted. We started talking more, not about chores but about our day. The candles became a ritual: we'd light them, sit on the bed, and just be together. The arguments didn't disappear, but they stopped feeling personal. Six weeks later, we still light them every night. It sounds silly, but that little corner of the room now feels like our spot.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 坤 ☷ · Kun |
|---|---|
| Direction | Southwest |
| Element | earth |
What works best here
Kun (2) · Earth. Southwest favors grounded, low-profile arrangements that feel intimate.
Place: low cozy seating, plush textiles, warm indirect lamps, soft pink and terracotta.
Recommended crystal
Rose Quartz or Pink Tourmaline — placed on a nightstand or low shelf in the southwest
This area supports comfort and connection — a perfect spot for a reading chair or small sofa
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Text
El mapa bagua. AMOR Y MATRIMONIO 145
English Translation
The Bagua map divides a home into nine zones, each linked to a life area. The southwest corner corresponds to love and marriage, and should be activated with pairs of objects (candles, crystals, or figurines) in red or pink tones to strengthen relationships.
2. About the Source
Feng shui para Occidente by Terah Kathryn Collins · United States · 1995
Feng Shui for the West is a practical guide that adapts classical Chinese spatial principles for modern Western homes and lifestyles. Written by one of the first American authors to bring Feng Shui to a mainstream English-speaking audience, the book translates ancient Bagua concepts into actionable room-by-room advice using familiar Western design language and contemporary case examples.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
The Bagua map is a spatial tool used in some design philosophies to map different life areas onto the floor plan of a home. The southwest corner is traditionally linked to partnership and marriage. In this case, the act of placing a pair of candles — a symbolic 'pair' — in that zone created a daily ritual that encouraged the couple to sit together in a focused, relaxed way. This is less about mystical energy and more about behavioral psychology: a shared ritual in a calm environment reduces stress and increases positive interaction. The consistent practice of lighting the candles became a cue for connection.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
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Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Case source
Dana
Modern Feng Shui content creator sharing practical spatial tips for everyday life.