Feng Shui Today

Fountains in Your Home: How many are too many?

Dear Sylvia and Connie,

Are there any items that will create a more harmonious balance within a room? For example, could a fountain help balance every room in a home, or are there specific rooms in a home that should have a fountain placed in them?

Sherry R.
Columbus, OH

Dear Sherry,

Even though it might appear that we could give you quick answers to your questions, it's not that simple. First of all, we need to explore the meaning of harmonious balance. If you are thinking that harmonious balance means a feeling where inhabitants feel nurtured, comforted, and supported, then you would be correct. One easy way to do this is to use items that appeal to the senses. A soft chenille throw can certainly add a comforting touch to a couch, just as the sweet smell of vanilla can evoke a welcoming message to visitors.

Since you mentioned fountains, we would like to expound on that particular feature as it involves most of the senses. You see and hear the water, sometimes you actually feel the coolness of the water, and if you are truly creative and knowledgeable about essential oils, you can enjoy the faint scent of your favorite aroma.

A fountain is representative of the water element. Water promotes compassion, flexibility, stillness, creative thinking, meditation, and good communication. Although a fountain is a pleasant decorative feature, in feng shui terms, the use of a fountain would be considered a finishing touch that can have a positive or negative influence depending on the situation. For example, the sound of a fountain can be a soothing comfort feature in an entrance; however, that same fountain might be too quiet for a kitchen. For that reason, we would not recommend using a fountain in every room. Even if a person had an affinity for fountains, it would be best not to overdo it—too much of a good thing is not good. In the end, a fountain in every room would actually work against a harmonious feeling throughout your living space.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind when using a fountain:

• Before purchasing, really pay attention to the sound. What may be pleasant in a store might prove to be loud or irritating in your home.
• A fountain should not only be attractive, but also practical. How easy is it to clean? Are there small parts that might get lost?
• Consider what activities take place in a particular room and then consider how a fountain might lend to that activity. It might create an intimate feeling in a dining room as two lovers enjoy a meal. However, it might seem out of place, or even ignored, at a large family dinner.
• Use a fountain when you need to be quiet, think, and plan your next creative pursuit. Conversely, a fountain may not be a good idea in a room or office space if you need to take action, make sales calls, or finish that report.
• Want to calm your overactive teenager? Introduce a fountain in his or her bedroom.
• Add tea tree oil, an antiseptic, to keep your fountain sanitized.
• A fountain is a relaxing feature to add to an employee lounge in a high-stress business situation.
• Place lush and healthy plants around a fountain as a symbol of abundance.
• Want to direct visitors to a certain room or area? The sound of a fountain is a subtle yet effective way to draw attention to that certain seating or dining space, especially if you want them to turn to the left. People have a natural tendency to turn right when they enter a space.
• Create a daily intention and recite it as you turn on your fountain each day. One we suggest is “May good health, happiness, and prosperity flow throughout my life.” It's a powerful way to start your day.

Sherry, we hope we have answered your questions. Because humans interpret their environment through their senses, addressing smell, taste, sound, touch, and sight should always be a consideration within any space. No matter what feature is used—whether a fountain, plant, or a metal bowl—always keep in mind that too much of any one feature will counter your efforts in creating a harmonious space.

Good luck with the suggestions.
Sylvia and Connie

Sylvia Watson, FSII and Connie Spruill, MA, FSII are owners of Healing Environments with Feng Shui, Inc. and authors of Feng Shui with What You Have. Services include residential and business consultations, feng shui coaching, workshops, corporate seminars and speakers' bureau. They recently were selected to be managing directors of the Feng Shui Institute of America, LLC, (FSIA) the oldest American feng shui professional certification program. For information about consultations, workshops, or speaking engagements, call (614) 258-3299 or email at healenvir@sbcglobal.net. If you are interested in becoming a feng shui professional, the next certification program will take place in St. Augustine, FL, Nov. 11-16, 2004. Call (614) 837-8370 or e-mail at windwater@windwater.com for more information.