Salt Lamps in Different Shapes
Rightly or wrongly, salt lamps are a recent addition to the array of feng shui tools.
If I remember correctly it was touted as being good for health as it was said to have an ionic effect, that is, they release ions to the atmosphere. These released ions remove pollutants from the air and oxidants from our body.
For salt lamps to work, they have to be slightly moist and as the heat from the lamp dries them up, ions are released.
I have had one such lamp placed in my room to test it out not so much for its health properties but as a feng shui aid.
As for its feng shui application, author Lillian Too has advised against its use. I thought she was quite strong on this but she did not give her reasons for being against it, at least not that I know of. If you know why, do let me know.
For feng shui purposes, I see the salt lamp as a tool that can be used to balance yin and yang, achieving positive interaction of the five elements as well as for creating or filling in qi qualities where these are inconsistent with the built environment.
Those lamps that I have used were supposedly natural rock salt deposits from Afghanistan or Pakistan. As they are natural material and come from the ground, the only worry would be that they contain heavy water and also other substances which may contain radioactive material. Maybe that was the cause of concern for Lillian Too.
As an addition to living and sleeping areas, they cast a very warm glow and certainly great for creating that romantic and soothing ambience.
My real concern is that the salt is hydrophilic meaning that they absorb water from the air making them wet. This water will dissolve the salts and this wet mass sticks and corrode the bulb holder and electrical wires. I suspect this can be dangerous and for that reason, carefully check your salt lamps for any signs of corrosion or electricity leakage.
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Marcus,
I have owned a salt crystal lamp for about 5 years, and I agree that they are very pretty, although a nuisance to change the globe.
I recently read in Lillian Too’s book ‘168 feng shui ways to a calm and happy life’ that these lamps, quote – ‘absorb and suck away at the chi energy of everybody living there. So although attractive to look at, they can be dangerous, as they leave you feeling exhausted, lethargic and devoid of energy’. – end of quote.
When I read that I immediately removed my lamp and stored it in a cupboard. I haven’t noticed any difference, but I’m not taking chances. I think I would rather use a nice simple table lamp, to lift the chi of an area.
Kind regards, Gail
Hi Gail,
Thanks for writing in.
I have 2 such lamps stored in my cupboard too. I was not comfortable with the wires being damp.
As far as the health aspect is concerned, my friends have reported that it is good for their sinus. I have stayed in a room in cold weather that had a salt lamp and it was terrific. I did not feel any qi being sucked away. When necessary I use a rose quartz lamp. Maybe minus the ions but definitely more convenient and safer.
Strictly from a feng shui perspective, the choice of whether to use or not to use a salt lamp depends very much on the situation. As a general rule, a constant light especially a glowing reddish one within an enclosed space requires due consideration.
Yes, Lillian Too has been very definite on this. From the little exposure I have to energy work, I would say that each and every salt lamp is different. But as you say, why take chances? Once there is discomfort, better stay with the safe than be sorry later.
Take care, keep well.
Hi Marcus,
Thankyou for your feedback.
I recently emailed Miss Lillian Too asking for more information about salt crystal lamps and her assistant stated that the lamps absorb not only bad but good energy and were not encouraged for use in the bedroom. I always had mine situated in the loungeroom.
It is summer here in Australia, and I really don’t miss the orange warm glowing energy. Maybe that’s it, feeling better because its not around, because I always had a weird feeling about them; it was originally a gift.
Kind regards, Gail
Hi Gail,
Thanks for this feedback.
I can imagine a glowing orange light during the heat of summer!
Judging from the reply you had from Lillian’s lead me to think that the connection is with the salt. Most energy workers for example crystal workers use salt as a cleansing medium. In this instance salt is believed to absorb and cleanse earlier programmings and vibes from previous owners.
Salt too in used in Chinese house cleansing rituals. Many cultures do this too. Salt removes moisture from the air so dust and airborne pollutants would seemingly be removed which could explain why it can ‘cleanse’. Salt also makes sense as it acts as a mild antiseptic and sprinkled on the floor would sanitise germs and moulds left behind by rodents and creepy crawlies.
Based on the reason offered by Lillian, I would say that it is not sufficient reason not to use them as a feng shui tool.