How to Work with Colour

How colours work to heal you and reveal you…

Wherever we are at this moment, millions of colours surround us.

Without our realizing it, these shades, tints and hues have an enormous power over our life.

Colours effect our moods, energy, and even our health. By discovering the qualities of each different color, we can use them to reach our finest potential.

WARM COLOURS

The love of yellow is truly divine, even in the eyes of Venus, the Roman Goddess of love. (Legend states she wore a yellow robe). A yearning for yellow indicates that you're curious, alert and warm. The sunny properties of yellow stimulate the intellect by heightening our concentration and memory. Being a cheerful colour; adding a dab of this hue is a great pick-me-up. Have a yellow tablecloth at your work desk, light yellow candles, or eat a banana (though not all at the same time - unless you have a really progressive boss).

If you love this hot hue, you are self-confident and intense. The expression "seeing red" is more than just a cliché. Viewing red increases passion, and has been found to raise blood pressure. Red also heightens hunger. Many restaurants cleverly use red in their decorating, for this very reason. Because viewing red supercharges metabolism, wearing red is great when your energy is at a low ebb.

Those who love orange are true originals. Being an expressive colour, wearing orange will help you become more outgoing and less inhibited. Its' spontaneous nature also helps unleash your creative capacity. Since orange mixes the optimism of yellow with the energy of red, wearing this colour provides the positive drive and tenacity to achieve your goals. If a bright orange shirt isn't your style, try wearing orange socks. You'll get the same results, and no one has to know.

COOL SHADES

If you like blue, you are wise, kind, and value communication. Historically, blue is among the most spiritual of colours: Ancient Egypt's most revered god, Amun, is depicted as being blue. Too, blue is symbolic of faithfulness. The bridal custom of wearing "something blue" is due to this association. Like all the cool shades with slow vibrations, blue produces a tranquilizing effect. For a better night's sleep, just paint your bedroom this sandman-friendly shade. As it's a hue associated with loyalty, many fashion experts recommend wearing "something blue" to a job interview.

A fondness for this natural pigment reveals that you are nurturing and generous. Green also represents high ideals. Through the ages, artists have portrayed heaven as a paradise full of grass, trees, and limitless foliage. Symbolic of spring, life and hope; green scenery has been found to promote both health and relaxation. Sitting in the "green room" has helped many a talk show guest gain poise before going onstage. Currently, green is the most popular colour in home decorating. Not surprising perhaps, when you consider it is the most restful for the eye. Adding plants to your environment will aid in this relaxation.

Violet appreciation indicates that you are a determined visionary with a strong sense of justice. Since violet is connected with the intuitive center, psychic people often feel an affinity toward this spiritual shade. Being intuitive, violet is also creative. Wearing this hue will draw on your inner artist. As violet combines the body-energy of red with the refined ideals of blue, viewing violet gives the energy to achieve meaningful goals. Eating more plums, grapes and blackberries will infuse you with this purple-power.

Non-Colours

Connoisseurs of black are calm, objective and forceful. With this absence of colour comes the absence of emotion. As such, black aids objectivity and the quality of being nonjudgmental. Long associated with death, black has an unfortunate reputation. In reality, black has few negative qualities, it is simply the absence of light. Though black is associated with death, it is this transition that allows rebirth. Viewing or wearing black is beneficial for those seeking deeper understanding of themselves and the unknown. Black is as mysterious as those who wear it. "Men in black" are one example. Wear black if you want to be taken seriously.

Using white reveals that you are both gentle and good-natured. White symbolizes angels and innocence. Long associated with the Christian afterlife, white is also associated with the moon goddess. Since white is protective, wearing white will help you feel strong and in control. Because it contains all colours, visualizing or experiencing white light is beneficial at every level.

By Galina Pembroke