Colours & Colour Therapy

Although we have always used colours to describe our moods, colour therapy has formalised these connections. Colour therapists aim to increase our awareness of the power of colour in our everyday lives, and help to put it to work for us. Colour can be 'applied' simply by surrounding yourself with a particular colour, but professional colour therapists use a special lamp to beam the colour arounc you in rhythmic bursts, varying the intensity according to the amount of colour required.

What is colour?
Although we think of colour as something tangible - pigments or dyes, for example, it is in fact reflected light. Light, although it appears colourless, is actually a spectrum of colours. The colours can be seen as a rainbow of colour if white light is aimed through a prism. (Sunlight passing through raindrops to produce a rainbov is a natural display of the spectrum.)

Different pigments reflect different colours, so that, for example a red object reflects the red part of the spectrum, while a white object reflects the whole spectrum. Each basic colour can be altered by the additibn of black pigment, to make a darker shade (which absorbs a lot of light), and white to make a paler tint (which reflects a lot of light). Besides these changes there are many subtle gradations of colour through the spectrum; the red band of colour, for example, embraces litreally thousands of hues, from the palest white-pink to the deepest and most vibrant tones. Other colours are complex mixtures: peach is a variation of orange, for example.

The-various colours that make up the spectrum are basically different vibrations. In general, the faster the vibration the 'warmer' the colour (such as red); the slower the vibration the 'cooler' the colour (such as blue). Red makes us active, passionate and, when taken to extreme, rebellious. Blue calms us, makes us reflective, and can render us emotionally chilly if we surround ourselves with it.

Absorbing colour
The effect of colour - whether in our clothes, decor or even in the food we eat - is powerful. Over the centuries, artists have developed many theories about the influence of colour, and colour theory is now used by interior designers, particularly in institutions like hospitals and hotels, to make patients and clients relaxed and happy.

Recent research has shown that yellow surroundings can calm even the most violent schizophrenic patients, and a pink bedroom can have a tranquillising effect on a hyperactive child. Green, the colour of nature, also calms, but at the same time it acts as a bridge between the most positive aspects of the blues and the reds, and provides a balance in our lives.

For most of us, the effects of colour are subconscious: walking into an office with a grey colour scheme may make us feel shy and unenthusiastic, but perhaps we put it down to the working environment rather than the influence of the colour of the decor.

Picking up the vibrations
Everyone responds to colour - even, it has been shown, people blind from birth. Because colour is vibration, and not purely visual, the blind can learn to pick it up through their fingertips. After a little practice, they can differentiate the colours with 100 per cent accuracy. Many theorists believe that these vibrations have an influence on our brain patterns, and this is the reason that colour can have such a strong effect on our emotions. The theories have been taken a step further by some philosophers, psychologists and musicians who combine musical vibrations with colour vibrations to create complete environments. The jolly background music and relaxed colour schemes of supermarkets are just one example of how these ideas can be put into practice.

WARNING
Never use colour therapy as a substitute for medical treatment, and do not use this summary to diagnose illness.

BLACK
Not strictly a colour, but non­reflective pigment which gives depth and power to the colours. It is often associated with death and mourning. If worn by a woman, for example, it may show a desire to be seen as mysterious and powerful. It absorbs all other colours, and can be seen to take and give nothing in return. Rooms decorated with black may indicate eccentricity, but may also show an obsession with death and dying, with negativity and all that opposes warmth and love. Black can be dramatic, but few personalities are strong enough to combat its negative effects. An attraction to black may indicate a need for emotional support.
If a child paints a black picture, or paints over a normal picture with black, it is a sign that they are profoundly distressed and need help and cuddles.

GREY
A mixture of white and black, grey has a negative aura. It is the colour of self-denial, of self-martyrdom and of repression. Adding a little pink tone to it will immediately make its effect more bearable. Pink-tinged grey can be very flattering if worn by middle­aged women, but it would help to combine something stronger with it - red or yellow. Grey is also associated with stress and mental fatigue.
Like sheep, timid, inhibited and fearful people go for grey, and being surrounded by it can be depressing.

BROWN
The earth colour is associated with stability, but also with a tendency to be backward-looking and uninspired. Brown encourages practicality, but can keep our minds closed to higher matters. If you are attracted to brown, you probably have confidence and freedom from worry, but you might consider balancing its effects by introducing the opposite colour from the spectrum - minty green - to encourage you to put your mental powers to better use.
Brown is one of the colours of nature, associated with working with one's hands and the land: don't let its earthiness turn you blind to emotional matters, or make you too stodgy.

RED
Vital, creative and fizzing with energy, red is the opposite of brown. All the colours in the red band have a greater or lesser effect on energy levels and even on blood pressure. It inflames sexual passion and anger, and if used to excess can boil over into destruction. People who buy red cars are the perfect example of the influence of red: they use the car as a sex symbol, to arouse the excitement
A red rag to a bull? It is no accident that the red flag is the international symbol for revolution.

ORANGE
Like red, orange is energising, but is a great life-changer, with less potential for negative power.

People who love life are attracted to orange, and people who are depressed, lonely or lacking in motivation can benefit from having the vibrations of orange around them. Its many therapeutic qualities include being good for gallstones, chest conditions, arthritis, sexual frustration and repressed creativity. Vegetarians particularly need orange in their lives to add zest. Anyone who feels hemmed in or directionless should introduce some of the vitality of orange into their lives.

A little orange goes a long way: one or two pieces of kitchen equipment or an orange scarf maybe all you need to feel an immediate beneficial effect. Beware of 'overdosing' on orange - it can turn liveliness into restlessness. It's not just the vitamins in an orange that are good for you: the very colour of the fruit you eat can have a beneficial effect on your health.

YELLOW
The colour associated with sunshine and sunny dispositions - but it is too strong for those suffering the extreme emotional distress of a nervous breakdown (green or blue are more helpful). Under normal conditions it can lift our spirits, cheer the sick and help activate our digestion. Lovers of yellow are good communicators - and sometimes talk too much. People drawn to strong yellow may be conceited or arrogant, whereas those who like the softest hues may be lacking in courage (the 'yellow' coward). Rich golds are deemed to be one of the most exalted colours and should not be worn by anyone except the most spiritual of people.
Golden yellow, the colour of the sun god Apollo, is an exalted colour and one of those associated with God and spirituality.

GREEN
This colour is the natural balancer between the power of red and that of blue. Green is the colour of self- esteem and may be disliked by those who have just come through a traumatic time because it will seek to balance and bring aspects of the trauma back to the surface in order to do so. As well as balance, green brings harmony and hope, but too much of it can deprive us of the challenges and problems we need in order to evolve and thrive. It is soporific and can drain us of energy.

The yellower tones of green indicate a more flexible personality an adventurous trait, while the bluer tones of green suggest an optimistic and hopeful personality, with more spirituality than the other tones of green. If you are drawn to green, be careful to add a little red or orange into your surroundings to bring a lively element into your life and compensate for your naturally tranquil temperament.
Green is perfect for those who are agitated and need to relax - a walk through woods or a park will bring its power to you.

BLUE
'True blue' is the colour of honesty and loyalty. It is also noble, as in the concept of 'blue blood'. The Virgin Mary is portrayed as wearing a blue veil or robe, for this is the colour of serenity, perfection and protection.

By meditating on or visualising blue it is possible to prevent nightmlares and ward off the psychic attacks experienced by poltergeist victims. It is a cooling colour, and should be worn on very hot days. Blue has a sedative effect, so it can help if you are easily flustered or frightened. On the other hand, it can be too pacific, so those drawn to blue may be easily led or taken advantage of. Too much blue may lead to a 'holier than thou' attitude, so be prepared to tone it down with the happy-go-lucky influence of orange.

Physically it is good for patients suffering from shock, inflammation and nervous breakdowns but it is also a cold colour, so avoid it if you have bad circulation.
Contemplation and thoughtfulness are linked with blue.

INDIGO
Those who are attracted to indigo are drawn to the higher things, perhaps even the occult. It should improve your intellectual abilities and bring special insight into the world around you. Midnight blue is a profound and mysterious colour. It eliminates fear and timidity and helps give us a natural authority and inner calmness.

Don't let it distract you from everyday, practical matters. You can temper its influence by introducing pink, to bring affection and sympathy to your personality. Conversely, people who have too much red in their lives could well be advised to add some indigo, to add a deeper dimension to their existence.Indigo brings a sophisticated, executive appeal to rooms where it is used for furnishings.
It is good for treating varicose veins, diseases of the nervous system, boils and ulcers, skin disorders and it cleanses the blood.

VIOLET
At the end of our normally visible spectrum, violet is immensely powerful and may be too strong for many people. It is associated with creativity, with access to higher worlds and dimensions. Leonardo da Vinci used to meditate upon it and Beethoven had violet curtains at his window. If you cannot channel the creativity it brings it may make you feel very ill through its power: if the forces are not harnessed they may become very negative.

The term 'shrinking violet' is apt both in terms of the shape of the violet flower and the influence'of violet as a colour - those attracted to it are often shy. Physically, it is very useful for those suffering from excessive emotional agitation, but it is not advised to use it on clinically depressed people.

Balance its influence with the all-time balancer, green. Violet has a good effect on compulsive eaters, calming them down and helping to drain away the compulsion.
Violet points the way towards selfless service to humanity, and great spirituality.