Live in Color

“The soul becomes died with the color of its thoughts.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

Before you start to read this post, stop and look around you. What colors do you see? Are you surrounded predominately by one color or by a variety of colors? Which ones stand out to you? If there is very little color, why?

Do your responses surprise you?

As amazing as our world of color is, we don't always realize how important it is to our overall health.

So what is color?

Simplified, color is the presence of three things; “light” (without it all objects appear black), the “eyes,” our receivers of light, and our “mind” which interprets the sensations.

Color is within and all around us. It affects us every day in so many ways. We respond to color emotionally instead of intellectually, this is usually more noticeable to us when we come across a color we really don’t like. We are born into a world that wraps us in blankets that are colored by gender. We use words of color in our language, such as, the phrase, “true blue,” to denote loyalty and faithfulness, we notice “red flags,” and performers sit in “green rooms”.

Companies use colors in their packaging to influence our product purchases. On that same note, research using electroencephalography (EEGs) implies that when one of our favorite colors is present, our brains are activated before we consciously focus in on it. From a mood and impulse orientation, after blue street lighting was installed in certain neighborhoods in Glasgow, Scotland, there was a reported reduction in crime in these neighborhoods.

Speaking from a personal “interior” view, each astrological sign and their planets have color(s) associated with them in the same way that the seven main chakra centers do. In Eastern thought, the chakras are the subtle energy channels that help to regulate our body processes. My color philosophy in regard to our interiors, is that, what we surround ourselves with is instrumental to our holistic health from the inside out, and vice versa. The most important effect of color is in our personal spaces, the rooms we live and work in, and the clothes we wear. Have you ever noticed how different you feel after you paint your walls a color that resonates with you? Or wear a color you really love?

The goal of my work with color is to assist clients in evaluating the colors appropriate to their present needs as a way to nurture their health and well-being. Just as nature changes its colors, we change in our colors too. By adding color or making a few visual adjustments to our "interiors," we can better support our overall health.

Color associations that connect a color to a particular mood may differ cross-culturally which makes it even more important to take a conscious view of the colors that surround us. We want to be sure we are following our “true colors” and not feeding into trends. Our education, economic status, maturity, and emotional control are some of the other factors that impact our color choices, however, through the ages there have been associations that have stood the test of time.

Here is a very general color guide:

Red is associated with the planet Mars, the ruler of Aries, and Scorpio traditionally. It is the color of the root chakra connecting us to basic survival and our sexual energy. Red has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. It represents excitement, and causes our blood pressure and heart rate to increase. We often refer to this color as a force of vigor and energy.

Orange is the color connected to the Sun, ruler of Leo and the second chakra of creativity and our emotional center. It is a vital color that indicates thoughtfulness and consideration of others. Orange is the color of confidence and can provide us with strength during difficult times.

Yellow is related to the planet Mercury, ruler of Gemini and Virgo. It is the color of the third chakra which energizes our mental self. Yellow is the color of happiness, friendship, clarity, health and well-being. Yellow inspires original thought and is a practical color relating to logic.

Green is the color associated with the planet Saturn, ruler of Capricorn and traditionally Aquarius. The color of the forth chakra of the heart. Green is healing and helpful – a reason nature is so nurturing. It connects the head with the heart and denotes stability and security. Green is the color of spring, renewal, and rebirth. Green is the color of growth.

Blue is the planet Jupiter’s color, ruler of Sagittarius and traditionally Pisces. Color of the fifth or throat chakra. Blue represents our spiritual, artistic, and selfless qualities. It promotes physical and mental relaxation. Blue exhibits inner-security, reliability, and decisiveness. It’s connection with the fifth chakra supports us in speaking our truth.

Indigo is connected to the planet Venus, ruler of Taurus and Libra. Associated with the sixth chakra it uplifts and connects us to our intuition, and higher mind. Often used in religious ceremony indigo promotes deep concentration and contemplation. It conveys integrity and deep sincerity.

Violet is the Moon’s color, ruler of the sun sign Cancer and seventh, or crown chakra. It assists us with the connection to our spiritual self. Violet has the highest vibration in the visible spectrum and helps to expand our awareness. Violet helps us to get in touch with our deepest thoughts, inspiration, and creativity.

Colors effect the mind, body, spirit and emotions. We live in color! Nature in all of its beauty envelops us in its magnificent palette of color. Yet, color is personal. Look again. Are the colors around you serving your best interest? If not maybe it’s time to make a change…

© Cathi Curen 2017