Color Therapy What it is and how to use it!!

From a very early age we are taught colour use through bright building blocks and solid coloured toys. Market research has taught us over the years that babies will begin to recognise solid colours and will only develop a sense of differing shades within each later in childhood. We grow into our sense of colour, as it were, but how do we recognise different colours? How do we differentiate between them?

The answer is that we learn colour association through what we are taught in our culture. This accounts for vast differences in meaning of certain colours. But there are other ways in which we learn to recognise colour: this is because it is not just a visual aid but each colour also gives off its own energy signature.

Of course this is all very complicated and I will try to explain as best I can. I will start by explaining the theory to colour therapy here, and in later hubs will detail the psychological effects each colour has.

Firstly of course there are exceptions to the rule - colour-blindness is not my area of expertise but I would imagine that the colour-blind are unable to communicate certain light levels with their eyes.

The way colour works is it vibrates a certain wavelength of energy in response to the suns light. Each colour has a different wavelength of light travelling at speed. If you need further proof that colours can contain energy simply look at what happens to red when it becomes infra-red - it gives off microwave energy. Violet becomes Ultra-Violet and is used in X-Rays.

Ok, so we have established that different colours have different energy vibrations. The speed of these vary in such a way that using different colours can bring about different moods...One might feel summery and fresh in a lemon yellow shirt, or dressed for winter when in browns and blacks. 

Your favourite colour is generally one of two things. The most usual of these is that it is the colour which most reflects the general feel of your own energy. It could also be that it is the opposite, and in actual fact you may be drawn to this colour because it gives you an injection of the energy that it offers. Similarly it works the opposite way: a hatred or aversion to a particular colour could be that it's vibrations don't sit well with your own. It could be that the presence of certain colours makes you physically uncomfortable, and this is a reflection of the subconscious mind.

There are scientists out there who have done actual, real life experiments into this. An experiment I read of in Canada (Sue Lily, Colour Therapy, 2001, p17.) saw scientists have volunteers walk through rooms with identical furnishings but differing colours. They found that over time, the colder coloured rooms saw more lively chatter than the warmer rooms, which brought a much more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

I also remember watching a documentary about a group of scientists in Britain who were using fibre optic lights to stimulate the sight of partially blind babies with some degree of success.

On a more personal level have a look through your wardrobe. Are the colours there monotone? Are they varied? A variety of colours in your wardrobe is a good indication that you are consciously aware of the energy they bring you whereas a more solidly coloured wardrobe may mean you need to balance out your energy to better your wellbeing. 

So ultimately by studying colour we can bring about changes for the better in our lives. By choosing to surround yourself and your home with colours that complement your nature and your own vibrations you can maintain a happier lifestyle. Start slowly, introduce change at a base level - maybe by using a few cushions or a new pair of shoes. Build upon these gradually until you can dress yourself or any room in your house in co-ordination to however you feel!

So, in the next few hubs I will be looking into and detailing the implements of each colour. I will be looking at cross-cultural meanings, influence and results of living your life in these colours. Until then think on what I have said and please feel free to leave your comments at the bottom of the page!

Remember: your Chakra points have colours assigned to them for a reason!