Spirituality
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A
Spiritual Perspective on Colour
by Rev. Sandi
King
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Colour
is a wonderful concept. As a word, it is very simple...colour.
Yet it is so multi-faceted. Colour can set a mood or atmosphere,
reflect one's current state of mind or emotions, represent specific
nutrients food and bring spiritual awareness through our energy
centres helping us align or balance that energy. Color can be
used in your daily life to restore balance and well-being.
Colour
therapy looks at colour as a vibration; an energy source. Physically,
colour is light split into different vibrations ~ hence each colour
has its own vibration. White is the reflection of all colours
and black is the absorption of all colours.
The Colour Spectrum
The
colour spectrum as seen in a rainbow runs from short (purple)
to long (red) waves. Each colour has a universal interpretation
or meaning. There are several schemata that do this. I have attempted
to integrate the most common and most credible interpretations
of universal colour meaning. It is important to note colour also
has personal meaning shaped by your experiences and outlook on
life. It is important to follow your intuitive feelings about
how colour affects you and only use the widespread interpretations
as a guideline.
To
provide a structure within which to discuss colour, I will be
drawing on Eastern terminology as they have a system that better
accommodates this. The Sanskrit term ‘chakra' will be used
to describe energy centres in the human body that correspond to
specific colour vibrations. Chakras are swirls of energy located
in specific areas of the body that resonate at certain vibrations.
There are seven main chakra points (groin or root, spleen, solar
plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown) that vibrate to each
colour of the rainbow. These energy points are actually in the
Spirit body that contains the physical body.
When
balanced, the chakras follow the same colour spectrum as the rainbow.
Events in our life may cause an healthy or unhealthy dis-alignment
of the rainbow sequence in the chakras. Since many of life challenges
warrant a concentration of spiritual energy from one or more major
chakra centres, this may be a sign of a healthy way of dealing
with a specific life challenge. It may also speak to the need
for change. A skilled and trained intuitive can distinguish this.
The
balance or imbalance of the chakras can be seen and felt through
the aura. To the trained sensitive, the electro-magnetic field
around each of us is a glitter with beautiful colours reflecting
the essences of our spiritual, mental, and physical beings. When
we are balanced and our life circumstances are on an even-keel,
each chakra follows the colour spectrum from red to purple perfectly.
When balanced, we think, feel and act at our peak spiritually,
emotionally, physically and emotionally. When we are balanced,
things seem to go our way we handle life's challenges by turning
them into positive growth experiences. When balanced, we are in
control of our lives. Balance achieved is the realization of the
connection between our body, mind, heart and spirit, as well as
our connection to our environment.
Red:
Creation
and physical energy are the vibration of red ~ reproduction, starting
new projects, new beginnings. In excess, red can turn to anger
and in the extreme - rage. If you need energy or passion, surround
yourself in red, wear red clothes, eat red foods (eg., apples,
red cabbage, radishes, cherries). If you have an excess of energy
or need concentration for detailed work, avoid red. Red is the
element of fire. Without heat we would be paralysed with cold.
Emotional/Mental:
vigour, fire, heat, blood, passion, creation, dominant, extrovert,
power ~ St. Valentine's, Christmas. Red is the vibration of birth-the
foundation of our emotional/mental stability based on family dynamics,
our group, tribal or familial belief systems. Red allows us to
be more humanistic, more forgiving, and more passionate about
our life's activities. If you feel you have lost that zest in
life, red is a good colour to restore your enthusiasm. Pink, a
lighter shade of red, is the vibration of love, human kindness
and compassion. Red allows for creative ideas things. It is a
good colour to promote brainstorming where quantity, not quality,
of ideas is needed.
Physical:
blood, respiratory, nervous, muscular, liver. Red stimulates the
nervous system, the liver, the muscular system, the respiratory
system, blood pressure and pulse rate. Red increases the growth
in plants, hormonal activity and the healing of wounds (the opposite
of blue). Time is over- estimated and weight is perceived as being
heavier.
Spiritual:
Red vibrates at the lowest frequency and is associated with the
earth and is the centre of physical energy and vitality. It gives
us courage and determination. When balanced we are comfortable
being spontaneous and out-going. Honesty and forgiveness are easier
with the vibration of red. Relationships built on the vibration
of pink have more compassion and spirituality than those built
purely on red. The sacrament connection is baptism, our way of
honouring the importance and appropriateness of birthing into
our family. The sacred truth is ‘All is One,' reflecting
a responsibility to the community and being of service to others
to create a positive community.
Chakra:
root chakra ~ etheric body. At the bottom of the spine, the groin
or root chakra connects you to Mother earth. It is physical energy.
Focusing on your root chakra stimulates the lower part of your
body: the legs, tail bone, sexual and urinary organs, and the
adrenal glands. Concerned with survival on the emotional and physical
planes, this is the survival chakra. The awakening of this chakra
is necessary to allow an integration of spiritual energy released
from the higher chakras
Affirmation:
The vibration of red is flowing in, through and around my body,
energizing every cell and organ with its physical energy, with
its creative sparks. I have the energy to fulfill my obligations
and constructive desires. My root chakra is perfectly balanced.
I have exactly the right amount of red that I need right now.
Orange:
Creative
energy and putting into action solid creative ideas is the vibration
of orange ~ doing projects, completing ideas. The pure form of
orange can be a bit abrasive. However, more muted tones, like
peach and salmon are more attractive and subtle. Orange helps
you to hone in on the quality of ideas that were generated in
the red vibration. If you need focusing, surround yourself in
orange ~ wear orange clothes, eat orange foods (e.g. peaches,
oranges, cantaloupe, turnips). If you are too focused and need
expanding, avoid orange.
Emotional/Mental:
warmth, jovial, lively, energetic, assertive ~ Halloween, Thanksgiving.
The chakra of partnership, developmentally becomes distinctive
around the age of seven. Individuation and separation from our
family roots begin with the resonation of this vibration. Orange
can strengthen emotions and create a psychological feeling of
well-being. Here we begin to establish our personal identity and
establish boundaries
Physical:
sexual organs, large intestine, lower vertebrae, pelvis, hips,
appendix and bladder. Orange stimulates the thyroid, spleen, pancreas
and breath.
Spiritual:
Our ‘fight or flight' instinct is developed here as well
as our resilience to recover from loss, and our skill at decision-making.
The sacrament is Communion, symbolizing the attachments we make
with others. Our values and perspective toward procreation are
developed in this vibration. The sacred truth is ‘respect
others' and ‘treat others as you would have them treat you,'
is reflective of the idea of cause and consequences. It is through
our relationships with others that we enhance our consciousness
and become more aware. Through pain or challenge, we choose to
grow or not, our strengths and needs are revealed to us.
Chakra:
spleen ~ emotional body. The awakening of this body is necessary
to allow an integration of spiritual energy released from the
higher chakras. This vibration facilitates sexual relations becoming
a creative communion, allowing creative energies to develop artistically
and aesthetically, and is the source of spiritual energy, motivations
and creation.
Affirmation:
The vibration of orange is flowing in, through and around my body,
energizing every cell and organ with its creativity, allowing
me to put into action those creative plans and ideas that serve
me best. I have the creative energy to plan and fulfill my obligations
and create constructive desires that are for my own best good.
My spleen chakra is perfectly balanced. I have exactly the right
amount of orange that I need right now.
Yellow:
Knowledge
and wisdom are found in the vibration of yellow when in balance
promoting a healthy stimulation of mental growth, logic and learning.
Lighter tones promote purer thought processes and darker tones
promote more practical use of learning. As the storage centre
of spiritual energy, this is the vibration of Personal Power and
the formation of self-esteem in our teen years.
Emotional/Mental:
intellect, sunlight, caution, inspiring, radiant, safety. This
is the vibration that gives strength to our ego development and
its connection with our personality. Issues that can evolve from
an imbalance in this chakra are related to assuming responsibility
for one's actions, self-esteem, inability to handle criticism
or rejection. Too much of this vibration facilitates an over abundance
of logic and too little can result over sensitivity.
Physical:
stomach, pancreas, adrenals, upper intestines, gallbladder, liver
and the middle spine. Yellow stimulates the motor nerves, digestion,
the lymphatic system and strengthen nerves.
Spiritual:
The Divine qualities of endurance and integrity partner to create
the vibration of ‘standing up and being counted.' The sacrament
aligned to yellow is confirmation, a sacrament of self- respect,
is the emergence of an alignment between the higher self and the
expressed or conscious self. Strength of character emerge from
a balanced solar plexus, honouring the sacred truth of this vibration
‘to thine own self be true.'
Chakra:
Solar Plexus ~ mental body. This energy storage house is the source
of symbolic sight and spiritual energy. The awakening of this
chakra is necessary to allow an integration of spiritual energy
released from the higher chakras. The ‘gut' feeling is appropriate
for this energy centre as it is marked by the innate awareness
or consciousness on all planes - physically, mentally/emotionally
and spiritually. It is the vibration of the wisdom needed to integrate
the intuitive with the concrete. Yellow energy allows us to transform
the reactive, self-centred energy of the first two chakras into
interactive altruistic, healing energy. It is the information
centre of knowledge. If imbalanced, yellow can promote emotional
disturbances, such as depression and mood swings, and when balanced
predisposes one to a deep and fulfilling emotional life.
Affirmation:
The vibration of yellow is flowing in, through and around my body,
energizing every cell and organ with its wisdom and capacity for
learning. I have the wisdom to integrate my life's experiences
with my formal education, allowing me to fulfill my obligations
and create a growth promoting life-style. Just as I store this
wisdom and knowledge, I store the spiritual energy that I receive
so as to use it when I need to. My Solar plexus chakra is perfectly
balanced, I honour myself and am able to have my truth stand up
and be counted. I have exactly the right amount of yellow that
I need right now to express my strength of character.
Green:
The
vibration of growth ~ in nature, foliage and new growth is green.
On the personal emotional/ mental plane, green fosters personal
healing and personal growth. The green vibration is one of growth,
rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.
Emotional/Mental:
nature, water, quieting, refreshing, peaceful, abundance, health,
growth. Green allows the ideas created in red to be developed
and come to fruition. It is a withdrawal from stimulus and a focus
on following through, reflection and concentration. Green can
stabilize and sooth emotion. It is the colour of growth, fertility,
hope and new life.
Physical:
Heart and circulatory system, ribs, breasts, thymus gland, lungs,
shoulders, arms, hands, diaphragm. Green can reduce nervous and
muscle tensions, and help with sleeplessness and exhaustion.
Spiritual:
The development of this chakra will determine the quality of your
life, as it reflects the internal emotional stage that allows
us to act consciously with responsibility and with compassion.
It is through the development of this chakra that we can grow
in the concept of ‘let go and let God.' The more developed,
the more we are able to accept challenges that come our way as
an extension of our Souls's Mission. Implicit in this chakra's
blossoming is a tacit understanding that God is Love and compassion.
The sacrament of marriage resonates to this vibration, first as
a marriage between one's Soul and one's self. This union is necessary
to foster a healthy and loving union between two people. An under-developed
chakra can result in bitterness, jealously and the inability to
forgive. A balanced heart chakra can foster purity in love, forgiveness,
hope, inspiration and trust. The sacred truth lived in this vibration
is ‘unconditional love is divine power,' with an endless
capacity to forgive.
Chakra: heart/mind chakra ~ astral body. Primarily concerned with
the transformation of earthly concerns into spiritual consciousness,
this vibration assists in mediating between the lower physical
energy centres and the higher more spiritual energy centres. It
is the connector between the spirit and the body. When fully activated
and balanced, this energy helps us develop a strong love of humanity
and a desire to better humanity and world peace. It is the foundation
or source of motivation for all our actions. The more activated,
the more we desire to be of service to others, the more we work
out of love. This is a very special chakra as its opening or blossoming
will reflect your own spiritual blossoming.
Affirmation:
The healing vibration of green is flowing in, through and around
my body, energizing every cell and organ with its capacity for
personal growth. I acknowledge the growth that I have achieved
and continue to be attuned to my needs for continued personal
growth. My heart chakra is perfectly balanced. I have exactly
the right amount and shade of green that I need right now.
Light Blue:
the
vibration of physical healing. A spiritual healer or energy worker
calls on the vibration of light blue to heal. In this vibration
we learn to assume full responsibility for our choices and consequences
or our actions. We learn to align our will with that of the Divine
and in so doing learn to make ‘right' choices. In perfect
balance, we recognize that the only authority in our lives is
our selves and how we let the Divine work through us.
Emotional/Mental: cool, sky, subduing, contemplative, physical
healing, devotion. Because blue is a difficult colour to focus,
it is low on attention getting. Blue creates a restful and serene
atmosphere, and is comforting to the introvert. This is the energy
centre of making choices, and exerting one's will in balance with
the will of the Divine.
Physical:
metabolism, vitality, throat, thyroid, trachea, esophagus, parathyroid,
hypothalamus, neck vertebrae, mouth, jaw and teeth. Blue slows
down the growth in plants, decreases hormonal activity, lowers
blood pressure and inhibits the healing of wounds (the opposite
of red). Time is underestimated and weight is perceived as being
lighter. Blue energy is associated with sound and the ability
to express oneself. A good colour to promote rest, calmness and
relaxation in rooms. Blue hues in your clothes give off an aura
of calmness, competency and openness.
Spiritual:
‘Let Thy will be mine,' is the spiritual principle discovered
in this vibration. When followed, it demonstrates an openness
to Divine guidance, and an acknowledgement of the energy impact
of our thoughts and actions. Through this energy centre we create
our own karma based on the ‘rightness' of our choices. ‘Thoughts
are things.' Our actions reflect our thoughts. Each action affects
everything around us including the environment.
Chakra:
Throat Chakra ~ Spiritual Body. This vibration focuses on communication
in all forms ~ art, dance, writing, poetry, film, and verbal expression.
The love/mercy and judgement of the Divine are expressed through
this energy centre: the balance of yin and yang, right and left.
Confession is the sacrament that is attuned to this balanced vibration,
expressing our accountability for our actions.
Affirmation:
The healing vibration of light blue is flowing in, through and
around my body, healing every cell and organ with its physically
healing energy. I allow the healing vibration of light blue to
concentrate on whatever body part my intuition feels it needs
right now. My throat chakra is perfectly balanced, allowing my
expression to occur through the right medium for me. I have exactly
the right amount of light blue where I need it right now.
Indigo Blue:
Indigo
blue is the vibration that allows our connection to our intuition
to grow. In its vibration we can feel safer in dealing with the
unknown, as this in the centre of Divine knowledge and wisdom.
When this chakra is in balance we are able to better distinguish
between thoughts motivated by strength and those motivated by
fear. It is through this vibration that we can create an inner
sanctuary where we can see things from a unique and constructive
perspective. Our priority becomes to seek truth, justice and humanitarianism,
and to develop a clearer, more balanced and fairer understanding
of our world through its energies.
Emotional/Mental:
transparent, night sky, meditative, mystical. This vibration connects
our conscious self and our higher self, through our intuitive
wisdom. Indigo helps you deal with fear of the unknown and gives
you the strength to face the unknown with confidence.
Physical:
thyroid and respiratory depressant; gives energy to the brain,
and neurological system, pituitary and pineal glands, eyes, ears
and nose.
Spiritual:
Once we accept this vibration, we have stepped onto a spiritual
path. This is a path of questions and challenges. We are asking
the Divine to activate those experiences that will give us the
opportunity to learn that which our Higher self knows we need
to learn. Our mind is able to open itself to that which is beyond
the personal, to that of what Carl Jung called the ‘supra
or collective conscious.' The acceptance and realization that
"thoughts are things' is the basic spiritual premise of this
developed chakra. Ordination, being called to be of service, is
the sacrament that is inspired by this chakra being in perfect
balance. Symbolically, ordination speaks to the ability of everyone
to deeply affect the lives of others. The sacred truth of this
chakra is 'seek only truth:' being able to put our own fears,
issues and concerns as secondary to seeing the truth and acting
on that truth.
Chakra:
Brow chakra ~ Causal Body. Through integration of this chakra
with the root (red) chakra we begin to understand our connections
with Mother earth, and our connections with the Divine or Heavenly
Father. We develop a stronger sense of harmony with nature and
therefore a need to care for and protect the environment. The
awakening of this chakra is related to the awakening of our Spiritual
Self ~ the Divine presence in each of us. We begin to feel that
our purpose is at one with the Divine. With this colour and chakra
you can create an inner sanctuary.
Affirmation:
The vibration of deep dark blue is flowing in, through and around
my body, attuning every cell and organ to trusting my intuitive
connection. I am trusting my intuition in fulfilling my obligations
and creating constructive, positive desires that are for my own
best good and for the best good of others. My brow chakra is perfectly
balanced. I have exactly the right amount of indigo blue and intuition
that I need right now to recognize and acknowledge the greater
truth, the truth beyond my own personal perceptions. I am in tune
with the objective truth, strive for greater understanding and
act in service of the Divine for humankind. I allow the energy
to flow through my brow or third eye, awakening my intuition and
connecting me to the Divine energies.
Purple:
The
vibration of spirituality - connecting to the Divine presence
in oneself. This is also the vibration of royalty, who are often
also spiritual leaders, able to determine right and wrong and
establish justice. In this vibration we can transcend the physical
and enter the spiritual world. It is in this vibration that we
solidify our morals and values developing our philosophy or belief
system. It is here that we create a personal connection to the
Divine through meditative and prayful practices, allowing us to
transcend the physical.
Emotional/Mental:
deep, soft, mystical, dignified, royal, Divinely inspired, spirituality
~ Easter. When in tune with this vibration and when this energy
centre is in alignment, we are open to receiving inspiration,
gifts of spirit, and prophetic insight. Purple is the colour of
pure spirituality. It inspires reflection, imagination, deeper
meditation and spiritual healing. It facilitates mental strength,
leadership, humanitarianism, idealism, kindness and a sense of
justice.
Physical:
pituitary gland, hair and bone growth. This is where spiritual
energy enters the body, nourishing the body, mind/heart and Spirit.
It therefore affects the major systems of the body: the central
nervous system, the muscular system and the skin. Purple is a
combination of red and blue the two opposites and therefore appears
to be biologically neutral. It gives energy to the spleen and
lymphatic system. As decor, purple promotes quiet reflection rather
than conversation and social activities. It is a good colour for
chapels and meditative rooms, not for a living or recreation room.
Violet and purple clothes give one an aura of mystique, a dreamer
and a thinker.
Spiritual:
When balanced we are in a position to receive ‘Divine Grace.'
When too focused on this energy, one can become detached or disconnected
to the earthly world and concerns. One who has a purple vibration
is likely a highly developed intuitive with a powerful creative
energy that inspires authors, artists, scientists to serve for
the betterment of humankind. The spiritual energy channelled through
the crown chakra in meditation is ten-fold that of energy of a
lower vibration. The seventh or crown chakra has no beginning
or end and it is considered to be eternal. The Christian sacrament
that aligns with it is the ‘Last Rites - the symbolic process
of retrieving one's Spirit from unfinished business, releasing
regrets, and forgiving. Symbolically it is a purification of the
Soul, that can and should occur not only at death, but during
the process of living. The connection here is one of personal
spirituality, ‘live fully in the present.'
Chakra:
Crown Chakra ~ Soul Body
Affirmation:
The vibration of purple is flowing in, through and around my body,
energizing every cell and organ with its sense of spirituality.
I am attuned to the Divine presence in me, I am in harmony with
nature and my world. I am aware of my connectedness to Mother
earth and to the Heavenly Father. I am fully grounded and connected.
My spiritual or crown chakra is perfectly balanced. My purposes
in life are one with the Divine. I have exactly the right amount
of purple and spiritual energy that I need right now.
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