We must become consciously aware of the language of color for our own physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Nature has furnished us with color to support the body, mind, emotions and also the spirit. It nourishes our whole system. If you could see a person's aura with the naked eye, you would see how layer upon layer of energy envelops the body in the colors of the rainbow. There are an infinite number of color vibrations in the world, at both ends of the spectrum and very many that we, as humans cannot see.

The Effects of Color

Since all living things consist of color, they can absorb colors purposefully and specifically; colors can thus alleviate certain physical ailments and have a beneficial effect on our health. Light waves affect us every minute of our lives and penetrate our energy systems whether we are awake, asleep, sighted or blind. Just take a look around you now, and you will notice that everything you see has color. Most of us are probably aware that we react to colors in different ways, but most of us probably do not realize that colors not only directly affect how we feel, physically, emotionally and spiritually, but even how we behave. Let’s think about this for a moment. You will most probably agree that you seem to feel better and are more cheerful on a bright, sunny day than on a gloomy, dull one.

In North America and other parts of the world that have a cooler climate with long winters many people suffer from depression in the winters because of the dark dull days and lack of sunshine and brightness. This is known as S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and much research is being carried out into this. I am sure you regularly stand in front of your wardrobe looking for just the right color clothes for the day. Red may feel too bright, black too dull etc, and many times you will put something on and just instantly feel better and uplifted, for the color has helped with your internal mood. I tell all my clients that if they are wearing black all the time they really must wear bright colored underwear, so that the body is getting enough colors. Whilst there is nothing wrong with black, which is a powerful color in its own right, too much can be quite depressing and may cause darker/somber moods. I myself have noticed that if I wear black or dark colors for several days, day 1 I feel fine, day 2 a little less breezy and by day 3 and day 4 quite miserable or negative, but adding some brighter color stops this. My clients have all noticed this to and we often laugh when I see them wearing black and they instantly tell me or often show me they have bright colored underwear on underneath. Light and colors, which are the different wavelengths of light, are perceived by the eyes and absorbed by the body through the skin and the optic nerves. They penetrate into the brain, where they are processed and utilized by the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that links the central nervous system to the hormonal system, and the light that penetrates to it at various wavelengths triggers a complex biochemical transfer within the body. This is why people who are subjected to prolonged periods of darkness, during which their body cannot absorb any light, suffer from vitamin deficiencies, hormonal disorders, disturbances of the normal body cycles, particularly sleep and metabolic functions and depression. In Victorian times people classed as `mad' were put into dark rooms to keep them calm, but what it did in effect was to make them even more `mad' as their bodies were no longer getting the light they needed.

Hospital rooms are often painted in pale green as its deemed to be a healing balancing and soothing color, I can remember as a child my mother deciding to paint the bedroom I shared with my sister pale peppermint green as she thought it would soothe and calm the sisterly fights that my sister and I often had, I am not sure it did do that but I do remember the room being very calming and never had any problem falling to sleep at night. Green is the most relaxing on the eyes and in turn the mind Stress in offices is often enhanced by the color the office is painted. Whilst Red may seen a wonderful warm and vibrant color, it would not be a good color to have in an office where there is a lot of pressure to meet deadlines etc as it cause more stress and tempers to fray much quicker than normal, remember the saying `red rag to a bull'. Red would have to be toned down with added white and plenty of green plants etc.

Red Crystals that can be used to bring the color into the body: Garnet, Ruby

Blue is the color of communication and can also be very cooling and soothing and calms the mind, however it can also sometimes make a room feel very cold if the color is too intense, but this could be a good color to use in hot climates, blue also helps you to think more clearly.

Orange is the color of creativity, so it enhances creativity in the office and of people in general. It's a wonderful color to wear when doing a presentation, or teaching for it holds the audience attention more than any other and is very motivating. It is a very warming and soothing color.

White is the color of peace, its always makes a room feel light and peaceful, but can also make it feel sterile, so some color ideally should be added even if its just plants or brightly colored rugs or blinds. White is composed of all the colors of the rainbow intermingled. Yellow also can have a tremendous effect on the workings of an office, yellow is associated with the solar plexus, the seat of personal power, gut instinct, and ego! It is also the brightest color of the spectrum; it will uplift you and bring laughter and joy. I recently had a client who decided to paint her company office's yellow and blue, as soon as the dominant color of yellow started to be painted on the walls, the office started to irrupt into a battlefield, everyone arguing with each other, personal attacks on people, tears, tantrums etc. The color was bringing their personal power, ego's and control into question, during the few days that followed much anger was released but also much personal deep healing also took place, once the blue and white colors were added the mood changed dramatically and then the plants were added, the whole atmosphere changed and the whole feeling of the office is now very relaxed and happy and the staff motivated in what they are doing and business is also picking up. This was an extreme case of color affecting people's personal behavior as well as the work place but a good example of how color really does affect us.

We are not totally dependent on our eyes to perceive light and color. The ability to see without the use of one's eyes is known as eidetic ability. This means that `looking' and `seeing' take place exclusively in the brain, which creates strong mental images without the assistance of the  optic nerves.

Experiments conducted in the former Soviet Union even investigated the possibility of perceiving color solely with the sense of touch. What seemed impossible was actually achieved, several of the people tested were able to feel and `see' and correctly identify, colors through their fingertips. That the human body is equipped with two `safety systems', eidetic sight and the sense of touch, to help it perceive light and color without eyesight shows how important these elements are to our physical and emotional life. Even if we should become blind, we retain the potential to avail ourselves, with some training, of the various qualities of light by these means. How to de-stress using color: Calmly painting a rainbow every day is a simple color therapy that may have remarkable beneficial effects. Set aside ten minutes a day when you will not be disturbed by anyone or anything. Have a set of watercolors or felt-tip markers ready to use. Then start to paint a rainbow. You will notice that you practically thirst for some of the colors. If your mouth literally waters when you are using a particular color, it is a clear sign that there is a deficiency of that color vibration in your body at that time. Take your time in painting enjoy and relax. If you continue to paint daily, you will begin to feel emotionally stronger and calmer; later, you will experience additional inner harmony and clarity, and your physical energy will increase. This very simple method is well worth trying. Adults and children respond to it equally well, and children particularly derive immense pleasure from creating a rainbow every day.

MEDITATE WITH THE SEVEN RAYS OF COLOR

Meditating with the seven colors is powerful, easy and peaceful and can be done at any time, by just sitting or lying quietly for a few minutes and visualizing each color in turn, breathing it into the body. Start with the first ray, and continue to visualize the others in order. Practice this every morning for about three minutes before getting up, or any time during the day. These are energies that work in and of them; they are powers of the soul. Every one of us relates most to one of these rays, which, in turn, reveal a great deal about our spiritual state, and about which mental and spiritual principles we have realized most thoroughly in our life. Red, the first ray, is creative and animating, and stands for spiritual power. Orange, the second ray, expresses and represents creative energy. The third ray is yellow. It completely transforms purely mental power, and it signifies understanding. Green, the color of the fourth ray, brings the ability to transcend one's baser self, and represents harmony. The fifth ray is blue, and brings inner peace. It stands for peace. Indigo, the sixth ray, carries the ability to seek one's true self, and signifies wisdom. And, finally, violet, the seventh ray creates a link between all of these abilities and the higher powers. It represents the perfect harmony of the entire spectrum of the six lower rays, and is marked by transcendental powers. What is color therapy? Color therapy is based on the ancient art of using color and light to treat disease. Practitioners believe that by altering the colors that surround us, it is possible to enhance health and well being. The earliest forms of therapy included the use of colored gems and sunlight. There is now a wide range of treatment options available and many practitioners combine the use of color with other complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, crystals and yoga.

Submitted by Charles Lightwalker who is a Metis shaman, author, medical intuitive, and healer. For more information call Charles at 509-389-7290 or visit the web site: www.thefamilyoflight.com