Why Am I Drawn to Certain Colors?

Color is simply energy, energy made visible. Every color has a different wavelength and individual properties, both positive and negative. Different colors stimulate or inhibit the functioning of different parts of our body. Treatment with the appropriate color can restore balance and normal functioning.

Red

It is associated with self-preservation, survival, and physical wellness. It enhances vitality, energy, and courage. It’s the color of blood. Think of mouth-watering strawberries, the inside of a ripe watermelon, flaming maple trees, iron-rich soils, a juicy beefsteak tomato, fire-engine red, or the brilliant shade of a cardinal against a snowy backdrop. Remember the sweet, rich taste of red licorice at the movies?

The positive properties of red are expressed as energetic, assertive, powerful, exciting, passionate, strong-willed, courageous, and self-motivated.

The negative properties of red are described as aggressive, domineering, impatient, insensitive, and self-centered.

The healing properties of red are stimulating and vitalizing and address physical symptoms such as tiredness, poor circulation, colds/chills, and negative states of mind like apathy, fear, and lack of initiative. Red boosts brain activity and increases heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure.

When you need a boost in the areas of survival and self-preservation, indulge yourself with the color red. Its frequency refreshes crucial earth energy by stirring the base chakra and stimulating all of the body’s energy centers.

Like the deep root system of a healthy tree, red stabilizes our foundation and can help to bring our energetic body “down to earth.” It gives us legs to stand on. When our energy wavers or we feel used up or indifferent, red helps us ground and center our energy so that we can realize our goals.

The vibration of red is warming, energizing, and stimulating—what shade are you drawn to? True primary red is a statement color, dramatic, vibrant, and stimulating. Or maybe you enjoy more muted tones—cozy and intimate, with just a hint of passion and romance.

What we do with our physical environment—our personal space—speaks to our heart and helps us to flourish:

• Accessorize with a piece of red clothing or jewelry.
• Add a splash of red to your decor. Fill a clear vase with bright red
• Marbles and set it on an end or coffee table.
• Do something bold—paint your headboard red.
• Take advantage of the healing frequency of red crystals, such as garnet, red jasper, and ruby.

Orange

It is associated with self-gratification, pleasure, and occupational wellness. It enhances happiness, independence, and confidence. It’s the color of molten lava. Think of the downy feathers on a robin’s feathered breast, a mouthwatering tangerine, the velvet wings of a monarch butterfly, the impish grin of a jack-o’-lantern glowing on Halloween, or the life vest you wore in the boat at summer camp. Remember the taste of Orange Crush as the bubbles hit the back of your throat?

The positive properties of orange are expressed as joyful, enthusiastic, spontaneous, optimistic, sporting, good-humored, gregarious, and sensual.

The negative properties of orange are described as overindulgent, dependent, freeloading, deceptive, and superficial.

The healing properties of orange are warming and energizing and can address physical symptoms such as low vitality, poor appetite, indigestion, cramps/strained muscles, joint pains, and negative states of mind such as listlessness, boredom, sadness, and inhibition. Orange fosters sociability and helps us to assimilate new things and to unclog emotional energy that can get trapped in the lower abdomen.

When you need a boost in the areas of pleasure and self-gratification, indulge yourself with this color. The frequency of orange emboldens us to take in what we truly need from life and to let go of what no longer serves us.

The vibration of orange is energizing, exciting, and stimulating—what shade are you drawn to? Vivid orange combines the drama of red and the cheerfulness of yellow. Pure orange is luminous, bright, glowing, and bold. Or maybe you prefer more muted and shaded tones that offer a bright but subtle glow that is restful, earthy, natural, and soothing.

What we do with our physical environment—our personal space—speaks to our heart and helps us to flourish:

• Accessorize with a piece of orange clothing or jewelry.
• Cheer up your kitchen with a bright orange cookie jar or ceramic teapot.
• Make a statement—paint a wall in your home deep apricot.
• Take advantage of the healing frequency of orange crystals, such as carnelian, Sunstone, or moonstone that has a hint of peach or a shade of apricot.

Yellow

It is associated with self-definition, personal power, and social wellness. It enhances awareness, wisdom, and clarity. It’s the color of a shiny rain slicker. Think of the vibrant skin on a lemon or banana. It’s the lively color of daffodil bonnets that herald spring, and the dazzling color of finches jockeying for position at the feeder on a warm summer day. It’s the flamboyant color of bumblebees showing off as they dart from blossom to blossom. It’s the bursting color that greets you when you pull the husks from grill-roasted corn on the cob that then get buttered to the ears. Remember the vibrant color on the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine album cover?

The positive properties of yellow are expressed as motivational, happy, radiant, social, lighthearted, mentally active, clear thinking, rational, and detached from negative emotions.

The negative properties of yellow are described as critical, argumentative, opinionated, evasive, and restless.

The healing properties of yellow are uplifting and supportive and can address physical symptoms that include intestinal and digestive issues, such as constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence; water retention; skin problems; all mental processes; and negative states of mind, such as depression, low self-esteem, short attention span, “exam nerves,” and writer’s block. Yellow increases awareness, perception, and understanding. It also stimulates the appetite.

When you need a boost in the areas of personal power and self-definition, indulge yourself with this color. Its frequency resonates with the solar plexus chakra, the wellspring of our power, the hub—the very heart—of our body’s electrical system. It promotes vigor and improves memory. Yellow energy stirs feelings of well-being and positive thinking and triggers the outward expression of inner joy.

The vibration of yellow is energizing, uplifting, and stimulating. What shade are you drawn to? Vivid yellow is closest to sunlight; it conveys hospitality and promotes deep feelings of vitality. Muted hues make a quiet background for busy lives, while shaded yellows’ soft, glowing presence speaks of home, harvest, and abundance.

What we do with our physical environment—our personal space—speaks to our heart and helps us to flourish:

• Accessorize with a piece of yellow clothing or jewelry.
• Wake up your bathroom with a dazzling yellow shower curtain.
• Fill a clear glass contemporary container or an antique mason jar with bright yellow lemon drops and use it as a focal point in your living room.
• Take advantage of the healing frequency of yellow crystals, such as citrine, golden tiger eye, and imperial topaz.

Green

It is associated with self-acceptance, love, and emotional wellness. It enhances love, peace, and inner balance. It’s the color of growth. Think of freshly mown grass that springs back after a barefoot step, the vibrant green of newly beached seaweed, a wedge of lime hugging the rim of a glass, moss-covered rocks in a stream, freshly snapped sugar peas, the dusty green of pistachios peeking out from their split shells, or new leaves unfurling as they herald spring.

The positive properties of green are expressed as warm, sympathetic, compassionate, soothing, relaxed, fair-minded, and consistent.

The negative properties of green are described as envious, mean, bitter, inflexible, and jaded.

The healing properties of green are described as calming and soothing and can address physical symptoms that include headaches; heart and kidney problems; flu; and negative states of mind such as irritability, spite, fear of emotional involvement, and claustrophobia.

When you need a boost in the areas of love and self-acceptance, indulge yourself with this color. Its frequency revitalizes the heart chakra, the center energy station in a system of seven. It encourages us to love ourselves just as we are. Love, the most powerful energy of all, helps us to heal emotional wounds through unconditional acceptance and understanding. It’s here—the place of the heart—where we become balanced and peaceful beings.

The vibration of green is calming, soothing, and relaxing. What shade are you drawn to? Pure green is strongly associated with nature, new beginnings, and a sense of renewal; it’s the most neutral color in the spectrum. The more muted tones are calm, restful, and soothing. Or maybe you prefer the deeper shaded variants, which project trust and order, encouraging contemplation, serenity, and repose. Regardless of the hue, green reminds us to listen with our hearts and encourages us to fulfill our heart’s desire. Archangel Raphael—known as Heaven’s Physician—is associated with the color green. It’s no wonder this color is often used in healing circles.

What we do with our physical environment—our personal space—speaks to our heart and helps us to flourish:

• Accessorize with a piece of green clothing or jewelry.
• Make a serene statement in your work area by adding stalks of bamboo; it helps to bring calm to chaos.
• Do you enjoy antiques? Add a few pieces of soft green Depression glass or an emerald-green seltzer bottle to your collection.
• Take advantage of the healing frequency of green crystals, such as green aventurine, malachite, green jade, or emerald.

Blue

It is associated with self-expression, creativity, and environmental wellness. It enhances knowledge, relaxation, and health. It’s the color of a cloudless summer sky. Think of your favorite faded denim jacket, robin’s eggs in a nest, an exquisite piece of turquoise, or the shimmering, inviting water in a swimming pool on a hot day.

The positive properties of blue are expressed as peaceful, calming, tactful, sincere, trustworthy, fluent, introspective, and responsible.

The negative properties of blue are described as tongue-tied, cold, withdrawn, manipulative, and disloyal.

The healing properties of blue are cooling and protective and can address physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, migraine, fever, cuts, stings/burns, and negative states of mind such as timidity, fatigue, distrust, indecision, fear of speaking up, and confrontation. Blue decreases respiration and is ideal for sleep and overactivity.

When you need a boost in the areas of creativity and self-expression, indulge yourself with this color. The frequency of blue resonates with the throat chakra. It creates a calm throat center from which to speak our truth. Blue stimulates calm, open, and clear communication, ingredients that are vital to working with others peacefully.

The vibration of the blue is calming and cooling. What shade are you drawn to? Clear blue cools and calms. Or maybe you enjoy the muted hues that recall a spring sky after the rain or shaded tones that exude comfort and rest.

What we do with our physical environment—our personal space—speaks to our heart and helps us to flourish:

• Accessorize with a piece of blue clothing or jewelry.
• Place chunky blue candles on a multi-tiered candle holder, which can add a soft light to your space.
• Buy blue sheets—they’ll gently encourage you to sleep at night.
• Take advantage of the healing frequency of blue crystals, such as aquamarine, chrysocolla, or blue topaz.

Indigo

It is associated with self-reflection, intuition, and intellectual wellness. It enhances imagination and understanding. Brooding and nocturnal, this mysterious color is a combination of deep blue and violet and holds the attributes of both of these colors. It’s the color of ripe blueberries. Think of a deep-blue midnight sky, the breath-like movement of a nocturnal sea, the plumage of male indigo buntings in the summer, or the bottomless depths of a mountain lake.

The positive properties of indigo are expressed as visionary, wise, inspired, deep, intuitive, empathetic, broad-minded, and sensible.

The negative properties of indigo are described as fearful, arrogant, deluded, isolated, and overly idealistic.

The healing properties of indigo are sedative and can address physical symptoms such as hearing, sight, and sinus issues; nerves; insomnia; and negative states of mind that include paranoia, hypersensitivity, obsession, and hysteria.

When you need a boost in the areas of intuition and self-reflection, indulge yourself with this color. The frequency of indigo stimulates the brow chakra, also known as the third-eye center. It enhances our sense of knowing and helps us to better understand the big picture, to see clearly.

The vibration of indigo is purifying, integrating, and cooling. What shade are you drawn to? Pure indigo calls to mind the emotions of the sea, promoting responsibility and trust in personal intuition. Or do you prefer the noble shaded tones that exude deep thought, contemplation, inner calm, and balance?

What we do with our physical environment—our personal space—speaks to our heart and helps us to flourish:

• Accessorize with a piece of indigo clothing or jewelry.
• Throw pillows are a quick way to freshen a room without a lot of expense or effort; indigo is ideal for the bedroom.
• Set the stage for nighttime dreams by painting the ceiling in your bedroom indigo. You can even add glow-in-the-dark stars.
• Take advantage of the healing frequency of indigo crystals, such as lapis lazuli, sodalite, or sapphire.

Violet

It is associated with self-knowledge, connection, spiritual wellness, and the divine. It enhances creativity, wisdom, and inspiration. It’s the color of royalty. Think of juicy plums, purple grapes, the velvet petals of African violet, or the rich color of eggplant. When was the last time you picked turnips fresh from the earth? Have you ever seen a spiny purple sea urchin on the ocean floor while snorkeling, or been waved at by an iris dancing in the breeze?

The positive properties of violet are expressed as inspiration, dignity, creativity, nobility, spiritual awareness, altruism, independence, and personableness.

The negative properties of violet are described as fanatical, perfectionist, self-doubting, self-destructive, and alienated.

The healing properties of violet are cleansing and antiseptic and can address physical symptoms, such as epilepsy, neuralgia, and multiple sclerosis, and negative states of mind that include neurosis, despair, loss of faith, and lack of self-respect. Violet can also be used to suppress appetite.

When you need a boost in the areas of divine connection and self-knowledge, indulge yourself with this color. The frequency of violet refreshes the crown chakra, the gateway to our spiritual nature. This energetic center is where we consent to higher guidance for personal transformation.

The energy of violet helps to assimilate our day-to-day experiences into wisdom, waiting at the ready for translation into enlightenment. It encourages a peaceful environment, relieves tension, and promotes inner strength, wisdom, and kindness. Violet helps us to change negatives into positives and brings about increased feelings of spiritual connection.

The vibration of violet is strengthening, cleansing, and purifying. What shade are you drawn to? Pure violet emits the clarity of blue and the warmth of red. It speaks of grandeur and reverence. Or maybe you enjoy the lighter, airy shades that are elusive and intriguing, while the deeper purple tones are shadowy and peaceful, inviting deep relaxation and meditation.

What we do with our physical environment—our personal space—speaks to our heart and helps us to flourish:

• Accessorize with a piece of violet clothing or jewelry.
• Mix and match vases of violet and purple flowers in any room in your home: lavender, lilacs, impatiens, verbena, iris, alyssum, bachelor buttons, asters, crocus, lilac, pansies, gladiolas,
• snapdragons, wisteria, tamarisk, lupine, and clematis.
• Because of its calming properties, violet is an excellent choice to use during meditation. Enhance your sacred space with a violet or purple zafu cushion to augment your meditation practice.
• Take advantage of the healing frequency of violet or purple crystals, such as amethyst, sugilite, or lepidolite.

By incorporating a few of these easy-to-implement suggestions on how to weave color into the tapestry of our lives, we can enhance our sense of groundedness with red, increase our sense of delight with orange, cultivate our inner-landscape with yellow, develop our emotional empowerment with green, unleash our creative flair with blue, boost our insight with indigo, and strengthen the connection with our higher self with violet.