Where Energy Flows

There are a few colours in the spectrum that are stimulating and relaxing at the same time. Green is one of them and purple is the other: from the lightest lilac and lavender, to sweet violet and plums, vivacious magenta, and the deep earthy shades of wine, burgundy and eggplant.

There are a few symbols connected with purple, namely wealth, spirituality and power. The connection with wealth is because obtaining purple dye from natural sources is costly and difficult. Historically only those in high positions could afford it, such as royalty and the head of religious orders (for example the Pope of the Catholic religion.) These are of course, positions of power in society.

In feng shui, purple is one of the colours, along with blue and red that represents abundance and prosperity. Although I believe originally purple signified material wealth, the association it has with spirituality and insight can mean the inner wealth that comes from spiritual growth. Purple represents the crown chakra which connects us to our higher source and life path on earth. It is associated with psychic awareness and intuition and can be used to lift you into a higher spiritual plane.

Some of the uses of purple are:

• It is relaxing and at the same time mentally uplifting
• Stimulates creativity and motivation
• Balances the right and left brain (yin and yang)
• Opens consciousness of the higher planes of existence
• Can be used for inner purification and protection
• To assist in going on an inner journey for spiritual growth

However, purple can be…

• depressing in large doses or over large areas
• not a good colour to wear if you are feeling oversensitive and vulnerable.

In the Home: A lot depends on the shade but generally purple is a yin colour and best used for areas that have quiet or restful activities. As well, some shades of purple such as deep violet, eggplant or royal purple can feel cold and stark, and the message this gives out could be ‘unapproachable or ‘keep back’ both of which would tend to put distance between people. For this reason it is not a good colour to use in areas that you want to be highly social, so I wouldn’t recommend it for the family room, living room, dining room or kitchen.

However some shades such as lavender, lilac and magenta are warmer in tone and in home decorating I recommend these lighter shades; keep the deeper shades of purple as accents. Green also works very well as an accent for purple.

Purple is a great colour choice for bedrooms and the shade of lavender (and also the herb or essential oil) is useful for people who have insomnia. The lighter shades of purple are also suitable for a meditation or healing room.

Copyright ©2007 Deborah Redfern. All rights reserved.

One of the most versatile and popular colours in recent history, indigo is known to most of us simply as denim or ‘blue jeans’. Indigo dyed pants were originally clothing worn by cowboys, miners and factory workers. In the 50’s they were adopted by the youth, and what was originally an act of rebellion became a fashion staple. The rebelliousness was, I believe, a search for deeper meaning and universal truths, and the colour indigo represents those ideals.

Indigo is the colour assigned to the Brow, or Third Eye chakra. This chakra relates to spirituality, intuition and the ability to see beyond the face value of things. In feng shui, the deep blue of indigo relates to the Abundance area of the bagua, which at first glance may seem counter productive to spiritual pursuits. However, the element for the Abundance area is Wood and the wood element is about growth and flexibility. Now there can be different types of growth — rapid growth and slow growth. Rapid growth can lack inner stability - like a spindly, light starved plant - but slow growth allows time for a solid structure and foundation to develop.

In healing systems, indigo is related to the skeleton, which is the structure and foundation for the body. Putting it all together, the story and message of Indigo is that the search for deeper spiritual truths takes one on the path to wisdom and the true source of abundance and stability.

~*~ Healing Properties of Indigo ~*~

• Feeds and strengthens the bones and skeleton
• Stimulates the parathyroid gland
• Calms and sedates — can counteract Insomnia
• Increases creativity, inspiration and intuition
• Brings pain relief, especially from rheumatism
• Heals skin disorders such as eczema
• Eases varicose veins

~*~ In the Home ~*~

Although deep blue is a sophisticated and refined colour it is difficult to decorate with because it yin and therefore cold. In paint (as a colour for walls) I find it often looks harsh, especially when combined with white for a nautical theme. Indigo actually works better with similar deep colours such as burgundy, grey, mid-toned blues or black but a palette of deep hues could well be very drab and depressing in the home — extremely yin.

When using indigo in your colour scheme, the best use is as accent colours. It looks beautiful mixed with mid toned blues (think Delft pottery from the Netherlands). In textiles, indigo can be elegant or casual. I love the traditional Japanese textile art of Tsutsugaki. Denim looks great in jeans and can look great in the home too. Also pay attention to textures: a shiny surface gives a colder feel than a matt one — in textiles think of the difference between satin and suede.

Where to use it: like other shades of blue, indigo gives a feeling of peace and a calming influence in meditation and therapy rooms. In bedrooms use as an accent only and warm it up with other colours — or else you may find yourself ’singing the blues’. The same applies for family rooms, dining rooms and studies.  Blue is an introspective colour: It does not foster sociability and communication and too much of it tends to be depressing after awhile.  

Copyright Deborah Redfern, 2007. All rights reserved.

Some of the associations to the colour blue are the sky (heaven, higher source and wisdom) and water (the emotions). In feng shui, blue is related to the bagua for Self-Knowledge, wisdom and higher truth. In the chakra system, it is related to the throat.

There are several aspects to element of water related to different emotional states. In a balanced state, water and emotions flow freely and easily. In an overactive state, water and emotions flood or burst free. In an under-active state, water and emotions are blocked or frozen.

Blue is related to insight, intuition, wisdom, finding meaning in life, and your spiritual connections. The deeper hued blues - sky and cobalt, help you understand who you are. Use for greater communication and speaking your truth.

If you are low on energy, feel depressed, or find yourself feeling isolated and withdrawn, keep blue in your environment to a minimum. Increase blue in your environment if you find yourself unable to express your feelings. Turquoise blue is especially uplifting and supports communication.

Healing Uses

• Reduce anxiety and bring calmness 
• Lower blood pressure
• Relief from pain (headaches)
• Relieve pain and irritation from burns, stings, insect bites or other skin problems
• Reduce fever, relieve tired eyes, and cool hot flashes in menopause
• Problems with the voice or throat
• Reduce claustrophobia
• Ease breathing difficulties
• Increase intuition, clarity and psychological protection (esp. dark blue).

Blue in the Home

Because it is a yin colour related to nighttime and restfulness, it is a good colour for bedrooms. However some shades of blue have a cold feeling. By using contrasting accent colours you can keep the restful qualities of blue while warming it up. Of course blues that tend more towards turquoise do not have this problem because they have more yellow in them and are warmer.

Blue is also a great choice for a meditation room or a therapy room, but not for any rooms that are social, such as the family room, dining room or study. Blue is the most recessive colour in the spectrum and - especially light blue - can successfully be used to make a small room appear to be larger that it actually is.

There are many shades of blue and it is said to be most people’s favourite colour. Is blue your favourite colour? Which shade of blue?

Copyright Deborah Redfern 2007.  All rights reserved.