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| Colour
Colour has always intrigued me. How I use colour on canvas was helped by studying colour theory and use - some of which I would like to share here. There is evidence to suggest that colours not only have an impact on our mood, but can affect us physically - our internal organs and our nervous systems react to colour. The Science
The human body is made up of every colour in the rainbow. Our growth, immune system, blood pressure, temperature, muscle activity, alertness are all affected by light rays.
There are two ways of receiving colour. By looking at colour with our eyes and by absorbing colour through our skin. Different coloured lights will affect us as will our clothing - as light passes through the fabric so light waves penetrate our system.
The pineal gland is a cone shaped gland located deep inside your brain and is sensitive to light. This gland produces the hormone melatonin, regulating sleep, affecting our sex drive and having an effect on our biorhythms. The amount of light can be affected by changing seasons which can affect your body function.
The pituitary gland is a pea sized gland hanging from the base of the brain just below the optic nerve and is affected by coloured light. This is the gland of the endocrine system and it releases hormones directly into the bloodstream, which regulate the control of many of our body processes - our sleep and sex drive, but also our temperature, energy, metabolism, appetite, our mood and our feeling. The Rainbow
Astronomer al-Shirazi was the first man to accurately describe a rainbow. But as the colours of a rainbow appear as a continuous spectrum a variety of cultures have identified different numbers of colours. Nearly half a millennium after al-Shirazi gave his scientific description Newton named only five primary colours, adding orange and indigo later to make seven by analogy to the musical scale (chromatic relates to both colour and the musical chords or harmonies). In modern times indigo is often left off due to the humans poor ability to distinguish colours in the blue visual spectrum. Turquoise is more frequently added to the modern rainbow.
What Colour?
Knowing that we absorb colour through our skin we can perhaps understand some of our natural choice and instincts. For example when we are depressed we may choose to wear black to cloak us from the world as black allows no light onto your skin (whereas white clothes allow all colours of light onto our skin). However we would be better treating depression by wearing reds, oranges and yellows to lift our spirits rather than containing our negativity in black.
Generally clear, bright and light colours are considered positive and dark, muddy, and brown colours are perceived as negative. Below we briefly look at each colour in turn to help you explore what they may mean for you.
Perhaps unsurprisingly as pink serves to sooth, calm and nurture it is often associated with the female and all things feminine. Exposure to pink can lessen irritation and aggression and offer love and protection. It can alleviate loneliness, despondency, over-sensitivity and vulnerability and unlike the passion of red, pink represents unselfish and long lasting love. It is an excellent colour (and often instinctively chosen) for a bedroom as it will develop self love and security. If you often wear pink you may be affectionate and loving but you may also lack willpower, appear childish and may be seeking support from others.
Red has the slowest vibration and longest wavelength. It is the colour of vitality, power, courage and assertiveness. Red is the colour of war (Mars is the Roman God of War) and of revolution. Our internal red energy centre is located at the base of the spine. It is the colour of action, liveliness. It is the colour of blood and will stimulate our blood circulation. It also has an effect our teeth and bones, prostate gland, legs and feet.
A lack of red can lead to feelings of insufficiency or loss of confidence. Red builds stamina and can help overcome negative thoughts, but too much can make us irritable and impatient even angry (“seeing red”). Although red can stimulate us sexually (red lights and red sheets), there is also a good chance that arguments will develop in a living room or bedroom that is painted red. It is better for a room of action and movement, such as a hallway or play room.
Someone who chooses to wear red a lot may be impulsive, excitable, impatient, competitive, ambitious, and like being the centre of attention. However deep red or magenta can actually lift us from anger and relax us – it is a spiritual colour but also a practical one offering compassion, kindness and support. It can be too relaxing however– if we have too much exposure to magenta we may be lazy and avoid challenges.
 In China and Japan orange is the colour of love and happiness. This warm glowing colour offers us security whilst stimulating our creativity, sexuality and humour. Our orange energy centre is physically located in the centre of the abdomen, and not surprising has an effect on our reproductive system, sexual organs and digestive system. It can stimulate our taste and appetite – so is an ideal colour for a dinning room.
With a balanced exposure to orange we are happy, sexual, energetic and have a highly tuned sense of empathy. But too much and we may experience craving, addiction and over indulgence.
If we lack exposure to orange we may be unexcited about life, lacking in energy and easily bored (or boring!). We may go off sex, and feel emotionless. Orange can help build self worth, help us forgive and act as an antidepressant as it can stimulate renewed interest in life and vitality.
If you wear orange a lot you will be a capable and physically independent individual who is motivated, creative and full of energy, but you will have to watch that you aren’t too bossy and dominant.
 Our yellow energy centre is located in our solar plexus and exposure to yellow light can affect our skin, pancreas, liver and our eyesight. Yellow light directly stimulates the brain and the nervous system (motor nerves give energy to muscles). A lack of yellow light can cause fear, instability and shyness. Too much yellow light can cause us to be dominant. A balanced amount of yellow light can keep us alert and engaged, give us clarity and help us make decisions. Yellow represents the intellectual and thought and can aid memory, organisation, and the ability to see others point of view. For Hindus and Christians yellow represents life and truth.
Those who wear yellow will be interesting, spontaneous people who enjoy challenges, but may also be nosey and enjoy an argument (mental conflict as opposed to physical) ,
Because yellow is usually illuminated by artificial yellow light inside our homes, it can be too harsh on the nervous system. As a mental stimulant, a soft creamier yellow may be a good choice for an office or study.
 Green is the colour of sincerity, freedom, contentment and balance. Its energy centre is located at the centre of our chests and as such exposure will effect our heart, the circulatory system, and our lungs and chest. Going for a walk in the countryside is not only good exercise, but as green stimulates the muscles in our chests – just looking at grass and trees can help us to breath deeper and slower and thus calms us.
Someone who wears lots of green may be cautious and untrusting but also a passive person with high moral values.
It is not surprising that we instinctively seek out green when we are under stress or experiencing emotional trauma. If we lack green in our lives we can experience a sense of separation from our mind and body (our sense of inner balance diminishes).
Too much green can lead to laziness and muddied greens such as olive can give a feeling of age and decay. Lime and yellow green can induce nausea, and is associated with envy, resentment and possessiveness (“green with envy”).
 Turquoise has an effect on the thymus gland, which can help us beat infections by stimulating our immune systems. The colour of the ocean, turquoise can act as a refreshing tonic and help frayed nerves. It relieves stress and mental strain and can be both energising yet relaxing at the same time. It is great for cooling down a room in a hot climate.
Because of its freshness it encourages us to make a fresh start. It also heightens communication – especially speech (the thymus gland being located next to the windpipe) and helps to alleviate loneliness.
If you have blue/green in your wardrobe you may be yearning for a peaceful environment and be looking for relief from stress and conflict. You will feel empathy for other, but be cautious of your tendency to seek too much control.
 Sky blue is a very popular colour for clothes and homes. In fact half of us prefer to paint the inside of our homes blue. Blue helps us relax (the deeper the blue the more relaxing) and expands room size whilst making us feel quiet and protected.
Blue is known to be a cool, soothing and calming colour and it is a fact that blue light can lower blood pressure and acts as an anti inflammatory.
Blue energy is centred at the base of the throat and affects the thyroid gland which helps to regulate the body’s energy levels. As with turquoise it can promote good verbal communication and creativity and stimulate imagination. It is associated with mental control and clarity - a higher part of mind than yellow.
Blue is a colour of peace and trust (think of the UN flag). It is also the colour of faith and wisdom – many mosques are decorated in blue, the colour of the Virgin Mary. If you wear blue you will stimulates your artistic, perceptive and sensitive side. You may seek a more peaceful environment and be a good practical problem solver (if a little slow to reach decisions).
 Because the human eye has difficulty in distinguishing dark blues and purples this section gives details of indigo (dark blue) through to violet
Our indigo centre is located at the centre of the forehead. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively and tunes in to our psychic ability. Indigo is the colour of transformation, of music, drama and the arts. Of sensitivity, spirituality, compassion, and high ideals. Associated with the night sky it is calming and in excess can be sleep inducing (and depressing). It is said to have a narcotic effect and is used as a mild anaesthetic for minor operations in some countries.
A person who wears indigo may have a high intellect, be self reliant and have a keen sense of responsibility and feeling. They may be seeking relaxation. Those who wear purple also display higher intellect, but rarely have their feet on the ground and can appear arrogant. Purple provides an air of luxury and wealth (this stems from its association with priests and royalty due to the historical high expense of purple dyes).
Violet is the most cooling of all colours and is used as a treatment for sunburn. It also suppresses hunger and balances the metabolism.
White light includes every colour in the rainbow. Its energy centre in the human body is at the very top of the head (sometimes the crown is also associated with violet). Because of its location, white acts on the brain and the nervous system. When focussed on white can influence our sense of empathy and unity and is calming.
White is the colour of purity and peace (waving a white flag). In India and China it is the colour of death. It gives you the sense of time and space to reflect, free from clutter. It is the preferred colour for minimalist interior designers but a high exposure to white can cause a sense of loneliness and over exposure. Likewise if you wear white whilst you may be open, positive, and well balanced individual, you may also be a loner who is yearning for a simple life or looking for recognition. Sometimes people are drawn to wearing white during a period of change. 
Black is in fact not a colour but the absence of colour. It is associated with silence, and passiveness. If you wrap yourself in black it acts as a shroud – shutting out light and as such can stunt growth and development. Black should be used sparingly in the home where it can suggest possibility and potential, but large black walls can drain and give rise to negativity. Traditional Chinese homes consider black very lucky where black furniture is often teamed with red and gold.
Grey is an Independent colour of self reliance and control but as it is also the colour of smoke, fog, and clouds it represents lack of clarity, evasion and non commitment (it is neither black nor white). 
Brown is the colour of the ground and therefore of stability. It is a nurturing colour of honesty and the down to earth. Someone who wears brown will enjoy food and drink and good company, but may bottle things up emotionally and retreat from real world and although sensuous make lack in self esteem.
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