For those of you who are just joining us, welcome to the University of Life. In the previous “classes” we laid the groundwork for this course—The Color of Wellness, and looked at the therapeutic properties of the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and indigo. Today’s palette features the color Violet.
Violet is associated with self-knowledge, divine connection, and spiritual wellness. It enhances creativity, wisdom, and inspiration. It’s the color of royalty. Think of juicy plum, purple grapes, the velvet petals of an 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 personable.
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, 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 the 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. Violet encourages a peaceful environment and relieves tension. It promotes inner strength, wisdom, and kindness. Violet helps us to change negatives into positives and brings about increased feelings of spiritual connection. Because of its calming properties, violet is an excellent choice to use during meditation.
Are you drawn to pure violet? It 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. Buy a piece of violet clothing. Add a splash of violet to your décor with flowers, pillows, a candle or a throw. Enhance your sacred space with a violet or purple zafu cushion to augment your meditation practice. Or take advantage of the healing frequency of violet or purple crystals such as amethyst, sugilite, or lepidolite.
A special thank you to Joseph’s Market for allowing me to take photographs in their produce department and to Countryside Nursery for allowing me to take photographs in their gardens.
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
– Laurie Buchanan
Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights Reserved. No part of this blog post may be used in part, or in whole, without written permission from Laurie Buchanan.
Tuesdays with Laurie 
Good Morning Professor Laurie,
Violet is not a color I have been drawn too. Yet I have encountered violet in many shades, from garden veggies, to a sarong with yin/yang symbols, I had recently purchased pale lavender flannel sheets to sleep in a wisdom… I have several piece of amethyst scattered around the house, two on my altar, one here on my desk, those pieces all seem to have found me.
I am Love, Jeff
Jeff – It sounds very much like it found you! And what a nice color to be found by. You get an “A” for being the first one to class today 🙂
I absolutely love Lilacs! I also live on “Wisteria Court”!!
I sometimes call violet blue, being color blind…shades are the hardest.
Thanks for enlightening our views of colors…
Kim – Our neighbors have a ginormous lilac bush that is on the side of our driveway. When it’s in bloom, it feels like we’re pulling into Heaven! I’m glad to see you in class.
Just got a chance to see the photos….Love it….You found a great variety of shades……
Kim – I’m glad you enjoyed the photographs, thank you for letting me know.
Oh I never knew about these properties of violet. What a wonderful discovery. Violet is a passing wisp of a colour in my life and work. It usually is in close company of many other colours. I have tried to wear this colour but I disappear in its presence. I decided my very pale skin is just not up to the task of reflecting the presence of violet. Again Laurie, another super post for the colour of wellness!
Terrill – I’m so glad you had some good takeaways in this “class” on violet. I can wear purple, but I can’t wear violet either. I don’t disappear in its presence, I just look like I have malaria or typhoid fever — neither of them flattering 🙂
Thank you for your violet teachings, Laurie. I was thinking that the seventh chakra’s color was silver–or gold? But you say it’s violet? Violet is an exquisite color. Have eaten grapes and photographed lupines in the last day. Violet wishes to you!
Kathy – Gold and silver, both, are associated with the etheric body (more in the energetic shell) as opposed to physical locations on the body. Grapes and lupines in the last day — you’re definitely in a wonderful violet mode. Ahhhhhhh
“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” Mark Twain
Beth – that’s a wonderful quote and I’m so glad you shared it, thank you!
Hi, Laurie — I love deep purple (the band, too). I like the darker, richer colors and even own purple socks! Now, I need to get me a purple hat.
Barbara – A woman with purple socks AND a purple hat is UNSTOPPABLE!
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Violet is the color of Easter, and it’s one of fantasy’s modes of expression.
Violet is the color of hope
Which pulls you through and helps you to cope
Pure amethysts glitter in the sunlight
And the deep purple sky appears in the night
The clouds light up purple with the sunlight
And beautiful irises wait for the rainclouds to get them wet
The kings’ and queens’ capes
The purple figs in their fixed oval shapes
Purple blossoms on the flowering trees
You can smell their scent on the whispering breeze
Violet is the last color of the rainbow
And it lingers in the sky when the day has to go.
Sam – This is a TREASURE! Thank you so much for adding it.
Very interesting…my favourite colours are red and aubergine purple. In fact, my laptop and my desk where I write my books and blog posts are both a glossy deep red, and my desk is positioned against a deep aubergine wall!
Ali – Ohhhhh, your creative space sounds lovely. My two favorite colors are green (forest and sage tones), and deep, chili pepper red 🙂
I decorated my whole first ever house in those shades of green with plenty of natural wood, it was gorgeous, so restful and peaceful…and that chilli pepper red sounds fab! Colours definitely affect my emotions, as does sunlight…or should I say lack of it, after all, I do live in Ireland!
Ali – We both know that in Ireland and Scotland there’s only three types of weather:
1. It’s about to rain
2. It’s raining
3. It just finished raining
The use of color can be therapeutic, even for that 🙂