YELLOW – Boost Your Personal Power!

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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 and orange. Today’s palette features the color Yellow.

Yellow 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 downy feathers on a prothonotary warbler, or 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 at the feeder on an early summer morning. It’s the flamboyant color of bumble bees showing off as they dart from blossom to blossom.

The positive properties of yellow are expressed as motivational, happy, radiant, social, lighthearted, mental activity, clear thinking, rational, and detachment 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, positive thinking, and triggers the outward expression of inner joy.

Closest to sunlight, pure yellow conveys hospitality and promotes deep feelings of well-being. The muted hues make quiet backgrounds for busy lives, while the shaded yellows have a soft, glowing presence which 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. Add a dash of yellow to your wardrobe. Wake up your bathroom with a dazzling yellow shower curtain. Cheer up your kitchen with a bright yellow cookie jar or ceramic teapot. Take advantage of the healing frequency of yellow crystals such as citrine, golden tiger eye, or imperial topaz.

A special thank you to Joseph’s Market for allowing me to take photographs in their produce department.

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
               – Laurie Buchanan

www.HolEssence.com

Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights ReservedNo part of this blog post may be used in part, or in whole, without written permission from Laurie Buchanan.

ORANGE – Increase Your Sense of Delight!

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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 color red. Today’s palette features the color Orange.

Orange is associated self-gratification, pleasure, and occupational wellness. It enhances happiness, independence, and confidence. It’s the color of molten lava. Think of a robin’s feathered breast, a mouth-watering 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 over-indulgent, dependent, free-loading, 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.

Are you drawn to a vivid orange? Combined with 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. Buy a piece of orange clothing, or add a splash of orange to your décor with flowers, pillows, a candle, or a throw. Paint a wall apricot. Or 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.

A great big thank you to Joseph’s Market for allowing me to take photographs in their produce department.

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
               – Laurie Buchanan

www.HolEssence.com

Copyright © 2010 Laurie Buchanan — All Rights ReservedNo part of this blog post may be used in part, or in whole, without written permission from Laurie Buchanan.

RED – Enhance Your Sense of Groundedness

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For those of you who are just joining us, welcome to the University of Life. In the last two “classes” we laid the groundwork for this course—The Color of Wellness. In each of the next seven posts, including today’s, we’ll look at the properties of a specific color. Today’s palette features the color red.

Red is associated with self-preservation, survival, and physical wellness. It enhances vitality, energy, and courage. It’s the color of blood. Think of the mouthwatering strawberries, the inside of a ripe watermelon, flaming maple trees, iron-rich soils, a juicy beefsteak tomato, fire engine red, or the brilliant red 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 such as 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 this color. 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.

Are you drawn to a true primary red? That’s a statement color, dramatic, vibrant, and stimulating. Or maybe you enjoy more muted tones; they’re 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. Buy a piece of red clothing. Add a splash of red to your décor with flowers, pillows, a candle, or a throw. Do something bold, paint your headboard red. Or take advantage of the healing frequency of red crystals such as garnet, red jasper, or ruby.

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
               – Laurie Buchanan

www.HolEssence.com

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.