Working With Colours

You need only look at everyday phrases in modern language to see how we still intuitively understand the importance of colour.  Phrases such as "red with anger", "green with envy", "yellow bellied" and "feeling blue" are just a few examples of the way we integrate our instinctual understanding of colour into our everyday conversations.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that there must be something more to these expressions than simply a turn of phrase, and you'd be surprised just how much you already know about colour if you were to write down the colours of the rainbow and the emotions and attributes you associate with them.  However, to give you a starting point, please find below a list of the main colours, together with a short passage about the properties of each.

Red
In the world of nature, red is a colour of danger.  In the world of magic, it is also a colour of passion, and the two make an interesting combination.  Corresponding to the root/base chakra, red is an earthy colour, touching upon our deepest emotions and energies.  It is also the colour most often used to represent the element of fire, hence it's passionate nature.  But don't be mislead by the word passion; red is equally attributed to anger and rage as it is to lust and sexual passion.  The colour of blood, red may be attributed to a life-giving force, while a darker red is representative of the dark female energies of the menstrual period.  In magic, red may be used to give strength, courage and energy, to initiate change, and by men to attract a sexual partner or overcome a sexual problem.

Orange
A blend of red and yellow, orange may thus be looked upon as a balancing of the primal, earthy instincts and passion with intellectual thought and reasoning.  Located at the chakra point corresponding to the reproductive organs, orange teaches us of the fruits of our labour which may be achieved through a happy marriage of passion and reasoned thought.  In magic, orange may be used to attract success, encourage a light-hearted outlook, and to assist with creativity on all levels.  Women use this colour to attract a sexual partner, or overcome a sexual problem.

Yellow
Corresponding to the chakra point located at the stomach, yellow is often associated with our gut reactions.  Think of the phrase "yellow bellied" and you'll see it makes sense.  And so yellow comes to be associated with fear, although it is also connected with spring and new life, and is invariably looked upon as a "happy" colour..  In colour correspondence, yellow is connected with the element of air; the realm of the intellect.  A message of balance between intellectual thought and gut reaction may also be read into this colour.  In magic, yellow may be used to dispel grief, sadness and depression.  Used also for intellectual skills and pursuits, yellow can be applied to repel negative energies and to attract platonic relationships.

Green
The colour of money, new life and the abundance of nature, green may be seen as a positive and life affirming colour.  However, it is located at the point of the heart chakra, and so it is no coincidence that the phrase "green with envy" has arisen.  A blend of yellow and blue, green teaches us to balance our intellect and emotions, to provide a stable appreciation of what life has to offer.  Taken in simplicity, green allows us to appreciate both nature and abundance, but this must be tempered with rational thought to prevent greed and gluttony setting in to give rise to envy.  In magic, green may be used for physical healing, to attract prosperity and abundance, and to help maintain the status quo.

Blue
A calming, soothing colour, blue is located at the throat chakra, and so also corresponds to our ability to express ourselves clearly.  In elemental correspondence, it is associated with water, and therefore our emotions, so particular emphasis becomes placed upon the expression of our emotions.  Blue is a protective colour, and astral blue especially is often used in aura work to help us feel calm, safe and protected.  Blue is also a helpful colour to aid meditation and relaxation.  In magic, blue may be used to assist in issues over loyalty and dedication, as well as to soothe anger, giving peace and serenity in it's place.

Indigo
A blend of blue and violet, indigo teaches us to balance emotional expression with our higher self.  Located at the brow chakra, indigo corresponds with our "third eye"; the ability to see what is commonly veiled and unseen.  It also teaches us to incorporate our intellect into this process to provide as whole a picture as possible.

Violet
Located at the crown chakra (sometimes depicted as white), violet corresponds directly with the higher self.  In druidic elemental correspondences, violet is the colour for air, and so our intellect may be blended with our higher self to provide clear, intelligent answers to the questions we seek.  In magic, violet may be used to discourage envy or jealousy.  It also energizes the atmosphere in circle, and so generates power for ritual work.

Black
Sadly, the Christian response to witches has lead to a modern day interpretation of black being a colour of evil, although this was most certainly not always the case.  Representative of the rich, dark colour of fertile earth, black became a popular colour for witches to wear in honour of the Earth Mother and her fertility, and thus was a positive colour.  Most craftworkers understand the need for balance, and so the dark is seen as being equally important as the light, with neither being seen as negative or positive provided the balance is maintained.  Black encompasses all other colours and so, as with white, comes to represent the whole.  In magic, black may be used for protection and grounding, as well as to absorb any negativity.

White
Often used as a colour of purity, white, like black, comes to represent the sum of the whole.  Where black resembles the female fertility, so white is often used to represent the light of the God and, therefore, men.  Perhaps the reason for the Christian view of men as godly and women as sinful?  However, you need only stop a moment to imagine the devastation of a world in a perpetual state of daylight to realize that a balance between light and dark is essential to healthy living.  In magic, white may be used to cleanse, purify and heal, raising vibrations to a higher level to appeal to your spiritual plane archetypes.

Silver
Again representative of the Goddess, silver is also representative of the moon.  Combined with the midnight blue of the night sky, these colours have come to be associated with female energy and the female mysteries of the night.  Silver is the traditional metal of the priestess' jewellery as the embodiment of the Goddess, although the high priestess may also wear gold.

Gold
Just as silver of the moon comes to represent the Goddess, so the gold of the sun is indicative of the God.  It is also used within magic for financial wealth and abundance for obvious reasons.  Popular images of the golden sickle provide a happy union of the two - the gold of the Sun God in the image of the Moon Goddess - thus making it a doubly sacred implement.