Colour Healing
Everyone is affected by colours, often more than they realise. Colour is intimately tied to all aspects of our life, especially to its visual aspects. It permeates our language, our culture and our health. We use colours to describe our physical well-being, our emotions, our attitudes, and our spiritual experiences.
There are some colours we like more than others and there are some we do not like at all. Instinctively we are drawn to the colours that we most need at any particular time. Colour can be used to alter our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual conditions.
If you don’t know the colours that suit you best, the following tables may help. They show the links between colours and our chakras, as well as our monthly birthstones. You can use these as a guide, but remember, they are just a guide. Always go with the colours you feel most comfortable with, as they will generally be the ones you need at the time.
The spiritual qualities of colour are closely linked to the seven major chakras.
Chakra Colours
Base chakra - red and blackSacral chakra - orange
Solar Plexus chakra - yellow
Heart chakra - green and pink
Throat chakra - blue
Third Eye chakra - indigo
Crown chakra - violet and white
Each month of our birth is also linked to a birthstone colour.
Monthly Birthstone Colours
January - deep redFebruary - purple
March - pale blue
April - white
May - green
June - white or purple
July - red
August - pale green
September - deep blue
October - pink
November - yellow
December - blue
Here you will find the properties of each colour listed above, as well as some names of gemstones with those particular colour attributes. The links will take you to pictures of jewellery containing each particular gemstone.
RED
Related chakra: base
Keynote: Strengthening of the life force, will and sexuality; stimulating.
Red builds vitality on the physical level. Circulatory system, sexuality. Stimulating to the energy levels of the metabolism, lower extremities, most blood conditions. Awakens our physical life force. Used for colds, poor circulation, anemia and mucus ailments. Stimulates deeper passions—sex, love, courage, hatred, or even revenge. It gives courage and perseverance. Strengthens the will.
Gemstones: Fire Agate, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Garnet, Red Jasper, Ruby, Red Tiger Eye.
BLACK
Related chakra: base
Keynote: Protection, grounding, strengthening
Black is protective, grounding and calming. It activates and strengthens the magnetic, or feminine energies in the body. Activates the subconscious mind, putting life, and all that goes with it, back into perspective. Black should rarely be used by itself, but always in combination with another colour. It is most effective when used in conjunction with white.
Gemstones: Black Agate, Jet, Magnetite, Obsidian, Black Onyx.
ORANGE
Related chakra: sacral
Keynote: Activation, construction, optimism, energy reserves
Muscular system, eliminative system, emotional aggravation and causes of physical problems.
Orange is the colour of joy, wisdom and creativity. Physically, it energises the body. It stimulates feelings of socialness. On emotional and mental levels, it stimulates optimism and hope. It is tied to the muscular system of the body. Assists in healing conditions of the spleen, pancreas, stomach, intestines, adrenals, food assimilation and depression. Its expansive quality encourages the broadening of experience. Most shades of orange, including peach can be used to revitalise the physical body. Peach can strengthen the aura.
Gemstones: Amber, Carnelian, Orange Goldstone, Sunstone.
YELLOW
Related chakra: solar plexus
Keynote: Mental activity, intellectual power and ability, awakening.
Digestive system, gastro-intestinal tract, adrenal activity, left hemisphere brain activity.
Yellow is stimulating to our mental faculties, bringing mental clarity. Excellent for depression, as its sunny qualities include joy, optimism and confidence, awakening an enthusiasm for life. Effective in the treatment of digestive problems. Beneficial to the stomach, intestines and the bladder, as well as the entire eliminative system. Helps to balance the gastrointestinal tract. Golden-yellow shades are healthful to both body and mind. It can facilitate ones learning capabilities.
Gemstones: Amber, Citrine, Yellow Jasper, Yellow Sapphire, Tiger Eye, Yellow Topaz, Yellow Tourmaline.
GREEN
Related chakra: heart
Keynote: Balance, growth, calming.
Circulatory system, sympathetic nervous system, conditions aggravated by emotions.
Green soothes and balances our energies. It helps to encourage our compassion, sensitivity and self-acceptance. Has a calming effect, especially in inflamed conditions of the body. Soothing to the nervous system. Awakens greater friendliness, hope, faith and peace. It is restful and revitalising to overtaxed mental conditions. Associated with gratitude and material expansion. Spiritually, it encourages trust in the process of growth.
Gemstones: Moss Agate, Amazonite, Aquamarine, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Chrysocolla, Chrysoprase, Emerald, Green Fluorite, Jade, Green Jasper, Malachite, Peridot, Prehnite, Turquoise, Unakite.
PINK
Related chakra: heart
Keynote: Soothing.
Skin conditions and inflammations, immune system.
On all levels, pink is a soothing colour. Mentally, it can soothe conditions of anger and feelings of neglect. Awakens qualities of delight, compassion, playfulness, love, purity and self-acceptance. Comforting to our emotional energies. Stimulates the thymus gland and eases stresses on the immune system. Pink is most effective in treating skin problems and conditions, especially combined with aqua.
Gemstones: Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Pink Tourmaline, Unakite.
BLUE
Related chakra: throat
Keynote: Peace, faith, aspiration, creative expression.
Respiratory system, eyes, ears, nose, throat, venous conditions.
Blue is cooling, calming and relaxing to the body’s system. It quietens our energies and has an antiseptic effect. Strengthens and balances the respiratory system. Excellent for high blood pressure and all conditions of the throat. Eases diseases such as asthma, chicken pox, jaundice and rheumatism. Gives qualities of idealism, devotion and understanding. Adds perspective to your experiences. Awakens intuition and eases loneliness.
Gemstones: Amazonite, Angelite, Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate, Blue Chalcedony, Chrysocolla, Blue Fluorite, Blue Jasper, Blue Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Blue Tiger Eye, Blue Topaz, Turquoise.
INDIGO
Related chakra: third eye
Keynote: Integration, purification, altered states of consciousness.
Endocrine system, reproductive system, infection, most conditions of the head and face.
Indigo is a dynamic healing colour on both physical and spiritual levels. It strengthens the lymph system, the glands and the immune system. An excellent blood purifier, it also assists in detoxifying the body. It is balancing to the hemisphere of the brain and all nerve synapses between them. Indigo effectively treats all conditions of the face (including the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and sinuses). It has a sedative effect and, when used in meditation, can assist in achieving deeper levels of consciousness. Gives an expanded understanding, awakening devotion and intuition. Aids in problems in the lungs.
Gemstones: Amethyst, Charoite, Iolite, Lepidolite, Sugilite.
VIOLET
Related chakra: crown
Keynote: Purification, transmutation, practical spirituality
Skeletal system, nervous system, some venous conditions, cancerous/tumorous conditions.
Violet is purifying on both physical and spiritual levels. It is very antiseptic. It balances physical and spiritual energies. It is effective in cancerous conditions of the body. Helps the body to assimilate nutrients and minerals. Violet stimulates qualities of truth, devotion, responsibility, inspiration and humility. It also stimulates dream activity.
Gemstones: Amethyst, Ametrine, Charoite, Violet Fluorite, Iolite, Lepidolite, Sugilite.
WHITE
Related chakra: crown
Keynote: Purification, purity, amplification
White is strengthening. It is cleansing and purifying to the entire energy system. Awakens greater creativity. Stabilises the energy system and gives it an overall boost. White amplifies the effects of any other colour used with it.
Gemstones: White Howlite, Moonstone, Opal, Selenite, White Turquoise.
PURPLE
Related chakra: third eye
Keynote: Intense purification.
Detoxifying the body.
Purple is effective when strong detoxifying of the body is needed. Its high vibration gives it the ability to purify the body. It can stimulate venous activity and is beneficial for headaches. The red-purple range balances the polarities of the body. The blue-purple range helps to shrink (such as tumors) and to cool, easing inflammations.
Gemstones: Amethyst, Charoite, Purple Fluorite, Purple Jasper.