Healing Yourself with Color

Growing up, we learned about color theory in our childhood art classes. We worked to understand the mixing of colors and what the visual effects of that combination may be. We’ve grown and adapted our sense of style and aesthetic–in our home, wardrobe, beauty products, tools, and technology. In doing so, we’ve become drawn to specific colors and color schemes. Ones that elicit a response from our mind, body, and spirit, perhaps without realizing it.

Do you feel a certain way when you see a bright yellow sunflower? What about the way you feel when you wear red lipstick for a night out? We can harness these responses through color therapy. We can deepen our understanding of how colors can help us find balance, heal, and achieve the most out of our lives.

“Color therapy uses the energy frequencies of color and its effects on us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to guide us into understanding ourselves, our challenges, and how we can unblock and release blocks in the body, spirit, and emotions,” Walaa AlMuhaiteeb, a color therapist, energy alchemist, and healer, tells rē•spin. 

AlMuhaiteeb uses her own experience with the soul’s ability to heal to rē•imagine her own life and share her practices as a color therapist. She interprets the music of color that surrounds us to understand humans better and explore our spiritual freedom. Color can exist beyond our ability to see each hue visually. We must delve beyond our sense of sight and into something more in-depth.

“Color is a translation of the frequency of light. Our body system responds whenever we look at a color,” AlMuhaiteeb explains. “For example, when we look at red, our body temperature increases and blood pressure too. When we visualize color in our meditations, we dive right into our subconscious and begin having conversations that heal trauma, release burdens and open us up to new possibilities. Eating color has different effects too. For example, eating orange foods uplifts sadness and brings joy into our bodies.”

When we approach color therapy for balance and healing, we also have to consider finding and understanding our color personality. First, we can discover our color archetypes, which are determined by using the numbers of our birthdays. By understanding the color that aligns with when we were born, we can look deeper into our souls and the challenges we face while unblocking what may have become our forgotten energies. 

AlMuhaiteeb shares her insights on the color archetypes in Color Code. She helps us to decode the colors that we may naturally be drawn to and expand our relationships with color.

• Red For those attracted to the color red, this could mean that you are experiencing anger and pain in your physical self that needs to be released. Attraction to red could also mean that you are experiencing physical and material changes related to your stability and security. You may be ready to take action and ownership of your life by expelling physical pain and blockages from your life.
• Orange: An attraction to orange may correlate to a sign that you have to tap into your emotional energy and be open to receiving love. It may also prompt you to welcome joy, love, creativity, and social interactions. It can indicate that you’re experiencing loss in your life. Get in touch with your emotions and discard anything that isn’t actively bringing your current self joy.
• Yellow: If you are attracted to yellow, it could mean that you are coming across situations in life that are challenging your inner power and require a belief in yourself and your strength. It may also mean that you are stuck in your head. This can be helped through meditation and breathing exercises to rē•connect with yourself and calm your thoughts.
• Green: An attraction to green may signify that it’s time to rē•connect with your vulnerable self and relinquish your grip on any grudges that are holding you from moving forward and growing as a person.
• Blue: Blue can be a sign that you need to show your true, authentic self and colors to yourself before anyone else.
• Indigo: Indigo represents universal wisdom. An attraction to this hue can signify that you’re too absorbed in the lives of others. Instead, you should be trusting your gut, intuition, and wisdom. It may also emphasize a need to ignore the voice in your head that says a dream or desire is “unrealistic” and consider them moving forward.
• Violet: Individuals attracted to violet should explore the creativity and uniqueness in their environment to embrace self-love. It can also mean that your ego is taking the driver’s seat in your life.

We are in constant conversation with color in life. AlMuhaiteeb describes color as the “language of the subconscious mind,” explaining, “Color therapy guides us to translate the frequency of color. Each color we are attracted to tells us a story about our deepest desires and provides a code to heal our current challenges. In contrast, each color we are repelled by tells a similar story of the things we are avoiding or not wanting to deal with.”

It’s the understanding of these colors that can help us reach an understanding of ourselves and our needs on an even deeper level. We have a unique opportunity, too, to use the energy of the color to help inform our daily lifestyles. We can work with color through our visualization, in the clothing we wear, the makeup we choose, and our environment to begin noticing what we feel toward a specific color.

“In many ways, you can use color in your clothing to uplift your mood,” AlMuhaiteeb says. “For example, when you are not in the mood to socialize but have to, wearing peach and shades of orange can uplift your body and help you become more social. When you are having a hard day and are not wanting to absorb other people’s energy comfortably, you will go for black, but if you do that, you will be absorbing the energies all over the place.”

Rather than opting for a black ensemble, in that case, AlMuhaiteeb suggests wearing white instead. This deflects, instead of absorbs, the energies surrounding you. From a makeup perspective, she also suggests red lipstick to rē•energize yourself. It can bring forth passion and excitement in your day-to-day life.

The warmer months are upon us and a new set of hues envelopes our world. There are healing themes for us to embrace and follow as we ease out of winter and spring. In winter, the darkness and coldness support a rest period, bringing us slower energies to enjoy our time inside. But when the temperatures rise, nature continues to awaken. We can see and embrace the brighter colors of summer to motivate ourselves to move and rē•energize. 

During this time of year, pastels become a constant presence. They are the traditional hues mixed with white to soften and brighten them. With white symbolizing new beginnings, the pastel shades of the color archetypes align thematically with the warmer months. For example, pastel yellows reflect a leap of faith forward as we awaken ourselves. In contrast, a shade of peach reflects utilizing our emotions and intuition to continue on our path forward. Lilac centers around having faith and trust in the world around us as we live our lives.

“Notice the colors around you,” AlMuhaiteeb encourages. “Instead of looking at them with your eyes, use your body and feelings to look at them; how are they making you feel, what are they reminding you of. Then, begin your relationship with color to use it in different aspects of your life.”

Image Credit: @flamingo_estate