To answer this question very simply, colour therapy involves treating a person with colour rays in order to bring their body back into harmony, thereby restoring health and well-being. The application of colour can be rendered in many ways.

From reading the introduction you will have learned that colour plays a very important role in our lives. We are constantly surrounded by it in its many manifestations. It has the power to evoke inner feelings and memories, and possesses a language of its own. How many times have we heard or used the expressions: 'green with envy', 'a black mood', 'red with anger', 'feeling blue', and 'white as a sheet'? Used as an energy, colour has the power to calm, excite, inspire, balance, manipulate, bring about a state of harmony, and to heal. It works on all three levels of our being – body, mind and spirit.

Colour is derived from light. In the beginning was the sacred darkness, and God said: 'Let there be light.' From this darkness the light poured forth, and the light gave birth to the colours of the spectrum.

One way of experiencing this phenomenon, is to shine light through a prism. The prism refracts the light and splits it up into the eight colours of red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, violet and magenta.

Now place the prism on to the bridge of your nose and look through it at the objects around you. You should discover that each object is surrounded by these beautiful colours.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Colour is a form of radiation, and forms part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum starts with radio waves, which have a low frequency and long wave lengths, and rises through infra-red rays, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays. As we work through this spectrum, the wave lengths become shorter and the frequency higher, cosmic rays possessing the shortest wave lengths and the highest frequency. With the obvious exception of the visible rays, all of these are invisible to human sight and, apart from the cosmic rays about which very little is known, these invisible rays are used in science and medicine – sometimes with horrendous side effects. The visible light which falls in the middle of this spectrum contains the eight colours of the spectrum. It is not the case that because we are able to see them, they have no effect on us; like all the other rays, they are a form of radiation and can affect us in very subtle ways.

The wave lengths of visible light are the same as those of the sun when it reaches the earth at its greatest strength. These wave lengths lie approximately between 400 and 700 nanometers, a nanometer being equivalent to one billionth of a metre.

We are creatures which derive our life and well-being from the sun. We have all experienced how depressed and lethargic we can become in winter with its short days and lack of sun. This is sometimes referred to as the 'winter blues'.

It has been reported in countries such as Finland, Sweden and Norway, where there is very little sunlight during the winter months, that the people succumb to depression, illness and lethargy, often resorting to alcohol and drugs. Albert Szert-Gyorki, the author of an article on 'Bioelectronicst', and K. Martinek and I.V. Berezin, co-authors of an article on 'Artificial Light-Sensitive Enzymatic Systems as Chemical Amplifiers of Weak Light Signals', have carried out research into the effects of sunlight on the body, and have found that it affects the power of enzymes and hormones, often causing dynamic reactions within the body.

The Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans were well known for using sunlight to aid healing. The Greek historian Herodotus (484-424 BC) is reputed to have been the founder of this form of healing, known as 'heliotherapy'. Heliotherapy was first used on a large scale by Bernard (1902) and Rollier (1903), in Switzerland, where it was chiefly employed in sanatoriums for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis. One of the active components of the sun's emanations is ultraviolet radiation. Heliotherapy is also beneficial in cases of eczema and other skin problems.

A condition which was first identified and named by Dr Norman E. Rosenthal in 1981, is Seasonal Affective Disorder, more commonly known as 'SAD'. This condition starts at the beginning of winter and disappears in the spring. It is caused by deprivation of sunlight and affects four times as many women as men. People with this disorder suffer severe depression and increased appetite (with a craving for carbohydrates). They gain weight, become withdrawn, sleep more and lose interest in sex. It is almost as if they go into a state of hibernation. This condition is thought to arise from high levels of the hormone melatonin in the blood stream. This hormone is secreted by the pineal gland which is situated in the head, between the under surface of the cerebrum and the mid-brain, just in front of the cerebellum. After dark melatonin is released into the blood stream by the pineal gland. It is during the night that it reaches its highest level. During the day, especially when the sun is shining, the levels of this hormone are greatly reduced. One of the functions of the pineal gland is to act as the body's light meter and timer, synchronizing it with the seasons of the year. In the winter, with its short days and lack of sunshine, it has been discovered that people suffering from SAD have high levels of melatonin in their blood during daylight hours. This leads to the emotional disorders already described.

In 1980, Dr Alfred Lewry and Dr Thomas Wehr, discovered that bright light could suppress the normal night-time secretions of melatonin. As a result of this discovery, people with SAD were treated with bright full-spectrum light, by way of the eyes, at certain times during the day. This was found to have a beneficial effect on more than 80 per cent of those treated. This treatment is now available, but should only be administered by qualified colour therapists, and doctors who specialize in treating SAD.

Realizing how important the sun is to our well-being, and knowing that the sun has the same wave lengths as visible light, lying between 400 and 700 nanometers, it stands to reason that the radiation of visible light, made up of the eight colours of the spectrum, must affect us in a similar way.

The Human Eye And Visible Light

We perceive light through our eyes, which are protected from injury by the bony sockets in which they sit. They are self-focusing, able to adapt to bright or dim light, to distant or near vision.

The eye consists of the following components: the eyeball, which is a sphere about 2.5 cms. in diameter; the sclera, which is the outer coat of the eye, seen as the white of the eye; the cornea, which is the transparent window which tends to bulge out a little; the choroid, the middle coat of the eye, composed largely of interlaced blood vessels providing nutrition to the eye; the iris, which is a continuation of the choroid and responsible for giving the eyes their colour; the pupil, the hole in the iris, which appears to be black because the inside of the eye is dark; and the retina, the innermost coat. The retina is a very thin, light-sensitive tissue which lines the back of the eye and curves forward like a deep rounded cup. The nerves from the retina join to form what is known as the optic nerve. The crystalline lens is suspended just behind the iris. The lens and its associated structure divide the eye into two compartments. The larger of these compartments is situated behind the lens and filled with a transparent liquid which ensures the eyeball maintains its correct shape; and the much smaller compartment between the cornea and lens is filled with a watery liquid.

When light energy falls upon the retina, it is converted into the nerve energy that causes us to 'see'. The retina contains thousands of nerve endings which are either called 'cones' or 'rods', depending on their shape. The cones are connected individually, the rods more collectively, to cells which terminate in bunches of fibres that form the optic nerve.

Night vision is carried out by the rods which are more sensitive than the cones but which cannot distinguish colour or fine details. The cones are used in bright light and for distinguishing colour. The eye can distinguish about 7,500,000 different hues, but if a single group of colour-receptive cones is missing from the retina, an individual is unable to distinguish certain colours from others and is said to be 'colour blind'. Colour blindness is an inherited condition and affects males more frequently than females, and the most common type of colour blindness is that which makes it very difficult for a person to distinguish between red and green.

It is not only through our eyes that colour is absorbed into our being. The whole of our physical body is light sensitive, and the electromagnetic field which surrounds each one of us, is constantly filled with changing, vibrating colours.

If we look at the design on a peacock's tail, it resembles many eyes. Our own physical body is similar to this. Each cell acts as an eye absorbing the light and colours which fall upon it, just as the blood stream absorbs the creams and oils which we rub into our skin.

Throughout the ages, experiments with the colours of visible light have been carried out on insects, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, with remarkable results. It has been found that colour vision is not apparent in the lowest forms of animal life, namely the amoeba and hydra, but that it exists in insects, fish, reptiles and birds. It is lacking in most mammals, but restored again in apes and man. Scientists are largely agreed that the colour vision of insects and birds differs from that of man. In an insect, its eyes respond to the yellow region of the spectrum, but not the red; it is sensitive to green, blue, violet and ultraviolet. In birds, most are partially blind to blue but see red with remarkable clarity. In a series of experiments, a scientist named Bissonette proved that the migration and sexual cycles of birds are more dependent on light than on climatic conditions.

Working with plants, it has been found that visible light is essential for good growth and development. Plant experiments using different coloured lights have shown that their growth patterns can be greatly altered. One of the earliest investigators was Ressier of France (1783). General A. J. Pleasanton of Philadelphia who lived in the nineteenth century put forward theories which both inspired and outraged botanists of his day. One of his theories was that grapes grown under blue light become very productive in the first and second year of growth, whereas under normal light they would take five or six years to reach the same stage of production. In 1895, another researcher, C. Flammarion, claimed that plants flourished under red light. He said that this colour produced taller plants but with thinner leaves. He stated that under blue light the plant was weak and under developed. Other investigators such as L. C. Corbett (1902), Fritz Schanz (1918), H. W. Popp (1926), and S. Johnston (1936) also propounded their theories on the marked differences occuring in plants subjected to different coloured light.

A more recent investigator, Theophilus Gimbel, founder of the Hygeia College of Colour Therapy, has recorded his findings in his book Healing Through Colour. He asserts that experiments carried out by him show that plants grown under red light were stunted with small foliage. Green light produced brittle, weak plants, but blue light gave well-developed plants with good foliage. Perhaps each species of plant has its own reaction to the individual colours of the spectrum.

The Eight Colours Of The Spectrum

Each of the eight colours of the spectrum has its own vibrational frequency, its negative and positive attributes and its complementary colour.

In order to deepen our awareness and understanding of colour and to gain insight into why certain colours are used for some of the diseases prevalent in our society, let us examine each colour more closely. In some forms of colour therapy, the treatment colour is always used in conjunction with its complementary colour.

Red

This colour has the slowest wave lengths. Like all the colours, it has its own spectrum which ranges from a very deep to a very pale red. The bright translucent shades of a colour reveal its positive aspects, whilst the dark and dingy shades reveal its negative side. As only the positive aspects are used in healing, I feel that there is no need to elaborate on the negative.

Red is the symbol of life, strength and vitality. In his book 'The Seven Keys to Colour Healing' Ronald Hunt calls this ray the great energizer, the father of vitality. According to Hunt, red splits the ferric salt crystals into iron and salt. The red corpuscles absorb the iron, and the salt is eliminated by the kidneys and the skin. This makes it a good colour with which to treat anaemia or iron deficiency.

Red is a very powerful energizer and stimulant which I relate to the masculine energy. Through its effect on haemoglobin, it increases energy, raises body temperature and improves the circulation, which makes it a good colour for use in paralysis.

However, because of its powerful energizing and stimulating properties, red is not used a great deal in therapy, especially where there is anxiety or emotional disturbance.

When used in conjunction with its complementary colour of turquoise, red helps counteract infections. The red increases the blood supply to the area, which deals with the invading bacteria, and the turquoise helps to cleanse and reduce inflammation.

Young children love red and are attracted to it because it is a grounding and earthing colour. Until puberty, a child is establishing its roots on the earth, and red is the colour which aids this process.

Orange

Orange is the symbol of feminine energy, the energy of creation. It is more gentle than the dynamic, masculine energy of red but its energy is complementary to the red energy. It is therefore important that these two colours should work in harmony. Orange lies midway between the red and the yellow ray, and therefore influences both physical vitality and the intellect.

Orange is the colour of joy and happiness, and enables us to create a balance between our physical and mental bodies. It gives freedom to thoughts and feelings, and disperses heaviness, allowing the body natural, joyful movements.

Orange brings about changes in the biochemical structure, resulting in the dispersing of depression. This makes it a good colour to use with people who are manic-depressive or suicidal.

The orange ray is used to treat stones in the kidney and gall bladder. Frequently these stones are caused by our own bitterness and resentment against other people or life in general. Orange has shown itself to be beneficial in cases of chronic bronchitis, and with regular treatment can clear any build-up of phlegm and the accompanying cough. Orange also has an anti-spasmodic effect and is therefore beneficial in cases of muscle spasms and cramp.

Yellow

Yellow is the symbol of the mind and intellect. It represents the power of thought and intellectuality and stimulates mental activity.

It is the colour of detachment and can help us to detach from obsessional thoughts, feelings and habits. Yellow can be an effective colour when used in conjunction with counselling because it can reveal a person's weaknesses and help to release deep-seated problems.

The yellow rays carry positive magnetic currents which are inspiring and stimulating. They strengthen the nerves and stimulate higher mentality. This colour activates the motor nerves in the physical body, thereby generating energy in the muscles. If any part of the body lacks the energy of this colour, it can manifest as partial or complete paralysis. This makes it a good colour with which to treat these conditions.

Yellow works with the skin by improving its texture, cleansing and healing scars and other disorders such as eczema. It is also used for all rheumatic and arthritic conditions because it helps to break down the calcium deposits which have formed in the joints.

Green

Green is the mid-way colour of the spectrum, being neither at the hot nor the cold end. It is the colour of balance, harmony and sympathy, and therefore has the power to bring the negative and positive energies of a human person into balance. It can also balance the three aspects of a person's being, namely body, mind and spirit, thus creating wholeness.

Green has antiseptic properties which make it useful in cases of infection. It can also be used for detoxification and in some cases of heart disease.

Experiments carried out in America by Dr William Kelly, have shown that green light destroys embryonic cell structure. He has suggested that the cancer cell is very similar in structure to the embryonic cell but, unlike the embryonic cell which follows a set genetic pattern, the cancer cell has no set pattern to follow and creates unwanted tumours in the body. In the light of this knowledge, green, with its complementary colour of magenta, is used to treat malignant tumours.

In his book The Healing of Cancer, Barry Lynes states that the cause of cancer was isolated by Thomas J. Glover in the 1920s as a tiny bacteria, similar in size to a virus. He continues by saying that in the middle of the 1930s, Dr W. M. Crofton of Ireland also identified the same or a similar microbe as the cause of cancer. In the light of this evidence he believes that the use of radiation, drugs and excessive surgery does not cure cancer because these methods are unable to kill the bacteria which is causing it. According to facts given in Lynes's book, Glover developed a serum which was proven to kill this bacteria, but the authorities in America refused to publish his findings.

As the result of Dr Kelly's findings that green can destroy embryonic cell structure, a pregnant woman should never be treated with this colour.

Turquoise

Turquoise is the last colour before the blue half of the spectrum, and is not normally associated with spectral colours.

Turquoise is the colour used to boost the immune system. Our immune defences against infection depend mainly on the lymphatic system. This consists of lymphatic vessels which transport tissue fluid and lymph to groups of lymph nodes, which are widely distributed throughout the body, and then into the blood stream. These lymph nodes, as well as other lymphatic tissue (for example, in the spleen, and tonsils), produce lymphocytes which have various functions; producing antibodies and attacking foreign and abnormal cells. The thymus is important in determining the character of lymphocytes, especially in early infancy and childhood, so that they do not attack the body's own tissue, but are ready to recognize and destroy invaders.

Because turquoise has a strengthening effect upon the immune system, it is used for infections, septic conditions, and AIDS. As AIDS is a virus which destroys the immune system, endeavouring to strengthen this system with turquoise can potentially prolong an AIDS sufferer's life.

Blue

This is the colour which symbolizes inspiration, devotion, peace and tranquillity. It is therefore an excellent colour to use during meditation and in places of healing.

Blue creates a sensation of space, and because of this it is said to be a cold colour. The actual temperature, however, is not influenced by the colour itself. Blue is a colour which slows things down and gives the impression of expansion. Because of this, a room painted in this colour will appear to be much larger.

It is a useful colour with which to treat tension, fear, palpitations and insomnia. Blue will reduce inflammation, and is used for laryngitis, sore throat, tonsillitis and goitres. It is also useful for shock, stings and headaches.

When blue is administered with its complementary colour, orange, it brings about a state of peaceful joy or joyful peace.

Indigo

This colour is a combination of deep blue and a small amount of red. It is not used much in healing and is therefore not included in the eight main colours of the spectrum. However, it is related to the sixth energy centre and I therefore feel it is important to mention it here.

Indigo helps to broaden the mind and to free it of fears and inhibitions. Because of its relationship with the mind it can affect us psychically and also have a powerful effect on mental complaints.

Indigo is associated with the eyes and ears, and is therefore used for some diseases pertaining to these organs. Being so closely related to the blue ray, it can also help with problems related to the throat.

According to Mary Anderson, in her book 'Colour Healing' indigo is a powerful anaesthetic and can induce complete insensitivity to pain without the loss of consciousness.

Violet

This colour pertains to spirituality, self-respect and dignity. The shining colour of violet can lift the prepared human being into a higher state of consciousness. Violet can lead us into a realm of spiritual awareness where it becomes the last gateway through which we must pass in order to become united with our true self or inner divine being.

In healing, this colour can re-strengthen a weak cell structure and restore energy. Violet is frequently needed by those who have no respect for their thoughts, feelings or physical body – the type of person who is unable to love themselves.

Violet is related to insight. It is an inspirational colour, and many of the great musicians, poets and painters have written that their moments of greatest inspiration came when they were in a predominantly violet environment.

This is a very beneficial colour for psychological disorders such as schizophrenia. It also helps sciatica, diseases of the scalp, and all disorders connected with the nervous system.

Magenta

This colour enables us to 'let go'. On a physical/mental level, it allows us to let go of ideas and thought patterns which are no longer right for us. If we hold on to ideas and conditioning which originated in our childhood and/or adolescence, we become rigid and static, no longer able to grow and evolve. This can cause frustration and fear which in due course can lead to psychological problems. Most people find it very difficult to let go and flow with the tide of life for this involves change, and change can cause feelings of insecurity and uncertainty.

In letting go and flowing with the energies of life, we no longer have a set routine or pattern. This can be very unsettling for our personality, but for our spirit it is bliss because it can move, unhindered, towards the vision which it had before it incarnated in a physical body. Once we have entered a physical body, the vision is lost to our normal senses, but the spirit remembers and will pursue it at all costs.

On the emotional level, magenta signifies letting go of feelings which are no longer relevant. Perhaps we are still trying to hold on to a relationship which we have outgrown, or maybe we are trying to relive a situation from the past. In order to learn and grow, we must emotionally let go of the past. Again, this is not easy.

When magenta fades into a very pale pink, it becomes the colour of spiritual love. This is mainly used on the emotional aspect of a person. For example, someone who is suffering from a 'broken heart' would be treated with this colour.

Magenta is the complementary colour of green which is used for malignant tumours. Sometimes I have intuitively felt that I should reverse these colours when treating a cancer patient and use magenta followed by green, and I have done this on occasion. Each human being is unique and what is the norm for 90 per cent of the population is not always the norm for the remaining 10 per cent.

Magenta can also be used in the treatment of tinnitus, benign cysts, and for detached retinas.

The information given in this article only provides a foundation upon which we have to build. As I have already said, each one of us is an individual, and what is regarded as the 'norm' does not always work for some individuals. This also applies in allopathic medicine – specific tablets which are prescribed for specific diseases work in the majority of cases, but for some people an alternative tablet has to be found.

Working in this particular field of complementary medicine, namely colour, we have to learn to listen to and trust our intuition. If we are able to do this when treating a patient, the correct colour will always be given.

As I have already said, colour works on all three aspects of our being – body, mind and spirit. If these three aspects are not brought into harmony, then we cannot become a whole person.

Matthew Bakewell

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