The Power of Colour

How Colours Can Ground, Heal, and Energise Us

​When I was younger, green was my favourite colour. It felt alive, fresh, and soothing, like the pulse of nature itself. But as I moved through school and into working life, I somehow stopped wearing green or even appreciating it. Life got busy, and colours seemed less important amid the hustle and bustle.
Then, slowly, green came back to me. Now, I regularly wear green, in my clothes, on my nails, and it feels fabulous. Wearing grey makes me feel grounded, energised, calm, and balanced. I guess it perfectly matches my earthy vibe as a Taurus.
In my work as a therapist, I regularly use colour with clients, especially during Reiki, hypnotherapy, breathwork, and self-hypnosis. While some clients don’t ‘see’ colours visually, they often feel them kinesthetically, so I adapt my approach accordingly. But most clients do experience colour vividly, and understanding the meanings behind colours can deepen healing and transformation.
We can use colour to influence our emotions and improve our ability to cope in several ways:

• Wearing colours that resonate with us
• ​Drinking or eating foods of certain colours
• Visualising or meditating with colours, such as through colour breathing
• Surrounding ourselves with colours in nature or our environment, like a green garden or blue sky
  
  

Here’s a quick overview of common colours, and their meanings:
RED

• Promotes: energy, strength, motivation, confidence, will-power, courage, initiative, focusing attention to detail
• Good for: Depression, negativity, shyness (avoid in anger, irritability)
  
  

​ORANGE:

• Promotes: Stimulates body and mind, self-esteem, optimism, inner strength, creativity, self-expression, happiness, opens mind to new ideas and perspectives, revitalising
• Good for:  Depression, negativity, trauma, stress, bereavement and loss
  
  

GOLD

• Promotes: Enthusiasm, balancing thoughts and feelings, wisdom
• Good for: Depression (especially during menopause), stress, anxiety

YELLOW

• Promotes: Uplifting, cleansing, self-respect, self-confidence, self-control, ability to rationalise and reason, contentment, mentally stimulating
• Good for: Depression, despair, fatigue, negativity, sensitivity to criticism, lack of confidence (avoid in insomnia, hyperactivity)

GREEN

• Promotes: Balance, grounding, harmony, personal development, self-acceptance, compassion for self and others, renewal
• Good for: Stress, anxiety, self-pity, confusion

TURQUOISE

• Promotes: Calm, cleansing, healing, personal relationships, sharing, friendship, resilience
• Good for: Stress, anxiety, anger

BLUE

• Promotes: Calm, peace, relaxation, slowing down, steadying, self-expression, intuition, honesty, truth, creativity
• Good for: Insomnia, stress, anxiety, over-excitement, anger

INDIGO

• Promotes: Wisdom, intuition, understanding, spirituality, peace, calm, inspiration
• Good for: Anger, obsessions, psychoses, insomnia, anxiety (avoid in depression, loneliness)
  
  

VIOLET / PURPLE

• Promotes: Inspiration, imagination, empathy, sense of belonging, helping others, self-respect, dignity
• Good for: Stress, anxiety, obsessions, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, severe depression
  
  

MAGENTA

• Promotes: Letting go of the past or anxiety-provoking thoughts, moving on, spiritual understanding
• Good for: Reduces aggression
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PINK

• Promotes: Calm, clarity of thought, affection, compassion, nurturing, kindness, resolving aggression
• Good for: Difficult relationships, insomnia, anger, aggression, over-sensitivity
  
  

GREY

• Promotes: Stability, neutrality, calm
• Good for: Emotional detachment, balance, calm

BLACK

• Promotes: Protection, mystery, introspection
• Good for: Absorbs negative energy, deep reflection

BROWN

• Promotes: Earth, stability, reliability
• Good for: Grounding, security, comfort

Chakras
Chakras, are energy centres within our bodies, are closely linked to colour, each corresponding to a different hue that represents specific physical, emotional, and spiritual qualities.

Chakras are traditionally part of Indian spiritual and healing systems. They originate from ancient Indian texts and practices, especially within Hinduism and some forms of Buddhism. The chakra system describes energy centers in the body and is foundational in yoga, Ayurveda, and many Indian spiritual teachings.

In Reiki and many other healing practices, we can work with Chakras to help restore balance and promote wellbeing. Because chakras play such a vital role in energy healing, I’ll be exploring their colours and meanings in more detail in an upcoming post — so stay tuned!

Colour Breathing: A Simple Technique to Connect with Healing Energy
One of my favourite ways to work with colour is through colour breathing , a calming practice that helps you connect deeply with the energy and healing qualities of your chosen colour. Here’s how you can try it:

1. Find a comfortable seated or lying position and close your eyes. Begin by focusing on your natural breath.
2. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breathing without judgement.
3. Imagine a balloon in your belly. Feel it rise as you breathe in and fall as you breathe out.
4. Now, picture your chosen colour as a light, mist, or something familiar like green grass or a blue sky. See it surrounding and enveloping you.
5. As you breathe in, imagine drawing this colour deep into your body, filling every part of you.
6. Notice the sensations the colour brings - warmth, calm, energy - and allow it to flow through your body and mind.
7. Whenever your attention drifts, kindly bring it back to your breath and colour.
8. When ready, slowly open your eyes and notice how you feel.

Remember, working with colour, whether through wearing it, surrounding yourself with it, or using practices like colour breathing, can be a simple yet powerful way to nurture your emotional and energetic wellbeing.

​It’s a gentle reminder that healing and balance are always within reach, accessible through the colours around us and within us. Give yourself permission to explore and embrace the vibrant world of colour, and notice how it can support your journey toward greater peace, clarity, and vitality.