Color Therapy: Purple

The color therapy post for this month is all about the color purple.  Purple is the 7th color in a standard rainbow.  It is associated with the crown chakra, located just above the head.  It is often considered a very spiritual color, and is associated with knowledge and higher consciousness.  Like blue and green, purple is considered a cool color, and can have a very calming effect.  

Let's take a look at some of the benefits of the color purple, and how you can use it to your benefit.

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Physical Effects

Insomnia
Purple has a very calming effect, so it is great for treating insomnia.  Violet is also said to stimulate a dream state.  If you wish to remember your dreams, try putting something purple in your bedroom that you will see just before going to sleep, and when you wake up.  

Be wary of using too much purple, as it's calming effects can become negative, creating a depressive state.  This is especially important if you are prone to depression. 

Detoxification
Because purple has a very high vibrational frequency, it is great for breaking up or shrinking things.  This can be very beneficial for detoxification, because it can break up bad things in your body.  Purple is a great color for people who are overcoming addiction.  Purple is also used by color therapists to encourage breaking up or shrinking of cancerous tumors.  

Headaches
Purple can be used to ease headaches because it is a cool, calming color.  It is not too stimulating, so it is easy on your eyes.  Try wearing purple, or using purple light with a headache to ease the pain.  To make purple light, put a purple scarf or fabric over a lamp.  Make sure the lamp you are using has a lamp shade that the scarf can lie across, and make sure the scarf doesn't touch the lightbulb.

Emotional Effects

Meditation
Because it is considered a very spiritual color, purple is often used as an aid for meditation.  It is believed to enhance the connection to the divine and enlightenment.  Leonardo da Vinci advocated the use of purple light during meditation.  To achieve this, he liked to sit beneath purple stained glass windows in a church and allow the light to bathe him.  You can add purple with focal objects, visualization, light, or any other way that feels right for your meditation practice.

Anxiety
Because of it's calming nature, purple can be used to ease anxiety and stress.  Try using lavender to ease your anxiety, by diffusing it, or using lavender bath salts in a warm relaxing bath.  You can also wear purple, or use purple in your home decor.  For people who have anxiety throughout the day, try carrying something purple with you to focus on when having an anxiety attack.

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Using Purple

Around the House
Purple can be used in many ways around your home.  You can use purple in any aspect of home decor.  If you are prone to depression and don't want to be overwhelmed by the color, try hanging some purple artwork, or putting some purple flowers on a table. 

Purple can also be used with aromatherapy.  Lavender evokes many of the same feelings as purple.  Try diffusing or wearing lavender to bring purple into your home.

Clothing
Purple can be worn as your whole outfit, or just as accents.  You can wear purple jewelry, a purple tie, purple shoes... be creative.  You can also play with different shades of purple.  Some purple is light and pastel, while other shades are deeper and more saturated.  Some purple is more blue, while other shades are more red.  Try mixing your shades and playing with different combinations.

Crystals
There aren't many purple stones.  The most common purple stone is the amethyst.  Amethyst is known as a great spiritual or psychic protector.  It is very beneficial when worn in jewelry, especially over the throat or heart.  To help with insomnia, try placing an amethyst crystal under your pillow.  Amethyst is a great healer for many common health concerns, especially when combined with concerns that are helped by the color purple.

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