Color and Essential Oils
Here in Virginia, the beginning of November still offers us a charming rainbow of colors to delight our senses. Especially in the mountains, the leaves change into the most magnificently vibrant arrays of colors from reds to oranges, yellows to greens, all set off against usually the clearest of bright blue skies. This is a time where we feel alive- the oppressive heat is gone, the frigid cold has yet to arrive, and all we are left with is crisp temperatures that invite us to get out and be in nature. Walking amongst the trees in the autumn is unlike any other time of the year, I think in part, because of the variety of colors that dazzle our eyes. How therapeutic to see all the many colors of fall that stimulate our energetic fields. Each leaf seemingly opens a different chakra to the leaf’s magical healing vibration and our bodies as well as emotions entrain to that beneficial frequency. The autumnal colors bring us into our energy centers and arouse us into better wellbeing. It’s a form of color therapy!
Color is a wavelength and frequency. Each color resonates to its own specific wavelength and has its own specific qualities or properties, i.e. violet’s wavelength is 425-400 nanometers and its frequency is 700-790 thz; whereas red’s wavelength is lower at 750-610 nm and 480-405 thz in frequency. In color therapy, these frequencies vibrate in harmony with the chakra system of the body, each chakra having an associated color. Since each color has its own resonance, the theory goes that each chakra then has that particular corresponding resonance, and therefore any organs in the body associated with the chakra would fall under the healing domain of that color. So for instance, the liver, stomach, pancreas and adrenals, being in the solar plexus chakra, would be under the influence of the color yellow. The heart and lungs vibrate to green, etc. And likewise, in aromatherapy, each essential oil has a resonance or vibration associated with it, which aligns to a chakra and to a color.
Beginning at the base/root chakra, which is located at the base of the spine a little in front of the coccyx, we have the color red connecting to the element of earth. Its associated body parts correspond to all solid parts like the bones, teeth, etc and to the lower genitalia. The root chakra is how we connect to the physical world. The subtle cosmic energies are interchanged with the more earthly energies in this center. We can experience the earth as an elemental force, since it is though the earth that we can grow food, build shelter, and thus are able to survive. Just as the earth is a foundation for us to build on, so the root chakra becomes a foundation for all the other chakras to build on. Both the color red and the root chakra are associated with strength, courage, vitality, security and stability, a sense of power and feeling comfortable on the earth. Corresponding essential oils that vibrate to this frequency, and therefore support the base chakra and harmonize with the color red are clove, cinnamon, rose, cedar, musk patchouli and sandalwood.
The second chakra is the sacral chakra, associated to the color orange, and located in the region of the pelvic bowl, connecting to the element of water. The related structures include the reproductive organs, the bladder (and kidneys), the colon, the sacrum and the ilea. And because it is the element of water, all fluids of the body are also assigned to this chakra. The sacral chakra is the center of creation, the true seat of Shakti (the feminine aspect of the Hindu God). All aspects of the Goddess reign here and thus this becomes the seat of a woman’s power. In this area we also hold control issues. If we are weak or lacking energy in this chakra, we can give over our control to others and become disempowered, impotent and fearful. We need the creative life energy pulsing through this area to maintain homeostasis in the lower organs and stabilize health. We need to open to the positive realms of emotions, like love, joy, harmony, trust, so we can bring a more fulfilling vortex of energy to the sacral chakra and radiate these positive aspects out to others. Essential oils that encourage us to emit the higher frequencies of emotion and of orange are bergamot, geranium, jasmine, neroli, sweet orange, bitter orange and patchouli.
The third chakra is the solar plexus, vibrating to the color yellow and found in the upper belly, connecting to the element of fire. The organs to which this chakra relates are the liver, spleen, stomach and small intestine. The endocrine gland is the pancreas. The third chakra is our connection to the sun, to the source light. As the sun is our solar power, so the solar plexus chakra is our personal power. Here we are able to stand in our truth, to realize and be the statement of the “I AM”, also to resonate with our higher knowledge while co-creating with the more mundane. The third chakra is the bridge that allows the higher chakra energies to manifest on the physical levels. It is our lower center of personal will and intellect. Essential oils that allow us to access our inner wisdom and connect to our inner strength and yellow power are lemon verbena, sandalwood, lemon, vetiver, angelica, cedarwood, jasmine, helichrysum, and myrrh.
The heart is the center of the fourth chakra and resonates to the color green in its lower octave and pink or gold in the higher octave. It influences not only the circulatory system but the pulmonary system and immune system (through the thymus) as well. The heart chakra is the center of the chakra system in that it connects the 3 higher chakras to the 3 lower ones. It is the balance point of the higher self to how we manifest here in the mundane world. It is also the pivot point of the expression “As Above, So Below”. In the heart chakra we learn to get in touch deeply with our core being and our core truth. The heart’s voice is one of the voices of our Soul and when we are still, and listen intently, we can hear our true heart’s desire. Essential oils that help to balance love of self and others are rose, geranium, palmarosa, tuberose, narcissus, chamomile, ylang ylang, jasmine, marjoram and orris root.
The fifth chakra is located at the level of the throat and is associated with the neck and its various components such as the trachea, esophagus, cervical vertebrae, and throat; as well as the jaw, ears, mouth, teeth, gums, bronchial tubes and upper lungs. The gland, which the fifth chakra is paired with, is that of the thyroid. The thyroid dictates our ability to physically grow and this chakra parallels that by being about spiritual growth. Known as the Throat Chakra, this energy center vibrates in the color of pale blue. It is the bridge from the sixth chakra of thought to the fourth chakra of feelings and desire. It links our ability to react mentally with our ability to respond emotionally, so that we are able to make our choices both with reason and sense. Speaking our truth and listening to our divine inner voice can be assisted with the light blue energy as well as elemi, sandalwood, clary sage, eucalyptus, hyssop, neroli and ylang ylang essential oils.
The sixth chakra, also considered the third eye, is located between the eyebrows on the forehead. It is primarily linked to the pituitary gland and is associated with the face, eyes, ears, nose, parts of the brain and the central nervous system and vibrates to indigo or deep violet. The energy of the third eye leads us to wisdom and the realization that we create our own reality. It is through the reasoning mind that we understand what motivates us to do things, but it is our deep awareness of our inner truth that drives us to create what the Divine-self desires us to actualize. The brain runs our physical body but the mind controls the energy body, and because of that, our thoughts create energy, which then become manifestation. Through conscious thought we can create a positive, harmonious life, led by our intuitive self, guided by spirit. Oils that assist us in this connecting to the higher vibrations of divine connection are lavender, rosemary, mint, anise seed, mugwort and star anise.
The seventh chakra, also called the crown chakra, is located at the top of the head and is represented by a thousand petalled lotus. The primary part of the body it is associated with is the cerebrum, and the gland that it is commonly linked to is the pineal gland. The seventh chakra encompasses all the colors of the rainbow, but vibrates primarily in the violet range. When the crown chakra is open, there are only levels of higher development, of raising to a more vibrant frequency and attuning more clearly. When the crown is open to the Source, the energy flows in and fills the Being, feeds the chakras and increases the vibration until the crown begins to radiate its own energy, in unity with the Divine. Essential oils that aid in attuning to Source are the high frequency oils such as frankincense, lotus, sandalwood, jasmine, rose, elemi, myrrh, ylang ylang, galbanum and vetiver.
This article is by no means comprehensive since obviously it is a vast subject with many differing opinions and conflicting views, so I am presenting only the broadest of mainstream ideas. Color can be whatever you choose to make it since it is a range of frequencies and it will vibrate on whatever level your spirit needs in the moment. So go and walk in the leaves and feel their gift of color.