Light is absorbed by the eye and converted to anther form of energy, which enables us to see color. Photoreceptor in the retina of the eye, called the cones, translate these light waves into color vision. These sensory cells are effective only at higher light levels. Color vision requires different pigments, which are sensitive to blue, red, and green light.

According to Dr. Alexander Schauss, director of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma, Washington, these bonds of light energy stimulate the pituitary and pineal glands, which regulate hormones and other physiological systems in the body. These findings have been consistent even in those with visual handicaps and blindness. In addition, Dr. Schauss believes that color is a form of energy that produces physiological changes. These changes are not the result of psychological or cultural factors. The color you chose for your surroundings can therefore effect changes in your body.

RED: Red stimulates, excites, and warms the body. The color red increases the heart rate, brain wave activity, and respiration. Those who have poor coordination should avoid wearing the color red. IN addition, those suffering from hypertension should avoid rooms with red decor, which can cause their blood pressure to rise.

(Information following is from the book Color Synergy by Patricia George and Dinah Lovett)

In comparison with colors at the opposite end of the spectrum, Red emits a somewhat coarse energy. It generally represents passion, strength, conquest, vigor, action, vitality, and the power of life. Red affects the physical nature on its most basic levels.

Clear Red is exciting, and its purpose id to experience, to express, to accomplish, and to reach goals. It has ambition, and it is the fuel for creativity. This warm color drives and challenges and prepares us for adventure. The pulsing vitality provided by Red color energy enriches life. It intensifies self-expression by clarifying the outward and visible signs of an inward motivation. Red is such a bold, definite statement. Native sons rise as one behind their country's banner emblazoned in Red.

In the glow of sparkling Red, the goal-oriented person finds fuel to reach greater heights of achievement. Red surges upward and onward to victory, and denotes self-accompaniment. Human beings function efficiently when they march up the road, guided by Red's energy, towards the attainment of a goal. Seeking a goal leaves purpose to life, and Red is a fountain of incentive which spurs man over obstacles and around barriers. With man's spirits so uplifted, chances of failure and disaster lessen. Man is the only animal who can. if he chooses, sentence himself to a lifetime of drudgery. He may wear drab, uninteresting, lackluster colors and walk with his head lowered in imagined shame. Day after day, he builds a shell around himself until he finally sinks into the oblivion of "non-life." red blasts this shell apart and ignites the fire of enthusiasm. Red projects a humming energy which is contagious to all who come in contact with it. This mighty color ignores self-pity and denial. Its watchword is "Why not!" Don't be afraid to risk; don't be afraid to try! Enthusiasm will take you further than any amount of experience! Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Enthusiasm works like a tonic on boring jobs. Any task undertaken with enthusiasm is completed quickly, with less disdain.

It takes courage to cast out the demons in your life, and Red color energy provides it. Confront those ghoulies who seek to slow you down, to foil your plans, or to sap you of enthusiasm. The thwart Monster despises Red! Red influences us in many ways wee never thought about before. What is the significance of a "Re-letter day"? It's a cause for celebration! Waving a Red flag in front of a bull elicits immediate action! Anger is a healthy emotion, an emotion which is necessary to mental well-beading. When we "see red" and experience anger, an explosive blast of energy must be expelled in order to get on with feeling good. Sometimes a spurt of rich red anger is just the thing to get us off the dime and out of a rut. Red makes things happen!

Secondarily, Red is protective, and it emboldens us to confront problems and defend our principles. In this context, red prevents us from making the same mistakes again. We learn from misfortune, and red color energy color reminds us that we can avoid misery. The very best way to deal with making a mistake is the simplest: simply say "Oops! Made a mistake here!" and then go on! Mistakes never finish us; mistakes demonstrate knowledge, and apply it throughout life.

We will all be moody now and again, when we feel down and tired and oh-so-pitiful. But the solid truth is that melancholy is an emotion difficult to sustain. Red spurs us through melancholy and gets us going again. One of the primary uses of red color energy is for depression. Red involves the will to live and to live with passion. When feelings of inertia, fatigue, and sorrow-mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual-manifest themselves in your live, surround yourself in red. Depression is rampant today and is characterized by a waning feeling, an indifference to life. Eventually, unless aggressive, immediate steps are taken, depression leads to complete numbness of emotional Red is a powerful weapon for battling depression. It jolts you out of depression and back into the teeming energy of life.

The raw power of red is related to aggressiveness and conquest; it pushes us to be pioneers, to initiate action, and lead a crusade forward. Red incites, and like the Little Red Choo-Choo, this glorious color yells out loud: I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN, I KNOW I CAN! The warming qualities of red make it an excellent remedy for chills and colds in that it seems to speed up blood circulation. Avoid using red in the bedroom, for even though it intensifies passion, it also disturbs rest and relaxation. In study areas, red is not good either, for this color calls out for movement and physical action. Game rooms and exercise areas looks good done in red. Romantically, red is a booster rocket. It leads a love relationship deeper in commitment and promise and provides that extra passion which intensifies joy. Red is the color of sexual excitement-it means blood and life in the urgency of procreation and intimacy. Throughout history, red has been the color of sexual energy, as in Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." Red color energy represents seduction and the mutual rousing of passion. It sings a physical expression of devotion. The hallmark of valentine's Day is the Red heart. Red denotes a great depth of passion in a love relationship. It is sexual in nature and very alluring: hot, vibrant red accelerates emotional love into physical expression.

All comfortable relationships need a dollop of red color energy for a little excitement. While it is true that a marriage may lose some of its fore through the years, the flames of love can still burn brightly regardless of the passage of time. Red signals a desire for some enthusiastic response. Passion has no age, and our powers to express ourselves sexually last a lifetime. But like anything else, if you don't use it, you lose it. Red is such a happy color.

PINK: Pink has a soothing effect on the body. it can even relax the muscles. Because pink has a tranquilizing effect on aggressive and violent persons, it is often used in prisons, hospitals, and juvenile and drug centers. After only a few minutes in a pink room, a teenager suffering from drug-induced anxiety became clam and exhibited more rational behavior. After fifteen minutes in the pink room, the teenager fell asleep. Those suffering from anxiety or withdrawal symptoms would benefit from pink surroundings.

(The following is from Color Synergy, cs) Pink here is defined as a "rich rose". Rose is the higher octave of red. it represents the gentler emotions such as compassion, sympathy, honor, and loyalty. These emotions are not less deep than those created by red, but they possess a finer spiritual value. Rose also symbolized self-love, forgiveness, sharing, sensitivity, and romance. Rose color energy is spiritually revitalizing. It represents understanding and mercy. The milk of human kindness should justifiably be presented wrapped in rose because it possesses a deep compassion for mankind and desires to help others. Compassion and sympathy are closely associated, and both are defined as the ability to feel empathy and to be supportive. Rose is the color of good judgment: it recognizes respect, honor and esteem. In this color, it is easy to accept the worth of a fellow-we see with clear but loving eye and distinguish between what is real and what is not . Rose successfully arbitrates disputes. When we appreciate the moods or beliefs of others, relationships become compatible. Rose color energy heralds loyalty.. Loyalty demonstrates dependability, reliability, and requires a certain strength of mind, those chameleons who turn the color of the rock they're on.

Honor is what you feel when you feel when you hold something of somebody or somebody in high esteem. it is a nobleness of mind, a shining perfect thing sought after by those who seek goodness. The road to honor is paved by respect, and rose carries the banner. Respect must be earned; it cannot given to those who do not deserve it and it cannot be taken away at a whim. Admiration is not respect and neither is regard. To honor requires some activity on your part; it requires that you acknowledge it and praise it. Not to do so is moral embezzlement. Not to award merit for sometimes given in the form of rosette.

Just as you honor and respect worthy others, you must feel the same for yourself. Self-love is as necessary as oxygen to the happy human being. If you do not love yourself, you condemn yourself to never being satisfied, never feeling complete, and always searching but never finding the elusive "self" that enables you to "be." Do not become blind to your own beauty. View that rosy picture of yourself and identify your wonderful, unique qualities. When you can love yourself, accepting your own frailties and your own humanity, only then can you love another. Rose energy stands for forgiveness in all its forms: broken relationships, broken promises, broken bodies, careless words, and lies. All of these carry pain, and all were caused by someone's actions. These deeds are history and nothing can turn back time to make them not occur. So what is to be done? Acknowledge and forgive. Rose energy enables us to respond with love to a wrong done to us. The alternative to forgiveness is not a right that belongs to us... the alternative to forgiveness is vengeance. it is simply not in our power to make a vengeance judgement stick. Gentle rose eases pain and gently urges us to forgive.

Rose is for sharing: the gift of a single rose is a significant message of love indicating a reciprocal affection. It has been said that the ultimate sharing experience is a well-proportioned love that strikes equitable balance. Remember that balance and harmony signify the ultimate in healthy life. Rose is also a disciplined administrator which turns dreams into realities. When channeled toward a goal, rose expects that the path might be rocky, but it is determined to fight for right, honor, and truth. This energy depicts sensitivity in the workplace. Rose color energy opens the channel of acceptance and respect from coworkers. It speaks out calmly but distinctly: it states that a worker should do his job to the best of his ability, demonstrate dependability and a cooperative manner, and is therefore deserving of respect. Rose in the workplace promotes effective communications, the meshing of varied personalities, and efficiency.

If romance is the music of the heart, rose is its melody. Exalted love, virtue, and devotion are hallmarks of this sweet color. Roses comforting texture brings ease to hurt feelings. Rose personifies unselfish, true love. Symbolizing constant affection, rose enhances sweet romance. Rose emits tender, gentle rays and cocoons the delicate flower of romance in warm feelings. Rose nurtures, cares for, accepts, adores. It is the fine mist of fantasy and exalted virtues of love. rose is the beginning of deep, abiding true love. romance is not lust or sex or companionship or obsession or transitory interest. Rose depicts romance in all its glory and shows us the way to real love.

ORANGE: Orange is the choice color if you want to stimulate the appetite and reduce fatigue. Use this color to encourage the finicky eater or a child who refuses to eat. Try using orange tablecloths or placemats to pique the appetite of the undernourished. This color should be avoided by those who are trying to lose weight. If you are feeling tired or run down, wearing an orange garment can lift your energy level. (color synergy) This bright color is a social energy. Orange bounces around with a feeling of great well-being: it unites and cooperates. Orange handles fear, insecurity, remorse, guilt, loneliness, prejudice, and bad habits. This energy works to heal ailments of the respitory system. It is the energy for change and the color of hope. When the need arises to bring people, information, and circumstances into sync, orange should be present. It helps all parties to see all sides of a situation and uses tact and diplomacy to reach compromises. Orange aids a smoothly functioning team by fostering a deeper interest in and concern for coworkers. A collaborative effort is sometimes the hardest result to achieve because there is such a diversity of ideas, people, and priorities. Orange provides an atmosphere of noncompetitive rapport. Orange brings people together in harmony. harmony is that state of existence when all members work as one, aligned together.

Orange is mellow, laid-back. Emotionally, these rays enhance self-confidence and banish timidity. Friendly and approachable, orange emits a welcoming energy and calls human beings together for contented fellowship. This color fosters a feeling of service and concern for the welfare of all. A person dressed in bright orange is hard to resist. Fear is agitation or dismay in the anticipation of or in the presence of danger. don't ignore fear because it is a signal of danger, but view fear as just that: a signal. When your entire life is governed by fear, you set out to sabotage your own happiness. If actions are determined by fear of failure, fear of superiors, rear of embarrassment, fear of pain or any other fear, our lives cannot be lived happily. We spend our time and energy avoiding something we fear. Orange is a warm, upbeat ray, and it can help deal with fear.

A bonus that orange provides is its help in overcoming bad habits. Surprisingly, this positive color helps us follow good rules and eschew bad practices. The following list of yukky things are only bad habits: prejudice, loneliness, insecurity, remorse, and guilt. You can teach yourself to break bad habits and orange helps. Orange is there to instill a positive new beginning. orange rockets us into the exciting future, where we confidently make wise decisions and stride off in a new direction. Orange knocks out fear of change and allows us to courageously face the unknown. Change is exciting; it offers opportunities galore. When we are afraid to change, we are afraid to feel better, look better, perform better, and know more. Don't be afraid of change-embrace it! Orange carries the vanguard of cheerful, positive changes. Most important, orange is the color of hope. There is no elixir so life-giving, no tonic so vital as hope. Hope heals, and orange is a dynamic healing energy. Orange works well for asthma, bronchitis, coughs, and other ailments of the lungs. Orange is a respiratory stimulant and it stimulates the entire physical makeup. It enhances the positive flow of energy between people and encourages timid ones to contribute in a positive way.

GLISTENING GOLD: (cs) Congenial like orange, gold possesses a higher level of spiritual happiness, attainment, and wisdom. it represents the beauty of life and the soul. Gold energy provides encouragement, tolerance, comfort, warmth, and openness. Gold is the wise one, the teacher, and its purpose in communication. It does not seek to dominate or overwhelm, but it opens the door to the sharing of feelings and interchange of ideas. Through discussion, people gain insight and knowledge from one another. With gold rays surrounding you, unobstructed communication is possible, and people become candid with each other. Gold suggests and advises. Gold is the light of joy-it radiates happiness-and in its light, everyone feels like having fun. This higher octave of orange possesses great energy, but channels its force into spiritual awakening. It promotes a profound feeling of the beauty of life and life's possibilities for success. Gold encourages us to a spiritual rebirth; its rays give us a boost and urge us onward toward success. Gold is reassuring, and in its rays we are strengthened and supported.

YELLOW: If you want to stimulate the memory, yellow is the preferred color. If you want to remember something, jot it down on yellow paper. Yellow is the most memorable of all the colors. it also raises the blood pressure and increases the pulse rate, but to a lesser degree than red does. As the color of sunshine, yellow has an energizing effect; it can help your depression by lifting your spirits.

(color synergy) Daffodil yellow- Holding first place int eh spectrum for maximum brightness and luminosity, yellow spreads sunshine-it its the color of the intellectual illumination, creativity, the synthesis of new ideas, and optimism. yellow is physically health-giving and healing, and its use helps alleviate certain emotional problems. The portions of the mind concerned with reasoning, analysis, and integration of ideas into practical life are stimulated by this positive magnetic vibration. In yellow's glow, the innovative juices flow and we are urged to take on challenges and explore new directions. In this light we find ourselves adaptable to change, flexible in rerouting life's direction. Fear of change is somehow blown away with this ray and imaginative new ideas and thoughts spring unsummoned into the mind. this is particularly important as it relates to career and job. We can be assertive (but not obnoxious), imaginative without being unrealistic, and assured but not pushy.

Yellow's stimulation of the mental faculties is very important because this is where the command center of deductive reasoning is located. The mind must follow certain logical thought processes in order to make decisions, put together plans, set goals, and reason through problems. Yellow energy also stimulates humans in a spiritual way. We are better able to understand and clarify the mysterious powers of the mind. Yellow allows humans to exercise that sometimes dormant ability, creativity, to its fullest capacity. Creative visualizations are clarified and sharpened with the use of yellow vibrations. We can see, in infinite detail, desired mind pictures we want manifested in our lives. Illuminated in vibrant yellow rays, the mind seeks creative outlets; the self is expressed through different and often innovative methods. Yellow gibes us the ability to put parts together to form a whole, which is a form of deductive reasoning. Correct solutions to problems, remission of negative feelings, intensified ambition, and ways to see ambition achieved are easily found in yellow.

Yellow stimulates the absorption reflex of the mind. We can train the mind to function like a sponge in absorbing information Spurred on by this positive energy, the mind quickly and accurately fits this information together like a piece of a puzzle. Yellow is the optimist; it always looks for the positive characteristics of any person or situation. The optimist is constantly refreshed mentally. Certain negative personality traits can be dealt with constructively and sometimes alleviated with yellow! This buttery-colored energy diminishes jealousy, shame, disgrace, and dishonor. Sufferers of low self-esteem have difficulty with self-expression. Yellow offers a little boldness in the expression of self, and elevates the one who wallows in pity. Yellow is greatly beneficial in physical ways; it aids in good digestion. Everyone needs some method to release tension, and yellow uncramps muscles and relaxes the body. Good for mental exhaustion, a yellow light-bath provides inspiration; it awakens the joy in us and minimizes chaotic thought patterns. Yellow effects the skin: it opens pores and helps the body rid itself of nervous sweat or fear perspiration A decor centered around yellow tones is successful in rooms where mental activity is desired, like libraries, study rooms, and business think tanks. Whenever you need and answer to a difficult problem, surround yourself with yellow and find solutions easily without stress. Yellow aids the speaker and the audience to grasp all important parts of the matter.

GREEN: Green is the color of spring and new beginnings. This color has a soothing and relaxing effect on the body as well as the mind. Green is appealing to the dieter. Those who are depressed or anxious can benefit from green surroundings. Green also helps the aging.

(color synergy) Green occupies the center of the spectrum. It represents balance, and as such it symbolizes the alignment of life's material aspects with the spiritual side of man. Green is a passive color, but possesses a magnetic appeal which normalizes and orders all forces of the universe. This energy successfully harmonizes the thermal colors of the spectrum and the eclectic (cool) colors on the opposite end of the spectrum. The color of nature affects the commingling of soul with spirit, harmony, the life force, healing, self-regulation, purpose, awareness, and prosperity. Green has an stringent quality which alleviates strain through balancing. This energy helps soothe tension in muscles and nerves. it relaxes the nervous system and induces calmness. It is within this calm state that green's antiseptic qualities aid in destroying bacteria and preventing decay in the body. Green is the energy for all ailments of heart diseases, stomach ulcers (which stress the heart), non-specific aches and pains, and muscle spasms. In short, the body responds to green in the realm of tension control; it eases emotional states which cause physical illnesses.

Green also heals emotional wounds. In its sheltering light, we feel safe to turn loose our pent-up emotions. sometimes negative emotions manifest themselves in a surge of undirected energy. But when we are balanced, these negative influences flow out of the body, mind, and spirit and are replaced by calm strength. Green symbolizes self-regulation and the path to self-awareness. The energy allows us to enforce necessary and healthful routines in our lives and recognize the importance of precision and efficiency. Green seeks to support the solid foundations of man's principles and allows us to give shape to our ideas and dreams. Green rays promotes prosperity, growth, and renewal. Powerful and magnetic life emanations shine form green, and this force attracts abundance and wealth.

BLUE: If you want to relax, blue might be a good choice. Blue has a calming effect on the body; it lowers the blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. In a hot, humid environment, blue has a cooling effect. In another study, children prone to tantrums and aggressive behavior became calmer after being in a classroom painted blue. Interestingly, both blind and sighted children reacted the same to the blue surroundings. ** These findings support Dr. Schauss's theory that color responses are physiological rather than psychological or cultural. Light is transferred to the hypothalamus, where it is interpreted with the help of the pineal and pituitary glands. As a result, physiological changes in the body are effected.

(color synergy) As we move toward the blue-indigo-violet-purple end of the spectrum, and away from the red-yellow-orange, the energy becomes finer and cooler. Blue, the first color of this division, represents a serene, less physically stimulating, more astringent vibration. Blue is traditionally the color of spirit. It symbolizes understanding and spiritual development, inner happiness, the will , religiosity, faith, patience, safe travel, dealing with grief and loss, and tranquility. Blue deepens faith and soothes worries and grants patience. We are tolerant and composed in its energy. Blue soothes all kinds and types of anxiety. Humans need a little extra energy in a crisis, a little dose of tranquility. Blue helps insomniacs, it possesses a tranquil vibration and clams the mind, which leads to peaceful sleep. Therefore Blue is ideal in a bedroom. Blue helps headaches or any malady associated with the head area.

DEEP INDIGO: This deep, rich color is a combination of violet and blue. In indigo's ray is found introspection, self-contemplation and analysis, self-discipline, increased intuitive powers, skill to overcome worry and anxiety, justice, memory, forgiving in a romantic love, and family unity and environment. We strive toward wholeness, and in indigo's light, this is more easily achieved. It follows naturally with this introspection that our intuitive powers increase. We as\re more receptive to hunches and instinctive feelings. Man's sixth sense has not been fully developed yet and it lies still within the realm of phenomena. With the help of caressing indigo rays, perception spontaneously awakens. Intuitive powers beckon us to explore other stages of consciousness and other levels of spiritual enlightenment. Indigo is often worn by meditative teachers and students.

Indigo's intuitive faculty encourages fears, frustrations, and worries to float away from the body, then it seals the aura and forbids negative energy within the whole, healthy mind. Indigo also works to lessen stress, which is a non-specific bodily response to some outside stimulus. If you have a bad memory Indigo can help. Indigo is the peacemaker. Its emblem is universality and its function is fairness. Indigo fosters acceptance and tolerance, encourages compromise, and reveals that strength in live will carry the family unit through any hard times. Indigo lessens panic and aids with inner conflict. This blue also opens the mind and the forgiving nature to allow love to grow, for no human love is without its faults.

VIOLET: Violet, which includes royal purple, is the highest color vibration of the spectrum and therefore has the shortest wavelength. Its the energy of self-transformation Violet represents confidence and dignity, overcoming self-pity, gossip and other barriers to happiness, personal attainment, form and ceremony, and spiritual maturity. Violet looks beyond the surface, and asks why?. violet loves form and ceremony and it creates an inspiring atmosphere. This energy makes us spiritually mindful and reverent. Violet enables us to overcome man-made obstacles. Spotless ethics, unqualified merit, and nobility describe violet's effect.

WHITE: White is the ultimate expression of oneness, fidelity, sincerity, pure faith, overcoming temptations, honesty, purity, and mercy. White is the essence of all colors, containing all aspects of every color. In pure white light, inadequacies vanish, fears fade away, superstition and ignorance disintegrate. in white's energy, there is room for no other standards but truth, honor , fidelity, and integrity. Use white light to heal all illnesses and all wounds. It aids us in being true to others and true to ourselves. It is a stabilizing influence. White light is pure love, kindness, goodness, fulfillment, and awakening. its energy refreshes and rekindles and manifests a positive power. It is an energy which allows man's inner exploration and advancement to wisdom.

INFORMATION IS A COMBINATION OF IDEAS FROM "NUTRITIONAL HEALING " BY JAMES F. BALCH, M.D AND PHYLLIS A BALCH, C.N.C. AND "COLOR SYNERGY" BY PATRICIA GEORGE AND DINAH LOVETT.