The history, the evolvement and importance of Colour Therapy, at a glance.

We are surrounded by colour… is there a reason for that?

Vicky Wall used to say “Colour Therapy is Old Wine…in new bottles”, as light(colour), is the purest form of energy, of vital importance for sustenance on this earth, existing from the beginning of the creation of the planet, and this ancient sunlight, we need to preserve and utilize as Dr. Hartman says in his book “Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight”.

Colour is the 40% of the electromagnetic field directed from the sun, visible to humans, mainly consisted of the rainbow colours, with Red (700nm) being the slowest and warmest energy, in relation to the other colours, and violet (400nm), being the fastest vibration with cooling effect. Every colour has unique qualities, and impact.

Through research it was understood that, human energy vibrates in the exact same frequencies as the colour of the rainbow, and every major energy center resonates with one of the seven colour vibrations, affecting the human organism, simultaneously on all levels. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Important to note that a balance of all colours is needed in order to achieve complete harmony and evolvement.

As Suzy Chiazzari says in the book of Renee Brodie “Let Light into your Heart with Colour and Sound”, “There is a cycle of changing colours in our aura, through the different stages in our lives. These inner colours are reflected in our changing colour preferences”

Colour is an energy of vital importance, which can support every human being, in every step of their life, helping to preserve balance, health on all levels, and evolve.

The evolvement through Light Energy was well known to all ancient evolved civilizations. Information for the importance of colour for these civilizations, date back in their Mythology. In Greek Mythology for example Iris was the goddess of Colours.

The understanding of the Healing Power of Colour, was known to Ancient Egyptians and Greeks, which they were using minerals, stones, and crystals according to their colour, colour garments, slaves, dyes, and remedies. As part of the balancing, they were using painted treatment sanctuaries in various shades of colour.

In Ancient Greece they were able to use colour, in order to restore balance according to which of the 4 elements, fluids and organs of the human body where out of balance, similar system to Ayurveda the roots of which we can find in India. In Ayurveda alongside massage they were utilizing, different colour garments, oils , plasters, ointments, to restore balance to each of the three main personality types. To each of the personality types, one of the three basic colours was assigned.

Progress in healing was achieved by a disciple of Aristotel, the Persian Physician Avicenna (980-1037). Avicenna made clear the vital importance of colour, in both diagnosis and treatment, knowing that every colour has a different effect on the human body.

During Renaissance, Theophrastus von Hohenhein (1493-1541), known as Paracelsus, one of the most renowned healers, the fame of which spread through Europe, regarded light and colour, as essential for good health, and used them extensively in treatment, together with elixirs, herbs and minerals.

As science progressed the emphasis was exclusively, on the material, rather than the spiritual, and as medicine came under the umbrella of science, it too focused on the material physical body, ignoring the mind and the spirit.

The research on the healing power of colour continued, and in 1877 Dr. Seth Pancoast, a distinguished physician, published “Blue and Red Lights” in which he advocated, as Augustus Plesanton did in his published work in 1876 “Blue and Sunlight”, the use of colour in healing.

In 1878 Edwin Babbit, published “The Principals of Light and Colour”, and attracted worldwide attention. Babbit advanced a comprehensive theory of healing with colour. He identified the different qualities and impact of each colour, and used colour and light in combination with minerals for healing. He created colour elixirs using colour filters. Babbit developed various devices with special colour filters, which could localize light onto various parts of the body. Many of these methods are still used today.

During the twentieth century, investigations into the therapeutic uses of colour were carried out in Europe, notably Rudolph Steiner, who related colour to form, shape and sound and the effects of colour on living organisms. In Schools Inspired by Steiner’s work, classrooms are painted to correspond the mood of children at various stages of their development.

Steiner’s work continued by Theo Gimbel, who established the Hygeia Studio and College of Colour Therapy. Theo Gimbel also explored the theory of Max Luscher, professor of psychology, based on which the Luscher Test was created.

Research on Colour Therapy continues, and in 1968 its clinically confirmed that blue light, lower billirubin rates, for babies with neonatal jaundice.

In 1980 photo biologist Dr. John Ott, demonstrated the effects of colour on growth and development. He also treated effectively with Full Spectrum Light, S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder). Full Spectrum Light is also now being used in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, bulimia nervosa, insomnia, jet lag, dependencies, and to reduce overall levels of medication.

Dr. Jacob Liberman, in his book “Light Medicine of the future”, initially published in 1991, mentions that blue light is also effective in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, a research contacted in 1982 in San Diego State University.

Research on Colour Therapy continues, in the whole world, with important discoveries, and applications of Colour Therapy, as Colour Therapy combines the important ancient wisdom, with resent scientific discoveries, and will continue to be of great importance and help for Humanity.