Color Magic for Beginners (For Beginners (Llewellyn's)) [Paperback]

Richard Webster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2006 | Series: For Beginners (Llewellyn's)

From our clothes to the color of our bedroom walls, we are surrounded by colors that influence our mood, energy level, creativity, and overall well being. Richard Webster offers an astonishing number of ways to use stimulating reds, soothing blues, and every other color of the rainbow to our advantage.

Webster begins with an overall picture of each color's major aspects-its psychological influence, healing qualities, emotional impact, and magical characteristics. From there, readers learn a multitude of color-based techniques involving astrology, the aura, candle magic, chakras, color rituals, crystals and gemstones, feng shui, flower magic, mandalas, meditation, numerology, and visualization. Webster demonstrates how color can be used to attract good luck, heal illness, reduce stress, create harmony in the home, overcome depression, solve problems, and magically enhance one's life in a variety of ways.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Webster was born and raised in New Zealand. He has been interested in the psychic world since he was nine years old. As a teenager, he became involved in hypnotism and later became a professional stage hypnotist. After school, he worked in the publishing business and purchased a bookstore. The concept of reincarnation played a significant role in his decision to become a past-life specialist. Richard has also taught psychic development classes, which are based on many of his books.

Richard's first book was published in 1972, fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming an author. Richard is now the author of over a hundred books, and is still writing today. His best-selling books include Spirit Guides & Angel Guardians and Creative Visualization for Beginners. 

Richard has appeared on several radio and TV programs in the United States and abroad including guest spots on Hard Copy, WMAQ-TV (Chicago), KTLA-TV (Los Angeles), KSTW-TV (Seattle) and the Mike and Matty Show (ABC). He currently resides in New Zealand with his wife and three children. He regularly travels the world to give lectures, workshops and to continue his research.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

chapter one      a rainbow of color

Every day you make color choices. You may decide to wear a particular outfit because you have an important meeting to go to. This choice may be made consciously or unconsciously. If you need confidence for any reason, you might deliberately choose red. However, if you knew you were going to be dealing with difficult people, you might unconsciously decide to wear blue. Instinctively, you would be making the right color choice.

You even make color choices with your food. You might choose a red apple in preference to a yellow banana. This may have nothing to do with taste, but be a subconscious decision based on the right color for you at that time. Incidentally, you should eat foods of many different colors to keep your body healthy.

After breakfast, you'll brush your teeth. What color is your toothbrush? What made you choose a toothbrush of that particular color?

You might drive to work in your own car. Why did you choose a car of that particular color? As you go to work you might see green grass and a blue sky. You'll certainly see many different colored vehicles on the road.

You may not have a great deal of choice in the color scheme at your place of work, but the chances are that you can add different colors by personalizing your workspace with potted plants, ornaments and photographs.

All day long you're being exposed to a variety of different colors. These colors affect every aspect of your being. The psychological effects that colors have on people have been studied for many years. The colors of fire, such as red, orange and yellow, make us feel warm. This is not just a psychological effect, as scientists have demonstrated that under a red light we secrete more adrenaline, our blood pressure and rate of breathing increase, and our temperature rises slightly. The opposite occurs under blue lighting. We consider blue and green to be cooling colors.

Even young children are aware of the psychological effect that different colors produce. They usually relate red to anger, aggression, and excitement, while green is related to peace and quietness. In 1978 a study was undertaken in which children were asked to color in a shape while looking at happy and sad pictures. They used orange, yellow, green and blue while looking at the happy pictures, but chose brown, black and red while looking at the sad ones.1

People also have personal color preferences, and these vary as we go through life. All around the world young children like red best. Only after the age of eight do children express a preference for cool colors. Not surprisingly, extroverted adolescents like red, while their quieter, more reserved compatriots prefer blue. More than half of all adults in the Western world say that blue is their favorite color.2 Only in Spain is red placed before blue and yellow as a favorite color. Elderly people prefer light colors, but find yellow the least appealing.

There may be a geographical basis on which colors people like best. In an experiment, Scandinavian people indicate a preference for blue and green, while people from Mediterranean countries preferred the warmer colors.3

Let's start by looking at the basic meanings of the colors you see most frequently.

Red

As red is the color of blood, it is considered to be the color of life. It is stimulating, vital, enthusiastic, energetic and passionate. If you are "red-blooded," you possess these qualities. It is intense and has a strong desire to achieve. Shakespeare wrote: "My love is like a red, red rose," as it is also the color of love. This is why red flowers are so popular on Valentine's Day. Red is a powerful color that is related to conquest and success. This is why we "roll out the red carpet for important dignitaries. Important things happen on "red-letter days." If you won the lottery and bought yourself a sports car, you would probably request that it be red. This is because a red sports car symbolizes all the qualities we have mentioned.

When red is used positively it is fun loving, creative, ambitious, persistent, and motivated. It symbolizes strength, power, and self-confidence.

Interesting Facts About Red

The word red is derived from two words: the Sanskrit rudhira and the Anglo-Saxon read.

Red is associated with the planet Mars, which was named after the Roman god of war (who drove a red chariot). Red was also the color of the Russian Revolution, which is why the communists were called "Reds."

When red is used negatively it is destructive. An angry person "sees red." When someone is caught "red-handed," they are committing a crime. The very term "red-handed" conjures up an image of blood on the hands. In the seventh century, adulteresses in New England had to wear a scarlet letter A to compound their shame and disgrace. In the Bible we read: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18) As red attracts immediate attention, it is used on stoplights and on signs indicating danger. At one time, red-haired and red-bearded people were viewed with suspicion. This is because Judas Iscariot was believed to have red hair.

Red is useful for people who want to lose weight, as it stimulates the pituitary gland and speeds up the assimilation of food.

Insurance company records show that red-colored cars are more likely to be involved in accidents than cars of other colors. However, there is also a tradition that says that a red ribbon should be tied inside all new cars to produce and safe driving.

Cardinals wear red vestments to remind them of the blood spilled by the Christian martyrs. The ancient Greeks wore red robes when acting the Iliad to remind them of the blood spilled in battle.

The legendary philosopher's stone, which was sought after by medieval alchemists because they believed it cured disease and transformed base metals into gold, was thought to be red in color.

The Hebrew people consider red the color of sacrifice and sin. Red symbolizes the blood of Christ for Christians. Consequently, it was sometimes worn by martyrs.

Orange

Orange is exciting, assertive, joyful, and persistent. It balances the life-force color of red with the lightness and goal-setting qualities of yellow. This combines physical energy with the power of thought, providing the potential for wisdom as well as achievement. Orange encourages new ideas and new ways of looking at things. It is thoughtful and considerate, as well as energetic. Orange symbolizes warmth, expansion, prosperity, harvest, tolerance, and love for all life.

Orange is usually positive. However, when it is used negatively, it can be sensual, self-indulgent, lazy, and lacking in energy.

Orange is virile and is useful for people who need more force and drive.

Interesting Facts About Orange

Oranges were not imported into Europe until medieval times. Until the seventeenth century, the word orange was associated only with the fruit. Items that were orange in color were called red, yellow, or gold. At about the same time, orange gained an erotic connotation. This is because the people of the day believed that Nell Gwynne (c.1650-1687) seduced King Charles II (1630-1685) with the oranges she sold.

In ancient Rome, people used bleach and henna to create red and orange hair, which was considered highly fashionable.

Orange was the color of the early Christian church, as oranges symbolized the fruits of the earth.

In Northern Ireland, the Protestants who want to remain part of the United Kingdom are called the Orange after the orange-colored flowers they have worn in their parades since 1795.

Yellow

Yellow is lighthearted, carefree, and full of the joys of life. It is warm, bright, and cheerful. It is also intellectual, provides hope, and helps people find a sense of direction in their lives. The only disadvantage of this approach is that yellow relies much more on logic and thought than it does on feelings and emotions. However, yellow is always learning and striving for knowledge and wisdom.

Interesting Facts About Yellow

Yellow is sometimes considered a negative color. The actor playing the role of the devil in medieval morality plays always wore yellow. Cowards are called "yellow." When this color is used negatively it can lead to cowardice, jealousy, treason, treachery, dishonor, and perversion. These associations came about because medieval artists believed that Judas Iscariot wore yellow robes. In Nazi Germany, Jewish people were made to wear yellow armbands. Victims of the Inquisition were also made to wear yellow armbands.
However, in China yellow was the imperial color and was considered highly auspicious. Lucky charms were often printed on yellow paper.

Green

Green is soothing, restful, and nurturing. It provides balance and restores body, mind, and soul. It is the color of nature, and symbolizes growth and abundance. It is also the color of renewal, which relates it to hope and longevity. It is also related to calmness, stability, peace, empathy, and contentment. It has always been associated with healing. It is hard working, conscientious, reliable, and sometimes stubborn.

Interesting Facts About Green
...

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1St Edition edition (September 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738708860
• ISBN-13: 978-0738708867
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Webster was born and raised in New Zealand. He has been interested in the psychic world since he was nine years old. As a teenager, he became involved in hypnotism and later became a professional stage hypnotist. After school, he worked in the publishing business and purchased a bookstore. The concept of reincarnation played a significant role in his decision to become a past-life specialist. Richard has also taught psychic development classes, which are based on many of his books.
Richard's first book was published in 1972, fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming an author. Richard is now the author of over seventy-five titles on New Age subjects. His best-selling books include Spirit Guides & Angel Guardians and Creative Visualization for Beginners.
Richard has appeared on several radio and TV programs in the United States and abroad including guest spots on Hard Copy, WMAQ-TV (Chicago), KTLA-TV (Los Angeles), KSTW-TV (Seattle) and the Mike and Matty Show (ABC). He currently resides in New Zealand with his wife and three children. He regularly travels the world to give lectures, workshops and to continue his research.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, January 2, 2007

By 

Bigcaat (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Color Magic for Beginners (For Beginners (Llewellyn's)) (Paperback)

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's straight-forward, easy to read, and gives practical applications. Initially, I thought it was just a book about color, but it's so much more than that. It has both a practical side, and a metaphysical side to it. But what is so good about it is that it presents things in such a way as to 'make the penny drop.'

For instance, I've read over and over about chakras, but the whole concept has just never clicked with me. But something about the way he presents it did it for me. I'm really interested in it now because I get it. He ties it in with the meaning of color in such a real world way that it doesn't just float out into the air like some sort of esoteric babble.

He presents a variety of things, both practical and metaphysical. He not only gives interesting background on color and what different colors mean in different applications, but he ties it all into things like numerology, healing, mandalas, emotional support, symbolism, magic rituals, crystals and gemstones, feng shui & how to decorate your home, and color symbolism.

I just happened on to this book by accident, when I was leaving for a trip and wanted something to read on the plane. I didn't end up reading it until 3 weeks after I got home, but I then read it in 3 days. Now, to put this into perspective, I am not a reader. It takes me *months* to read a book -- the ones that I like. The ones I don't like I don't even finish.

If you haven't guessed by now, I highly, highly recommend this book. It's one of the few books that I am going to refer to time and time again, and one of the few books that I can't wait to start applying some of the things it suggests. (I already ordered three scarves last night -- one red so that people will know I am capable of being assertive when I need to be -- one with orange so I will be more self-confident -- and one with blue so that I will be able to manage my reactions to things better.)

Tomorrow, we look for a red blouse. ;-)

Caat

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, January 15, 2007

By 

Stephen Duquette - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Color Magic for Beginners (For Beginners (Llewellyn's)) (Paperback)

This is probably one of the best books for beginners. Mr Webster makes this book well worth the price. As I started reading the book I found myself stopping to do some of the work in the book because I was so excited about the material. Once I finished the book I was amazed at just how much useful information could fit into this book, between finding your personal numbers and the colors associated with them to mandalas and to just noticing the colors around me more. I strongly recommend this book to anyone!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ideal book., September 1, 2007

By 

Chris Sellick (South Australia,Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Color Magic for Beginners (For Beginners (Llewellyn's)) (Paperback)

I wanted a book that would explain the benefits of colour and how and where to use it.This is the book I wanted.The book starts off with how we use colour everyday.It then explains interesting information on each of the colours:red,orange,yellow,green.blue,indigo,violet,pink,white,brown,black,silver and gold.

There are sections on candle burning,kombolois,how to determine your colours,life path numbers and much more.This book has a lot to offer.Could have used a few colour photos as examples but as it,its the best book I found.