Red: The color of fire, warmth, passion, love, and emotional intensity; the get up and go color; the color of grounded intention. The color red is also associated with vibrant energy, and when energy accompanies intention, anything is possible. Red is often linked with the base Chakra in Eastern philosophies and healing, and can be considered the furnace for the body, mind heart and soul.

In color psychology and spiritual psychology, the color red is about the grounded, physical, tangible side of life. The material world in which we live, survival. Red is the color of action. Red connects us with our "fire in the belly," the creative force of our limitless inner wisdom, the wellspring of our divine inspirations. In some cultures, red is considered an auspicious or "lucky" color. Consider where red may support you in your goals visions dreams and intentions.

How would you consciously use red?

Red is a wonderful color to use to energize yourself and your environment. Red is a good color for grounding if you feel scattered or unable to focus on the tasks at hand. To relax and ground using the color red, take a few moments sit in a comfortable chair. Feel the seat below you supporting your body. Focus on the color red, breathe in through your nose then imagine blowing the color red out through your mouth. Surround yourself, ground yourself, and support yourself with the color of red. To further relax and focus you may rub the bottom of your feet. These techniques will quickly reduce stress, allow you to direct your attention and re-energize.

Other options for using red to energize and ground yourself include wearing red. For example, you may wish to wear red shoes or socks, or a red shirt, or accent your wardrobe with red scarves, ties, or jewelry.

When might you avoid red? Since red is associated with passion, energy, and drive, you would want to choose an alternative color if you're feeling irritable, angry, hot, or overly aggressive. (People have shared stories, for example, about arguing more frequently after they've painted their living rooms red!)

Color is a wonderful way to gain insight or tune into yourself and your environment. We tend to take color for granted because it is woven onto the tapestries of our every day lives. For example, when you "see red" what is your experience? Take a moment now, imagine the color red what do you perceive, feel, hear, and taste? Is the color a positive experience or a challenging one? Do you like or dislike the color? If you dislike the color you may want to reflect on the color of red: what emotions emerge, in what memories or experiences are the emotions based, is this an area that requires further reflection and possibly some attention in order to release the energy that charges these feelings thus, allowing a little more space for a more positive experience.

When we "see red," as with anger or frustration, we might be well-served to take a few moments to envision the color green. Green is the complement of red and is also associated with the Heart chakra. In our meditations and visualizations, imagining and breathing the color green is said to open the heart and give you the "space" you need to calm down and deal effectively with current circumstances that might be angering, irritating, hot, or otherwise "stimulating too much red" in you. Pink is another heart-associated color that has been found to be calming, nurturing, and relaxing in its psychological and physiological response.

What waits for us in the depths of the color red? Each person may have his or her own unique connection with red. To explore how you might make the best conscious, positive use of the color red, take some time each day — perhaps just 3-5 minutes — and explore and focus the color red into your creative intention to activate the full force of your true gifts and talents.

You'll find more information on Color Wisdom in the other articles of the series, or check out the many other inspiration- and skill-building materials throughout Ivy Sea Online.