As we've learned so far in our Color Wisdom Series, different colors can soothe or stimulate us, or may evoke positive or negative responses. Just as in various traditions we learn of "animal medicine," "food medicine" (conscious nutrition), and "fragrance medicine" (aromatherapy), there is also such a thing as "color medicine." The term "medicine," used this way, implies that which can offer, when consciously and appropriately used, wisdom and a healing effect or on mind, body, spirit and/or soul.

The color green is created by blending yellow, a warm color, and blue, a cool color. It is perhaps appropriate, then, that green is thought to be a balanced color, having a balancing effect. With this as a starting rule, the specific effects that the color green might have vary, depending on the particular shade or hue. Olive green, for example, may have a different psychological and emotional effect than does grass-green, which both may differ from a turqouis-green.

Because it is a balancing color, green is thought to have a healing and calming effect on body and mind. The color green is also associated, from ancient times, with the fertility of spring-time, the color of the new growth that comes with Spring. This association with fertility, Spring, and new growth link the color green to thoughts of abundance and youthfulness, regardless of age.

In Eastern philosophies and medicine, the color green is often attributed to the Heart chakra (as is the color pink). The Heart Chakra is a central chakra, mediating between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd "lower chakras" (those associated with security, self-esteem, Ego, and Earthly living) and the 5th, 6th and 7th Chakras (those associated with "higher thought", intuition, clear seeing, communication, and Divine guidance). The 3rd Chakra, or the Solar Plexus chakra, is associated with the color yellow, while the 5th Chakra, or Throat Chakra, is associated with the color blue. Between them, as in the color wheel, the 4th Chakra is a middle ground, associated with the color green.

In Chinese tradition, the green gemstone Jade has long been considered a symbol not only of extreme abundance and whole wealth, but also with extreme virtue. Such virtues - compassion, wisdom, courage and others - are also directly associated with a healthy, balanced Heart Chakra. The color green, then, being associated with both this gemstone and the Heart Chakra, can be a color-symbol of these same "Virtues of the Heart".

Using green for wellness and balance

Conscious use of the color green would start with an assessment of how you feel. Are you feeling calm? Are you feeling unclear or sluggish? Are you feeling anxious or agitated? Are you feeling unconfident, or confident? Are you feeling "poor" or prosperous? Does your creativity seem to be flowing or blocked? Are you feeling loving, distant, or apathetic?

If you want to include green in your practices to help support a feeling of balance, prosperity, heartfulness, courage, wisdom, Heart-centeredness, consider some of these practices:

• Use green in a color meditation or visualization. This might mean visualizing yourself under a gorgeous, sparkling green waterfall — the color of newly sprouted grass or geranium leaves — that cleanses and refreshes you. Or you might visualize yourself walking through a green room that is filled with green fruits and vegetables like broccoli, spinach, lettuce and green peppers! If you're familiar with chakra-balancing visualizations or meditations, you can visualize clean, sparkling green rinsing and cleansing your 4th Chakra, the Heart Chakra.

• Use green in aromatherapy and nutrition. The essence or aroma of peppermint is refreshing. It can enhance a sense of clarity and well-being, when used at the appropriate time. The same is the case for Sage, and several other "green" essences. As for nutrition, green veggies such as kale, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, and green peppers give your meal both a visual and nutritional boost.

• Take a walk in the park (or grass, or trail). You know the feeling, if you've escaped from neutral-colored offices and the computer to go for a walk in the fresh air, where you can see green things growing. Not only is walking healthful and enjoyable, but walking in the grass, or amidst greenery, can be uplifting.

• Wear green, or add green to your surroundings. Almost everyone can wear some shade of green, though let your own heart and mind tell you which shades will help uplift and fortify you, and move your creativity. You can also add green to your surroundings, by selecting a variety of greens for a vase, having plenty of healthy green plants, or placing limes and green peppers in a bowl. You can use bright green paper, pens, and "sticky notes," too. Use your imagination.

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.