Colors in Nature & Seasonal Transitions
I was thinking the other day how seasons impact us in so many ways. It seems that if we’re not ready when the seasons change, we can suffer a continuum of physical and emotional complaints.
What’s hard to acknowledge is the way we are thinking. In the face of all the action that a new season brings, we tend to say to ourselves, “I want to maintain my balance here …”. But when it comes down to it, the actual managing of the transition from one season to another, is tough.
One way to get beyond bouts of negative thoughts is to focus, in the moment, on nature.
For instance, in Spring, nature is full of joy. Spring is active and blossoming and all about displaying its re-generative capabilities. Which we’re, I am anyway, wildly attracted to. I see Spring as nature’s productive, positive, and beautiful side. I should be light and free and open to the new. But sometimes I’m afraid? — or cover up the show with personal uncertainties. And sometimes, knowing how short one season is, before another, completely new and different season opens into my consciousness, I’m not ready for the challenge.
All of that is going on in my mind, and yet, I do notice color in nature. Nature’s wild and crazy show is prevailing, even without my permission. Too, I can idolize its beauty. Just that. Such notice helps me breathe deeply into a positive response.
So, I can say that Colors, Mindfulness, and the Breath create the essence of a season, and shape the way I approach each one. I’m seeing Spring this year with layers that appeal to my mind and to my senses.
Looking Outward: Color Awakens Sight
Color’s everywhere we look. Color awakens our sight at every vantage point. At the height of the season, after pink-flowering trees, the violet or purple-colored and white tree blossoms appear. Pink blooms, like the really hardy and early yellow ones, imply that the weather’s going to change soon. If only by degrees.
First, colors make an impression I can’t ignore. Since they affect my sense of sight, colors alert me to changes to everything on my radar, and especially in my environment. In Spring, it’s the color pink that piques my attention. I think it’s because pink represents the first warm breath of the season!
Second, when I see “pink”, I feel there’s a visceral response to the color. I think about the fragility of the flower, or that I’ll investigate if it smells good. And love its fleeting beauty.
Looking inside: Color & the Material Body
Inside of human beings, all of us have organs that can be imagined as having a pink-ish hue — lungs, heart, stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, are all shades of pink or red. More colors, like brown, purple, yellow or green are also seen inside our material body.
Although I can’t, or don’t necessarily want to, see the organs to check their colors, I am aware that I can give special care to them by breathing deeply.
Did you know that mindful breathing is one of the main pathways to health in mind and body? Mindful breathing leads to well being. Practicing mindful breathing makes you more aware and less-fearful. It’s about self-acceptance—you are part of this beautiful world!
Mindfully breathing into spring brings you closer to the season and its beauty.
Color Cues for the Mind
Reflecting on the colors inside of me (as a human being) and those I see in the natural world is a way to meditate on these visual cues. Mindfulness does not come easily to everyone – it’s been shown that 30% of people have inherited the trait of slipping into a mindful state without coaching.
However, a practice of mindfulness can be acquired by anyone who desires it. See posts on the internet on mindfulness practices here
Color & Energy, or Prana
You might have already thought about the color pink, that it represents the color red, mixed with a bit of light to get just the right shade. When red, blue, or yellow are combined with light, we’re seeing a form of energy or prana. Prana, according to Ayurvedic philosophy, is the planet’s energy or life-force. Prana enervates all life forms, and infuses them with variety.
Colors are one expression of prana, the dynamic energy that motivates and invigorates life. The color pink represents the color red filled with a lot of space for light—and we perceive it as light red, or pastel.
Red signifies many things across human cultures. But one thing is sure, red evokes heart, a generous spirit, and basic vitality. And at the tenderest moment, the color red, tinted pink, becomes that subtle but essential space of the breath.
A number of pink, yellow and white-flowered trees have herbal medicine or food counterparts that can be foraged. We don’t recognize some trees as food for the body, but they have mood-altering color that affects our psyche in a positive way.
Spring blossoms are so endearing — they evoke heart and imbue us with a bit of happiness. How sweet to behold a tiny ruffly flower so close to your nose!
All the physicality of growing and changing with the seasons is informed by energy or prana. Sunlight and its warmth, the cooling dew of rain, nurturing soil, its vitamins and minerals, for example. In one way, the prana we see or experience is channeled into flowers.
Prana, deeply infusing pink with nourishment, whispers intently: Love This!
Inhale deeply in Spring. Every year Magnolia blossoms are rich and bright and some have a sweet aroma! But not all Magnolias are pink.
The pink blooms in the images above are from a type (species) of Magnolia commonly called Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana is its botanical name). It’s ornamental character is very popular in gardens.
Interestingly, Magnolia trees are native to the east coast of North America and the south-eastern parts of China. One of these Magnolia species has creamy-colored velvety blossoms, known as Magnolia grandiflora (grand-for large, and flora-for bloom or flower). Having remedies for digestion and nerves, Magnolia grandiflora has medicinal value according to Chinese Herbal Medicine. See this post for more on Spring and its effect on us.
NOTES:
Asian philosophies, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Burmese and more, long ago developed the concepts of natural elements mirrored inside our bodies.
SAFETY NOTES:
Be Safe! when using essential oils and products of natural origin. This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical treatment for any condition.
Do not use obsessively, or over a long period of time because you may develop sensitivities that may not be reversed. Always dilute essential oils prior to applying to your skin. Do not take internally.
References Include:
Traditional Chinese Medicine Simplified by Ko Tan, 2006. Published by Infinity Publishing.com, West Conshohocken, PA