Light is the positive or masculine force in nature; color is its negative or feminine force. Colors are light at varying rates of vibration and are produced by the differentiation of primal light as it passes through the ethers. Pure polarized ether is the only substance which is entirely colorless. Matter has been called "bottled up light" and science now declares that light possesses atomicity in addition to its wave-like attributes.
Sunlight has seven major colors visible to normal human vision and has been found to possess in addition two colorless rays, one below red and one above violet. Beyond the ultra-violet science has discovered a so-called ''black field'' in which are colors of a higher and rarer luminosity, a fact serving to bring the teaching of academic sciences considerably closer to that of spiritual science.
While light vibrates, it also travels at the rate of 186,000 miles per second, producing waves measuring three one-hundred thousandths of an inch in the case of red light and one-half that for violet. Below thirty-two impulses per second vibration is inaudible as well as invisible; above that, vibration is heard as a note of music.
When light is passed through a prism, its seven rays become visible in a band called the spectrum, which contains the whole gamut of colors from red to violet. Nature's most familiar and gorgeous demonstration of this spectrum is the rainbow.
The most stupendous of earthly color spectacles are the great polar lights, the aurora borealis and aurora australis. These are magnificent outpourings of varicolored light. To the material scientists they are vast fields of magnetic effulgence; but to the occult investigator they are auric emanations of the Christ Spirit which annually penetrate and encircle the earth. The auroral vibrations are gradually absorbed by the auric envelopes of the earth and tend to refine and spiritualize the planet and beings that dwell upon it. They become visible only at the poles because the polar areas are virtually devoid of living creatures. Inhabited areas absorb this force so completely that none remains visible to the human eye. When the spiritual aspect of this sublime phenomenon is under stood, one beholds its majesty with deep and reverential awe.
Esoteric interpretation is now beginning to find its verification in the discoveries of modern science. Mr. R. A. Madill, a Canadian astronomer, after extensive and intensive research, is able to confirm the long-doubted idea that the northern lights at times penetrate the atmosphere and reach the surface of the earth. The following is quoted from a newspaper interview:
Mr. Madill describes the experience of one of his friends who found himself bathed in the weird auroral lights one night. This was far up in the Arctic Circle at an outpost mission.
One of the mission buildings a few hundred feet away from where he stood became illuminated and appeared to be dissolving upward in a great elongated pillar of light. The observer then found himself within the circle of electrification and felt a flow of exhilaration. His body, he said, felt stirred and stimulated as if he had made contact with a vivifying electric current. But the moment he had passed out of the glow there was a sensation of suddenly turned off vitality. This exhilarating effect of the rays of the "northern lights" seems to be an accepted fact among the natives in the Far North, Mr. Madill reported. On nights when the display of the aurora was particularly vigorous, the people found their senses too keyed up to go to sleep.
"We are convinced that aurora borealis is a phenomenon allied to the earth's magnetism, "says Mr. Madill. "The fact that the zone of greatest auroral frequency comes very near the north magnetic pole of the earth is a significant fact. In this region of greatest display of the 'northern lights' there occurs every known variety of magnetic and electric disturbances, both internal and external.
"We are fairly sure now that the aurora is caused by an invisible energy from the sun," the astronomer explained: "maybe ultra violet rays which affect the rarefied gases of the upper atmosphere."
Mr. Madill concludes: "If only the spectacle were commoner in inhabited regions, instead of being confined mostly to the bleak Arctic and Antarctic, the beauties of the aurora would be sung by poets even more than those of sunrises or sunsets."
Not only can white light reveal colors to outer and inner vision, but it also releases tone upon inward hearing. Science is now perfecting a means by which the sound of color is made audible. The mystery of color-hearing is the subject of a treatise which appeared some time ago in Paris and aroused much interest on the Continent among both scientists and artists. After the publication of this study, other scientists became interested and attempted to work out, in harmony with Newtonian physics, a complete coordination between sight and sound. Since this work was purely scientific, artistic values were ignored. To bring out these values artists have investigated the subject on their own behalf and have made contributions of a subjective nature based on findings arrived at primarily through intuition.
The spiritual scientist views with intense interest the investigations and deductions of both groups, realizing that each is approaching the central Truth by a different avenue and that eventually the two will resolve their apparent differences through an acceptance of facts already known to the occultist. Not until then will either group find a full and satisfying answer to its investigations, for complete and comprehensive knowledge of the blending of color and tone, and their spiritual relationship, can be obtained only through spiritual perception, since this involves mysteries belonging to higher planes wherein the physical senses do not function.
That this development for humanity in general is not far off is shown in the widespread interest aroused by these investigations, such interest being in itself a sign of spiritual awakening, which always bears fruit in an extension of human powers. Those who are interested in etheric colors are just touching the borderline of a new world. Vast and far-reaching in its effects is this Wonderland. Colors are to play a most important part in the evolution of humanity. Through the education of children, in anatomical and psychological research, in the diagnosis and healing of disease, in the interpretation of music and the perfecting of flowers, to name but a few developments, we are to learn something of the divinity of color.
Says Jacob Bonggren, L.D.: "Color is life — Life is Color, the vibrating, vitalic, vitaminic energy manifest in all animal, mineral and vegetable nature."
The Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company of Tampa, Florida, issued with their compliments an illustrated booklet on Color Dynamics for the House. The following is quoted from its introductory article, entitled Utilize the Energy of Color:
Laboratory tests and practical experience prove that there is Energy in Color which affects your health, comfort, happiness and safety. By using the Energy in Color you can paint yourself a home not only lovely to look at, but also lovely to live in.
When our color engineers started their study of the use of color in industry, educational institutions, office buildings, stores and homes, they were determined to explore the physiological and psychological reactions and benefits that occur in these various fields of operation.
Their conclusions were that these things are due to the Energy in Color. Color, in the form of light, is part of the electro-magnetic spectrum. Light is one of its many octaves; others are cosmic rays, gamma rays, X-rays, ultra-violet rays, infra-red rays, radio and television rays — all possessing energy, yes, all, including light, possessing energy. Science has established these facts:
1. All electro-magnetic waves are identical except in wave length and frequency.
2. All types of radiant energy travel at the same rate of speed — 186,000 miles per second, and this, divided by the wave length of each, establishes its frequency.
3. Each color has a definite wave length-from 1I16 to 1132 millionth of an inch — and therefore varies in frequency and impact force.
4. The value of each hue is controlled by its amplitude, light values having greater amplitude than ddrk values.
5. The waves of the electro-magnetic spectrum serve an almost limitless number of uses-radio, television, infra-red photography, ultraviolet lamps, fluorescent lights and X-ray machines.
Since the many types of rays in the electro-magnetic spectrum possess great energy and perform definite functions, it is factual that light rays, which are part of this spectrum, possess usable energy.
Variation in the number of impacts upon the eye affects muscular, mental and nervous activity. For example, tests show that under ordinary light, muscular activity is twenty-three empirical units. It advances slightly under blue light. Green light increases it a little more. Yellow light raises it to thirty units. Subject a person to a given color for as little as five minutes and his mental as well as his muscular activity changes.
The medical profession has long realized that colors can be used to stimulate or depress. Some help people relax and be cheerful. Others stimulate and invigorate them. Still others set up irritation and actual physical discomfort.
Originally developed to increase efficiency in industry, its use has accomplished results in scores of great plants that are truly phenomenal. Testimonials tell how this science reduces workers' eye fatigue, lifts spirits, improves quality and quantity of production. Accidents are reduced.
Its use in hospitals has speeded recovery of patients, effectiveness of medical and nursing staffs has been raised.
In schools concentration is assisted, energy stimulated, eye fatigue retarded among students and teachers alike. Leading hotels have utilized Color Dynamics to import an atmosphere of friendli ness, comfort, and good cheer. Offices are made to seem more spacious, pleasing to the eye, contributing to the health and efficiency of employees.
Color Dynamics is in no way an experiment. Its principles have been widely tested in many fields with uniformly beneficial results.
— Corinne Heline
