The magic of clothing color

One day a woman came to see me, bringing a friend along. You could say it was the friend who brought her to me. During the consultation, with Tarot spreads and answers to her questions about her relationship with her husband, I discovered that her husband runs a good, thriving business, but stays late at work and never comes home on time for quite another reason — an affair with a woman colleague. Yet he feels very well disposed toward his family and has no intention of leaving his wife, getting divorced, or changing anything; he wishes to go on living with his wife and children just as before. And, of course, to remain their breadwinner — while keeping his mistress. At this point her friend, hearing of the infidelity, burst into the conversation indignantly:

"What is this — something must be done urgently, some kind of turning-away spell to drive him from that secretary, bring the cheat back to the family at once! His deception is plain to see and confirmed by other facts!"

"Well," the woman said, embarrassed, "what is to be done — I must think!"

I should say that this lady who came to me looked simply stunning! Despite being well over 50, with extra fullness at the waist and hips, she wore an amazing, gorgeous dress in vivid colours, with a light fur housecoat over it; her exquisite jewellery and even her gold-rimmed glasses lent her solidity and chic! Her friend was dressed more modestly, but nicely and with taste too.

And then her answer surprised me, for it was so unlike the usual answers I had heard before from people who came to me with questions about family relationships involving a spouse's infidelity!

"So he is sleeping with her, with that secretary!" the woman fumed.

"Well, she is some twenty years younger than me, of course! But she has fewer brains to show for it. What can he even talk to her about? She is from the provinces — what could possibly interest him in her? Nothing!" reasoned the woman, somewhat stunned by the Tarot spread.

"No, I know my husband very well! Very soon, it will all bore him, and he will drop her and forget her for good! Especially since that secretary of his has only TWO COLOURS! — white and black, and together they make grey! A sort of grey mass walks around him every day! She has no other colours — neither in her clothes nor in her life! So I won't even worry; soon enough he will drop her anyway! What is she — pah, a grey mass!"

I think such an answer unwittingly makes every woman wonder: and what is in my wardrobe — which colours prevail?

Every colour of clothing carries a particular energy for a person, is linked to a particular planet, and reflects mood, character, and desires.

"Perhaps your husband," I said to the woman, "is simply tired of vivid, intense colours and a vivid life. He is sick of seeing glitter and glamour every day; he craves quiet calm, meekness — which is exactly what grey reflects. In astrology, the karmic planet Ketu governs grey; it grants people good intuition and introversion and helps them pass unnoticed. Those who prefer grey in their dress love painstaking work and possess subtle perception."

Grey soothes the nervous system and symbolises calm, steadiness, safety, and maturity. But at the same time, wearing grey too often may do your image no favours: you risk seeming faceless, withdrawn, and lacking initiative. This colour is irreplaceable when you need to take the position of an outside observer, staying on the sidelines. Native Americans associate this colour with honour and friendship; in Asia it is a symbol of responsiveness. Grey is especially dear to melancholics. If you are living through stress and frazzled nerves, or are simply weary of bustling affairs, get yourself a grey-coated cat, love it, and you will see what a calming effect it has on you.

The colour of your clothing matters enormously! As do your colour preferences!

The symbol of purity, lightness, freedom. Psychologically, it "extinguishes" irritation. White clothing is festive and elegant, for white is a very easily soiled colour and, unlike all other colours, rarely features in everyday dress — so white always draws special attention. All over the world the white flag is a symbol of reconciliation. Very bright white can make some people feel anxious and uncomfortable. At the same time, this colour promotes clarity and freshness of thought. In many countries bridal gowns are made in traditional shades of white — in astrology, the Moon and the zodiac sign of Cancer, which governs femininity, rule the colour white and the maternal principle. White tones in dress bring to the fore such qualities as idealism, dreaminess, and a love of comfort. White clothing saturates the body, replenishing a dehydrated organism with water. Worn too often, it can upset the body's water-electrolyte balance and cause weight gain.

Black is elegant, yet it does not catch the eye or single you out of the crowd. Positive associations: refinement, grace, dignity, and mystery. In China — strangely enough — it is the colour for small children; in Asia it symbolises career and knowledge. In Japan it is a rebellious colour. Black strengthens the will and aids concentration. It creates distance and helps you detach, while drawing in subtle energies. Colour therapy counts black among the colours that build self-confidence. Astrologers consider black the embodiment of Scorpio and endow it with the qualities of Pluto, the planet of sexuality and risk. If you choose black for your look, then besides the qualities listed you enhance your femininity, for Scorpio is considered a feminine sign bearing yin energy. It aids weight loss, as it speeds up digestion. People dressed in black instinctively serve themselves smaller portions.

Blue inspires trust and creates an impression of seriousness, thoughtfulness, and reliability. It is the colour of authority — no accident that the men's business dress code for formal occasions prescribes a dark-blue suit. Blue calms, yet keeps you alert. It embodies conservatism. Blue invites conversation. Choose blue clothing when you want to overcome anxiety and agitation. This colour appeals to people of a phlegmatic temperament. The combination of blue with white is considered ideal for careerists, developing flexibility and adaptability. This colour is essential when you need to restore balance in life. The most popular corporate colour. The colour of wisdom. It triggers processes in the body that promote relaxation. Light-blue clothing symbolises trust and loyalty. In astrology, the stern planet Saturn and the constellation of Capricorn govern blue. This colour grants serenity in work, along with the workaholic streak typical of natives of this sign. Blue clothing helps you make balanced decisions and grants focus on quality results and depth of thought. In energy terms, shades of blue correspond to the feminine yin principle. For headaches, wear a blue hat or headband. It aids the healing of the head, calms the emotions, and lowers blood pressure.

Psychologists say that this colour, in all its shades, moves a person to take charge and grants persistence and tenacity. It is the most comfortable colour for visual perception. Green relieves fatigue and raises vitality. The ideal colour for gathering strength. It is the colour of stability and prosperity, often chosen by bankers. A dark-green suit on a man signals conservative views, while a small accent of this colour in a tie creates the impression of a dogged character. Light green, by contrast, embodies youth, lightness, and frivolity. In Islam, green is associated with paradise. The symbol of will and self-assertion. It embodies growth and development. Green helps suppress such feelings as jealousy, envy, and greed. People in green are perceived as supremely healthy in body and spirit, and they look younger. Small wonder: astrologically, green is ruled by the planet Mercury and the constellation of Gemini, which stand for intellect, youth, swift action, and persuasiveness. Green rewards people with commercial talent and helps close deals. If the green tone leans toward military shades, it is considered to be ruled by Taurus and the material side of Venus. Such a tone in dress gives people the energy to get their way and the knack of earning money. In energy terms, green belongs to the masculine yang principle. Those with heart pain, the chronically fatigued, and students should wear green.

It is dynamism and passion. In much of Asia it symbolises marriage, happiness, and prosperity. At work, too much red can lead to nervousness. Any touch of red in your outfit will emphasise boldness and energy. Red clothing raises blood pressure and quickens the pulse and breathing. It expresses vitality and the urge to act. Those who choose red are natural leaders, able to take responsibility into their own hands. Others perceive such people as stronger than they really are. In astrology, the red tones belong to the planet Mars and the zodiac sign of Aries, which governs human will. Red belongs to the masculine yang energy, so women who choose red shades visually emphasise the masculine traits of their character. For impotence and frigidity, red underwear should be worn.

The colour of tenderness and love. It evokes tender feelings. Among men, only the most self-assured choose pink. For the business world it is quite unsuitable, as it can suggest naivety and frivolity. It grants people romanticism and creativity, and blunts nervousness and apathy. People in pink usually look calmer than they are and help everyone around them relax. In astrology, Venus and the constellation of Libra govern pink. All shades of pink endow people with artistic talent and aesthetic flair. It is considered to belong more to the feminine yin energy, but if the shade contains more red pigment, it takes on the masculine qualities of Mars (strength). Those who are single and wish to find a partner should own something pink.

In ancient times, purple dyes were extremely costly, as they are rare in nature, so only royalty could afford purple clothing. Ever since, the colour has been associated with royal majesty and respectability. Purple expands the imagination of creative people. Psychologists say purple fuses opposites into one alloy — red as the impulsive conqueror and blue as the depth of thought. In dress, purple brings to the fore such qualities as sensuality, belief in magic, eroticism, and maximalism. Purple in brand logos is thought to suit women's and children's brands best, as it creates an energy of magic and wishes fulfilled. In astrology, purple is ruled by eccentric Uranus and the constellation of Aquarius. They endow a person in purple with originality, open-mindedness, unconventional thinking, and a bent for adventure and sudden change. In energy terms, purple is dual, bearing both yin and yang. It slows the pulse and sharpens sight, insight, and intuition.

Like orange, it lifts the mood, being associated with sunshine and joy. Yellow, a very bright colour, always draws attention. Choosing yellow on a gloomy day will guarantee a good mood for you and those around you. Yellow, like orange, appeals to sanguine temperaments. A radiant colour. It symbolises intellect. Yellow combined with black is considered a danger sign — most venomous insects wear exactly this colour scheme. In Japan it is associated with courage. Yellow carries the semantics of change, release, and dynamic tendency. It embodies humour — smileys are yellow. It speeds up the metabolism. Physiologically, it is the first colour recognised by human vision. To the eye it feels brighter and more voluminous than white. An excess of yellow can push an unbalanced person into reckless acts. Yellow suits those who lack confidence and those who need to attract attention. In small doses it lends vigour and sharpens concentration. It improves memory. Yellow with purple is considered a mystical combination. In astrology, Jupiter and its fiery sign Sagittarius govern yellow. This planet embodies prosperity, spirituality, and wisdom, and patronises children. Yellow is believed to give a person the energy for self-realisation and to help attain status and power. Beige and yellow tones correspond to the masculine yang energy, so these tones in dress flaunt precisely the masculine traits of character. The golden and ruby colours belong to the Sun, the planet of status and position; they give a person more power and standing, and the desire for big money. This is the planet of politicians, presidents, kings, and high offices. If your digestive tract troubles you, wear a yellow vest, shirt, or T-shirt.

Brown endears you to others; by association it is warm and soft. This colour encourages frank conversation. It is a good choice for a first business meeting or interview: in brown you will come across as solid, practical, stable, and approachable. This colour helps in trade and financial dealings. Brown bestows wisdom and the ability to keep relationships even. An earthy colour, it governs labour and work. It grants a person profit and gain, fresh creative ideas, and a way out of difficult situations. If you dislike brown, you are neglecting your health.

If a girl is plain by nature and unpopular with boys, she may use incantations to summon liking and love toward herself. Wherever she goes, everyone will find her charming. "I, God's servant (name), go out revelling, to a kind gathering of folk. Angels shall anoint me with oil, all the beauties of the world shall come to me; I shall be fairer and smoother than all. Beside me my girlfriends shall seem worse and plainer, while I among them shall be like a white willow, a darling, a peahen. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen." When leaving the house, step over the threshold with your right foot. There are a few more prohibitions. To avoid destroying your crafted charm, observe them: — going revelling on Monday, wear nothing black; — on Tuesday, wear nothing blue; — on Wednesday, avoid red clothing; — on Thursday, wear nothing pink; — on Friday, never put on a yellow dress; — on Saturday, wear nothing brown; — on Sunday, wear nothing green.

If your wardrobe holds clothes you have not worn for a year, you should get rid of them in any way you can. Give them away, gift them, or burn them. For they breed stagnant energy and worsen your health, your material well-being, your relationships. Clear space for new things.

Never wear the same dress more than two days in a row: clothing absorbs the energy of the day and needs rest. If the day went badly, it is best to wash what you wore.

Clothes bought second-hand, or received from someone, should be cleansed of their former owners.

Pour water into a basin, lay silver in it for 3 hours, then wash the garment, saying:

"With water I strip it all away, with water I wash it all off; with silver I bathe it, driving out black evil. What was bought — stay. What was not bought — return. Vile nastiness, flow away with the water; summon no black evil to us. Amen."

For new clothes to come more often. Lay the newly bought outfit on a table covered with a white tablecloth. Read the incantation three times:

"In the middle of the merchants' arcade stands a golden table — yet it is no table, but my new throne. I shall sit upon it backwards and survey all the merchants with my gaze. As your ventures prosper, so shall my fortune prosper. Money to money, and new clothes to new clothes. Amen."

Dress up beautifully. Take your festive dresses from the wardrobe, spread them around a room with a large mirror, and place a belt, a hat, or a scarf where it can be seen — any of these will stand for a male presence. The next step is improvisation. Parade about the room, sit, stand, adjust your hair, raise your eyebrows, glancing into the mirror from time to time. Do everything to show off your femininity. Now count the dresses you have laid out and read the incantation (saying your number of outfits instead of 12): "(12) dresses of mine, all beautiful. In (12) dresses I am the fairest of all. And my body is softer than silk, gentler than a cloud; as people cannot walk about without dresses, so my beloved shall be unable to pass me by." After this ritual, your sensuality will work on its own whenever an attractive man appears in view — that is the magic of clothing. The keen interest of the stronger sex after this ritual comes from every garment having its own energy.