Colors of the Rainbow
Thank goodness that we don’t live in a black and white world because color plays such a significant role in every aspect of our existence. I have always been drawn to stained-glass windows, colored lights, and flower gardens. Color affects moods and energy, which is why I also appreciate the symbolism of color. Chakras, also known as our energy centers within the body, are differentiated by the colors of the rainbow also referred to as ROYGBIV. I have adopted this color symbolism into my practice of Reiki and energy healing and collect colored glass representing each chakra. I started doing this years ago but over the past few months, I have been especially drawn to colored glass in general and display various containers on my windowsills.
One Thing Leads to Another
You can “stain” your own glass with a glue mixture, but I prefer the hunt of real colored glass. The DIY colored glass will eventually flake, and it can’t be washed. Tag sales, antique shops, or your grandparents’ house are all good places to find some treasures. If you pay attention, you can find colored glass candle holders, cups, and vases at your local stores. I recently bought a citronella candle solely because the container was orange! Repurposing these items into art or décor makes the hunt even more interesting. Wine bottles are another great option. If you meander through the aisles, you can find some eye-catching colored bottles. It’s another win-win because you get to enjoy the wine and keep the bottle! My friend is collecting wine bottles to use as a decorative piece in her apartment. It never ceases to amaze me how one conversation leads to something else altogether. I told her that I gave away several blue wine bottles to my cousin to put on her bottle tree. She asked me if I knew the history behind bottle trees, and I had to admit that I did not. She explained there is a spiritual connection between blue bottles and warding off evil spirits. Hook, line, and sinker! “What an awesome topic to research for my next blog,” I exclaimed. Bottle trees, do in fact, have a colorful history!
The Spirits Moved Me
I found various sources online to help me with my research. There are some conflicting views on the true origin of the bottle tree. Many believe this practice started in the Congo in Africa around the 9th century, but other historians think it may date back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia around 1600 B.C. Whatever the case, the meaning or superstition behind them is what seems to capture my attention. Tales of hearing sounds or moaning coming from the bottles began gaining credibility as spirits lingering within the bottles. We know that this sound was simply the wind blowing over the opening of the bottles, but earlier folks believed it to be evil spirits who were attracted to the colors of the bottles. The bottles were used to lure evil spirits into them during the night, so they couldn’t escape. They believed the sunshine destroyed the spirits the following day. In more recent decades, bottle trees, gazing balls, and gazing globes were linked to spiritual acts associated with witchcraft but has evolved into what we now consider an expression of yard or garden art. Blue bottles are quite popular nowadays and some believe the color blue possesses healing qualities, which embodies a spiritual connection as well. If that is the case, blue has calming qualities and is symbolic of the throat chakra encouraging our self-expression and speaking our truths.
Captivated by Color
If you are anything like me, placing colored glass containers in the window to catch the sun can be considered a poor-man’s version of stained glass. However, if you are find yourself captivated by colored glass, I recommend you check out a famous garden glass artist named Dale Chihuly. There is nothing poor about his incredible art, and it goes to prove that all art forms have their origins hidden behind some incredible stories and people whether you know it or not.