Background

Ever since the early cultures of Egypt, Greece and Italy, people have pondered upon the relationship between mathematics, light (colors) and music. In those early times the subject was a secrect except to a few members of the society, mostly priests, who had access to the information. Then they used this particular information to heal with colors in various ways. As time went on the secrets became more accessible to others for practicing light therapy. More recently, more attention has been given to the healing powers of colors, and a large number of works, differing in quality and content, have appeared in print on this topic. Colors are also used deliberately to influence the environment in which we live. Houses and institutions are decorated in colors according to purpose. For example, it has been customary to use pastels, in institutions for patients with psychiatric disorders. People also decorate themselves and their homes according to their preferences and moods. 

Music has been part of the human environment from the beginning and has always had an effect on man. The power and influence of music is widely recognized, and is used to effect and stimulate people's well-being, creativity, ability to learn, etc. Today more attention has been given to the combined healing effects of light (color) and sound, and several theories have been put forward regarding this matter. 

To be able to offer a method as simple as The Therapy of Sound and Light can only mean positive development to mankind, however I see several reasons as to why light/sound therapy has not been more publicly recognized as a healing method. According to my research no scientific investigation has been carried out regarding light/sound therapy. Secondly, since there are many forms of light/sound therapy - some which are quite unorthodox to the established medical science - the tendency is that the methods become ridiculed and pushed aside by medical doctors and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Thirdly, to my knowledge no attempt has been made to present a complete system of classification where one can see what light or sound vibration is to be used for the specific diseases of man. 

Light Healers - A Brief Review
 

Healing by means of light was probably the first type of therapy used by man and was nature's own method for keeping the organism in balance and in rhythm (Amber 1983). 

The ancient Egyptians knew of the power and influence of light. In their great temples, such as Karnak and Thebes, there were color halls where the use of light was practiced and researched (Anderson 1977). The rooms were designed so that when the sun entered, the rays were broken up into the seven colors of the spectrum. In this way light was used as an aid to healing and as worship (Lacy 1989). The Egyptians were specific about their use of light, and they related the colors to the various gods that they worshipped. The colors blue, yellow and red were the activating forces of man's being, and it was an Egyptian's religious duty to literally take a daily bath in the spectral light of the sun. The Egyptians also used the technique of having the patient drink solarized water, and this was practiced by all people of ancient times; the Indians, Chinese, South American Indians etc. (Amber 1983). 

In Asia the Persians practiced a form of color therapy based on the emanation of light, and in India the Buddhists, in the early days, used the same principles (Birren 1961). An old Indian theory of light healing tells us that disease is a lack of color in the energy field which surrounds each person - the aura. The aim is to rebalance the energy field and add the missing color to it. The theory is directly related, to some extent, to yoga Sástra, and reaches back at least to the 3rd century A.D (Jain 1978). 

The Zuni Indians used prismatic colors and sound in their healing arts. They used shells which they found in the Corn Mountain and polished them to paper-like thinness. They painted each shell with one of the colors of the spectrum and held these shells between their ear and the sun. The combination of color and sound produced had a specific healing effect (Hunt 1956a). 

While the ancient people of Egypt, India and Persia practiced color healing, the Greeks attempted to take another direction in medicine. Modern medicine traces its ancestry to Hippocrates in the fourth century B.C. At this point, the history of light in medicine split into two different paths, the mystics and the clinicians. With this, more thought was given to the physical rather than the metaphysical nature of light (Birren 1961). 

Paracelsus, the Swiss scientist of the fifteenth century, sometimes referred to as one of the greatest healer, reintroduced light as a healing method. He was not only concentrating on the use of light, but also used many other therapies. He was a man ahead of his time, and taught that disease was caused by disharmony, and that color and light were vital in curing disease. Paracelsus relied in his treatments, upon the vibrations of music and light and the regulation of diet (Birren 1961). 

It was at the beginning of the eighteenth century that Isaac Newton (1642-1727), from England, presented his great discoveries in optics. In his work Opticks from 1704 he presented his discoveries in the nature of light and color. Newton, using a wedge of glass, or prism, found that the white light can be refracted into light of different colors. By this he took the first steps toward a theory of color vision. He showed that the white light could be divided into seven colors according to wavelength: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. This was the first great step towards the electromagnetic theory of light which was later put forward by James C. Maxwell. Newton was not only occupied with the study of light and optics. He also showed how the tones of the musical scale were related to the colors of the spectrum (Newton 1952). 

Rudolph Steiner (1861-1925) was Austrian, regarded by people as a social philosopher, educator, occultist and religious leader. He declared that life radiates color. He said that out of illness comes a new state of consciousness, meaning that the experience of the illness itself will eventually lead to conscious clarity, balance and health. Steiner expressed that color would unlock the door to healing. He taught two kinds of color treatments; one which acts directly on the physical body, and the other acting through man's consciousness (Mayer 1963). Steiner stated that man has an inner faculty for spiritual perception independent of the five senses. He developed an educational system and a way of life based on color and rhythm, and there are many schools throughout the world that are based on his philosophy (Walker 1991). 

Steiner was influenced in his thinking by the German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832). Goethe created a physical science of color which was based on, in contrast to Newton's theory, the understanding of colors through our five senses and our subjective approach to nature (Goethe 1976). Goethe taught that man is a part of nature and could never be separated from it (Lübcke 1988, Langlé 1989). Steiner gave a number of lectures on color based on Goethe's work and the results of his own research (Steiner 1971). 

Franz Mesmer, an Austrian and often referred to as the father of magnetic healing, lived in the early part of the nineteenth century. He showed that the magnetic atmosphere around an individual, the aura, indicated the individual's physical condition. Mesmer taught that the energy sent forth by the sun had to be drawn into and distributed to the energy centres (often referred to as chakras), in the physical body. As the light enters the body, it divides itself into the seven colors of the spectrum and the proper color reaches and energizes the corresponding centre. The health of the physical body depends on this light (Hunt 1956a). 

E. Brook Simpson of the nineteenth century, became known for his discoveries of the healing power of light by projecting it into the eyes of the patients. He successfully treated cataracts by the application of appropriate beams of light. He said that the eyes need the energy of light to sustain their activity, just as the body needs food to keep it alive. Simpson indicated that colors have a therapeutic value which is particularly potent when applied to the eyes, and the visible rays of light are a natural medicine for the organs of the physical body (Amber 1983). 

Edwin D. Babbitt (1825-1905) was born in New York, USA. He is known for his great work on light therapy: The Principles of Light and Color, which was first published in 1876. The book created a worldwide reaction on color healing. In the book Babbitt created a series of relations between light and elements of nature and light and minerals. He classified colors as thermal colors and electrical colors. He argued that all things manifest their potencies and their qualities by means of light. The power of light constructs materia. The seven colors of the sunlight are composed of different qualities and vibrations, and each color has its own individual properties and chemical powers (Babbitt 1956). In his theory on color and color healing, Babbitt describes a new philosophy of molecules and ethers, and the inner nature of things. His philosophy includes his interpretation of the structure of the universe, psychic universal forces, magnetism, chromo-mentalism and chromo-therapeutics (Birren 1978). Babbitt developed special Chromo-lenses of different colors to solarize water. In his book, Babbitt describes several successful cases of healing with light therapy. 

In the early days of the twentieth century Dinshah P. Ghadiali, a hindu scientist, designed a theory which explained why and how the different colors of the spectrum have various therapeutic effects on organisms. Ghadiali's theory taught that each organism and system of the physical body have a particular color that stimulates and another color that inhibits the working of that organ or system. By knowing how different colors work on different parts of the body, the application of the correct color, could correct the imbalance caused by afflicted organs. Disturbance caused by imbalances therefore caused the occurrence of disease. The aim of light healing is to restore the normal balance of the color energies within the body. Ghandiali's greatest work on light therapy is The Spectro Chromometry Encyclopaedia from 1933. In this book he gives an account of the theory and the practice of light therapy. Ghadiali lived in the USA, and was known for the many types of color lamps he developed for use in healing (Anderson 1977). 

S.G.J. Ouseley is one of the English light therapists of the twentieth century. In his work The Powers of the Rays from 1951 he describes his experience of working with light in healing. In his theories on light, he claims that the occultists of the past had broadly the same basis of color science as we have today. The science of color rests on the laws of light manifested in the seven major rays. These rays are intrinsically related to the seven planes of manifestation and also to the seven major glandular centers in the human body. Ouseley says that the basis of all treatment, whether physical or super-physical, is restoring and recharging the cells of the body with the correct color vibration through the glandular centers. (Ouseley 1976). 

Faber Birren is an educator and a color researcher from the University of Chicago, USA. He has written many articles and books about color healing and the psychology of color. His work Color Psychology and Color Therapy from 1950 gives us a view on his special approach. He presents the most fundamental aspects of color and the effect it has on man and nature. Most of his life he has studied the influences of color on people and their environment. Through his research he has studied the duration of color effects on humans. He says that a common and truly unforgivable error in most color research is that many of the practitioners fail to realize that color effects are always temporary. Exposure to color does not cause reaction of any substantial duration. In fact, it is not unlike the reaction to alcohol, tobacco or coffee, where the energy is first highly stimulated, only to decrease fast (Birren 1959). Birren is a pioneer in using functional color in various ways to promote human welfare psychologically, visually and physiologically. 

Theo Gimbel is a well known light therapist of our time. He was brought up and educated in Switzerland, but moved to England where in 1956, he founded the Hygeia College of Color Therapy (Hygeia Studios) where training in his complementary light therapy is available. He became interested in the effects of light when working with mentally disabled children. In his work Healing Through Colour from 1980, he describes his methods in light healing and diagnoses. His work in the Hygeia Studios resulted in the development of The Color Diagnostic Chart which he uses for diagnosing disease. The technique of diagnosing is complicated and takes time to learn, but is very accurate and also a useful tool in counselling (Smyth 1988, Wills 1993). Gimbel has also developed a therapy room which has stained glass for filtering through the appropriate colors onto the patient, one healing color and one complementary color. Through his long experience of light healing, Gimble has found that using a complementary color alongside the healing color, prolongs the results of healing (Gimble 1987, 1991). 

Karl Ryberg from Stockholm, Sweden, is a light therapist that works both with counselling and light healing. He uses a specially designed projector in which the lamp has the same temperature as the surface of the sun. He is a trained psychologist and he therefore always initiates his first treatment with a new patient by asking a series of personal questions. He inquires about upbringing, work, marital status, traumas, etc. Together with the patient Ryberg chooses the treatment colors by picking out the "missing colors" of the patient's environment. He then projects the missing colors onto the patient and gives exact instruction on how the missing colors can be added into his/her environment (Olsson 1987, Brattberg 1990).

The Therapeutic Qualities of Light
 

Throughout the literature of light healing we find that the therapists refer to the therapeutic qualities of light. The majority of the therapists work with the seven colors of light, and a few work with eight colors (Gimbel, 1991, Wills 1993). We also have a another group of therapists that refer to even more colors than eight in their treatments (Clark 1978, Amber 1983). In this section, I will present the therapeutic values of the seven colors of the spectrum, referring to the literature. 

The color Red: Red is the symbol of life, strength and vitality (Wills 1993). It has the slowest wavelength, and has its spectrum which ranges from an orange-red to deep red. It is a very powerful energizer and stimulant, and through its effect on hemoglobin, it increases energy, raises body temperature, and improves the blood circulation (Hunt 1956b). Red stimulates the sensory nerves and is therefore beneficial in deficiencies of smell, sight, hearing, taste and touch (Amber 1983). Red radiation is used to assist the manufacture of new red blood cells (Clark 1978). 

The color Orange: Orange is the symbol of feminine energy, the energy of creation (Wills 1993). It is a color halfway between red and yellow and its healing power is greater than the two separate individual colors (Amber 1983). It stimulates the milk production of the breasts after childbirth. Orange stimulates the thyroid gland and depresses the parathyroid. It expands the lungs, has an anti-spasmodic effect on muscle cramps and increases the pulse rate (Walker 1991). Orange gives joy and happiness and is good for creating a balance between our physical and mental nature. It brings about changes in the biochemical structure which results in the dispersing of depression (Wills 1993). 

The color Yellow: Yellow is the symbol of the mind and intellect (Wills 1993). It activates the motor nerves and generates energy for the muscles. Yellow is a mixture of red and green, and therfore has both the stimulating potency of red vibrations mixed with the reparative potency of green vibrations (Walker 1991). Yellow works with the skin, improving its texture, healing and cleansing scars and other disorders such as eczema. It carries positive magnetic currents which are both inspiring and stimulating, strengthens the nerves and stimulates mental activity (Wills 1993). Yellow purifies the bloodstream and activates the lymphatic system. It is excellent for the nerves and the brain, both as a stimulator and as a nerve builder (Amber 1983). 

The color Green: Green is the color of balance, harmony and sympathy and has the power of bringing the energies of a person into balance. It is the middle color of the spectrum. Green has antiseptic properties which are helpful in cases of infection. It can also be used for detoxification and in cases of heart disease (Wills 1993). Green is cooling, soothing, and calming - both physically and mentally. It relieves tension and acts as a hypnotic on the sympathetic nervous system (Walker 1991). Green is a disinfectant, germicide, antiseptic, bacteriocide and is thought to be the color of Vitamin B1 (Amber 1983). 

The color Blue: Blue is the color which symbolizes inspiration, devotion, peace and tranquillity (Wills 1993). It is the opposite of red and possesses cooling qualities. It is used as a depressant for motor nerves, fast pulse, pain, reducing temperatures, and as an aid in combatting infection or inflammation (Clark 1978). The color blue increases the metabolism, builds vitality, promotes growth, slows the action of the heart, and acts as a tonic on the body in general. It has antiseptic properities, contracting potencies for muscles and blood vessels, and a soothing or cooling effect on inflammations (Walker 1991). Blue act as a balancing and harmonizing color which returns the bloodstream to normal when the blood becomes overactive and inflamed (Amber 1983). 

The color Indigo: Indigo is useful in purifying the body, including the blood. It is good for eye inflammations and ear problems, and gives relief from swellings and extreme pain (Clark 1978). Indigo helps to broaden the mind and free it from fears and inhibitions. Because the color relates to the mind, it can affect us psychically and also have a powerful effect on mental complaints. (Wills 1993). Indigo is electric, cooling, and astringent in its effects. It is a parathyroid stimulant, a thyroid depressant, a blood purifier, a phagocyte builder, and effectively stops excessive bleeding. It promotes muscle tone, respiratory depression, and insensibility to pain (Walker 1991). According to Amber (1983), and Anderson (1977) indigo is a powerful anaesthetic and can induce total insensibility without the loss of consciousness. 

The color Violet: This color pertains to spirituality, self-respect and dignity. It is an inspirational color and is related to insight (Wills 1993). Violet stimulates the spleen and the building of white blood cells, regulates tension of blood vessels and lowers high blood pressure. It also helps to maintain the potassium-sodium balance in the body (Clark 1978). Violet depresses the motor nerves and the lymphatic and cardiac systems, it purifies the blood (a leucocyte builder), and stops the growth of tumors (Anderson 1977). Violet stimulates the spleen, upper brain, bones, and is calming in cases of mental illness (Walker 1991). Violet is good for bone-growth and is excellent in calming or overcoming the excesses of violent insanity (Amber 1983).

Cases of Light Treatment
 

In this section I will quote a few of the many cases of light treatment which are presented in the literature. Reading about the cases just as they are described in the books by the authors themselves, will perhaps satisfy the immediate questions the reader might have. 

Case 1: "Master F, aged 8 years had a tedious convalescence from a severe attack of diphtheria, which was suddenly interrupted by a very severe attack of paraplegia; the paralysis was almost complete; he could not walk and could stand only when supported by table or chair. We had him arrayed entirely in white and placed in strong red baths from one to two hours at a time; soon after being placed in the red light he would fall asleep, and a profuse perspiration would burst forth, saturating his underclothing. Within three weeks he was walking firmly, and in two months he was perfectly well. More than two years have elapsed since and he has continued in perfect health." (Babbitt 1967, p 20). 

Case 2: "A woman of 59 afflicted with sciatica for 11 years, with knee, ankle and feet swollen to twice their normal size. Blue glass was inserted in a west window and the light applied to a large purplish lump on the ankle. In two or three hours the lump disappeared together with the pain. But subsequently, swelling and pain occured in the knee which was relieved by a blue glass bath in less than an hour. Within a week she was able to walk easily and the heretofore useless toes of her foot became normal". (Babbitt 1956, p 5). 

Case 3: "Master H, aged 18 months. This was a severe case of cholera infantum and marasmus brought on by teething in extremely warm weather. He had been under treatment by an excellent physician for some time, but was steadily declining. As the last faint hope we determined to try the blue treatment. He had been exceedingly irritable, but the blue light immediately soothed him into a gentle sleep and he came out of the bath calm and refreshed. Two months treatment resulted in a fine, healthy-looking child, with full, rosy cheeks and happy temper. We are confident that but for the blue ray this child must have died - no ordinary treatment could have saved him." (Babbitt 1967, p 45). 

Case 4: "About twelve years ago a woman, in her forties, was sent out here from New York for an examination by means of the aura. She had "over a dozen Wassermann tests", she told me, and part said she had syphilis, while others of the big, professional laboratories told her she did not have syphilis. The latter said she "might have cancer". The woman was despondent and going into a mental decline.
 "Her auric emanations told me that she had tuberculosis in the glands in the back of the lungs, and that her resistance was rapidly being consumed in keeping the tuberculosis toxemia down.
 "She asked me to treat her here, as she was afraid to go back to New York and be sent into the mountains to be stuffed, and, maybe serumized. I told her to cut out from her diet all eggs, milk, and other animal foods, and to live on fruits, nuts, vegetables and whole wheat or whole rye bread. Part of the meals were to be raw and part cooked, as she was not strong enough to begin with all raw foods.
 "For the office treatments I used the powerful incandescent lamps, used so as to go on and off in the rhythm I wanted her to breath in. This made her elevate her chest and do abdominal breathing.
 "For home treatment I had her use my Rithmo-Duo-Color system, inhaling while the ruby was on and exhaling while the complementary blue was on.
 "This woman made a wonderful recovery and was normal according to her aura test within a year. As she has remained well this proves that the diagnosis was correct and that the system of treatment was natural and rational and suited her condition.
 "Had this woman been mistreated according to the “regular“ methods, she would have gone from bad to worse and probably would have died within a year or two." (White 1969, pp 125-126). 

Case 5: "A married woman, 33 years of age, was sent to me for diagnosis by means of the aura emanations. She had been "all over Europe, as well as in America", she said, to get relief from coughing and irritation through the chest. In every place she had been for diagnosis, she was told that she had "chronic tuberculosis".
 "By means of auric emanations I was able to tell her that she did NOT have tuberculosis, but rather a chronic bronchial congestion that had evidently been years in developing. Her chest was contracted and she was beginning to stoop, owing to the constant coughing and difficulty in breathing.
 "As this woman's intestines were congested and prolapsed, I told her to eat no potatoes and nothing made from grains of any kind. In other words, I told her to cut all starches out of her diet, as the intestines could not digest them.
 "I taught her deep, abdominal breathing by means of the Rithmo-Duo-Color system - having her inhale while the Ruby light was on and exhale while the complementary Blue light was on. I used the Ruby for her, because she was so anaemic.
 "Within a month her cough began to get less. Within another month she did not cough any to speak of. Her chest began to develop and she was able to stand erect and breathe down deep in her abdomen.
 "Within seven months I could pronounce her well and she said she felt well and as she has remained well for over eight years there can be no disputing the diagnosis or arguing about the treatment." (White 1969, pp 132-133). 

Case 6: "Mrs F attended with a broken wrist which had happened through falling whilst shopping. She had been taken to the hospital where her arm and hand were X-rayed prior to being put into a plaster cast. Her main complaint was that of pain. She had been prescribed painkillers but found that they made her feel unwell. A full color treatment was given, with emphasis on the arm and broken wrist. After treatment, she said that she felt the pain diminishing when color was being channelled through her wrist. During the following week, I gave her two further treatments, both of which greatly reduced the pain. When she next attended hospital, they were delighted with her progress and were able to remove the plaster sooner than expected." (Wills 1993, pp 74-75). 

Case 7: "Mrs. X came for advice after discovering a lump in her right breast. She was asked if she had consulted her own GP and she said that she had. He had examined her and confirmed her findings. A hospital appointment was arranged so that the lump could be aspirated for the purpose of a biopsy. Mrs X stressed that she did not want this done. She believed that if the lump was malignant, any interference with it could spread the malignant cells.
 "After a lenghty discussion about her decision, color treatment was started. After each treatment, she was given color visualization and affirmation exercises to carry out two to three times a day. She was also advised on her diet and her level of stress.
 "At the end of three months, she reported that the lump appeared to be smaller. This gave her great hope and determination to carry on with the treatment. This continued for a further three months, during which time the lump became smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared." (Wills 1993, pp 7-8). 

Case 8: "Janet Whittenberg, a homemaker from Norfolk, Virginia, says she obtained good results for her mentally-impaired three-year-old son, Shannon. "I have gone to so many doctors and hospitals," says Mrs. Whittenberg. "Shannon was a vegetable. He did not do anything. They said his brain was deteriorating, and there was nothing they could do. They considered him a terminal case."
 "On the advice of a neighbor, she took Shannon to Doctor Whitehouse, who administered color therapy to him. "I saw results within a month," Mrs. Whittenberg says. "He had only two teeth in his mouth and in one month every tooth came out. He had stopped growing, and he started growing again. He was all yellow but that faded away. Now he is very alert, knows everyone in the family, and watches TV. I am very pleased." (Walker 1991, p 82). 

Case 9: "Betty Drury, of Newport News Virginia, says she has seen "tremendous improvement" in her fifteen-year-old mongoloid son, James, since she began taking him to Doctor Whitehouse for color therapy. "He remembers better, keeps up school work better, writes better, recognizes more words, and his features are changing," Mrs. Drury says. "Before we took him to Doctor Whitehouse, he was very hyperactive, he tore up everything and he couldn't even tie his shoes. After a month of treatment, he suddenly sat down and tied his shoes. And he hasn't torn up anything since. Everyone in the family noticed the difference."
 "Mrs. Drury says doctors told her that James was uneducable and untrainable. But, she says, he is learning more now after having been exposed to the vibrations of the colored lights. "His speech therapist at school is amazed at the difference," she said. "James has started making 100s on every one of his tests."." (Walker 1991, p 82). 

Case 10: "The treatment of carbuncles with color is easy compared to the classical methods. One woman with a carbuncle involving the back of the neck from mastoid to mastoid, and from occipital ridge to the first dorsal vertebra, came under color therapy after ten days of the very best of attention. From the first day of color application, no opiates, not even sedatives, were required. This patient was saved much suffering, and she has little scaring."  (Baldwin 1956, p 157). 

Case 11: "In a case of very extensive burns in a child of eight years of age, there was almost complete suppression of urine for more than 48 hours with a temperature of 105 to 106 degrees (F). Fluids were forced to no effect, and a more hopeless case is seldom seen. Scarlet was applied just over the kidneys at a distance of eighteen inches for twenty minutes, all other areas being covered. Two hours later, the child voided eight ounces of urine.
 "In some unusual and extreme cases that had no response to other treatment, normal functioning has been restored by color therapy. At present, therefore, I do not feel justified in refusing any case without a trial. Even in cases where death is inevitable, much comfort may be secured." (Baldwin 1956, p 157).

The Relationship between Sound and Light
 

In the literature of light healing, the combined effects of light and sound are often mentioned.

Walker (1991) gives Roland Hunt, from the early part of the twentieth century, the credit of being pioneer in using combined music and light for healing people suffering from neurotic and mental diseases.

Helen Baker, a light therapist, works with people in grief, as a death-related counselor in Florida, USA. She integrates music and light into the counseling of bereaved persons. She says that light waves in the form of colors correspond to the tonal frequencies of sound. The use of light and sound as pure vibrations has enormous potential in psychotherapy, physical healing and in effecting changes in personal and cultural consciousness. Baker says that the use of music and light helps the troubled person work through a process of grief or a recovery resulting from a difficult diagnosis. However, this is an area that has not yet been explored to its full potential. Baker relates the seven colors of the spectrum to the seven tones on the diatonic scale and then to the seven large glands in the physical body. She explains that the body is functioning as a receiving station for energy. When incoming vibrations are similar to the related vibration of a body part, they resonate. When this is not the case, disharmony is the result. When powerful non-productive thoughts or emotions are experienced, such as in the case of a bereaved person, the vibrations are not able to flow freely throughout the body, which results in blockages. Disease is the result when the vibrational activity of a certain organ departs from its normal condition, either by being blocked or overstimulated (Baker 1991).

Halpen & Savary (1985) present a system of correlation of the spectral colors and tones of the major musical scale. They say that the effects of combined colors and tones are remarkable. If you show overly stimulated people colors while playing music based on the corresponding key notes, the listeners will come down from their excitements. They experience substituted states of relaxation and physiological balance, their breathing becomes deeper and more regular. Their pulse slows down, and the hemispheres of their brain becomes synchronized.
 

Table 1:  Correlation of Sound and Colors According to Baker (1991) and Halpern & Savary (1985).

Tone	Color
C	Red
D	Orange
E	Yellow
F	Green
G	Blue
A	Indigo
H	Violet

 

Isaac Newton (1952) made several observations on light in the early eighteen century. In one of his observations he mentions that the seven colors; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet are proportional to the seven musical tones or intervals of the eight sounds; sol, la, fa, sol, la mi, fa and sol.

Anderson (1990) means that there are seven colors which correspond with the seven chakras and the musical scale. Her correlation of tones and colors are as follows: D flat = red, D = blue, E flat = green, E = deep red, F sharp = yellow, F = purple, G sharp = silver, G = black, A sharp = gold, A = blue, C = brown, B = violet.

Retallack (1973) presents yet another combination of tones and colors. In her system, she refers to A as red-orange, B to yellow, C to yellow-green, D to green-blue, E to blue-violet, F to violet and G to deep-red.

Healing with Sound
 

Fabian Maman, musician, acupuncturist and bio-energetician introduced together with the biologist, Helene Grimal, a sound therapy at the Cancer Help Centre in Bristol, England. The therapy has its origin in ancient Japan, and has been practiced there for centuries. At the Center, Maman and Grimal worked with cancer patients observing the effects of the therapy. 

Maman began to experiment with imparting precise sound frequencies, instead of needles, when he treated his patients with acupuncture. He found that the results were just as effective. This gave him the reason to start experimenting in a scientific way. Together with Grimal he examined microscopically the effects of sound on the blood cells in the body. They photographed the cells with the Kirlian photography, while they struck the notes from the chromatic scale. To their surprise the photographs showed that when a musical note was struck, color suffused into the blood cells they were examining, and the shape of the cells changed according to the note which was struck. 

Maman and Grimal deduced that what they were observing was a direct affinity between the shape and the color of the cell, the power of its biofield and the frequency of the note struck. They also noticed that the effects could be reproduced, though never exactly, so that each living cell had its own individual quality. The effects of the reproduction depended on a number of factors, such as the vitality and the state of the human being whose blood cells they were examining. When they experimented with blood cells from cancer patients, they had a different result from those without cancer. In these patients they noticed a systematic disorganization of cellular material as they progressed up the scale until they reached between a' (440Hz) and b' (494Hz), when the cells normally exploded (Collings 1988).

Theory and Method of the Therapy

Man is Vibrating Energy
 

All manifestations in the universe vibrate in their own frequency. This is also the case with man. Likewise each atom, cell and organ in the human body vibrates to a set frequency (Sanders 1926). Man's vibrating energy generates energy in the form of an electromagnetic field which surrounds the physical body, often referred to as the aura (White 1969). Man has the frequency of the visible part of the electromagnetic field (between 380mn and 720mn; 1mn = 0,0000001cm) or the same frequency as the seven colors of the spectrum (Wills 1993).  If man's frequency changes, it results in disharmony or imbalance, in man called disease (Amber 1983). Disease is the result when the vibrational activity of a certain organ departs from its normal condition (Baker 1991). The aim of The Therapy of Sound and Light is to rebalance the frequencies of the individual, thus creating a state of well-being.

The Frequencies of Sound and Light
 

To find the exact wavelengths of the seven colors of the spectrum, I compared the seven tones (c'', b', a', g', f', e' and d') in the two- and the one-line octaves of the equal tempered chromatic scale (twelve tones to the octave, normal in Western music, a' = 440Hz) with the seven colors in the octave of light (Newton 1952). My choice in working with the one-line octave is because of the effects the sound vibrations of this particular octave have on the blood cells of the physical body (Collings 1988). The question was how to create a graphic form that correlates color and sound showing both the proportion and size between the sound frequencies and the light waves, as well as their relationship to each other. I optained a graphic form of the colors from the Encyclopedia Britannica, ranging from violet to red, from 380nm to 720nm. To create a graphic form of sound, I calculated the wavelength relationship between the seven tones of the two octaves. This I show step by step in table 2. With this, I was not only able to find the frequencies of the seven tones, but I was also able to create a graphic form of the tones (table 3). Table 2 not only indicates how the calculation in finding the wavelength relationship is being done, it also shows the already established frequencies of the seven tones of the two octaves.
 

Table 2:  The Frequencies and the Wavelength Relationship Between the Seven Tones of the Two- and the One-Line Octaves (from c" to d') of the Equal Tempered Chromatic Scale.

With the information of the wavelength relationship between the tones, I now created the graphic form measuring out the seven tones in a linear form. I then compared it with the set graphic form of the seven colors, finding which color corresponded to what tone (table 3).
 

Table 3:  The Correspondence of Light and Sound.  

Using the standard coordinate system of colorimetry - the CIE (The International Commission on Illumination, Standard Observer) - I learned that the wavelength of pure indigo is 436nm (Encyclopedia Britannica). Knowing the color indigo as 436nm and the corresponding tone b' as 494Hz, I ranked the frequencies of sound in the two- and the one-line octaves from 523Hz to 263Hz and the wavelength of colors in the octave of visible light from 407nm to 667nm moving one Hz and one nm upwards and downwards on the scale (table 4).
 

Table 4:  The Ranking of the Frequencies of Sound from 523Hz to 263Hz and the Wavelengths of Light from 407nm to 667nm.
 

                  Hz  nm      /    Hz  nm     /     Hz  nm     /     Hz  nm     /     Hz  nm
                ___________________________________________________

                523  407        469  461        415  515        361  569        307  623
                522  408        468  462        414  516        360  570        306  624
                521  409        467  463        413  517        359  571        305  625
                520  410        466  464        412  518        358  572        304  626
                519  411        465  465        411  519        357  573        303  627
                518  412        464  466        410  520        356  574        302  628
                517  413        463  467        409  521        355  575        301  629
                516  414        462  468        408  522        354  576        300  630
                515  415        461  469        407  523        353  577        299  631
                514  416        460  470        406  524        352  578        298  632
                513  417        459  471        405  525        351  579        297  633
                512  418        458  472        404  526        350  580        296  634
                511  419        457  473        403  527        349  581        295  635
                510  420        456  474        402  528        348  582        294  636
                509  421        455  475        401  529        347  583        293  637
                508  422        454  476        400  530        346  584        292  638
                507  423        453  477        399  531        345  585        291  639
                506  424        452  478        398  532        344  586        290  640
                505  425        451  479        397  533        343  587        289  641
                504  426        450  480        396  534        342  588        288  642
                503  427        449  481        395  535        341  589        287  643
                502  428        448  482        394  536        340  590        286  644
                501  429        447  483        393  537        339  591        285  645
                500  430        446  484        392  538        338  592        284  646
                499  431        445  485        391  539        337  593        283  647
                498  432        444  486        390  540        336  594        282  648
                497  433        443  487        389  541        335  595        281  649
                496  434        442  488        388  542        334  596        280  650
                495  435        441  489        387  543        333  597        279  651
                494  436        440  490        386  544        332  598        278  652
                493  437        439  491        385  545        331  599        277  653
                492  438        438  492        384  546        330  600        276  654
                491  439        437  493        383  547        329  601        275  655
                490  440        436  494        382  548        328  602        274  656
                489  441        435  495        381  549        327  603        273  657
                488  442        434  496        380  550        326  604        272  658
                487  443        433  497        379  551        325  605        271  659
                486  444        432  498        378  552        324  606        270  660
                485  445        431  499        377  553        323  607        269  661
                484  446        430  500        376  554        322  608        268  662
                483  447        429  501        375  555        321  609        267  663
                482  448        428  502        374  556        320  610        266  664
                481  449        427  503        373  557        319  611        265  665
                480  450        426  504        372  558        318  612        264  666
                479  451        425  505        371  559        317  613        263  667
                478  452        424  506        370  560        316  614
                477  453        423  507        369  561        315  615
                476  454        422  508        368  562        314  616
                475  455        421  509        367  563        313  617
                474  456        420  510        366  564        312  618
                473  457        419  511        365  565        311  619
                472  458        418  512        364  566        310  620
                471  459        417  513        363  567        309  621
                470  460        416  514        362  568        308  622
 

Having found which wavelength of color corresponds to what frequency of sound, I now have the combination of the seven tones of the two octaves and the seven colors of light. Table 5 demonstrates this.
 

Table 5:  The Combinations of the Frequencies of the Seven Tones of the Two- and the One-Line Octaves and the Wavelengths of the Seven Colors of Light.  

 

Tone	Sound  (in Hz)	Color	Light (in nm)
c"	523	Violet	407
b'	494	Indigo	436
a'	440	Blue	490
g'	392	Green	538
f'	349	Yellow	581
e'	330	Orange	600
d'	294	Red	636

 
             
  

Using Sound and Light in Healing
 

Sound frequencies can be used with the same results as light in restoring the individual's health (Halpen & Savary 1985, Baker 1991). This is because these low beat frequencies have the same therapeutic effects as light itself (Ludwig 1986). When one or more chosen sound vibrations of the two octaves from 523Hz to 263Hz are projected onto the physical body of an individual, it creates reactions inside the cells of the physical body thus destroying the diseased blood cells (Collings 1988). Light vibrations can even be used to stimulate the individual's ability to learn (Walker 1991).

Healing with sound and light can therefore be performed in three ways. Firstly, by using the combination of sound and light. Secondly, by using light separately, and thirdly, by using only sound. It does not matter which method is used, all are equally effective.

The Light and Sound Vibrations Used in the Therapy
 

In the therapy I use seven light-vibrations ranging from 407nm to 636nm, which include all seven the colors and seven sound-vibrations ranging from 294Hz to 523Hz. Table 6 shows the wavelengths of the seven light-vibrations and the corresponding frequencies of sound. It also shows the trichromatic coefficients of the colors. The trichromatic coefficients are the coordinates of the spectrum. The tristimulus system of color specification (Standard Coordinate System) is based on the three primary colors of the spectrum; red (x) 700nm, green (y) 546nm, indigo (z) 436nm and the brightness of noon sunlight. The sum of the trichromatic coefficients is unity; x + y + z = 1. 
 

Table 6:  The Frequencies of Sound Used in the Therapy, the Corresponding Wavelength of Light, and the Trichromatic Coefficients of the Colors.

 

Sound	Light.	Trichromatic Coefficients			Color
(in Hz)	(in nm)	x.....................y.....................z

________________________________________________________

523	407	0,1723	0,0048	0,8229	Violet
494	436	0,1638	0,0114	0,8248	Indigo
440	490	0,0868	0,1463	0,7669	Blue
392	538	0,4015	0,5966	0,0019	Green
349	581	0,5448	0,4544	0,0008	Yellow
330	600	0,6127	0,3868	0,0005	Orange
294	636	0,7091	0,2908	0,0001	Red

How to Use the Therapy
 

Choose a sound vibration that corresponds with your illness. Trust your choice whether you have a diagnosis or not. As you play your sound, sit comfortably and relaxed in front of the loudspeakers you are using. The whole body should receive the sound vibrations. Feel free to use your sound as often as you find necessary.

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Copyright 1995-2008: EP Hafstein