Names Hold Power
A Gift of a Name…
When I was debating different names for my business, Essence of Red immediately popped into my head.
And I’m really terrible at coming up with names so this was extremely surprising!
Within my circle of pals, I’ve very loosely picked up the nickname “Red” since my hair is red… technically strawberry blonde, but who’s keeping score… so I thought the name was fitting!
My business is the essence of who I am and what I want to do. “Red.”
Discovering Meaning…
But the more I thought about the name and the more I began to articulate my goals and aspirations, the more shocked I was to discover just how aligned this name is to the legacy I want to create.
At Essence of Red, I constantly talk about diving into the unknown of yourself so you may build a firm foundation of your truth and to embody the practice of that truth. Well, the color red is actually associated with many themes of humanity, wellbeing, and structure!
One…
Within the terms of energy centers, the root center, at the base of your tail bone, is essentially the foundation of the other centers within your body. The color that represents the root center is red.
There are several different versions of the saying “build yourself up brick by brick” and the stereotypical brick is red from the iron oxide within the clay.
These both convey the color red is associated with structure and foundation!
Red leaves symbolize the transition between seasons. It marks the start of winterizing for certain tree species.
Two…
Within our own bodies, the life force that flows through our veins and connects us to our ancestors is our blood- red.
The color red itself, within various magical practices, represents a wide range of emotions and properties from passion, inner drive, and life force energy, to power, anger, or danger.
This represents the duality of red within everyday life and the need to express all emotions in a healthy way for personal wellbeing.
Three…
Red is also associated with a multitude of deities across various pantheons.
Most notably, as a Heathen, is Thor, protector of humanity and Midgard, with his red hair and beard, he strongly bolsters our sacrifices and offerings to the Gods and returns with divine blessings.
Many red fruits are associated with love, like cherries, strawberries or figs!
Another deity is Iðunn (or Iðuna). She is the goddess of the sacred golden apples which are essential to the gods’ longevity and health. While the apples of mythology are gold, our stereotypical apple is red and represents the same themes Iðunn is sovereign over.
Integrating Meaning…
I feel the metaphysical properties of red, in whatever way you look at it, firmly incorporates exactly what it means to embody our practice and journey into the unknown.
Exploring the self can be difficult and foreboding at times but it can also be extremely rewarding and empowering! Humans are complex creatures and to embody our personal truths is to embody the complexity of the color red.
If we suppress and shame the darker aspects of red within ourselves (like anger or lust), we can never fully experience the aspects we desire (like passion or love).
Onwards and Upwards…
As long as no one is waving around red flags, Essence of Red will continue to grow into a healing and passionate community. Here, we can hold space for the expression of our complexities within individual boundaries and without judgement.
What are some representations of red that you find fascinating?
How do you embody the essence of red?
—Alyssa
