Color & Vibrancy

by Kayce S Hughlett

Talk to me about color. What role does it play in your life as a conscious elder? Are you “conscious” of color? Like springtime, are colors bursting in your home, wardrobe, garden, art making and life? Or do you lean towards more muted tones – the earthy ones like beige or brown? What colors light you up? Have you considered color as an element of your own well-being?

Take a moment and look around your environment right now. What do you see? Where is your eye or interest drawn? What colors spark something inside you? Do you desire a quality or hue that is missing? How might you cultivate what you love and/or long for?

Color has been a very present theme for me recently. I watched an Instagram reel with a woman (likely in her 80s) being interviewed about her vibrant orange outfit. She was confident in both her style and attitude. Her words spoke of defiance as she said, “Women of a certain age start to become invisible in the world. Well, I’m having none of that!” she said. “I love color, so I’m choosing to surround myself in whatever I love.” J’adore!

Alongside color conversations, I’m also currently addicted to the PrimeVideo series, “Growing Floret,” plus their books and Instagram feed. Erin Benzakein is a passionate young flower farmer whose mission is to put more beauty into the world – primarily through flowers. She is not a “cut flower” farmer, but rather a seed seller and new variety of flower developer. She believes in the beauty of “the whole cycle” of the plant. This concept reminds me deeply of what we are aiming to cultivate here in the Garden of Old Bones as we move through the cycles of the year alongside the cycles of our lives as Maiden, Mother, Crone and more.

How can we cultivate our whole selves in the best possible ways?

Let’s begin with color, please. I’m primed for this conversation, are you? Comments most welcome!!!