What Colour Is…August?
Thanks to the curious effect of synesthesia, for me August is a very specific shade of yellow. Find out why!
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Ever since I can remember I have ‘seen’ words as colours.
In this post I’m exploring the weirdness of synesthesia and sharing what it conjures up for me in the month of August.
We’ll look at:
• What is synesthesia
• What colour is August
• Where to use this colour for maximum benefit
So, let’s dive in…
What is synesthesia?
You may have heard of synesthesia, a peculiar perceptual experience where “stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.” (thanks, Wikipedia!)
Common examples are where people experience sounds as colour or see shapes when smelling certain scents. For me, it’s perceiving words as being different colours.
Not much is known about how or why one might develop synesthesia but it is thought to occur during early childhood and although there has been little scientific research into this fascinating phenomena it is estimated there are around 80 different types.
What colour is August?
As we begin August there is always a sense of everything slowing down: long, lazy days soaking up the sun and evenings spent outdoors until the last rays have gone ( remember when school summer holidays seemed like a lifetime?!)
For most of us it's a time to relax and unwind, but in the agricultural community it is perhaps the busiest time of year. Whichever camp you fall into, it’s time to reap what we have sown in the year so far.
The colour that I ‘see’ whenever I hear the word August is a warm, golden yellow - my mind immediately goes to Van Gogh as it is a hue that is so prevalent in much of his work, and often complemented by its opposite on the colour wheel, a striking mid-blue. His 1890 painting, ‘Noon - Rest From Work’, best represents the feeling of August for me.
Ironically, given the popular association of yellow with happiness and positivity, this was painted while he resided in the asylum at Saint-Remy and was profoundly depressed!
The closest shade to what I picture in my mind's eye is when I hear or see ‘August’ Pantone 143C.
Translated in to paint I think Benjamin Moore's Golden Nugget would be a good match.
Where to use golden yellow and why
This would be a great colour to use in a study or a library area. Yellow is associated with learning, knowledge and wisdom and is also good for maintaining focus. Taking or wearing something yellow into an exam will boost your confidence too.
A golden yellow like this is also a wonderful choice for a home office. Not only is gold the colour for manifesting wealth and success (pair it with green) but it is a good colour to work with when planning, strategising or building a business (pair it with blue).
If your Soul Colour is yellow, you’re likely to be a very left-brained, analytical and logical thinker.
If you want to feel the joys of summer all year round, I’ve created this sunny palette that will uplift and inspire you even in the depths of winter.
Synesthesia aside, the concept of assigning a specific colour to the month of August (or any month) is a subjective and personal matter that varies greatly among individuals.
While some may associate August with warm, vibrant hues like yellow or orange, others may see it as a calming shade of blue or green.
Ultimately, the colour of August is an abstract idea that can be interpreted in countless ways based on personal experiences, emotions, and cultural influences.
Kx
Is yellow a part of your Hue-man Design™?
If you are analytical, need a strategy to survive and love to give advice then it could well be!