| Color, an electromagnetic
wave phenomenon, is a sensation produced through the excitation of the
retina of the eye by rays of light. The colors of the spectrum may be produced
by viewing a light beam refracted by passage through a prism, which breaks
the light into its wavelengths.
Customarily, the primary colors
of the spectrum are those 6 monochromatic colors that occupy relatively
large areas of the spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.
However, Sir Isaac Newton named a 7th, indigo, situated between blue and
violet on the spectrum. Aubert estimated (1865) the solar spectrum to contain
approximately 1,000 distinguishable hues, of which, according to Rood (1881),
2 million tints and shades can be distinguished; Luckiesh stated (1915)
that 55 distinctly different hues have been seen in a single spectrum.
Many physicists recognize only 3 primary colors: red, yellow, and blue
(Mayer, 1775); red, green, and violet (Thomas Young, 1801); red, green,
and blue (Clerk Maxwell, 1860).
The color sensation of black
is due to complete lack of stimulation of the retina, that of white to
complete stimulation. Simply, this means that black reflects no color,
absorbs no color and is therefore a null color. White, on the other
hand, reflects all color, refracts into all colors and is therefore composed
of all colors. The infrared and ultraviolet rays, below the red (long)
end of the spectrum and above the violet (short) end respectively, are
invisible to the naked eye. Heat is the principal effect of the infrared
rays, and chemical action that of the ultraviolet rays.
You can visualize this by
the use of a prism. If you shine a light thru a prism you will see
a rainbow. If you shine that same light onto a black wall you will see
nothing reflected.
Black:
Adjective: Color. Being of
the color black, producing or reflecting comparatively little light and
having no predominant hue.
Noun: Color. a) The achromatic
color value of minimum lightness or maximum darkness; the color of objects
that absorb nearly all light of all visible wavelengths; one extreme of
the neutral gray series, the opposite being white. Although strictly a
response to zero stimulation of the retina, the perception of black appears
to depend on contrast with surrounding color stimuli. b) A pigment or dye
having this color value.
White:
Noun: Color. The achromatic
color of maximum lightness; the color of objects that reflect nearly all
light of all visible wavelengths; the complement or antagonist of black,
the other extreme of the neutral gray series. Although typically a response
to maximum stimulation of the retina, the perception of white appears always
to depend on contrast.
As for the use of black and
white candles, our descriptions are accurate according to what we believe.
There is no "set" way of using them, magic is in your heart. If you
believe that black is a "firm" color, then you might use it to bolster
up your spell. This is just an example. Everyone has their own traditions
and can only teach what they themselves believe. One of the great
things about Paganism is that it is not as strictly structured as christian
based religions for example. A lot of pagan belief is built upon interpretation.
ie: your way is right for you, and our way is right for us.
Magic, like beauty, is in
the eye of the beholder. |