Indigos

I was taking a much-deserved vacation but I have returned, this time with an entry on Indigos. This crosses the Pagan/Wiccan border and ventures into New Age territory. Or maybe it's the other way around...

The term "Indigo" was first used by Nancy Ann Tappe, a psychic and synesthete, in her 1982 book Understanding Your Life Through Color. Ms. Tappe claimed to be able to read people's auras, which is not an uncommon claim amongst both New Agers and Pagans/Wiccans alike. Ms. Tappe not only reads auras, but she classifies people's personalities based on the colors of their auras.

In the 1970s she wrote that she noticed a lot of children were being born with indigo auras. Today she estimates that 60 percent of people age 14 to 25 and 97 percent of children under ten are "Indigo". In 1998 another book that deal with Indigo children was written by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober, a husband-and-wife team. They took the idea of the Indigo child and ran with it, with Carroll claiming he learned about the concept of indigo children while channeling a being known as Kryon.

According to New Age belief, Indigos are characterized by a clear sense of self-definition and a sense that they must do something to make a difference in the world. They are highly sensitive, independent thinkers who prefer to follow their own path rather than comply with authority. (That sounds like most children to me.) Supposedly Indigos are also empaths, very in tune to the thoughts and feelings of others. They are also naturally drawn to the paranormal and occult. This is what leads many New Agers and Pagans to believe they are Adult Indigos, or that their children are Indigos, even if the belief in the occult is actually their parents' and not their own.

Some believe that children who are diagnosed as having ADD or ADHD are actually Indigos. Other disorders such as Autism and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are also associated with Indigos. "Experts" state that children who are misdiagnosed as hyperactive or autistic have social problems simply because they are not in the company of other Indigos.

Children and adults are both highly susceptible to suggestion, and some believe that the Indigo phenomenon can be attributed to an overexposure to books and television programs that deal with fantasy, magic, and New Age ideas. One such example comes from an article from the Dallas Observer. A reporter for the newspaper followed an interview between a man who purportedly works with Indigos and a child who was reputed to be one.

The child, named Dusk (how I wish that were a pseudonym!), was asked if he were an Indigo. He replied, "I'm an avatar. "I can recognize the four elements of earth, wind, water and fire. The next avatar won't come for 100 years." The man was impressed and intrigued. He was also completely unaware that Dusk's response came from the storyline of a Nickelodeon cartoon entitled Avatar: The Last Air Bender. Oops.

How do you recognize an Indigo child if you aren't one of the gifted people who can see auras? Well, fortunately there are several websites that happily provide characteristics of an Indigo, or questions you can ask yourself to see if you or your child is one of the special, the chosen.

Some examples:
They come into the world with a feeling of royalty (and often act like it)

They have a feeling of "deserving to be here," and are surprised when others don't share that.

Self-worth is not a big issue. They often tell the parents "who they are."

They have difficulty with absolute authority (authority without explanation or choice).

They simply will not do certain things; for example, waiting in line is difficult for them.

They get frustrated with systems that are ritually oriented and don't require creative thought.

Does this sound like you or someone you know?

How about this:

Are you always searching for your greater purpose in life but feel like the world isn't set up for your kind?

Do you sometimes feel wise beyond your years?

Do you have trouble conforming to the ways of society?

Do you have strong intuition about certain things that most others do not?

Did you have a difficult childhood?

Do you often feel disempowered by too much authority?

Feel free to ask yourself the rest of the questions. You can do so by visiting http://www.namastecafe.com/evolution/indigo/#canyoutell

So, for all of you out there who have been labeled "Emo", for all the Pagans and Wiccans out there who are natural psychics and empaths (and aren't you all?), and for anyone whose childhood wasn't all sunshine and lollipops or for anyone who doesn't like to be told what to do, you have an excuse now. You're an Indigo. You're special. You don't have to conform to the rules of society and do mundane things like hold down a steady job, respect authority figures, or exercise any self control or personal responsibility. If anyone questions you, just tell them,"I'm an Indigo" and leave them scratching their heads while you go off to socialize with your Indigo buddies. You can all hang out in front of the 7-11 and be mystical and otherworldly. I'll be in my office, earning a paycheck, (pretending) to obey the rules, and pondering a future full of Indigos.