Being an indigo person refers to having a set of spiritual, emotional, and psychological traits that set a person apart. The concept of being an “indigo” has become popular over the past couple of decades with the new age movement. While not an officially recognized psychological designation, many people resonate with the indigo label and community.
Where did the term “indigo” come from?
The concept of indigo people originated in the 1970s when the color indigo was associated with a new generation of highly intuitive and sensitive children. The idea gained momentum when psychic and synesthete Nancy Ann Tappe published a book called “Understanding Your Life Through Color” in 1982 describing indigo children. She noticed there was an evolutionary leap in consciousness taking place that correlated with the color indigo.
The notion was further popularized in the late 1990s by authors Lee Carroll and Jan Tober who wrote several books about indigo children. They described indigos as having unique talents and abilities that set them apart from previous generations. According to their work, indigo children started incarnating on earth around the 1970s as the next stage of human evolution.
What are the main traits of indigo people?
There is no definitive list of characteristics that apply to all indigos, since it is an informal label. However, commonly cited traits include:
- High intuition and psychic abilities
- Greater connection to spirituality and sense of purpose
- Innate understanding of how people, plants, animals and the earth are interconnected
- High intelligence and old soul qualities
- Empathetic, compassionate and often idealistic nature
- Rebelliousness and strong sense of justice
- Creativity and vivid imagination
- Difficulty adhering to social norms and authority
- High sensitivity and intensity
While the indigo label originated with children, it is now used for intuitive and freethinking people of any age. Indigos are often referred to as “wayshowers” who pioneer new ways of thinking, being and seeing the world.
Are indigo people psychic?
Many indigos consider themselves highly intuitive, empathic and even psychic. Common abilities include:
- Claircognizance – clear knowing
- Clairsentience – clear feeling
- Clairvoyance – clear seeing
- Clairaudience – clear hearing
- Precognition – seeing the future
- Telepathy – mind to mind communication
Indigos often say they have vivid dreams, see energy fields around people and animals, and know things without being told. Their strong intuition may be overwhelming at times.
| Psychic Ability | Description |
|---|---|
| Claircognizance | Clear knowing or inner sense of something without rational explanation |
| Clairsentience | Clear feeling or sensing through the emotions |
| Clairvoyance | Clear seeing in the mind’s eye, including visions of the past, present or future |
| Clairaudience | Clear hearing of messages in thought forms or auditory voices |
| Precognition | Sensing events before they happen |
| Telepathy | Mind to mind communication |
Do indigos have psychic gifts from birth?
Many indigos feel they came into this life with innate psychic and intuitive abilities. However, like any skill, they may need to be further developed and managed for the indigo child or adult to utilize them fully. Proper energy work, meditation, spiritual practices and metaphysical training can help indigos refine and express their gifts in a healthy manner.
What causes a person to be indigo?
There are a few key explanations for where an indigo personality originates from:
- Spiritual evolution – Indigos represent a more spiritually advanced stage of human development and consciousness.
- Reincarnation – Indigos may be highly evolved souls who have incarnated many times before and therefore are very old souls.
- Neurological differences – Sensitivities associated with indigos may be linked to differences in the nervous system.
- Childhood upbringing – Alternative parenting approaches enable indigo self-expression and identity.
In the spiritual view, indigos have chosen to reincarnate at this watershed time on the planet in order to raise consciousness and rapidly accelerate personal and global change. However, a person does not have to accept the spiritual explanation of indigos to feel aligned with and part of the indigo community.
What’s the difference between an indigo child and adult?
Indigo children are born with their intuitive gifts fully turned on. Their key traits may include:
- Strong willed, precocious and independent nature
- High intelligence and curiosity
- Perception that rules, norms and discipline are arbitrary
- Boredom and turned off by routinized school curriculum
- Diagnosis of ADD/ADHD frequent
The indigo adult has learned over time how to adapt and function in society by managing their heightened sensitivities and idealism. While they still question the status quo, they express their indigo qualities in more nuanced ways.
Famous indigo people
While we can’t know anyone’s status definitively, many famous people demonstrate indigo traits through their concerns about justice, dedication to spiritual growth and psychic experiences. Some potential indigo personalities include:
- John Lennon
- Alice Walker
- Robin Williams
- Judy Garland
- Nicola Tesla
- Frida Kahlo
- Joan of Arc
- Nelson Mandela
- Gandhi
- Mother Teresa
How can indigos manage their abilities?
Because of their high degree of sensitivity, developing coping mechanisms and self-care practices is important for indigos to manage stressful situations. Ways they can nurture themselves include:
- Allowing time alone to recharge their batteries
- Expressing their creativity through art, music or writing
- Learning techniques to quiet a busy mind like meditation
- Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature
- Avoiding overstimulating environments when needed
- Using therapies that align with their spiritual beliefs
Finding community with other indigos can provide confirmation, comfort and support. Staying true to their purpose and authentic self allows indigos to thrive through perceived challenges.
Conclusion
While the psychological establishment may not recognize the indigo designation, many people feel a kinship with the indigo personality profile. Recognizing oneself as an indigo can be an empowering framework for interpreting experiences and abilities outside the norm. Indigos represent expanded human potential and a new paradigm of consciousness that seeks to improve the wellbeing of all people, creatures, and our planet. Though they may face difficulties being different in a conventional world, indigos can learn to manage their gifts while acting from their hearts to uplift humanity.
