We often hear about messages from the world around us, subtle signs, repeated patterns, or small synchronicities that seem to carry meaning. Sometimes, it’s hard to recognise them when they first appear. It’s only when we pause, reflect, or write about them that the message becomes clear.

I didn’t realise I had been receiving gentle messages over the last few weeks until I wrote a social media post about the blue tits visiting my garden. The birds themselves were not the message. I’ve always made friends with the wildlife in my garden and local area. What stood out to me most this time were their two colours: yellow and blue.

The birds were not the only thing to come into my life with these two colours. We recently bought a camper van, painted blue on the outside with yellow furniture inside. These aren’t colours I would normally choose, I’m a goth at heart; my wardrobe is mostly black with deep reds and purples, and at home, the deco I favour is dark green.

Another connection for me is Van Gogh’s Starry Night, with its luminous yellow stars dancing across deep, contemplative blues, which is partly why we named the van Vincent. Yet this isn’t the first time I’ve been drawn to yellow and blue.

In the 1990s, I had my bedroom decorated in the stars-and-moons trend, which was popular at the time. I have never been one to follow trends as such; even back then, people were surprised when I chose to have bright yellow walls! At this time, I was slowly moving towards the darker, more gothic aesthetic I identify with now. Back then, I mostly wore pinks and light purples, so the combination of bright yellow and rich blue was unusual for me.

What These Colours Mean

Blue — wisdom and inner communication, connected to the throat chakra. Blue calls for honest expression and clear self-understanding. It asks us to speak plainly, to set steady boundaries, and to listen for the truth beneath our own thoughts.

Yellow — optimism, wisdom, self-confidence, and the solar plexus chakra. Yellow brings brightness to the mind and a steadying sense of “I can do this.” It reminds us of personal power, encouraging us to begin, to learn, to choose the path rather than hover at the gate.

Seeing these two colours appear repeatedly in my life lately feels like more than chance. For me, blue is a reminder to keep speaking my truth, even when silence feels easier, and yellow is an encouragement to step forward with confidence into new chapters. Together, they feel like a quiet message: to trust myself, to act on what I already know within, and to move ahead with clarity.

How to Read Subtle Signs

Not every repeated colour, bird, or number is a profound omen; sometimes a crow is simply a crow. But part of being a witch is paying attention to the small, repeated details that tug at your awareness. If something keeps showing up, it may be worth asking what it means for you.

A few ways to begin noticing:

• Patterns over time—If you keep seeing the same bird, colour, or symbol in different places, pause and consider what else is happening in your life. Repetition is often a clue.
• Your emotional response — Signs often carry weight because of how they make you feel. Do they spark curiosity, comfort, or unease? That feeling is part of the message.
• Personal connection — What do these symbols mean to you, not just in books or folklore? A blackbird might mean transformation for one witch, but the memory of a loved one for another.
• Context matters — Where and when the sign appears can shift its meaning. A colour that shows up in your home, your dreams, and your work all at once may be speaking to a larger lesson.

The key is balance: be open to messages, but stay grounded. Sometimes a symbol is just what it is, but when it repeats, when it lingers, when it makes you notice,that’s when it may be a nudge to look deeper.

I highly recommend reading any of the Pagan Portal Books. There are so many topics. I will slowly list the ones I have read.