Dark Autumn - A Seasonal Colour Palette and Cyclical Living in November

This blog is a series of blog posts writing about the 12 seasonal colour palettes that correspond to the months of the year.

I have collated everything I have learnt so far about seasonal colour palettes, seasonal personalities, colour psychology, cyclical living and seasonal living, with some added inspiration of the month.

You might discover your seasonal personality, your seasonal style, how to live cyclically by tracking the moon or your cycle, or you might just get some ideas and inspiration for the upcoming month.

“It was November - the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul.”

— Anne of Green Gables ~ L. M. Montgomery

Cyclical Living in November

Dark Autumn is a seasonal colour palette that relates to the month November, the waning crescent moon, early evenings and the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

November (Dark Autumn) is the last autumn month and one that is transitioning into winter. It’s a darker, more mystical autumn month that resides in a forest full of fungi, moss and damp leaves - you almost feel like you’re in one of Grimms’ spooky fairytales.

Energy levels have turned inwards by now and we’re getting ready for the season of rest. There’s a feeling of calm and serene where we’ve gone from hurrying to tick things off the to do list in preparation for winter to having a sense of focus and gaining a bit more clarity.

This is a time for getting warm and cosy, and deep into research mode whilst we are feeling our most passionate and focussed. Dark Autumn offers a rebellious side, ambition and independence, and although winter is all about rest it also offers a decisive mindset working in collaboration with that productive autumn energy, study, growth and grounded feeling.

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

— Dr Seuss

Action Keywords for GOALS & cyclical living in November

- Complete any unfinished projects

- A time for ambition and independence

- Embrace all things unusual, original and authentic

- Tap into your rebellious side

- A time for being decisive

- Choose flamboyant, quirky and stylised

- Make the most of that fiery and intense mood

- Independent and cosy work by the fireplace

The Dark Autumn Personality Type

The Dark Autumn personality type is anything but a people-pleaser. Dark Autumns are strong, grounded and reliable but they’re also stubborn, fiery and disagreeable - a bit like a grouchy old Grandpa who’s always there for you but you better be careful not to bring up any topics that are likely to rile them up.

This personality type is not only excited and passionate about their hobbies and interests, but they’re also angry and frustrated. They’re stuck in their ways and are happy to let you know about it. It is a season of high contrast and this is apparent in the personality that is both warm and mean at the same time.

Dark Autumns are great leaders, although they are likely to upset a lot of employees with their bossy and dominating ways. They are history lovers and collectors of all things authentic, original and quirky. Keeping with the natural autumn style but instead of blending in, they are the intense and flamboyant type of autumn that stands out.

Dark Autumns are reliable and stable friends where you’ll just have to settle for the backseat because they have got to be in charge.

Dark Autumn Colours & Style

Dark Autumn is predominantly dark, secondarily warm and equally bright and soft. The palette has a fairly high contrast but this is mostly a value contrast of very dark and very light tones. Saturation is medium but appears higher due to the warm colours. Along with Dark Winter, it is one of the darkest palettes of the 12 seasons.

Think of long shadows forming in a dark, mystical forest full of fungi, moss and damp leaves. This is the season of whimsical fairytales. Unlike Dark Winter which reminds us of the night, there is still some warmth in the air as the sun sets low in the sky.

Dark Autumn is earthy but also rich, intense and flamboyant. It is the darkest autumn palette with a winter influence.

Dark Autumn Style Keywords

Top keywords to describe Dark Autumn and its colour palette

Dark, Warm and Soft or Bright;

Earthy;

Intense and Rich;

High Value Contrasts;

Original;

Unusual;

Irregular;

Old, History, Antique;

Stylised;

Evocative;

Rustic;

Texture;

Mystical.

The Colour Palette of dark Autumn

Dark Autumn colours are predominantly dark which means most of the palette has been mixed with grey or black. Being a palette of high value contrasts, there are also some very light shades.

The palette is mostly warm which helps to make the colours appear rich and saturated.

There is a mixture of the typical autumnal muted tones and a few brighter tones (as it is a palette that neighbours winter).

This is the darkest and coolest autumn palette.

Some combinations to try:

• Mix versions of the same hue but with a very high value contrast (eg. light and dark green);

• Mix a dark neutral with a light accent colour - or a light neutral with a dark accent colour (beige and dark red);

• Try mixing opposite hues with a slight value contrast (dark olive and medium red)

• Pair light and dark colours.

Colour Psychology of dark Autumn’s Top Colours

Here’s a list of Dark Autumn’s top colours and what each different shade says using colour psychology:

• Red - deep orange-brown-red

  • courage, abundance, rebellion, confrontation, fiery, stubborn

• Orange - deep red-orange

  • ambitious, unrefined, productive energy

• Yellow - rich medium yellow

  • confident, irritation, enthusiasm

• Green - yellow-based olive green

  • reassurance, old, lacking life, dull

• Teal - rich, saturated teal

  • authentic, original, unusual, flamboyant

• Blue - warm medium blue

  • productive, learning, trust, mentally calm

• Navy - navy denim blue

  • focus, integrity, expert, authority, aloof, serious

• Purple - warm, fuchsia purple

  • lost touch with reality, contemplation, strength, power

• Pink - neutral peach

  • passionate, care, evocative

• Browns - rich mid-browns

  • bossy, grounded, strong

• Light neutrals - warm neutrals

  • earthy, history, supportive, nature

• Dark neutrals - warm, dark neutrals

  • substance, aloof, unyielding, heaviness, commanding, mean, serious

Patterns, Shapes & Style

Patterns should keep a little bit of the blended, muted autumnal look but with added high value contrasts of dark and light extremes.

Although Dark Autumn borders winter, modern styles including symmetry and minimalism should still be avoided. Dark Autumn embraces bold, highly stylised, big and loose arrangements.

Dark Autumn is all about the old, rustic, unusual and original. Use texture to create interest, gather random collections of historic things and use natural elements like wood and leaves.

Dark Autumn’s shapes are irregular, hexagonal, pentagons and leaf shapes.

A list of elements to include: moss, mushrooms, damp wood, hot chocolate, ink pots, antiques, crispy dead leaves, buttons, old rusty keys, binoculars, telescope, compass, bronze, hammered and pewter metals.

The best fonts for Dark Autumn are funky, horror, rough and slab serif.

Using Dark Autumn in the Home

The best rooms in the house to use a Dark Autumn colour palette are the lounge and an academic, old looking study.

Autumn has a big association with food but Dark Autumn feels too dark for a kitchen or dining room. Dark Autumn isn’t as relaxed and informal as the other two autumn palettes either, it is intense, quirky and unusual. Instead of interesting debates, the darker, more intense colours of Dark Autumn may encourage heated arguments and fiery tempers.

Dark Autumn still works well for a cosy, warm lounge, however, especially one with a bit more character and individuality. Make sure there is a lot of light from the window as it may feel oppressive otherwise in the spring and summer.

For the academics and history buffs, like True Autumn, Dark Autumn offers a classic looking study full of trinkets and dusty old books. However, for the creative, fresh-thinking types, this palette wouldn’t work for your place of work at all - it would feel uninspiring, old and almost claustrophobic.

Rooms to avoid using a Dark Autumn colour palette: bathroom, gym, a study for creatives, bedrooms, nursery, kitchen and hallway.