The Chakras

In my post yesterday Peace of Mind, I was talking about mediating through the chakras and how to do this. So I wanted to share a bit more about the Chakras and what they represent within us. They are said to be junction points between the body and consciousness according to the Tantric tradition. They receive, assimilate and express our vital life energy. They can easily become blocked though and this can lead to physical and mental illness. Mediation, yoga and other energy work such as reiki can help to balance the Chakras and unblock any issues stopping the flow between them. I actually did my Reiki master to be a practitioner and understand this system back in 2005. I use my knowledge of the chakras when I design jewellery and often create pieces that address certain imbalances. On a personal level, I often choose what colour clothes to wear on a particular day based on style but also on the Chakra energy that I wish to radiate. Here is some more detailed information on what they mean.

The Chakra System

First Chakra: Muladhara/Root Chakra (Colour – Red, Planet – Venus, Element – Earth)

Located at the base of the spine, the first energy center, sometimes called “the root chakra,” relates to our most basic survival needs and our sense of belonging, whether to our family or a larger group. When this chakra is clear and energy flows through it freely, we feel secure and confident that we can easily fulfill our needs. On the other hand, blockage in this area can cause us to feel anxious and worried.

This chakra, which connects us to the earth, gives us vital information about whether actions we’re considering will nourish us or pose a threat. When we have a decision to make, we can listen to the signals of the root chakra: Uncomfortable sensations are a message to be alert and reconsider, while pleasant feelings indicate that a given course of action is likely to meet our needs for safety and nourishment.

Lesson – Survival ie. The right to exist. Deals with tasks related to the material and physical world. Ability to stand up for oneself and security issues.

Imbalances – Anemia, fatigue, lower back pain, sciatica, depression. Frequent colds or cold hands and cold feet.

Stimulants – Physical exercise and restful sleeps, gardening, pottery and clay. Red food & drink. Red gemstones, red clothing, bathing in red, etc. Using red oils such as ylang ylang or sandalwood essential oils.

Second Chakra: Svadhisthana/Sacral Chakra (Colour – Orange, Planet -Saturn, Element – Water)

This chakra resides in reproductive area and is associated with creativity and birth―both literally to a new baby but also metaphorically to new aspects of ourselves, projects and ideas. When this chakra is healthy, we’re tapped into the source of higher energy that helps us write beautiful music, develop an innovative business, or create a loving family life. When this chakra becomes congested, we may experience a block in our creative powers and a sense of dryness or emptiness.

Lesson – Feelings ie. The right to feel. Connected to our sensing abilities and issues related to feelings. Ability to be social and intimacy issues.

Imbalances – Eating disorders. Alcohol and drug abuse. Depression. Low back pain. Asthma or allergies. Candida & yeast infections. Urinary problems. Sensuality issues as well as impotency and frigidity.

Stimulants – Hot aromatic baths, water aerobics, massage.Embracing sensation (such as different food tastes). Orange food & drink. Orange gemstones and orange clothing. Using orange oils such as melissa or orange essential oils.

Third Chakra: Manipura/Solar Plexus (Colour – Yellow, Planet – Sun, Element – Fire)

The third chakra, which governs our will, self-esteem and sense of personal power, is located in the solar plexus. When energy flows freely through this center, we’re confident about our ability to manifest our intentions and desires. When the third chakra is blocked, however, we feel powerless and frustrated.

Lesson – Personal power ie. The right to think. Balance of intellect, self-confidence and ego power. Ability to have self-control and humor.

Imbalances – Digestive problems, ulcers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, constipation. Nervousness, toxicity, parasites, colitis, poor memory.

Stimulants – Taking classes, reading informative books, doing mind puzzles. Sunshine. Detoxication programs. Yellow food & drink. Yellow gemstones and yellow clothing. Using yellow oils such as lemon or rosemary essential oils.

Fourth Chakra: Anahata/Heart Chakra (Colour – Green, Planet – Moon, Element – Air)

This energy center is sometimes referred to as the “heart chakra” because it resonates in the heart and relates to compassion and love. When the fourth chakra is flowing and open, we feel deeply connected to everyone in our life. But when it’s obstructed, we experience loneliness and a sense of alienation.

Lesson – Relationships ie. The right to love. Love, forgiveness, compassion. Ability to have self-control. Acceptance of oneself.

Imbalances – Heart and breathing disorders. Heart and breast cancer. Chest pain. High blood pressure. Passivity. Immune system problems. Muscular tension.

Stimulants – Nature walks, time spent with family or friends. Green food & drink. Green gemstones and green clothing. Using green oils such as eucalyptus or pine essential oils.

Fifth Charka: Vishuddha/Throat Chakra (Colour – Blue, Planet – Mars, Element – Space)

This energy center is localized in the throat area and relates to communication and self-expression . . . the ability to voice our dreams. When our center of communication is clear, we’re able to express our truth without worrying about what others may think. In contrast, with a congested fifth chakra, we feel anxious about how other people will react to our views and are likely to censor ourselves.

Lesson – Relationships ie. The right to speak. Learning to express oneself and one’s beliefs (truthful expression). Ability to trust. Loyalty. Organization and planning.

Imbalances – Thyroid imbalances, swollen glands. Fevers and flu. Infections. Mouth, jaw, tongue, neck and shoulders problems. Hyperactivity. Hormonal disorders such as PMS, mood swings, bloating and menopause.

Stimulants – Singing (in the shower), poetry, stamp or art collecting. Meaningful conversations. Blue food & drink. Blue gemstones and blue clothing. Using blue oils such as chamomile or geranium essential oils.

Sixth Chakra: Ajna/Third Eye (Colour – Indigo, Planet Mercury, Element – Space & Mind)

The sixth chakra, also known as the ‘brow chakra” or the “third eye” is located between the eyes. It’s the center of insight, where we integrate all the information and intuition in our life. When energy isn’t flowing easily through this chakra, we have a sense of self-doubt and distrust. When it’s open and clear, we feel deeply connected to our inner wisdom and trust that it guides us in our choices.

Lesson – Intuition ie. The right to “see.” Trusting one’s intuition and insights. Developing one’s psychic abilities. Self-realization. Releasing hidden and repressed negative thoughts.

Imbalances – Learning disabilities, co-ordination problems, sleep disorders. Depression. hyroid imbalances, swollen glands. Fevers and flu. Infections. Mouth, jaw, tongue, neck and shoulders problems. Hyperactivity. Hormonal disorders such as PMS, mood swings, bloating and menopause.

Seventh Chakra: Sahaswara/Crown (Colour – Violet, Planet – Jupiter, Element – Space & Divine Consciousness)

This chakra resides at the crown of the head and is therefore sometimes called the “crown chakra.” It connects us to higher consciousness and pure awareness. The seventh chakra is known as the “Thousand Petaled Lotus,” which bursts open when we remember our true nature and experience enlightenment.

Lesson – Knowingness ie. The right to aspire. Dedication to the divine consciousness and trusting the universe. Learning about one’s spirituality. Our connection to the concept of “God” or a higher intelligence. Integrating one’s consciousness and subconsciousness into the superconsciousness.

Imbalances – Headaches. Photosensitivity. Mental illness. Neuralgia.Senility. Right/left brain disorders and coordination problems. Epilepsy. Varicose veins and blood vessel problems. Skin Rashes.

Stimulants – Focusing on dreams. Writing down one’s visions and inventions. Violet food & drink. Violet gemstones and violet clothing. Using violet oils such as lavender or jasmine essential oils.

Some also say that there are actually Twelve Chakras, although this school of thought is less common. These are said to be:

The Eighth Chakra which is the consciousness in your being that recognises the Divine Oneness in All Things.

The Ninth Chakra which activates the consciousness of the Divine Universal Twin Flame and is the Soul Blueprint.

The Tenth Chakra which is the Chakra of Manifestation. It is the divine creativity, synchronicity of life; the merging of the masculine and feminine within.

The Eleventh Chakra which is the Chakra of Self Mastery heightening self-actualization and self-awareness.

And the Twelfth Chakra which is the connection to the cosmos and beyond.

Chakra Energy Field

References for the above include Chopra Centre, Chakra Energy and private teachings.

For deeper reading and study, I recommend Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith