The Seven Chakras
The following is a general summary of my current understanding of the physical
locations and elements associated with each chakra. Over the years I have
noticed some minor discrepancies between how different people “define” each
chakra, (particularly the second and third chakras) but the differences have
only been minor. Certainly the colors and locations of the chakras have always
been consistent. The base chakra extends down and the crown chakra extends
up…the chakras in between have vortexes both to the front of the body and to
the back.
The first chakra is located at the base of the spine and is associated with red.
It is the chakra that governs our physical existence, our bodies and our health.
The second chakra is located in the area of the womb (or thereabouts for men)
and is associated with the color orange. This chakra governs creativity, and
some say emotion. (I associate emotion with the heart chakra).
The third chakra is located at the solar plexus and is associated with the color
gold (yellow). It is associated with the will or desire.
The fourth chakra (the middle chakra in the chain of seven) is the heart chakra
and is associated with the color green, and also the color rose, which is the
“color of love.” This chakra is connected with emotion and human love.
The fifth chakra is located at the throat and is a bright blue. It governs
communication and personal magnetism. It is the chakra that most influences
intercommunication and our “personas.” It is also the link between emotion and
thought.
The sixth chakra is located at the third eye (mid-forehead) and is indigo (deep
purply/blue). This chakra is associated with thought (though some say the third
chakra governs thought) and with vision, particularly psychic vision. It is also
the chakra of spiritual love and connection.
The seventh chakra is at the crown of the head, and is violet fading to white
further away from the body. This chakra is our connection to our “higher selves”
and to the “divine.” It is associated with wisdom and integration of our eternal
selves with our current physical selves. It is like our umbilical cord to “God.”
When all the chakras are “whirling,” open, bright and clean, then our chakra
system is balanced. When a chakra becomes blocked, damaged, or muddied with
residual energy, then our physical and emotional health can be affected. Often
this occurs habitually as the result of negative or incomplete belief systems.
The effects of our habits, feelings, beliefs, thoughts, fears and desires
can be found in our chakras.
For example, if you eat poorly (a lot of processed food, for instance) and don’t
exercise, chances are your root (red) chakra is going to become sluggish,
darkened and dull. If you “close off” your emotions because they’re painful or
overwhelming, your heart chakra is likely to become tight and closed and block
emotional energy. If you, on the other hand, are extremely centered in your
intellect, you may have a bulging and bright third eye chakra but a
disproportionately small heart chakra or root chakra or womb chakra. Or perhaps
you’re cerebrally focused on finding answers to deep questions about “reality.”
(as I was for a while). In the West we tend to value the upper chakras over the
lower chakras. This probably has it’s roots in our ancestors’ religious aversion
to the “flesh” and their focus on the rewards of “heaven.”
The goal is a strong, clear, balanced energy system. The more open, clear and
balanced the chakras, the more energy can flow through your system. This energy
is essential for vitality, health, and continued growth on all levels.
ABOUT CHAKRAS
CROWN CHAKRA
Located on top of the head.
Color- violet
Stones – diamond or quartz crystal
For – inspiration, wisdom and spirituality
When unbalanced, may feel depression or lack of grounding and inspiration. To
balance, meditate and let energy work.
ROOT CHAKRA
Located at base of spine.
Color – red
Stones – ruby, red jasper or garnet
For – good health, survival instincts, vitality and male sexuality
When unbalanced, one may feel violence, anger, constipation, and have survival
fears. To balance, spend some time each day sitting on the ground, and dance.
SACRAL CHAKRA
Located in lower belly
Color – orange
Stones – amber and citrine
For – creativity, female sexuality, desire and pleasure
When unbalanced, one feels jealousy and possessiveness and may experience sexual
problems. To balance, try sexual healing, creative dance or yoga.
PLEXUS CHAKRA
Located between chest and naval
Color – yellow
Stones – gold and tiger’s eye
For – will, determination, assertion, power and laughter.
When unbalanced, one feels a lack of will, anger, poor digestion, fear and hate.
To balance, rub belly and breathe through the diaphragm.
HEART CHAKRA
Located in area of center chest
Color – green
Stones – emerald, malachite, green jade
For – unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, group consciousness, peace
and tolerance. When unbalanced, you feel anger, heart problems, rigidity or lack
of love. To balance, serve others and not yourself.
THROAT CHAKRA
Located – at throat
Color – sky blue
Stones – lapis lazuli, sodalite, blue quartz
When unbalanced, you may feel difficulty communicating and feel all your
emotions in your throat. To balance, sing, chant, hum and breathe consciously.
THIRD EYE CHAKRA
Located between eyebrows
Color – indigo
Stones – indigo blue or amethyst
For – intuition, imagination and visualization
When unbalanced, one may experience headaches or lack of meditative abilities.
To balance, meditate.
