Chakra System
The
chakra system is a series of energy centers that travel up the body from
base to crown. There are seven major chakras and various minor chakras
that can be discussed in detail at another time. “Chakra” means wheel,
and if energy were visible to the naked eye on this plane, each chakra
would look like a spinning wheel of light. While these energy hubs have
been used by practitioners of Eastern medicine for thousands of years,
recent developments in Western medicine have discovered that each of the
first five chakras has a corresponding main nerve ganglion on the
spine, and the brow and crown chakras correspond to the pineal and
pituitary gland in the brain (this brief overview will not cover these
details but they will be explained later). Each chakra has a specific
function in an individual’s emotional, spiritual, and physical health.
Each chakra also has a corresponding element and each is typically
represented by a colored mandala with a specific pattern (as shown in
the diagrams posted previously).
Root Chakra (earth) physical identity, survival, basic instincts
The root or base chakra’s color is red, color of sexuality and vitality. It is located between the sexual organs and the anus, at the base of the spine. This is the chakra responsible for our sense of self, our sense of belonging (the safety and security of a well-balanced home or community), our basic needs and primal urges. It is also the chakra that rules over the eliminative system, governing the removal of wastes from the body; and also the chakra that allows for retrieval of new energy from the earth at our feet. If there is a dysfunction in this chakra, it may be due to issues such as a weak sense of self (low self-esteem), lack of connection with one’s inner or higher self, or perhaps a chaotic home life. If our basic needs are not met this chakra’s energy will experience blockages. These blockages may manifest as physical health problems such as fatigue, anxiety, renal or bowel problems.
Sacral Chakra (water) creativity, sexuality, energy
The sacral chakra is located just below the navel, so named because rests near the sacrum on the
spine. Its color is traditionally orange, associated with creativity and joy. This chakra governs sexuality, and someone with a healthy and well-balanced sacral chakra will be comfortable with their sexuality and have a healthy outlook on sex. Those who experience dysfunctions in this chakra may seem repressed or anxious about their sexuality, or shy and awkward in sexual situations. As the sacral chakra is located in the lower abdomen, it is also connected to the spleen, intestines and lower digestive system. Problems that occur in these systems indicate a need to work on clearing the energy of this chakra. It is the chakra of self-nourishment, encouraging us to have a care for our own needs, energy, and potential.
Solar Plexus Chakra (fire) identity, power, sense of self
The solar plexus chakra is located above the navel, in the center of the ribcage. Its color is yellow, the bright vitality of fire, and it is here that our sense of personal identity and personal power rest. This chakra will suffer dysfunctions if we are in a position where our power is not our own, where we are not in control of our own lives - victims of abuse, addiction, oppression. It is here that we get a “gut feeling” about people and things, and here that we instinctively fold our arms protectively when feeling anxious or afraid. It is also the chakra that governs the stomach, liver, gallbladder, and adrenals. Dysfunctions may manifest as issues with weight, eating disorders, hormonal imbalances, stomach ulcers, and more. To balance this chakra we must be in control of ourselves and at peace with ourselves.
Heart Chakra (air) love, social identity, acceptance of self and others
The heart chakra allows us to experience pure love, compassion, and empathy. When we say someone has a “broken heart,” we are referring to a dysfunction in their heart chakra. We are born with open heart chakras, as evidenced by the openness and earnestness of children, but over time experience and social conditioning teach us to believe that it is safer to be less vulnerable; and the heart chakra begins to shut down. This chakra helps us to relate to and accept others, to recognize others as kindred spirits, and perhaps most importantly, to love ourselves as divine creations. Problems with this chakra can show themselves as poor circulation or heart trouble, but also as depression and a feeling of isolation. Because of the chakra’s location and its association with the element of air, issues with the lungs and respiratory system can also be traced back to the heart chakra. Its color can be green or pink, both colors universally associated with peace and compassion.
Throat Chakra (sound) creative identity, self-expression
The power of the spoken word is highly underrated. A mother’s voice telling a child that everything is okay, makes everything okay. Enough people on a streetcorner saying, “Looks like rain, doesn’t it?” And it will rain. The throat chakra is representative of the creative power of our words, and how we govern our lives with the words we choose to speak. If we speak only truth, are honest about our feelings and seek to educate and uplift, then our throat chakra will be in good health. If we repress our feelings and choose not to speak on them, tell lies or choose to speak words of hate and anger, the chakra will reflect it. Physical problems can include sore throat, swollen tonsils and adenoids, tooth and oral problems, or upper respiratory infections. The throat chakra’s color is pale blue.
Brow Chakra (light) sight, clarity, perception, reflection
Those at all familiar with spirituality should recognize this chakra. This is the brow chakra, more commonly known as the Third Eye. It rests on the forehead, directly between and slightly above our two physical eyes. This chakra governs our sight, both inner and outer. It affects our intuition and our ability to see things clearly - literally and metaphorically. If the brow chakra is dysfunctional, it may manifest as ocular problems or migraines - or it may make it difficult for the person to view themself or others clearly. Someone with a clear brow chakra is able to rely on their intuition, to carefully examine themselves, their motives, their beliefs and identity, and to do the same with others. Clairvoyants rely on this chakra to exercise their special gift. The inner eye’s color is indigo.
Crown Chakra (spirit) connection
The crown chakra, is, quite simply, our connection to the divine - our tether, if you will, to the energy and Oneness of the universe. It is the location of the “silver rope” that those who have had an out-of-body-experience see, it is the place that anchors us during astral projection. It is the place children unconsciously angle toward the heavens when they bow their heads to pray. It is the place many Reiki practitioners feel energy flowing into them to be delivered to the patient, just as they feel
negative energy leaving through their feet to be recycled into the earth. Its color is white, or often violet.
Root Chakra (earth) physical identity, survival, basic instincts
The root or base chakra’s color is red, color of sexuality and vitality. It is located between the sexual organs and the anus, at the base of the spine. This is the chakra responsible for our sense of self, our sense of belonging (the safety and security of a well-balanced home or community), our basic needs and primal urges. It is also the chakra that rules over the eliminative system, governing the removal of wastes from the body; and also the chakra that allows for retrieval of new energy from the earth at our feet. If there is a dysfunction in this chakra, it may be due to issues such as a weak sense of self (low self-esteem), lack of connection with one’s inner or higher self, or perhaps a chaotic home life. If our basic needs are not met this chakra’s energy will experience blockages. These blockages may manifest as physical health problems such as fatigue, anxiety, renal or bowel problems.
Sacral Chakra (water) creativity, sexuality, energy
The sacral chakra is located just below the navel, so named because rests near the sacrum on the
spine. Its color is traditionally orange, associated with creativity and joy. This chakra governs sexuality, and someone with a healthy and well-balanced sacral chakra will be comfortable with their sexuality and have a healthy outlook on sex. Those who experience dysfunctions in this chakra may seem repressed or anxious about their sexuality, or shy and awkward in sexual situations. As the sacral chakra is located in the lower abdomen, it is also connected to the spleen, intestines and lower digestive system. Problems that occur in these systems indicate a need to work on clearing the energy of this chakra. It is the chakra of self-nourishment, encouraging us to have a care for our own needs, energy, and potential.
Solar Plexus Chakra (fire) identity, power, sense of self
The solar plexus chakra is located above the navel, in the center of the ribcage. Its color is yellow, the bright vitality of fire, and it is here that our sense of personal identity and personal power rest. This chakra will suffer dysfunctions if we are in a position where our power is not our own, where we are not in control of our own lives - victims of abuse, addiction, oppression. It is here that we get a “gut feeling” about people and things, and here that we instinctively fold our arms protectively when feeling anxious or afraid. It is also the chakra that governs the stomach, liver, gallbladder, and adrenals. Dysfunctions may manifest as issues with weight, eating disorders, hormonal imbalances, stomach ulcers, and more. To balance this chakra we must be in control of ourselves and at peace with ourselves.
Heart Chakra (air) love, social identity, acceptance of self and others
The heart chakra allows us to experience pure love, compassion, and empathy. When we say someone has a “broken heart,” we are referring to a dysfunction in their heart chakra. We are born with open heart chakras, as evidenced by the openness and earnestness of children, but over time experience and social conditioning teach us to believe that it is safer to be less vulnerable; and the heart chakra begins to shut down. This chakra helps us to relate to and accept others, to recognize others as kindred spirits, and perhaps most importantly, to love ourselves as divine creations. Problems with this chakra can show themselves as poor circulation or heart trouble, but also as depression and a feeling of isolation. Because of the chakra’s location and its association with the element of air, issues with the lungs and respiratory system can also be traced back to the heart chakra. Its color can be green or pink, both colors universally associated with peace and compassion.
Throat Chakra (sound) creative identity, self-expression
The power of the spoken word is highly underrated. A mother’s voice telling a child that everything is okay, makes everything okay. Enough people on a streetcorner saying, “Looks like rain, doesn’t it?” And it will rain. The throat chakra is representative of the creative power of our words, and how we govern our lives with the words we choose to speak. If we speak only truth, are honest about our feelings and seek to educate and uplift, then our throat chakra will be in good health. If we repress our feelings and choose not to speak on them, tell lies or choose to speak words of hate and anger, the chakra will reflect it. Physical problems can include sore throat, swollen tonsils and adenoids, tooth and oral problems, or upper respiratory infections. The throat chakra’s color is pale blue.
Brow Chakra (light) sight, clarity, perception, reflection
Those at all familiar with spirituality should recognize this chakra. This is the brow chakra, more commonly known as the Third Eye. It rests on the forehead, directly between and slightly above our two physical eyes. This chakra governs our sight, both inner and outer. It affects our intuition and our ability to see things clearly - literally and metaphorically. If the brow chakra is dysfunctional, it may manifest as ocular problems or migraines - or it may make it difficult for the person to view themself or others clearly. Someone with a clear brow chakra is able to rely on their intuition, to carefully examine themselves, their motives, their beliefs and identity, and to do the same with others. Clairvoyants rely on this chakra to exercise their special gift. The inner eye’s color is indigo.
Crown Chakra (spirit) connection
The crown chakra, is, quite simply, our connection to the divine - our tether, if you will, to the energy and Oneness of the universe. It is the location of the “silver rope” that those who have had an out-of-body-experience see, it is the place that anchors us during astral projection. It is the place children unconsciously angle toward the heavens when they bow their heads to pray. It is the place many Reiki practitioners feel energy flowing into them to be delivered to the patient, just as they feel
negative energy leaving through their feet to be recycled into the earth. Its color is white, or often violet.
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