Chakras - Energetic Wheels of Life

Your internal rainbow, the alignment and tuning of the seven energy centers inside your body is a traditional way of healing body, mind, and spirit.  This face of universal energy comes from the Hindu tradition, and is explained as wheel like centers in the body, each of which has a specific location on the body and corresponds to certain physical and spiritual traits.  When the area is out of alignment, those traits are out of whack.  (That's a highly technical term.)

Kundalini energy, often depicted as a snake, rises from the base of the spine, where it connects to the earth, and traverses the spine to connect through the crown of the head to the heavens.  As it does, it activates the chakras in its path.

Each chakra has a musical tone, a color, and stones that connect to it, as well as chants and yoga postures.  Using these tools can help to make sure your energy centers are healthy and functioning fully and correctly.  In fact, one of the goals of Kundalini Yoga is to move the snake energy up the spine in the proper way.

Chakra notation follows the path of kundalini, starting at the base of the spine:

First Chakra

This is the Base Chakra, found at the root of the spine along the perineum.  This one is involved in feeling grounded, supported, and secure.  It is the root of vitality, manifesting, motivation, and stability.  Connect with this chakra if you are feeling flighty, insecure, or disconnected.  Its musical tone is C, herbs include rosemary and valerian, and some stones are hematite, moss agate, black tourmaline, and smoky quartz.  The Hindu (Sanskrit) name for it is Muladhara, the colors are red to activate and black to balance, its element is earth, and its moon phase is full.

Second Chakra

The Sacral Chakra, which is located just below the navel.  This is the chakra of sexuality, creativity, freedom, passion, and pleasure.  This can help you connect to your physical senses and enjoy earthly sensations, whether good food, a scent, or a soft teddy bear.  Its musical tone is D, herbs are allspice, cinnamon, and hibiscus, and stones include garnet, carnelian, and ruby.  The Hindu (Sanskrit) name is Svadhisthana, the colors are orange to activate and brown to balance, water is its element, and its moon phase is waxing.

Third Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra is between the navel and the sternum.  Its English name keys you to its energy, as it connects you to solar energy.  This is the chakra of personal empowerment, energy, confidence, and willpower.  This is the input channel when you need to connect to wake up energy on a sluggish day.  Its musical note is E, its herbs include chamomile, fennel, lemon balm, and calendula, and its stones include citrine, sunstone, gold tiger's eye, and chrysoprase.  The Sanskrit name is Manipura, the colors are yellow to activate and brown to balance, and its moon phase is waxing.

Fourth Chakra

The Heart Chakra is, unsurprisingly, in the center of the chest.  It is the chakra of love and compassion, as well as nurturing, balance, and beauty.  Open your heart chakra to spread healing love to the universe, especially your little corner of it, and to accept the love that is out there for you.  Its musical note is F, herbs are lavender, rose, and thyme, and stones include rose quartz, aquamarine, rhodonite, and rhodochrosite.  Its Sanskrit name is Anahata, its colors are green to activate and pink to balance, its element is air, and its moon phases are full and new.

Fifth Chakra

The Throat Chakra, this is at the base of your neck.  It is all about communication, whether spoken or between and the divine.  Work with the chakra to help clearly communicate your thoughts and feelings.  It's the opposite of Cool Hand Luke Syndrome.  (What we have here is a failure to communicate.)  Its musical note is G, its herbs include clove, myrrh, and star anise, and stones are sodalite, azurite, and blue topaz.  Its Sanskrit name is Vishuddha, its colors are blue to activate and aqua to balance, its element is air, and its moon phase is waning.  

Sixth Chakra

This is the Third Eye Chakra, locate above and between the eyebrows.  This is the chakra indicated by the bindhi sometimes worn by people who practice the Hindu religion.  It is the source of clairvoyance and remote viewing, the nonphysical sight location.  Concentrate on this chakra to develop your psychic abilities.  Its musical note is A, herbs are peppermint, mugwort, and Saint John's wort, and stones include amethyst, opal, and labradorite.  Its Sanskrit name is Ajna, its colors are indigo to activate and white to balance, its element is air, and its moon phase is waning.

Seventh Chakra

The final, top chakra is the Crown, located on the top of the head.  This is your direct connection to the Divine, the pinnacle of the journey of kundalini up the spine.  It represents the intellect, enlightenment, higher consciousness, your connection to your Higher Self, and spirituality.  Work with this chakra to reach your highest mental and spiritual levels.  Its musical note is B, herbs are lavender and rose, stones include clear quartz, danburite, moldavite, and jade.  Its Sanskrit name is Sahasrara, its colors are violet to activate and gold to balance, its element is air, and its moon phase is the new moon.

You can work with your chakras actively, through meditation, chanting, movement, or energy healing, or passively, by carrying or wearing the stones for the chakra on which you wish to concentrate, or by wearing or carrying stones for all at once.  A single stone for each will do.  You don't need all the stones for each.  You can also place the stones in your space, such as under your pillow or between the mattress and the box springs of your bed, or on your desk or night stand.  

You can practice mantras, yoga poses, or energy healing to activate, balance, and heal your chakras, and also not practice things like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and improper diet to help them not get out of balance in the first place.

Working with your chakras, the body's energetic wheels of life, is a simple way to improve your health, your emotional state, and your connection to the Divine.  A practice can be as simple as sleeping with a stone or stones, or as complicated as a regular yoga practices.  You can chant, meditate, or get your body in motion and get your energetic centers balanced and in motion, too, for a more aligned, connected, energetic you.

References from:
Complete Book of Correspondences, Sandra Kynes, Llewellyn 2013

Recommended Products
Complete Book of Correspondences	Chakras an Introduction
Chakra Stone Kit	Healing Mantras