Chakras

“Chakra” is a Sanskrit word which in literal translation means "wheel." These swirling funnel shaped energy centres exist in the subtle body, not the physical body. 

The physical body consists of energy that vibrates very slowly, and is physically visible. The subtle bodies are external energy layers with higher rates of vibration that create a field of energy around the physical body, known as the aura. As you move outwards from the physical body into the auric field, each subtle body vibrates at a slightly higher frequency than the one before it. There are said to be four energy bodies – the ethereal body, the emotional or astral body, the mental body and the outer spiritual or causative body. 

When the vibrational frequency of these bodies rise, they provide us with higher forms of energy, sensations, perception and awareness. The aura can be described as a fuzziness, a bit like a heatwave around a person, comprising of various colours. It is possible to see or sense the aura, and this is something that can be developed with practice or with Kirlian photography, also known as radiation field photography or electro-photography. The colours of the aura reflect physical, emotional and mental health and can also be used to ascertain the condition of the chakras. Brighter colours generally indicate higher vibrational frequencies.

There are seven major chakras, (plus many more which I will not delve in to here). They begin at the base of the spine and finish at the top of the head. Each chakra is associated with a specific part of the body. They contains bundles of nerves and major organs as well as our psychological, emotional, and spiritual states of being.

Each of the chakras possess a different number of 'petals', hence being referred to as lotus blossoms. These petals represent the nadis (energy channels) through which energy flows into the chakra. The number of petals ranges from four at the base chakra to a thousand at the crown chakra.

When they are healthy and functioning properly the chakras act as gateways for energy from the subtle bodies to enter the physical body via the nadis and meridians. Equally they provide an exit point for lower frequency energy to be released back into the subtle bodies for transmutation. 

Each chakra vibrates or rotates at a different speed. The lower chakras vibrate at a lower frequency and are associated with fundamental emotions and needs. The upper chakras vibrate at a higher frequency and are associated with our higher mental and spiritual aspirations and faculties.

Each chakra is stimulated by both its own colour and its complimentary colour. The chakra colours correspond to the spectrum of light - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Each spectrum colour is light of varying wavelengths hence each colour has its own particular energy. The energy relating to each of these spectrum colours resonates with the energy of each of the seven main chakras of the body.

The flow of energy through the chakras is vital to maintain optimum well being. It is essential that our main chakras stay open, aligned, and fluid. If the chakras are not balanced or are blocked, the basic life force will be slowed down. If one of the chakras is blocked or out of balance,then energy cannot flow freely and evenly throughout the body. Chakras can become blocked or unbalanced by long held negative states – mental, emotional and physical. If there is a blockage, energy cannot flow and this can lead to dis-ease, both physical and mental or emotional. 

When the chakras are functioning normally, each will be open, spinning to metabolize the particular energies needed from the universal energy field. There is somewhat of a divide on the direction of spin, some believe all the chakras spins clockwise, others believe that they spin alternately clockwise and anticlockwise with the rotations being opposite for male and female so that they complement each others energies. The size and brightness and spin of the chakras vary with individual development, physical condition, energy levels, disease, or stress. 

We are able to use a number of therapies, including Reiki, crystal therapy and colour therapy to re-balance the chakras. Once the chakra has been properly balanced then our body will gradually return to normal. Knowledge of our more subtle energy system enables us to maintain balance and harmony on the physical, mental and spiritual level.

Each chakra has different functions and qualities. In addition to its other functions each of the seven main chakras represents a level of consciousness or developmental stage of life. Below is a description of the properties of each of the main seven chakras.

Root or Base chakra (Muladhara)

Location: base of spine between anus and genitals

Colour: red

Element: earth

Symbol: 4 petal lotus

Mantra sound: LAM

Sense: smell

Endocrine gland: adrenal

Physiological system: reproduction

Associated body parts: spine, bones, teeth, rectum, prostate gland, blood, building of cells

Basic verb / principle: to have or to be, physical will of being

Key issues: sexuality, lust, obsession

Actions: grounding spiritual energies, sexuality, stability, sensuality, security

Sacral chakra (Svadisthana)

Location: below navel

Colour: orange

Element: water

Symbol: 6 petal lotus

Mantra sound: VAM

Sense: taste

Endocrine gland: gonads

Physiological system: genitourinary

Associated body parts: pelvic girdle, reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder, bodily fluids

Basic verb / principle: to feel, creative reproduction of being

Key issues: relationships, violence, addictions

Actions: feeling, reproduction, creativity, joy, enthusiasm

Solar plexus chakra (Manipura)

Location: Above navel

Colour: Yellow

Element: fire

Symbol: 10 petal lotus

Mantra sound: RAM

Sense: sight

Endocrine gland: pancreas

Physiological system: metabolic / digestive

Associated body parts: lower back, abdomen, digestive system, liver, spleen, autonomic nervous system

Basic verb / principle: to act or to do, shaping of being

Key issues: power, fear, anxiety, introversion

Actions: opinion and personal power, digestion, emotional expansion, spiritual growth

Heart chakra (Anahata)

Location: centre of chest

Colour: green or pink

Element: air

Symbol: 12 petal lotus

Mantra sound: YAM

Sense: touch

Endocrine gland: thymus

Physiological system: circulatory, lymphatic, immune

Associated body parts: heart, upper back, thorax, lower lungs, blood, circulatory system, skin

Basic verb / principle: to love, devotion, self abandonment

Key issues: passion, tenderness, inner-child issues, rejection

Actions: unconditional love and compassion, ciruclation, passion, devotion

Throat chakra (Vishuddha)

Location: centre of base of throat

Colour: blue

Element: ether

Symbol: 16 petal lotus

Mantra sound: HAM

Sense: hearing

Endocrine gland: thyroid

Physiological system: respiratory

Associated body parts: neck, throat, ears, voice, trachea, oesophagus, upper lungs, arms

Basic verb / principle: to speak, resonance of being

Key issues: self-expression, communication will

Actions: expression, communication, fluent thought, independence, security

Third eye or Brow chakra (Ajna)

Location: between eyebrows

Colour: indigo

Element: light

Symbol: 96 petal lotus

Mantra sound: OM

Sense: all the senses including extrasensory perception

Endocrine gland: pituitary gland

Physiological system: endocrine and nervous

Associated body parts: face, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, cerebelum, central nervous system

Basic verb / principle: to see, knowledge of being 

Key issues: balancing the higher and lower selves, trusting inner guidance

Actions: intuition, clarity, meditation

Crown chakra (Sahasrara)

Location: top of head

Colour: violet or white

Element: cosmic energy

Symbol: 1000 petal lotus 

Mantra sound: OM or AH

Sense: no specific sense

Endocrine gland: pineal gland

Physiological system: central nervous system and brain

Associated body parts: cerebrum

Basic verb / principle: to know, purest being

Key issues: inner wisdom, death of the body

Actions: release of karma, meditation, universal consciousness