The word “chakra” comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “wheel”. The chakras are not physical  areas that you can touch. They are spinning wheels of energy and like a wheel they each have a central hub. The chakras begin at the base of the spine and end at the top of the head. They are “fixed” in the central spinal column but are located on both the front and back of the body as their energy moves and travels through it. Each chakra vibrates or rotates at a different speed. The base is composed of the densest energy, as it is positioned at the foundation therefore this root or first chakra rotates at the slowest speed, The crown chakra being the highest one rotates at the fastest speed. Each chakra is sensitive to and can be stimulated by its own colour, (which makes sense if you remember that all is light) and a range of gemstones which emit the resonant frequency for specific uses.

 The size and brightness of the chakra centres is not constant but varies according to the  individual development, physical condition, energy levels, disease, or stress. The life force which flows through these wheels will be slowed down if the individual is out of balance or unwell. The individual may feel listless and fatigued. Physical bodily functions may be adversely affected so diseases may manifest. The thought processes and  mental health may also be affected.  A constant balance between the chakras facilitates health and a sense of well-being. The system is at ease not dis-eased.

Sometimes the chakras are even closed and the universal energy cannot flow through them properly, which can also manifest as  dis-ease. A human tendency is to react to unpleasant experiences by blocking emotions which halts a great deal of our natural energy flow. If it happens at the early stages of life it can even  affect how the chakras develop. There is a time in human development for each chakra to develop at the proper rate as new experiences are integrated. When an individual blocks whatever experience he is having, this constricts the energy flow and development of the chakras, which become distorted.

Normally the chakras will be open, spinning clockwise to metabolise the particular energies needed from the universal energy field.

Let us now take a walk through the chakras:

 The root chakra is located at the base of the spine at the tailbone in the rear of the body and the pubic bone in front. This centre is the basis, the foundation so holds the basic needs for survival, security and safety.This is formed when we literally learn to “touch base”. The root chakra is rooted/connected to our contact with the Earth. It gives us the ability to be grounded into the earth plane. It is the densest chakra, moves the slowest so is the chakra of manifestation. When you want to materialise things in the material world, in the areas of business or material possessions, the energy to succeed comes from the first chakra. So, if this chakra is blocked an individual may feel apprehensive,  insecure and frustrated because they have difficulty manifesting things on the physical plane. Problems like obesity, anorexia nervosa, and knee troubles can occur. Root body parts include the hips, legs, lower back and sexual organs. It is worth noting here that mens’ sexual organs are located primarily in his first chakra therefore male sexual energy is usually experienced primarily as physical. Womens’ sexual organs are located primarily in her second chakra, so female sexual energy is usually experienced primarily as emotional. Both the root and the second chakra, the sacral  are associated with sexual energy. The colour for the root chakra is red.

The next chakra or second chakra is often referred to as the belly/sacral chakra. It is located two inches below the navel and is rooted into the spine. This centre holds the basic needs for sexuality, creativity, intuition, and self-worth. It is also  about friendliness, creativity, and emotions. It links to people’s sense of self-worth, self confidence in their own creativity, and their ability to relate to people in a friendly and open manner. This ability is influenced by the family dynamic and how emotions were expressed or repressed in the family during childhood. If this chakra is balanced the individual is able to flow with emotions freely and to feel and reach out to others sexually or not. If this chakra is blocked a person may feel emotionally explosive, manipulative, obsessed with thoughts of sex or may lack energy. Physical problems can manifest which will include: kidney weakness, stiff lower back, constipation, and muscle spasms. Belly body parts include sexual organs (women), kidneys, bladder, and large intestine. The colour of this chakra is orange.

The third chakra is known as the Solar Plexus. It is located approximately two inches below the breastbone in the centre, behind the stomach. It is at the centre and is the centre  of personal power. So it is the sphere of the  ego, passions, impulses, anger and strength. It is also the centre for astral travel and astral influences, receptivity of spirit guides and for psychic development. If this chakra is out of balance the individual may lack confidence, be confused, be too conscious of others’ opinions, feel that others are controlling his/her life, and may be depressed. Physical problems may include digestive difficulties, liver problems, diabetes, nervous exhaustion, and food allergies. When balanced you may feel cheerful, outgoing, have self-respect, expressive, enjoy taking on new challenges, and have a strong sense of personal power. The body parts for this chakra include the stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, and small intestine. If you think of the phrases that we use you will get the gist of this chakra. People who face situations that challenge their personal power sometimes get stomach upsets, IBS and we talk about things being gut wrencing, going with our gut feelings, that we cannot stomach this or that. The colour of this chakra is yellow.

The fourth chakra is referred to as the heart chakra. It is located behind the breastbone in front and on the spine between the shoulder blades in back. This is the centre for love, compassion and spirituality. This centre directs an individual’s ability to love yourself and others, therefore to give and to receive love. This is also the chakra connecting body and mind with spirit.

When this chakra is out of balance you may feel sorry for yourself, paranoid, which is not trusting the love of others, indecisive, afraid of letting go, afraid of getting hurt, or unworthy of love. Physical illnesses include heart attack, high blood pressure, insomnia, and difficult in breathing. When this chakra is balanced you may feel compassionate, friendly, empathetic, desirous to nurture others and see the good in all. You will experience everyone as a breath of fresh air. Body parts for the fourth chakra include heart, lungs, circulatory system, shoulders, and upper back. The colour of the heart chakra is green.

The fifth chakra is known as the throat chakra. It is located in the V of the collarbone at the lower neck and is the centre of communication, sound, and expression of creativity via thought speech and writing. The possibility for change, transformation and healing are located here. Being the seat of the voice, the throat is where anger is stored and finally let go of. When this chakra is out of balance you may want to hold back, feel timid, keep quiet even though you know what to say or can answer a question, feel weak, or cannot express your thoughts. Physical illnesses or ailments include hyperthyroid, skin irritations, ear infections, sore throat, inflammations, and back pain. When this chakra is balanced you may feel  centred, musically or artistically inspired, and may be a good speaker as words flow easily even withoout much preparation.You would be able to speak your truth from the chakra below, the heart. If you cannot, you will often experience Heart chakra problems like feeling suffocated, heavy at heart as there are things that you cannot get off your chest. Your glands or goitre might swell or you may feel that you have a lump in your throat because you cannot express what comes from your heart. Body parts for the fifth chakra are throat, neck, teeth, ears, and thyroid gland. The colour for the throat chakra is blue. (Not being able to express your heart’s truth literally gives you the blues)

The sixth chakra is referred to as the Third Eye. It is located above the physical eyes in the middle of the forehead. This centre is related to psychic ability, higher intuition (seeing the light/clarity), the energies of spirit and light. It also assists in the purification of negative tendencies and in the elimination of selfish attitudes. Through the power of the sixth chakra, you can receive guidance, channel, and tune into your Higher Self. When this chakra is not balanced you may feel non-assertive, afraid of success, or go the opposite way and be egotistical. Physical symptoms may include headaches, blurred vision, blindness, and eyestrain. When this chakra is balanced and open you are your own master with no obsessive thoughts about fear of death or being destroyed , are not attached to material things, and may experience telepathy, astral travel, and past lives. Sixth chakra body parts include the eyes, face, and brain, lymphatic and endocrine system. The main colours are purple and dark blue.

The seventh chakra is referred to as the Crown. It is located just behind the top of the skull. It is the centre of spirituality, enlightenment, dynamic thought and energy. It allows for the inward flow of wisdom, and brings the gift of cosmic consciousness. This is also the centre of connectedness with the Goddess (God), the place where life animates the physical body. The silver cord that connects the aura bodies extends from the crown. The soul comes into the body through the crown at birth and leaves from the crown at death. When this chakra is unbalanced there may be a constant sense of frustration, joylessness, and destructive feelings. Illnesses may include migraine (aura) headaches and depression. If the energy is balanced energy in this chakra it will be easier to feel the inclination to open up to the Divine and gaining access to the unconscious and subconscious will be facilitated. The main colours for the crown are white and purple.

During a Reiki session we scan the chakras to see if anything is out of balance and then do energy workings to get things flowing again.

I will write more on how chakras develop and how they connect to different planetary energies and therefore different gemstones in a future post.