The word 'chakra' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'wheel'. They are vortices of concentrated energy within our subtle body (aura) and they assimilate life force energy. Each chakra is associated with an organ and endocrine gland and each resonates at a different frequency which corresponds to the color spectrum. They are not visible to the human eye, being part of the energy system of the body.

There are hundreds of these energy centers within our aura but there are seven major chakras.  Each of these relates to one of the seven levels of the aura and has a different color.  Sometimes chakras can seem to be overactive and too open or sluggish and too closed.  Ideally they are balanced individually and with one another, though this is rare due to our stressed lifestyle and level of spiritual development.

 

The Seven Primary Chakras 

1st The Root Chakra known as the 'muladhara' in Sanskrit is located at the base of the spine.

2nd The Sacral Chakra or 'svadisthana' is located about 2 inches below the naval.

3rd The Solar Plexus or 'manipura' is located approximately 4 inches below the tip of the sternum.

4th The Heart Chakra or 'anahata' is found in the center of the chest area near the physical heart.

5th The Throat Chakra or 'vishuddha' is in the throat hollow over the larynx.

6th The Third Eye or Brow Chakra--'ajna'-- is in the middle of the forehead near the bridge of the nose

7th The Crown Chakra or 'sahasrara' is located directly at the top of the head .

When we do not feel well it is because something within our aura, and hence our physical body, is out of balance.  This imbalance will show up in the chakra functioning.  There are ways in which to balance our chakras, i.e. our mind, body, and emotions.  Some are listed here, along with a little bit of information on colors and essential oils associated with each chakra.

The Root/Base Chakra. Located at the coccyx.

It is depicted as a lotus of four petals within which is a square and a downward pointing triangle.  This chakra is concerned with basic survival, physical needs, the bones and skeletal structure and the adrenal glands.  Its color is red; element is Earth energy. If insufficiently open one may feel spaced out and un-grounded.  It is associated with the sense of smell.  It resonates to the sound of drums.

Gemstones - Ruby, Red Jasper, Garnet, Hematite, Bloodstone, Smokey quartz.

Essential Oils  Clary Sage, Patchouli, Cedarwood.

An un-balanced or blocked chakra: self-centered, bullying, dishonest, hyperactive.  lack of confidence, low self-esteem, fearful, alienated, homeless.  In balance one feels balanced, grounded, independent, healthy.

To balance a root chakra you may add the chakra-related ingredients mentioned above.  Wear something red or burn a red candle.  Wear a garnet or ruby if you have one. Music of drums and low vibrational sounds has a grounding effect which helps balance this chakra.  Walk around outdoors, preferably near trees, and barefoot.  The flower essences that vibrate to the color red - Dr Bach's Flower Remedies - Red Chestnut, Cherry Plum or Aspen.

 

The Sacral Chakra.  This is located in the lower abdomen below the navel.

Sanskrit name - Svadhisthana meaning Sweetness.  It is depicted as six orange-red petals containing a second lotus flower and a crescent moon.  This chakra is concerned with receptivity, nurturing and the emotions, sexuality, lower back problems.  Resonates to the color orange and the element of water.  It has to do with the sense of taste.

Gemstones - Carnelian - This is an orangey-red crystal and is useful to dispel apathy and passivity. Citrine - A yellow or amber colored quartz that opens one up to deal with emotional problems. Moonstone - This stone helps the feminine, nurturing side of one's nature. Good for pregnant or new mothers.

Sound - drums

Essential oil - Bergamot, Orange blossom, Jasmine, Sandalwood.

Unbalanced or blocked chakra : characteristics are excessive behavior, emotionally unbalanced, manipulative and sexually addictive, too hard on oneself, feelings of guilt, possibility of frigidity or impotence.  Balanced chakra: trusting, attuned to ones own feelings, creative.  To bring your sacral chakra into balance burn some essential oil such as Jasmine, Sandalwood or Rose.  Wear something orange.  Try Dr Bach's Flower essence Willow or Gorse to bring back your self esteem and belief in yourself.

The Solar Plexus Chakra.  It is located 4" below base of the sternum.

Sanskrit name -'' Manipura'' meaning lustrous gem.  It is depicted as a ten-petalled lotus within which is a downward-pointing triangle surrounded by 3 T-shaped Hindu symbols of Fire.  This chakra refers to power, self-esteem, and confidence and resonates to color yellow. Crystals are Yellow Citrine - good for digestive difficulties.  Sunstone - This comes in a range of colors as well as yellow and orange. Very good for releasing tension and stomach ulcers.  It increases the ability to receive ideas and energy.  Yellow Tiger Eye - Clears negative energy from the solar plexus and protects against psychic attack.  Good stone for people new to spiritual concepts for it helps to awaken us gradually.  Yellow Calcite - It is said to intensify the energy of this chakra and is also good for problems associated with the pancreas, kidneys and spleen.

Element- Fire.

Unbalanced or blocked chakra: characteristics are anger, being a workaholic, judgmental, lack of humor, addictive behavior, fearful of being alone, insecure, needing reassurance, apathy.  Balanced chakra: personal power, uninhibited, spontaneous, cheerful and self confident.  

To bring your sacral chakra into balance try some of these ideas.  Use essential of Bergamot, Ylang ylang, Cinnamon.  Wear something yellow, gold jewelry, or yellow gemstones.  Try one of the Dr Bach flower essences to balance the solar plexus - Aspen for those unknown fears or Honeysuckle to help you live in the present.

 

Heart Chakra.  It is located in the center of the chest.

Sanskrit name -'' Anahata'' meaning ''sound made without two things striking'' and is depicted as twelve petals around a six-pointed star.  This chakra is concerned with unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness.  Physical dysfunctions are high blood pressure, heart problems. circulation.  It resonates to the colors green and rose pink.

Associated crystals are Jade -green - to reassure, for mercy and compassion, Watermelon tourmaline - green and pink -- allows the heart chakra to connect with the Higher Self. Regulates the hormones.  Aventurine - green - enhances personal creativity, stress-relieving.  Rose Quartz - pink - to heal emotional wounds, to soothe grief.

Element - Air.  

Unbalanced or blocked chakra: possessiveness, conditional love, selfishness, fearing rejection, self-pitying, feeling unworthy.  Balanced chakra: compassionate, in touch with own feelings, empathic, loves unconditionally.

To bring your heart chakra into balance try some of these ideas:  Burn some essential oil - Geranium, Rose, Bergamot.  Wear a rose quartz on a long cord or chain close to your heart.  Wear something pink.  Take one of the Dr Bach flower essences Wild Rose to stop those feelings of resignation or Beech to help see what is good in the world.

 

Throat Chakra. It is located at the base of the neck.

Sanskrit name -'' Vishuddha'' meaning ''Purification''.  Depicted as a lotus with sixteen petals within which is a downward pointing triangle and a circle to represent the full Moon.  This chakra is concerned with communication, sound and self -expression.  It resonates to the color blue.  Physical problems: sore throats, problems with thyroid, hearing difficulties, asthma.

Associated crystals are Sodalite - to help to articulate and show your true self.  Blue Lace Agate - to combat shyness, offer courage, help to heal laryngitis and sore throats.  Blue topaz - Helps one to learn of one's true feelings, releases anger.  Celestite - to assist in clairaudience and dream recall, helps writers in their search for stories.

Element - Ether.

Unbalanced or blocked chakra: over-talkative, arrogant, self righteous, unreliable, full of inconsistencies, always making excuses.  Balanced chakra: good at communicating, contented, inspired artistically.

To help to bring your throat chakra into balance try some of these ideas:  Use these essential oils: Chamomile, Lavender, cypress.  Wear a blue stone such as blue lace agate, turquoise, or lapis lazuli on a choker style necklace .  Wear something blue, especially close to your throat.  Take one of the Bach flower essences. Heather - for those over talkative people who fear loneliness.  Vervain - for strain and tension felt by those over-enthusiastic people who have fixed ideas.  Rock Water for those who practice too rigid a routine.

Third Eye Chakra.  It is located above and between the eyebrows.

Sanskrit name -'' Ajna'' - meaning 'to know, to perceive''.  This chakra is depicted as a lotus with 2 large petals on each side of a circle which contains a downward pointing triangle.  This chakra is concerned with intuition and connection with the higher self.  It resonates to the color indigo, purple.

Physical problems: headaches, poor vision, ear problems.  

Associated crystals are Amethyst - a stone to meditate with, balances the energies of the intellectual, emotional and physical bodies.  Azurite - to awaken psychic abilities, and stimulate the pursuit of the heavenly self.  Fluorite - the stone of discernment which prepares one's being for healing on the emotional and physical level. Good for disorders in the bone structure.  Lapis Lazuli - the stone of total awareness.  Moonstone - The stone for feeling and understanding via intuition, cleansing negativity from all the chakras.

Element - Light.

Unbalanced or blocked chakra:  authoritarian, arrogant, impatience leading to headaches and bad dreams, undisciplined, tendency towards schizophrenia, lack of concentration, setting sights too low.  Balanced chakra: very intuitive, charismatic, clairvoyant.

To help to bring your third eye chakra into balance try some of these ideas.  Use Rose Geranium, Eucalyptus, Violet.  Wear violet colors, and surround yourself with these colors in your home or place of work.  Wear an amethyst.  Take one of the Bach flower essences. Beech for intolerance, Aspen for worry, Clematis for day dreamers and Impatiens for irritability.

 

Crown Chakra.  It is located at the top/crown of the head.

Sanskrit name -'' Sahasrara'' - meaning 'Thousand fold''.  This chakra is depicted as a thousand-petaled white lotus.  This chakra is concerned with enlightenment, self-realization, fulfillment.  It resonates to the colors white, violet and gold.

Physical problems: exhaustion, Alzheimer's and diseases of the nervous system.

Associated crystals Clear quartz - a crystal for meditation, fills the aura and chakras with light and heals the etheric. Promotes spiritual expansion.  Amethyst -to open and activate the crown chakra, helps to bring about a sense of spirituality.  Diamond - to help in stimulating spirituality and far sightedness. Keeps negativity away.

Element - Cosmic energy, or often called the akasha, or ether.  

Unbalanced or blocked chakra: psychotic or manic depressive, frustrated, undisciplined, tendency towards schizophrenia, lack of concentration, always feeling tired, unable to make decisions.  Balanced chakra: at peace with oneself, charismatic personality, spiritual.

To help to bring your crown chakra into balance try some of these ideas.  Use Lavender, Frankincense, Clary Sage.  Wear a quartz pendant.  Wear white.  Meditate.  Do Reiki on yourself or someone else..  Read something spiritual.  Take one of the Bach flower essences. Cherry Plum for depression or fears of instability. Water Violet for aloofness and Wild Oat for uncertainty.