Chakras

CHAKRA 1 (THE ROOT CHAKRA, OR KUNDALINI) - is located at the base of the spine. This chakra is associated with the color red and is represented by a snake. The root chakra is the seat or base of the physical body, and serves to keep us grounded to the earth, governs our vitality, energy, gut instincts, and survival mechanisms. It relates to the material world: success, stability, security, courage and patience. When the kundalini is malfunctioning it can cause self-centeredness, insecurity, anger, and violence. On a physical level, it governs the colon, adrenal glands, kidneys, spinal column, legs and bones, and can adversely affect these areas if malfunctioning.

Associated Herbs: Ashwangandha and Haritaki

Associated Gemstones: Lodestone, ruby, garnet and bloodstone.

Associated Incense: Cedar.

CHAKRA 2 (SACRAL PLEXUS) - is located in the lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel. This chakra is associated with the color orange, and is represented by a fish. The sacral plexus is the seat of the emotional body, and governs our ability to receive feelings or sensations, and release our emotions. The sacral plexus also governs our sexuality and sensuality, physical force, sexual and passionate love, tolerance, surrender, and working harmoniously with others. Physically, it governs the reproductive organs, spleen and bladder. Malfunctioning of the sacral plexus can cause overindulgence of food, sex or drugs, confusion, a sense of purposeless in life, and jealousy. On a physical level, the malfunctioning can cause impotence or frigidity, bladder infections and problems with the reproductive organs.

Associated Herbs: Coriander and Fennel.

Associated Gemstones: Coral.

Associated Incense: Orris root, gardenia and damiana.

CHAKRA 3 (SOLAR PLEXUS) - is located above the navel and below the chest. It is associated with the color yellow, and is represented by birds. It governs the mental body, and enables us to pick up vibrations and essences from people, places and things, personal power, energy, and self-control. Physically, it governs the digestive process, metabolism, the functioning of the pancreas, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, nervous system, and muscles. When malfunctioning, we may find that we cannot deal with power and authority. Physically, it can cause digestive problems, such as ulcers, or problems with the liver or pancreas.

Associated Herbs: Goldenseal and Lemon Balm.

Associated Gemstones: Amber, topaz.

Associated Incense: Carnation, cinnamon and marigold.

CHAKRA 4 (HEART) - is located in the center of the chest. Its is associated with the color green, and is represented by all four-legged mammals. The heart chakra is the seat of the astral body, the bridge between the physical and spiritual bodies. It governs empathy, forgiveness, compassion, trust, balance, and oneness with life. Physically, it governs the circulatory system and lungs. Malfunctioning of this chakra can cause us to become repressed, unbalanced, distrustful, and emotionally unstable, and on a physical level, may cause heart, lung or circulatory problems.

Associated Herbs: Saffron and Rue.

Associated Gemstones: Emerald, tourmaline and rose quartz.

Associated Incense: Lavender, jasmine, orris root, yarrow, marjoram and meadowsweet.

THYMUS CHAKRA - this is not listed as a numbered chakra, as it is considered a "secondary" chakra, but is listed here because of my personal feeling of its importance. It is associated with the color aquamarine, and is considered to have a large influence on our telepathic abilities. The thymus is a gland located just above the heart, and works in babies and children primarily in developing their immune systems. By adolescence, the thymus has begun to cease in its functioning altogether. The thymus chakra governs our ability to be at peace with ourselves and with others. When our thymus chakra is not functioning properly, we may feel judgmental, self-righteous, and uncompassionate. As a non-functioning thymus affects our immune systems, we may also become more susceptible to colds and viruses.

CHAKRA 5 (THROAT) - is located in the throat. It is associated with the color blue, and is represented by the human race. It governs clairaudience, communication, creative expression, wisdom, and honesty. Physically, it governs the thyroid glands, throat, and mouth. When the throat chakra is malfunctioning, we may have speech difficulties, tell lies, or use our words to manipulate others. On a physical level, it can cause depression, thyroid problems, sore throats, and earaches.

Associated Herbs: Cloves and Vervain.

Associated Gemstones: Turquoise.

Incense: Frankincense and benzion.

CHAKRA 6 (BROW OR THIRD EYE CHAKRA) - is located at the center of the forehead between the eyebrows. It is associated with the color indigo, and is represented by spirits. The third eye chakra governs our clairvoyance, or ability to see things yet to be. When the third eye chakra is functioning properly, we can see auras and spirit guides, and can look into the past or future. We can gain intuition, imagination, insight, enlightenment, and heightened perception. On a physical level, it governs the cerebellum, central nervous system, vision, eyes, nose and pituitary gland. When the third eye chakra is malfunctioning we may not be able to see things clearly, or may become lost in our own over-analyzation of situations. On a physical level, it can adversely affect the vision, can cause headaches, sinus problems, and nightmares.

Associated Herbs: Sandalwood and Elecampane.

Associated Gemstones: Lapis lazuli and quartz.

Associated Incense: Mugwort, star anise, saffron and acacia.

CHAKRA 7 (CROWN) - is located at the top of the head. It is associated with the color violet, and is associated with deified ancestral spirits. This chakra is the seat of our spiritual body, and connects us to the "higher powers" of the Universe. It provides spiritual will, inspiration, divine wisdom, and idealism. On a physical level, it governs the cerebrum, pineal gland, cerebral cortex, and central nervous system. When not properly functioning, we can lack inspiration, suffer from apathy, and have difficulty learning or retaining information. Adverse physical affects include brain disease and tumors.

Associated Herbs: Gotu Kola and Nutmeg.

Associated Gemstones: Amethyst and diamond.

Associated Incense: Lotus and gotu kola.

The term chakra is a Sanskrit word which means spinning wheel or vortex. Chakras are centers of energy which balance, store and distribute the energies of life throughout

your physical body along the subtle body. The subtle body is the non-physical body (commonly referred to as the soul or spirit) which is superimposed upon our physical body.

The Chakra principle originated in India, and is used in Ayurvedic medicine. The term Ayurveda comes from two Indian words: ayur -- life, and veda -- knowledge. Ayurvedic medicine can be seen as a knowledge of how to live in health. Ayurvedic medicine views illness as imbalances within the body, which are treated with a combination of herbal treatments, meditation, and physical exercise. The earliest known Ayurvedic texts date from about 2500 B.C.

Picture chakras as wheels of energy running throughout the body which help our body, minds, and souls function properly. When a chakra is not functioning properly, our physical, spiritual and mental health suffers as a result. Our bodies contain seven major, or master, chakras. There are hundreds of chakras in the body, but I will only touch on the major chakras here.

Once you understand the nature of the chakras, please see my Meditation page, specifically the section on Meditating for Chakras, which can help to stabilize the chakras and return them to normal functioning. You can also use the gemstones, herbs, and incenses listed for each Chakra to help bring it back into balance.