Throat Chakra – Visshudha

Visshudha is the blue chakra located at the center of the throat representing communication and expression. It is connected with the thyroid glands and regulates the respiratory system. Balancing Visshudha allows for better flow of ideas and expression of creativity as well as the ability to hear that “still, small voice” inside.

When the throat chakra is out of balance, it generally means a block in communication and can lead to frustration, discontent and the inability to express emotion. This combination can lead to serious emotional problems that exhibit as insomnia, unexplained weight gain, fatigue and moodiness.

The seed sound for Visshudha is Hang (hawng).

The color for Visshudha is sky blue.

Element – Air

Orientation – East

Candle for Visshudha:  blue – represents meditation, tranquility, and the moon

Chant – I speak, I express

Affirmation – I hear and speak the truth. Creativity flows in and through me.

Borage

I decided to grow borage this year because it has blue flowers and therefore attracts bees and also because I keep hearing about it as an Omega-3 rich oil. I’m not sure how I thought I was going to access that oil. Still – it is a pretty addition to the “wild” garden and we certainly have plenty of bees to pollinate the other plants we have.

Borage is an ancient, annual herb with many uses. It grows well in sandy or clay soils and tends to elbow out its competition. The leaves are hairy but can be used as a salad green when they are young and tender. They have a flavor similar to cucumbers. They can also be chopped and put into soups.

Best of all, the flowers are edible and can be used in salads, frozen in ice cubes to decorate punch or crystalized.

Borage Medicine

To reduce fever – make a tea using 1 tbsp. chopped leaves in one cup boiled water.

Hairy leaves can be crushed to make a pain-relieving compress.

Borage Magic

Ancient folklore attributes borage with providing courage. Roman soldiers drank a borage flower wine before going into battle.