Crown Chakra – Sahasrara

Sahasrara is the diamond white chakra located just above the crown of the head. It is our spiritual connection center. It is associated with the pineal gland which produces chemicals that act as neurotransmitters. The crown chakra regulates the neurological system. It is the home of inner wisdom and our connection with the divine.

The seed sound for Sahasrara is Hangsah (hong saw)

The color for Sahasrara is bright white and violet

Element – space

Candle for Sahasrara – white – representing the presence of the divine

Essential oils – Jasmine, Frankinsense

Chant – I am, I understand

Affirmation – I am guided by inner wisdom. The world is my teacher.

Third Eye Chakra – Ajna

Ajna is the indigo chakra located in the center of the forehead. It is our psychic center. It is linked with the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. Balancing Ajna helps keep you in touch with your intuition and stimulates the ability to better perceive the world around you. It is the home of wisdom, visualization and the power of the mind. Developing the third eye chakra deepens your spiritual connections.

The seed sound for Ajna is Aum  (Om).

The color for Ajna is a deep purple/indigo.

Element – Fire

Orientation – West

Candle for Ajna:  purple – representing spirituality and intuition

Chant – I know, I think

Affirmation – I trust my intuition and inner vision. I am open to the wisdom within.

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.

Heart Chakra – Anahata

The heart chakra is located in the center of your chest at the heart center. It controls the heart and circulatory system and is concerned with the emotional state of love and compassion. This is the point where the lower chakras meet the higher chakras and so Anahata is a place of balance.  You find love, peace, forgiveness, mercy and grace in the heart chakra. Problems with Anahata often have to do with balance as in physical needs vs. spiritual ones or self-empowerment vs. unconditional love and compassion.  These problems often express themselves as addiction and co-dependence.

The seed sound for Anahata is Yang (yawng).

The color for Anahata is bright green.

Element – Water

Orientation – East

Candle for Anahata:  Green – represents healing, spirituality and abundance

Chant – I love

Affirmation – I freely and easily give and receive love. I totally forgive myself and others for past errors and judgments.

Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura

The third chakra is located in the area above the navel. It controls key internal organs – liver, spleen and pancreas. The energy of Manipura is will, power and organization. It provides the energy to fuel ambition. It is the fire under your feet to get things done. When it is out of balance, it can manifest in manipulative or controlling behavior at one end or it can result in listless procrastination and boredom on the other. The goal of Manipura is purpose, vitality and spontaneity.

The seed sound for Manipura is Rang (rawng).

The color for Manipura is yellow.

Element – Fire

Orientation – West

Candle for Manipura:  Yellow – for communication and energy

Chant – I can, I do, I will

Affirmation – In an authentic and healthy way, I release all my unresolved emotions. I claim my personal power for the highest and best good.

 

 

 

Muladhara – Root Chakra

The root chakra is located at the base of your spine/your pelvic floor. It is the center of your most base emotions – the need for physical safety and security. It is connected with the spinal column, and excretory systems. When it is out of balance, you may be depressed, destructive, fearful, even phobic. Those fears may exhibit themselves in compulsive behavior and over-eating.  When Muladhara is in balance, you feel grounded, secure, trusting  and confident.

The seed sound for Muladhara is Lang (lawng).

The color for Muladhara is red or black.

Element – Earth

Orientation – East

Candles for Muladhara:

Cranberry Red – represents love, passion and courage

Black – absorbs negative energy

Chant – I do, I am

Affirmation – I live in abundance. The earth supports me and meets my needs.

Chakras

Chakras are centers of energy along your spine that relate to specific organs and emotions. Going up from the base of your spine to the top of your head, chakras go from lowest to highest emotional need. Whether the idea of energy vortexs fits with your personal belief system, they at least make a powerful visual image to serve as a focus for your intention. So, if you feel disorganized, it can be useful as a meditation tool to visualize your solar plexus chakra that is believed to be the center of control and organization.

Focusing on chakras in meditation helps you to center, address your emotional state, quiet your mind and  work on healing.

I will discuss each chakra in detail for the next several weeks.