The Chakra System

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel. If we were able to see the Chakras (as many psychics, in fact, do) we would observe a wheel of energy which revolves or rotates continuously. Clairvoyants perceive Chakras as colourful wheels or flowers with a hub in the centre. The main Chakras begin at the base of the spine and finish at the top of the head. Though fixed in the central spinal column, they are located on both the front and back of the body and they accomplish their work through it. There are additional Chakras located in the hands, feet, below the feet (Earthstar) and above the crown (Soulstar and Transpersonal through Etheric), but we will be confining our study here to the seven major bodily Chakras located along the central Chakric column. If you have read the information on the Chakra chart presented as a separate resource, you will find this an indepth elaboration of that material. (The name of that resource is "Working the Lights..." and is available both in the Library and in the Gemstones 101 course.)

approximate guide to Chakra locations in the body and colour correspondences Defining the Activity of a Chakra Each Chakra vibrates or rotates at a different speed. The Root or first Chakra rotates at the slowest speed, while the Crown or seventh Chakra rotates at the highest speed. Each Chakra is stimulated by its own colour and a complimentary colour, and a range of gemstones for specific uses. The Chakra colours encompass all the colours of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, with white and black to anchor them at either end of the spectrum. The size and brightness of the wheels vary with individual development, physical condition, energy levels, presence or absence of disease, and levels of stress. If the Chakras aren't balanced, or if the energies are blocked, the basic life force will be slowed down. The individual will feel listless, tired, out of sorts or even depressed. Not only will physical bodily functions be affected and slowed, but dis-ease may also manifest. The thought processes and the mental activity may also be adversely affected. A negative attitude, fears, doubts, low self-esteem, and the like may pre-occupy the individual. A constant balance between the Chakras promotes health and a sense of well-being. If the Chakras are out of balance, strange symptoms may occur. For example, if a Chakra is open too wide, the energy of other individuals floods into one's light body and may cause conflict. Specifically, if the Solar Plexus is too vulnerable, we experience an

overwhelmed feeling because everyone else's thoughts, opinions and feelings are able to flow right in and overpower our own personal will. On the other hand, if Chakras are closed down too tightly, this prohibits the universal energy from flowing through properly, which interrupts spiritual growth and development and which may also lead to dis-ease. Most of us react to unpleasant experiences by blocking our feelings and stopping a great deal of our natural energy flow, shutting down or withdrawing until the unpleasantness subsides. This is not terribly problematic, unless we fail to open up again and rectify the flow. If the flow subsides for very long, it will affect maturation and development of the Chakras. Whenever a person blocks an experience, this in turn blocks the Chakras which may in time become disfigured or out of alignment. When the Chakras are functioning normally, each will be open to the proper degree, spinning clockwise to metabolize particular energies needed from the universal energy field. Now on a more practical note, very few of us have all the Chakras open and functioning optimally each and every day. If you were able to maintain such a state, you would be an ascended Master! However, we all have some Chakras which are stronger and tend to function well quite often, and some which are weaker which we can work to develop and strengthen. As already mentioned, any imbalances that exist within the chakric column may have more or less profound effects upon either the physical or emotional body. In order to keep ourselves healthy and balanced, we can use our quartz crystals and other gemstones to re-balance, open, or align the Chakric centres. Once the Chakras have been properly re-balanced, then our bodies will return to normal levels of health. One reason why crystals, gems and stones are such wonderful and powerful healing tools is because of what science calls the piezoelectric effect. (You can see this effect at work in modern quartz watches.) Crystals and gemstones respond to the electricity that is coursing through one's body, and if the energy is sluggish, the constant electrical vibrations of the stones will help to harmonize, balance, and stimulate these energies. THE SEVEN MAJOR CHAKRAS FIRST CHAKRA -- ROOT Studying the individual Chakras begins with the Root Chakra, called Muladhara in Sanskrit. The Root or Base Chakra is located at the base of the spinal column in the back and on the pubic bone in the front. This center holds the basic needs for survival, security and safety. The Root Chakra is powerfully related to our contact with the Earth Mother, providing us with the ability to be grounded into the Earth plane. This is also the center of manifestation. When you are trying to make things hapen in the material world, experiences gains in business or material possessions, the energy to succeed must come from the Root Chakra. If this Chakra is blocked, an individual may feel fearful, anxious, insecure and frustrated. Blockages will also manifest in spiritual pursuits, as the Kundalini force cannot rise without the opening and alignment of this Chakra.

Physical problems like obesity, anorexia nervosa, body image issues, and knee troubles can occur. Root Chakra body parts include: the hips, legs, lower back and male sexual organs. The colours for this Chakra are red, brown and primarily, black. Some of the Gemstones are: Onyx, Jet, Smoky Quartz, Obsidian, Almandine Garnet, Black Tourmaline and Red Jasper. NOTE: A man's sexual organs are located primarily along the Root Chakra, so male sexual energy is usually experienced primarily as physical. A woman's sexual organs are located primarily along her second or Sacral Chakra, so female sexual energy is usually experienced primarily as emotional. Both Chakras are associated with sexual energy. SECOND CHAKRA -- SACRAL The second Chakra is often referred to as the sexual or 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. (Think 'creation, recreation, procreation!') This chakra is about friendliness, creativity and emotions. It governs one's sense of selfworth, confidence in one's own creativity, and the ability to relate to others in an open and friendly way. It is influenced by how emotions were expressed or repressed in the birth family during childhood. Proper balance in this Chakra means the ability to flow with emotions freely and to feel comfortable enough to reach out to others. It also allows one to express one's Self sexually, to embrace one's sexuality or sexual orientation without guilt or shame. If this Chakra is out of alignment or too inflamed, a person may feel emotionally explosive, manipulative, obsessed with thoughts of sex. If the Chakra is blocked, one may feel apathetic about work or hobbies, experience a loss of sex drive, or have feelings of futility. One may also lack physical energy. Physical problems may include: kidney weakness, stiff lower back, constipation, and muscle spasms. This Chakra's body parts include: kidneys, bladder and large intestine, and women's sexual organs. The main colour associated with this Chakra is red and to a lesser extent, orange. Some interesting stones which work on this Chakra are coloured golden brown to brown with red inclusions. Some of the Gemstones which work well for this Chakra are: Carnelian, Red Jasper, Orange Calcite, Amber and Tiger's Eye. If you want a real boost here, try a Shiva Lingham. THIRD CHAKRA -- SOLAR PLEXUS The third Chakra is referred to as the Solar Plexus. It is located about two and a half inches (6.5 - 7 cm) below the breastbone in the centre behind the stomach. The Solar Plexus is the centre of personal power, one's will, the place of ego, of desires, impulses and strength. It is also the energy vortex for astral travel and astral influences, receptivity to spirit guides and for psychic development. It is connected strongly to the Crown Chakra. When the Solar Plexus is out of balance, you know it because you feel more confused or jittery, you lack confidence and may become overly concerned with what others think or are saying about you. You may feel that other people are controlling too much of your life and you may become depressed. When the Chakra is too inflamed, you

may become overbearing, willful and stubborn, egotistical, demanding and domineering. When it is re-balanced and working properly, you may feel cheerful, outgoing, have selfrespect, find it easy to be expressive, enjoy taking on new challenges, and have a strong sense of personal power. Physical problems due to Solar Plexus imbalance include: digestive difficulties, liver problems, diabetes, nervous exhaustion, and food allergies. The body parts associated with this Chakra are: the stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, and small intestine. The main colour for this Chakra is yellow. Some of the Gemstones associated with the Solar Plexus are: Citrine, Amber, Topaz, and Golden, Yellow, or Honey Calcite. FOURTH CHAKRA --HEART The fourth Chakra is referred to as the Heart Chakra. It is located behind the breastbone in the center in front and on the spine between the shoulder blades in back. This is the centre for love, compassion, and spirituality. This centre directs one's ability to love themselves and others, to give and receive love. This is also the Chakra connecting body and mind with spirit. Many people today are plagued by a hard, hurt, or broken heart, and it is no accident that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the USA today, possibly the number one killer in the world. Deep heart wounds can result in aura obstructions called heart scars. When these scars are released they allow a lot of old pain to surface, but this can ultimately free the heart for healing and new growth. When this Chakra is out of balance, you may feel sorry for yourself, paranoid, indecisive, afraid of letting go, afraid of getting hurt, unworthy of love, and desire to hide away or pull away from the world. When the Heart Chakra is too open or too stimulated, it allows us to feel too much of everyone else's pain and thus to suffer vicariously when the "hurt" we are "feeling" is not even our own. When the Heart Chakra is blocked, we may suffer a loss of self-esteem, feel a deep longing to escape the harshness of life by plunging ourselves into fantasy, or we may become delusional. It may in some cases lead to angry depression, feelings that everyone is conspiring against us, and we either become pessimistic and cynical or fall prey to despondency and hopelessness. A serious blockage can lead to suicidal tendencies. However, when this Chakra is open and functioning properly, we feel compassion for the problems and weaknesses of others, friendly, empathetic, have a desire to nurture and encourage, and we are able to find some good in everyone we meet. There is a sense of hope and optimism. Physical illnesses connected to an out-of-balance Heart Chakra include: heart attack, high blood pressure, insomnia, muscle tension, tension headaches, and respiratory difficulties. The main body parts associated with the Heart Chakra are: the heart, the lungs, the circulatory system, the shoulders and upper back. The main colours used on the Heart Chakra are pink and green (particularly on the High Heart Chakra area.) Some of the Gemstones used on the Heart Chakra include: Rose Quartz, Morganite, Kunzite, and Pink Tourmaline. For the area above the Heart and below the collarbone known as the High Heart Chakra, try: Infinite (a form of Serpentine), Green Aventurine, Moss Agate, Jade, Green

Tourmaline or Chrysoprase. A super stone for the High Heart is Watermelon Tourmaline, combining the colours pink and green synergistically so that the energies of each colour are amplified and balanced. FIFTH CHAKRA -- THROAT The fifth Chakra is the Throat Chakra. It is located in the "V"shaped area of the collarbone at the central part of the throat which we associate with the 'voice box' and in back, it is located at the top of the spinal column. It is the centre of communication, sound, and the expression of creativity via thought, visual symbols, gestures, imagery, speech and writing. The possiblity for change, transformation and healing are located here. The Throat Chakra is also where old feelings of anger are stored and may finally be released. When the Throat Chakra is out of balance or alignment, you may hold back your expression of Self. You may avoid people, feel timid, be reluctant to share ideas, feel weak or vulnerable in groups, especially group discussions. You may have trouble formulating ideas, and expressing your meanings accurately. Please note: More metaphysical workers have trouble with the Throat Chakra than any other Chakra point. When this Chakra is working properly, you feel balanced, centred, musically or artistically inclined or inspired, and you may feel confident in your ability to speak well. You will likely feel more confident in your ability to speak your mind. Telling the truth will be easier, too. Physical illnesses of the Throat Chakra include: skin irritations, hyperthyroid problems, ear infections, sore throat, tonsilitis, inflammations such as swollen glands, and back pain. The body parts connected with the Throat Chakra are: the throat, neck, ears, teeth, and the thyroid gland. The main colour is Light Blue, not dark or indigo. Some of the Gemstones associated with the Throat Chakra are: Aquamarine, Turquoise, Blue Chalcedony, Blue Lace Agate, Celestite and Blue Calcite. ***Note well: This is the smallest group of stones on the planet. There are fewer Throat Chakra stones available than any other type of stones.*** SIXTH CHAKRA -- THIRD EYE The sixth Chakra is called the Brow or Third Eye Chakra. I prefer the term Third Eye because it clarifies what the Chakra's work is all about. It opens you to your psychic ability, higher intuition, and the energies of spirit and light. It is located above your physical eyes in the center of the forehead, approximately between the eyebrows, hence the alternate name 'Brow Chakra'. It assists in the purification of negative tendencies and in the elimination of selfish attitudes. Through the power of the Third Eye Chakra, you can receive guidance, channel and tune in to your Higher Self. When this Chakra is out of alignment, you may feel non-assertive, passive, afraid of success or responsibility, or you may go the other way and become self-aggrandizing, ego-tripping, overasserting yourself, like someone who is 'on top and afraid of losing the position'. You may feel weak, uncertain, indecisive or easily intimidated. This is commonly the Chakra out of balance in a group when a lot of people seem to be jockeying for position, trying to see who will win out and be "top dog" or "king of the hill." When this Chakra is functioning

properly, you find yourself not very attached to material things, feeling like you are your own master, not distracted by things that are off to the side and trivial, like there is nothing to fear. You may have no fear of death. You may also be able to experience astral travel, telepathy, lucid dreams and have past life recall. The Third Eye Chakra is where you feel at peace with yourself. Physical symptoms of Third Eye blockages include: headaches, blurred vision, dyslexia, nightmares, blindness, enlarged lymph nodes, eyestrain, and insomnia related to nervousness. Third Eye Chakra body parts include: eyes, face, the brain, the lymphatic and endocrine systems. The main colours are: Dark/Indigo Blue and Purple. Some of the Gemstones associated with this Chakra are: Azurite, Sodalite, Charoite, Sugilite, Blue Kyanite, Astrophyllite, Lapis lazuli and Amethyst. SEVENTH CHAKRA -- CROWN The seventh Chakra is called the Crown Chakra. It is located at the top of the skull. It is the centre of wisdom, spirituality, enlightenment, dynamic thought and energy. It allows for the inward flow of wisdom and brings the gift of consciousness of a larger Cosmos. This is also the energy vortex which allows us to feel a connectedness to God/dess Self, the place where life animates the physical body. The silver cord that connects the auric bodies extends through the Crown Chakra. The soul comes into the body through the Crown at birth and leaves through the Crown Chakra at death. When this Chakra is out of balance, there may be a sense of constant frustration, no spark of joy and destructive feelings. Blockages here interrupt the ability to have lucid dreams and to take shamanic journeys, as they keep one from being able to access the source of meanings, thus blocking interpretation of messages from the Spirit Guides. Someone who feels that they "aren't psychic" might be experiencing a long term blockage or disruption in the Crown Chakra. When this Chakra has balanced energy, one possesses the ability to open up to the Divine and gain total access to the unconscious and subconscious realms. One will likely feel "very psychic" and find trance states and astral travel quite easy to accomplish. Physical illnesses due to blockages at the Crown include: migraine headaches, depression and other psychiatric ailments caused by spirit affliction. This is a spiritual Chakric point and doesn't govern the body so much as the spirit-body connection. It is more apt to affect the Soulstar Chakras above it which allow for free flow of Divine guidance. The main colours for the Crown Chakra are: purple and white. Some of the best Gemstones for working with this Chakra are: Clear Quartz crystals, Amethyst, Sugilite, Oregon Opal, White/Colourless Topaz, Phenacite, Petalite, Moonstone and Selenite.