The Seven Chakras
What are Chakras? What do they represent and how do they impact our minds, bodies, and lives?
We are all familiar with our physical bodies and their functions, but often not that much with our subtle energy systems. The seven chakras are energy centers and a part of the subtle body, or the energetic body. The term subtle bodies describes the various layers of vibrating energy that make up a human being beyond the obvious physical layer. Each chakra is representing a piece of our energetic being and is connected to a different aspect of ourselves. Hence each one has an effect on different parts of our well-being.
Think of Chakras as wheels of energy that are simultaneously spinning and creating life force. This energy and life force runs from the base of our body all the way to the crown of our body and beyond.
When all chakras are balanced and spinning smoothly, we experience a sense of wholeness in all aspects, mentally, physically and emotionally - mind, body, soul. Everything in life flows.
The physical body is dependent upon this vital energy flow to maintain optimum wellbeing. When our chakras are misaligned and not working together in harmony, our physical, mental and emotional health gets out of balance, too. Chakras may become blocked, under-active or over-active for various reasons (emotionally upset, illness, karmic issues). Each chakra correlates to specific parts of the body and has its own unique purpose.
As the root of each dis-ease is dis-harmony of energy (energy we absorb physically through food -> life force, and the energy we absorb mentally and through emotions) aligning our energy centers in our body is VITAL.
Chakra Balancing is a form of energy healing. We're treating our energetic body by focussing on channeling energy into our seven chakras. Crystals that vibrate at the optimal frequency for each chakra can help align and balance them.
Below you can find more information about each chakra and its energy focus, including crystals that harmonize with each of the chakras.
1st Chakra - Root (Muladhara)
BASIC TRUST
The Root Chakra represents our foundation and connection to the physical world and our sense of belonging. It relates to grounding, focus and feeling safe in our body.
Located at the base of the spine
Colors: Black, red
Energy Focus: Stability, grounding, will, security,
physical energyPhysical: Spine, bladder, blood, male reproductive organs, legs, feet
Aligned Root Chakra: We feel grounded, secure, and safe. We feel confident in our ability to withstand challenges and stand on our own two feet. Our lives flow gracefully with a calm and steady energy.
Blocked Root Chakra: We feel threatened, as if we’re standing on unstable ground.
Balanced Root Chakra: Independent, trusting, grounded, full of life
Imbalanced Root Chakra:
Over-active: Domineering, greedy, violent, bossy, egocentric
Under-active: Fearful, frustrated, shy, unsure, lacking vitality
Crystals: Black Tourmaline, Onyx, Obsidian, Hematite, Shungite, Smoky Quartz, Tiger’s Eye, Red Jasper
Affirmation: I am safe, I am centered, I belong, I am grounded. I am always safe at the center of my being.
2nd Chakra - Sacral (Swadhisthana)
CREATIVITY/SEXUALITY
The Sacral Chakra represents our creative and sexual energy within the body. It’s related to emotions and connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement.
Located below the navel
Color: Orange
Energy Focus: Creativity, healing, sexuality & reproduction, desire, emotion, intuition
Physical: Kidneys, bladder, skin, lymphatic system, adrenals, female reproductive organs
Aligned Sacral Chakra: We experience life as a fluid flow, filled with abundance, creativity, movement and pleasure. We’re connecting with others through our feelings. We experience healthy and fulfilling relationships. Life is filled with abundance, creativity, movement and pleasure.
Blocked Sacral Chakra: We feel a lack of control in our lives. Emotional instability, inability to express emotion or desire, lack of creative energy, fear of change.
Balanced Sacral Chakra: Friendly, passionate, playful,
in touch with emotions, empowered to take creative risksImbalanced Sacral Chakra:
Over-active: Power hungry, manipulative
Under-active: Shy, guilty, lost, afraid of what others think
Crystals: Carnelian, Orange Aventurine, Sunstone, Red Jasper, Amber, Tiger’s Eye, Orange Calcite, Citrine
Affirmation: I am comfortable in my body, I express my creativity freely, I deserve and attract healthy relationships. I flow with the rhythms of life.
3rd Chakra - Solar Plexus (Manipura)
WISDOM POWER
The Solar Plexus Chakra represents self and source of our personal power. It’s related to growth, fears and anxiety. It governs our self-esteem and is all about honoring ourselves, listening to our intuition which becomes our natural source of guidance.
Located at Solar Plexus
Color: Yellow
Energy Focus: Confidence, intellect, ambition, personal power, protection
Physical: Digestive system, liver, pancreas, central nervous system, metabolic system
Aligned Solar Plexus Chakra: Feeling self-respect, positive self-value and self-compassion, having the will power to make positive choices that enhance our life. We experience healthy personal boundaries and balanced personal power. Sense of purpose and self-motivation are present in our life.
Blocked Solar Plexus Chakra: Feeling constant fear of rejection, digestive problems, sensitivity to criticism, inability to stand up for what we believe in. Difficulty making decisions.
Balanced Solar Plexus Chakra: Confident, outgoing, calm, problem solver, respect of self and others
Imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra:
Over-active: Critical, judgemental, stubborn, aggressive, angry
Under-active: Procrastinating, low self esteem, apathetic, uncertain
Crystals: Citrine, Amber, Tiger’s Eye, Pyrite, Ametrine, Yellow Tourmaline, Yellow Jasper, Rutilated Quartz
Affirmation: I am confident, I am powerful and kind, I make my own choices. I stand in my personal power.
4th Chakra - HEART (Anahata)
LOVE HEALING
The Heart Chakra governs love, our emotional development, self-love and acceptance, balance, peace, connection and compassion.
Located in the center of the chest
Color: Green
Energy Focus: Love, compassion, universal consciousness, emotional balance
Physical: Heart, immune system, lungs, breasts, arms, hands, thymus gland
Aligned Heart Chakra: We’re able to love without conditions. We feel deep compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and acceptance of others and ourself. We feel surrounded by love and connected to the world around us.
Blocked Heart Chakra: We experience feelings of unworthiness, show manipulative behaviors & co-dependency. We feel lonely and isolated from other through fear of being hurt. We lack trust in self or the Universe. Difficulties fully opening up to people in our life. Poor circulation (high/low blood pressure).
Balanced Heart Chakra: Loving, empathetic, compassionate
Imbalanced Heart Chakra:
Over-active: Jealous, entitled, giving too much
Under-active: Self pity, needy, uncertain, fear of rejection, clingy
Crystals: Rose Quartz, Amazonite, Fuchsite, Rhodonite, Emerald, Aquamarine, Lepidolite, Pink Tourmaline, Green Aventurine, Malachite, Jade
Affirmation: I love myself unconditionally, I love myself and allow others to love me, I feel connected to others. I open my heart to fully living.
5th Chakra - THROAT (Vishuddha)
COMMUNICATION
The Throat Chakra represents communication and self-expression of our ideas, needs, creativity and emotions. It stands for our ability to speak our truth and be in tune with inner and outer intentions.
Located in the base of the throat
Colors: Blue, Turquoise
Energy Focus: Communication center, expression, divine guidance
Physical: Respiratory system, thyroid gland, teeth, trachea, vocal chords
Aligned Throat Chakra: We speak, listen and express ourself through a higher form of communication and authenticity.
Blocked Throat Chakra: We’re not able to say what we’re thinking or feeling. We might experiencing difficulties knowing or expressing our truth. Inability to ask for what we need, want or desire. Suppressed emotions. Can result in a sore throat, thyroid problems, and neck/shoulder pain.
Balanced Throat Chakra: We feel articulate, honest, truthful yet firm.
Imbalanced Throat Chakra:
Over-active: Speak excessively, criticizes, stubborn
Under-active: Can’t express self, timid, dependent, afraid of public speaking
Crystals: Sodalite, Blue Kyanite, Chrysocolla, Turquoise, Amazonite, Aquamarine, Angelite, Blue Calcite, Blue Chalcedony
Affirmation: I follow and speak my truth. I express myself freely, I am honest in my communications.
6th Chakra - THIRD EYE (Ajna)
AWARENESS
The Third Eye Chakra represents insight, inspiration and intuition. It rules the unconscious and transcends time, allowing us to see our inner and outer world. The eye of the soul registers information beyond the surface level.
Located between the Eyebrows
Color: Indigo
Energy Focus: Spiritual awareness, psychic power, intuition, light, inner vision, psychic sight
Physical: Pineal gland, eyes, sinuses, bones
Aligned Third Eye Chakra: We trust our intuition to face life challenges and decisions. We feel focussed and determined but also open to receiving advice from others. The ego dissolves into the background and we begin to uncover what our true value is in life. We gain access to the bigger picture of our lives. When the Third Eye Chakra is balanced, visions and intuitive hits and not uncommon.
Blocked Third Eye Chakra: We feel moody and stubborn. Lacking faith in self and the universe. Difficulty with intuition or inner knowing. Unable to focus thoughts, stuck in small details of life. We can be cynical, too rational, untrusting and possibly have problems with vision, headaches, migraines or sinuses.
Balanced Third Eye Chakra: Knowing one’s purpose, intuitive, charismatic, meditating easily
Imbalanced Third Eye Chakra:
Over-active: Worries, seeming to be lost or spaced out
Under-active: Easily influenced, doubting oneself, narrow minded, lost one’s purpose
Crystals: Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Amethyst, Azurite, Ametrine, Blue Apatite, Tanzanite
Affirmation: I allow myself to truly see my inner and outer world, I trust myself, I am connected to the Universe. I follow the path of truth and intuition. I am open to exploring what cannot be seen.
7th Chakra - CROWN (Sahasrara)
SPIRITUALITY
The Crown Chakra is our connection to the divine. It’s our doorway to pure consciousness and our higher self.
represents wisdom, consciousness and bliss.
Located above the crown of the head
Colors: Violet, White
Energy Focus: Knowledge, understanding, higher consciousness, enlightenment,
Physical: Pineal gland, brain, central nervous system, cerebral cortex, pituitary gland
Aligned Crown Chakra: We have an unshakable trust in our inner guidance. We feel blissful and have a healthy central nervous system.
A source of enlightenment, spiritual connection, and connection to our higher self is present.Blocked Crown Chakra: We’re unable to see beyond this third dimensional existence. We mistake happiness as an exterior trait when in truth, it’s created from within. No spiritual awareness.
Feeling prejudice and self doubt.
Balanced Crown Chakra: Compassionate, joyful, wise, connected yet aware of self
Imbalanced Crown Chakra:
Over-active: Craving attention, needing popularity, addicted to spirituality, hyper sensitive to the divine aspect of Self, struggling to function in normal day-to-day activities
Under-active: Not being able to find joy or fun, unaware/denying spiritual connection, misunderstood
Crystals: Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Selenite, Ametrine, Serpentine, Howlite
Affirmation: I allow myself to operate through my Higher Self, I let go of my ego. I trust the guidance from the divine energy. I am at peace. There is only divine oneness.