Sacral Chakra
Each chakra corresponds to various aspects of our physical, mental, and spiritual health, playing a crucial role in maintaining our overall well-being.
This article will examine the seven chakras, what they symbolize, where they are on the body, and other chakral effects. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What is a Chakras Chart?
The word ‘Chakra’ comes from the Sanskrit dictionary and means ‘wheel.’ These main energy points, seven in particular, exist along our spine, from the tailbone right up to the top of our head.
They are known to be the energy centers of the body. Different chakras radiate different chakra colors and energies, and it is also believed that a blocked chakra can lead to physical/emotional turmoil.
Each of the seven chakras comes with its own goodie bag filled with a unique symbol (usually a pretty lotus flower with a varying number of petals), an associated color, and even a gemstone.
This chart is what houses all these elements together and helps us get an overview of each chakra.
This concept was first penned down in the Vedas, a set of ancient Indian scriptures, sometime between 1500-500 B.C.
Are Chakras Real?
Albert Einstein said, “Everything is energy, and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want, and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.” So, maybe we can think of chakras as simply another form of energy.
Now, these energy wheels are not something you can see with the naked eye, like a tattoo or birthmark. They are believed to be part of our astral body, a supposed energy form that lives inside our physical body.
The proof of their existence might not be highly tangible, but if you’ve ever experienced a headache brought on by stress or an aching heart due to emotional turmoil, you might know how our mental energy can have physical repercussions.
Different Chakras in the Body
There is an infinite number of chakras in the human body, but these seven primary chakras are the most important:
- Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra
- Svadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra
- Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra
- Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra
- Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra
- Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra
- Sahastrara Chakra – Crown Chakra
Size and Shape of a Chakra
When it comes to the shape of chakras, we often get mixed beliefs from different people. Some suggest that they resemble spinning discs, while others believe they look like flowers blooming along our spine. And yes, there are even people out there who link them to ice cream cones!
The shape and appearance of chakras remain the subjects of speculation primarily because they aren’t visible to the naked eye or detectable by any known devices. As a result, most of us end up embracing the commonly circulated ideas about their shape.
Ancient texts, however, provide a slightly different perspective. They describe chakras as spherical or ball-like entities. Some theories suggest that our planet, Earth, functions as a significant chakra within our solar system and as a minor one within our galaxy, the Milky Way.
The planet’s rotation is said to distribute energy, a concept that is as fascinating as it is beyond our current understanding. As for the size of the chakras, opinions also vary significantly. While some argue that each chakra spans a radius of one foot, others claim that their size fluctuates depending on the energy flow.
According to scriptures, chakras are actually tiny entities nested within our astral spinal cord, which is, in turn, housed within our physical spinal cord.
The 7 Chakras: Meaning, Effects, and Symbols
Given below is a detailed overview of each chakra, its symbol, meaning, and the mantras you can use to restore them.
Muladhara Chakra – Root Chakra
- Symbol: 4-petalled lotus flower, a square, and a downward-facing triangle.
- Color: Red
- Location: Base of the spine, between the anus and the genitals.
- Crystals/Stones: Red aventurine, red jasper, onyx, black tourmaline.
- Essential Oils/Herbs: Allspice, cayenne, cedarwood, clove, dandelion, nutmeg, rosemary.
- Mantra: I am
The Root Chakra, known as Muladhara in Sanskrit, is the first of the seven chakras. It is located at the base of the spine and is associated with feelings of safety, grounding, and physical identity. When the Root Chakra is balanced, one feels secure, connected, and comfortable in their own skin, embodying a sense of stability and confidence.
As the foundation of the chakra system, the Root Chakra’s significance is deeply connected to our basic survival needs. When blocked or unbalanced, it may result in feelings of fear, anxiety, or insecurity. The balance of the Root Chakra lays the groundwork for opening and balancing the rest of the chakras.
Svadhishthana Chakra – Sacral Chakra
- Symbol: Multiple circles, a crescent moon, and six lotus flower petals.
- Color: Orange
- Location: Lower abdomen, about four fingers below the navel.
- Crystals/Stones: Orange carnelian, orange calcite, peach moonstone, sunstone, Goldstone.
- Essential Oils/Herbs: Blood orange, cinnamon cassia, fennel, ginger, vanilla, ylang-ylang.
- Mantra: I feel
Located below the navel, this chakra governs creativity, pleasure, sensuality, and emotional well-being. This chakra is all about connection and embracing the joys of life, acting as a conduit for personal expansion and growth.
Balancing this chakra helps you understand one’s emotions and desires. An unbalanced Sacral Chakra may lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or frustration.
Manipura Chakra – Solar Plexus Chakra
- Symbol: A downward-pointing triangle within a ten-petalled lotus flower.
- Color: Yellow
- Location: Between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage.
- Crystals/Stones: Citrine, amber, golden calcite, pyrite, tiger’s eye, yellow aventurine.
- Essential Oils/Herbs: Anise, cinnamon, cumin, grapefruit, juniper, lemon, lily of the valley, mint, neroli, tea tree, turmeric.
- Mantra: I do
Manipura, or the Solar Plexus Chakra, is the third chakra. Located in the stomach area, it is linked to self-esteem, personal power, and willpower. When balanced, it fosters confidence, proactivity, and a sense of personal authority.
The significance of the Solar Plexus Chakra lies in its ability to fuel personal growth and transformation by harnessing one’s personal power and turning intentions into action.
Anahata Chakra – Heart Chakra
- Symbol: Two triangles intersect to form a yantra, surrounded by a 12-petalled lotus flower.
- Color: Green
- Location: Heart region.
- Crystals/Stones: Pink tourmaline, rose quartz, ruby, rhodochrosite.
- Essential Oils/Herbs: Bergamot, cacao, cardamom, cilantro, jasmine, lavender, rose, thyme.
- Mantra: I love
The Heart Chakra, or Anahata, is situated at the center of the chest. It governs love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional equilibrium. It acts as a bridge between the physical and spiritual aspects of life.
The balance of the Heart Chakra allows one to navigate their emotional landscape with understanding and compassion, fostering a sense of inner peace and connectedness. If unbalanced, it can lead to emotional instability, difficulty in relationships, and lack of self-love.
Vishuddha Chakra – Throat Chakra
- Symbol: 16-petalled lotus flower surrounding an inverted triangle with a circle within.
- Color: Blue
- Location: Base of the throat.
- Crystals/Stones: Aquamarine, turquoise, amazonite, angelite.
- Essential Oils/Herbs: Elderberry, eucalyptus, geranium, lemongrass, sage, bay laurel.
- Mantra: I speak
Located in the throat, this chakra is linked to communication, expression, and truth. When balanced, it encourages open and authentic communication, promoting a strong sense of personal integrity and confidence in the expression of the self.
The Throat Chakra’s significance lies in encouraging the expression of our inner truth and fostering open communication.
Ajna Chakra – Third Eye Chakra
- Symbol: An inverted triangle resting in a circle between two lotus petals.
- Color: Indigo
- Location: Between the eyebrows.
- Crystals/Stones: Lapis Lazuli, azurite, blue aventurine, labradorite, tanzanite.
- Essential Oils/Herbs: Cypress, juniper, mugwort, mandrake root, blue lotus.
- Mantra: I see
The Ajna chakra is associated with intuition, wisdom, and the ability to see the bigger picture. When balanced, it nurtures wisdom, intuition, and a strong sense of spiritual insight. It allows for clear thought, spiritual contemplation, and self-reflection.
Sahasrara Chakra – Crown Chakra
- Symbol: A thousand-petalled lotus surrounding an inverted triangle.
- Color: Violet White
- Location: Crown of the head.
- Crystals/Stones: Amethyst, purple fluorite, selenite, charoite.
- Essential Oils/Herbs: Lavender, palo santo, pink lotus, St. John’s Wort, frangipani.
- Mantra: I understand and am connected
The final chakra on our list, this one is associated with spiritual connection, enlightenment, and unity. When balanced, it fosters a deep sense of connection with the universe and promotes feelings of serenity, joy, and deep spiritual understanding.
The significance of the Crown Chakra lies in its connection to the divine and the cosmos. It is the gateway to higher states of consciousness and is essential in achieving spiritual enlightenment.
Understanding Chakra Imbalance & What Causes It
Chakras are our body’s energy centers that help regulate all its processes. These centers of spiritual power in the human body are connected to physical, mental, and emotional health. An imbalance in any one of these chakras can affect our well-being.
Chakra imbalances can be caused by various factors. Lifestyle habits, such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, or consuming alcohol and drugs can cause these imbalances.
Emotional upheavals, stress, and trauma can also lead to chakra imbalances. Even environmental factors such as exposure to a stressful or toxic environment can cause our chakras to go off balance.
It’s important to note that astrology also plays a role. For example, retrograde planets or adverse astrological transits can influence the energy flow in our chakras.
Symptoms of Chakra Imbalance
Symptoms of chakra imbalance can manifest in various ways depending on which chakra is affected:
- Root Chakra: Imbalance can lead to feelings of insecurity, anxiety, or fear. Physical symptoms may include lower back pain or digestive problems.
- Sacral Chakra: You might experience a lack of creativity and sexual drive or feelings of jealousy and guilt. Physically, it can lead to reproductive issues or lower back pain.
- Solar Plexus Chakra: Imbalance might result in a lack of confidence and difficulty making decisions. Physically, it may manifest as digestive problems.
- Heart Chakra: An imbalance can lead to feelings of despair, jealousy, or being unloved. Symptoms may include heart or lung issues.
- Throat Chakra: You might struggle with self-expression, communication, and truth-telling. It can manifest as throat infections or voice problems.
- Third Eye Chakra: An imbalance can lead to feeling disconnected from spiritual experiences or having difficulty focusing. Headaches or vision problems are some common symptoms.
- Crown Chakra: Imbalance might result in feeling disconnected from your spiritual self, leading to an existential crisis. Physical symptoms are rare but can manifest as light sensitivity or neurological issues.
How To Balance Your Chakras: Full Guide
Balancing the chakras is essential for optimal mental, physical, and spiritual health. It’s a process that requires time, awareness, and patience. Here are some practical ways to achieve chakra balance:
Meditation and Visualization
Chakra meditation and visualization are potent tools for balancing these points of energy. Each chakra corresponds to a specific color, and visualization of these colors can help to bring the energy centers into balance. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably, keeping your spine straight.
- Start by focusing on your breathing, noticing the rise and fall of your belly with each breath.
- Visualize a red glowing ball at the base of your spine. This represents the root chakra. Imagine this light getting brighter with each breath, dissolving any blockages.
- Move upwards to the next chakra, visualizing its corresponding color (orange for sacral, yellow for solar plexus, etc.), and repeat the process for all seven chakras.
Yoga and Physical Exercise
Yoga poses are designed to stimulate and balance the chakras. Here are a few examples:
- Root Chakra: Poses that ground you to the earth, like Tadasana (Mountain Pose) or Savasana (Corpse Pose), are beneficial.
- Sacral Chakra: Hip-opening postures like Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) can help.
- Solar Plexus Chakra: Engage your core with poses like Navasana (Boat Pose).
- Heart Chakra: Backbends like Ustrasana (Camel Pose) can open your heart.
- Throat Chakra: Neck and throat exercises like Simhasana (Lion Pose) are great.
- Third Eye Chakra: Focus-intensive poses like Balasana (Child’s Pose) are beneficial.
- Crown Chakra: Inverted poses like Shirshasana (Headstand) can stimulate the crown chakra.
Remember to maintain proper form and not push beyond your comfort level. All physical exercise, not just yoga, can also help balance your chakras by promoting energy flow.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy involves using specific frequencies to balance the chakras. Each chakra responds to a unique frequency, often produced by instruments such as singing bowls or tuning forks. Even vocal toning at specific pitches can help. Many online resources offer sound therapy tracks targeted at each chakra.
Diet and Nutrition
What you consume can influence your chakra health. Foods of specific colors corresponding to each chakra can help balance them:
- Root Chakra: Red foods like tomatoes, strawberries, and beets.
- Sacral Chakra: Orange foods like carrots, oranges, and mangoes.
- Solar Plexus Chakra: Yellow foods like bananas, corn, and lemons.
- Heart Chakra: Green foods like spinach, kale, and broccoli.
- Throat Chakra: Blue foods like blueberries and blackberries.
- Third Eye Chakra: Indigo foods like purple grapes and plums.
- Crown Chakra: White or light foods like garlic, onions, and coconut.
Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can help stimulate and balance the chakras. For example, patchouli or cedarwood can ground the root chakra, while lavender or frankincense can open the crown chakra. You can use these oils in a diffuser or apply them topically in a diluted form.
Crystal Healing
Crystals have unique vibrational frequencies that can interact with the energy of each chakra. For starters, red jasper can be used for the root chakra, while amethyst can be used for the crown chakra. You can carry these chakra stones, place them on the corresponding chakra during meditation, or use them as jewelry.
Positive Affirmations
Chakra affirmations are positive statements that can help override negative thoughts or beliefs that might be causing chakra imbalances. For instance, affirming “I am secure” can help balance the root chakra, while “I express myself freely” can balance the throat chakra.
Remember, the process of balancing your chakras is a journey of self-discovery and healing. It’s important to approach it with patience and an open mind. You may find that some methods work better for you than others.
Summing Up
The seven chakras: invisible, intangible, but indisputably influential. You don’t have to see them to believe them, just like you don’t have to see the Wi-Fi to enjoy endless hours of cat videos on YouTube.
These chakras offer an excellent framework for understanding our physical, mental, and spiritual self. As the seven chakras are integral to our well-being, learning about them, recognizing their imbalances, and incorporating practices to balance them are essential for holistic health.
And remember, while you might not be able to see these energy centers, you can always imagine them as your own internal disco party – a whirl of radiant colors and spinning energy, illuminating your very essence. Now go on and let that chakra magic shine!