You may have heard about chakras – perhaps in a TV show, at yoga class, or while talking to friends – but do you really know what they are and what they do?
In this beginner’s guide to chakras, we will talk you through the seven main chakras that run throughout the body and explain the importance of each, and how you can harness their power and heal them when needed.
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The Root Chakra
The root chakra, also sometimes known as the base chakra, is represented by the colour red (though it can sometimes be represented by black or brown) and is located at the bottom of the spine.
In Sanskrit, it is known as the Muladhara – the root of existence – and it is the first of the seven main chakras of the body.
The root chakra is connected with the earth element and, as our foundation, it keeps us grounded – it is the very starting point of our balance.
It is associated with feelings of stability and security as well as other basic human physical and emotional needs such as our need for food, water, shelter, and to feel loved and accepted.
It is also the origin of our sex drives, our ambitions and desires, and our zest for life.
When the root chakra is balanced, we can feel safe, confident and ready to face up to the challenges life has for us. But, when it is in need of healing, we may feel unbalanced and unconnected, disinterested in sex, our hobbies, or life in general.
Root Chakra Stones and Healing
If your root chakra needs healing, it can be helpful to hold a crystal that is associated with the area (more on that in a moment), and meditate on the problem you are facing while imagining a beautiful red glow around the base of your spine. You can ask for help from your guides to unblock the chakra too.
The best healing crystals for the root chakra tend to be:
- Red Jasper
- Garnet
- Hematite
- Tiger’s Eye
- Black Obsidian
- Carnelian
- Black Tourmaline
- Bloodstone
- Smoky Quartz
Mantras can be very helpful in allowing us to better connect with and unblock our chakras – and they give a great focus point for meditation to stop the mind wandering.
You can create an affirmation that feels right for the issue you’re facing, but here are some root chakra mantras to get you started:
- I am connected and grounded with Mother Earth
- I am safe, secure and provided for
- I am confident
- I own my sexuality
- I can face life’s challenges with strength
- I am strong
- I am protected
- I let go of my fears
The Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra is represented by orange and is situated in the lower abdomen, just below the belly button; it is also known as Svadhisthana in Sanskrit – “where your being is established” – and is the second of the seven main chakras.
Water is the main element for the sacral chakra. This chakra connects us with our creativity, sexuality, passion and joy. When the sacral chakra is unbalanced, a person may feel low, they may experience a lack of control, and may be lacking in self-worth associated with sexuality and pleasure; they may also be lacking in creativity, passion and happiness.
Sacral Chakra Stones and Healing
To help balance your sacral chakra, you can turn to a number of healing crystals. The best healing chakras for the sacral chakra are:
- Tiger’s eye
- Carnelian
- Unakite
- Orange calcite
- Orange selenite
- Sunstone
- Peach aventurine
- Amber
Meditation can help with a blocked sacral chakra too – focus on the area below your belly button and picture a warm orange glow as you imagine your problem disappearing.
Mantras and affirmations can assist with a blocked chakra too. As we mentioned above, you can tailor these depending on your problem, but here are some ideas to help you out:
- I honour my body
- I embrace my sexuality
- I treat myself with love and respect
- I am my own creator
- I can experience joy
- I am free to explore my passions
- I love all versions of myself
- I trust my feelings and can express them
The Solar Plexus
The solar plexus, sometimes known as the celiac plexus, which sits in the upper abdomen, is represented by the colour yellow. In Sanskrit, the solar plexus is know as Manipura, which translates to the city of jewels.
The solar plexus is connected with the fire element and represents our power, our confidence, self-esteem, will-power and discipline. When unbalanced, the solar plexus can cause self-doubt and doubt about those around you, it can result in low self-esteem and unhealthy attachments.
Solar Plexus Stones and Healing
If your solar plexus is blocked, meditate on the issues your facing and imagine a bright, warm yellow or gold light enveloping your upper abdomen. Crystals can also help with problems in this area. The best healing gemstones for the solar plexus are:
- Pyrite
- Yellow calcite
- Tiger’s eye
- Lemon quartz
- Sunstone
- Citrine
- Yellow topaz
- Yellow jasper
- Lemon calcite
Positive affirmations can be helpful in healing the solar plexus. Here are some mantras to try:
- I embrace and honour my power
- I stand in my own power
- I release the need to control
- I release myself from past issues
- I am confident
- I choose the best for myself
- I am full of positivity
- I am beautiful
- I stand in joy and happiness
The Heart Chakra
The heart chakra, represented by green or pink, is the fourth of the seven main chakras in the body. This chakra sits in the central chest area and is known as Anahata – meaning unstruck, unheart and unbeaten – in Sanskrit.
The heart chakra is associated with the air element and represents our compassion and the ability to love, our empathy, peace, trust and forgiveness.
When the heart chakra is blocked and energy isn’t free-flowing, you may have trouble letting go of past hurts and dealing with grief, you may struggle with forgiving others, loving yourself and opening your heart up to love from others.
Heart Chakra Stones and Healing
To help with a blocked heart chakra, there are particular healing crystals you can turn to. The best crystals for the heart chakra tend to be:
- Rose quartz
- Emerald
- Pink tourmaline
- Rhodochrosite
- Green aventurine
- Rhodonite
- Jade
- Amazonite
- Malachite
- Chrysoprase
- Green calcite
- Green tourmaline
- Green moldavite
- Peridot
- Moss agate
As well as healing crystals, meditation can also be helpful to get energy flowing through the heart chakra. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and image a wonderful pink or green light surrounding your heart chakra and removing your worries. You can try repeating mantra during your meditation or you can try these heart chakra affirmations alone:
- I love and accept myself
- I forgive myself and others
- I am worthy of love
- I am a loving and compassionate person
- I have compassion for others
- I have an abundance of love to give
- I am full of joy and happiness
- I am safe to be loved and to give love
The Throat Chakra
The throat chakra, the fifth main chakra in the body, is represented by the colour blue and is situated in the throat area.
In Sanskrit, the throat chakra is known as Vishuddha (“especially pure”); it is connected with the element of space (or Akasha) and acts as our centre of communication, allowing us to speak our truth.
A throat chakra that is out of alignment can lead to problems with communication, and with verbal and creative expression.
Throat Chakra Stones and Healing
Meditate on your problems and focus a healing blue light on the chakra area. You can hold a gemstone during meditation to help.
There are a number of healing crystals that can help to unblock the throat chakra, including:
- Aquamarine
- Sodalite
- Lapis lazuli
- Angelite
- Blue topaz
- Blue lace agate
- Blue kyanite
- Turquoise
- Blue apatite
- Azurite
Positive affirmations that can help the flow of energy through the throat chakra can be tailored to the issue you’re facing. You can use whatever words come to you and trust your intuition. Here are some to help you out:
- I am free to speak my truth
- I can communicate confidently
- I can be honest with myself
- I live in my truth
- I am safe and can express myself and allow others to do the same
- What I have to say is important
- My words are valid
The Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra, the sixth main chakra in the body, is arguably one of the most well-know. Located between the eyes, it’s depicted as a blue / purple shade and is known in Sanskrit as Ajna or Agya (“perceive”).
Associated with the light element, the third eye chakra connects us to the spirit realm and represents our awareness, intuition and perception.
When the third eye is clogged, we may feel we are unable to see things clearly; if we work with spirit, it may feel more difficult to communicate with guides and spirits. A blockage in the third eye chakra can also lead to difficulty concentrating, retaining or processing information.
Third Eye Chakra Stones and Healing
The best crystals for healing the third eye chakra tend to be:
- Sodalite
- Amethyst
- Lapis lazuli
- Labradorite
- Blue tiger’s eye
- Blue kyanite
- Fluorite
- Black obsidian
- Lepidolite
- Clear quartz
- Turquoise
When meditating, picture a magical indigo light in your third eye area to help unblock it. You can also try these affirmations and mantras:
- I see all things clearly
- I have a powerful imagination
- I am connected to my guides
- I have a strong connection to spirit
- I can access my own inner wisdom
- I am connected to my real purpose
- I am present
- I trust my intuition
The Crown Chakra
The crown chakra is the final of the primary chakras and is found at the top of the head – it’s known as Sahasrara in Sanskrit which means “thousand-petalled” and is purple in colour.
The crown chakra is related to the element of thought and connects us to the cosmos and higher states of consciousness. It assists us with our transcendence.
When there are energetic issues in the crown chakra area, someone may feel unwilling to open up to other thoughts or ideas; it can also be difficult to let go of materialistic needs and the person may be lacking inspiration. Someone with a blocked crown chakra may feel disconnected.
Crown Chakra Stones and Healing
Meditation can be very helpful in unblocking the crown chakra; focus on the top of your head and imagine it bathed in a purple light.
Holding one of the following healing crystals can make the meditation more powerful:
- Amethyst
- Fluorite
- Clear quartz
- Sugalite
- Selenite
- Moonstone
- Howlite
- Lepidolite
You may also find the following mantras and affirmations helpful in supporting the crown chakra:
- I am guided by the universe
- I am open to new concepts
- I am guided by the divine
- I can download the information and light codes I need
- I am connected to spirit
- I surrender for my highest good
- I trust my intuition
Do you have any questions about the chakras and how to work with their energy? Feel free to get in touch or find us on Facebook.
I started Spirit of Sapphire in August 2017 after finally building up the courage to start reading tarot for people other than my loved ones.
At the same time, I embarked upon expanding my spiritual knowledge and skills and so attended various psychic mediumship courses and circles, and I also began to train as a Reiki practitioner.
I’ve designed this site to be a hub of spiritual knowledge. As I learn new things, I want to share them with you.
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