Chakra Balancing Crystals

I can barely contain my excitement as my new batch of chakra crystals have arrived! My lovely cousin Yolande has managed to source these for me from reputable buyers, no easy feat right now with Covid-19 affecting mining and distribution.

I’m grateful to Yolande because I have questioned in recent months, the ethics of crystal mining and selling. I love crystals but I’m aware that as their popularity has increased in recent years, there are increasing numbers of people trying to benefit from this, and selling sub-standard products at a high rate. I also question the industry itself, and the manner in which the crystals are being mined.

It all starts to get a bit heavy though and detracts from the joy that crystals can bring. They make such a difference in my life and I am grateful for every one of them. I am hopeful that these crystals will make a difference to other people’s lives too and look forward to sharing them on retreats and Reiki trainings, and ad hoc workshops.

I can highly recommend investing in a chakra lay out so that you can place the relevant crystals on each of your chakras if you are feeling in need of balance. There is a free chakra balancing guided relaxation on my website, it is a bout 10 minutes long and you could listen to this at the same time of lying still with the chakra on you - this is something we do during the Reiki Level Two training. It’s something I do from time to time too. You could use the following:

Root - red jasper

Sacral - Carnelian

Solar Plexus - Yellow aventurine or yellow jasper

Heart - Rose quartz and Green aventurine

Throat - Sodaiite or Blue lace agate

Third eye - Amethyst

Crown - Clear quartz

Anyhow I just wanted to share these crystals with you because just sharing them may spread their joy to you too!

Love xx

Sahasrara - The Crown Chakra

Sahasrara, like Ajna, is beyond the considerations of the body.  It opens when all the other chakras are in balance. It is located in the brain and is described in yogic texts as having a thousand and one petals. It is also in the area of the pineal gland, which produces and regulates some hormones including melatonin.

This chakra represents knowing your true path and living your life accordingly.  It is far removed from the root chakra’s will to survive.  Some people describe the opening of the crown chakra as a surrender to divine will, or being as one with the universe.  The ego withers and is replaced by a universal consciousness.

The crown chakra sees life entirely from a spiritual perspective.  When it is closed or there is a block, there is a refusal to engage in, or even believe in, the spiritual. This complete denial can often lead to arrogance and materialism.

Because the crown chakra gives life meaning, your life generally takes a completely new direction when it is open, and that direction comes from having a (re)new sense of purpose: the purpose of life and of your soul.  By honouring your true self, you love and honour the rest of creation.   

By opening yourself up to the spirit of creation, you learn your true purpose, you receive guidance on your spiritual path and you are able to recognise soul mates.  Often you see the world through new eyes, viewing it with a sense of wonder that you last knew when you were a child.

You begin to understand that life is glorious just the way it is, that everybody is where they are at right now because – consciously or unconsciously – they chose to be there, in that very place, in that very position. Everything is perfect – it can’t be any other way. 

This chakra sees through the delusions of the ego and views them and the rest of life with a certain detachment.  It creates an inner calm that often draws others to you. With peaceful serenity others will be drawn to you in the midst of their own struggles and from this vantage point you may well be able to see the bigger picture for them and be able to support and guide them without getting emotionally involved.

You are deeply connected to the divine and you know that this is what physical life is all about, the cut and thrust, there are no accidents, if people wanted to lead different lives then they would be leading them, everyone is free to choose, only most people don’t know it.  Whether we recognize it or not, we all yearn for oneness with the divine and, through the crown chakra, we may sometimes make that ultimate connection.

An imbalance in the crown chakra can result in depression, migraine-type headaches, the inability to learn, sensitivity to light, sound and the environment, and extreme fatigue. Emotionally, you might have issues with self-knowledge and greater power, experience constant confusion, carry prejudices, have a fear of alienation, suffer with insomnia and have rigid thoughts on religion and spirituality.  

There are various things you can do to connect more fully with this centre

·       Wear white;

·       Bring white flowers into your life;

·       Hold/wear clear quartz;

·       Pray;

·       Listen to devotional music;

·       Chant devotional mantra;

·       Transcendental meditation;

·       Yoga (headstand is said to assist);

·       Ayurveda;

·       Conscious breathing;

·       Being in a spiritual environment like an ashram;

·       Visiting dolmens and standing stones;

·       Burning incense such as Nag Champa;

·       Burning sage.

 Colour: Violet 

Bija Seed Mantra: A silent Om

Yantra: Thousand and one petals.

Related organs: Pineal gland, brain. 

Balanced attributes: Pure knowing, wisdom, grace, integration, oneness with all that is.

Examples of possible chakra deficiency or excess: Fanatical religious beliefs, forgetfulness, dark night of the soul. Schizophrenia.

Ajna Chakra - The Third Eye Centre

The Ajna chakra is situated in between the eyebrows, in the midbrain near the pituitary gland.  It is sometimes called the third eye as it is said to be the source of inner vision.  Science now tells us that where the yogis located Ajna happens to be the point where the right and left optic nerves cross in the brain so it literally is a third eye of sorts. 

The third eye is where Ida, Pingala and Sushumna meet. Ida is a nerve channel on the left side of Sushumna (the central channel) in which vital air passes through. It is also related to the left nostril, to the feminine, to Shakti, and to the coolness of the moon. Pingala is a nerve channel on the right side of Sushumna in which vital air passes. It is related to the right nostril, to the masculine, to Shiva and to the sun. 

The Sushumna nadi (channel) is the body’s great river, which runs from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, passing through each of the seven chakras. It is the channel through which kundalini and higher spiritual consciousness rises from its origin at Muladhara (root chakra)to its true home at the Sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head. In subtle terms, Sushumna is the path to enlightenment.

Ida and Pingala spiral around the Sushumna, crossing each other at every chakra, and all three meet at Anja, the command centre, between the eyebrows. The interaction between Ida and Pingala corresponds to the internal dance between intuition and rationality, consciousness and vital power and the right and left hemispheres of the brain.  

If your head is tilted too far upward then Ajna will become too open and you will be spaced out and prone to accidents (although very insightful spiritually).  If the head is too far forward (because of stress and tension) Ajna will stay closed.

Essentially this chakra is associated with the brain, and when this chakra is in balance, you can exhibit extraordinary clarity of thought, combining logical reasoning with intuition, knowingness and inspiration.  The third eye chakra strives for completeness. In terms of the self this means inner harmony between body, mind and spirit, and in terms of the Divine, this means harmony between the creator and the whole of creation itself.

As with any spiritual development opening the third eye chakra requires a level of intense honesty with both yourself and others.  Unflinching honesty can make your life – and other’s lives – quite uncomfortable at times.  When the third eye chakra is open and balanced, it accepts no excuses.  So, however difficult a choice may be if the third eye chakra knows it is the right one, you are compelled to follow that path.  Absolving yourself from responsibility by blaming your past on other people or things, simply will not work.  

Because the third eye chakra can make our lives so uncomfortable, most people find it easier to close it down.  By doing so you don’t need to worry about the path you are taking in life or about the effects of your words and actions on others – an opposite state to mindfulness, in which you examine the motivation behind every thought, deed, word and action.

However, when you close down the third eye a series of muddles and poor choices; you can lose your sense of purpose and become so self-absorbed that your relationships become dysfunctional. You might also suffer with headaches, sinus issues, blurred vision, eyestrain, seizures, hearing loss and hormonal issues. Emotionally you might suffer with mood swings, volatility, an inability to look at your own fears and an inability to learn from others. 

The spark of inspiration that is ignited by opening the third eye chakra exists in all of us.  When the third eye chakra’s energy is very strong, inspiration takes many positive forms: from flashes of intuition to sudden insights about how to solve a problem, from a sense of the Divine in all things to moments of pure clairvoyance.

Ajna is not thought of as being balanced or imbalanced the way the other chakras are.  Rather, Ajna is either open or closed.  When the mind is still and the lower chakras are in balance, then Ajna chakra opens to communicate with the higher intelligence of the crown chakra and brings you to that place of inspiration, clarity of thought and healing.  When the lower chakras are out of balance, it remains closed and you lose your ability to connect to the Divine.

 So in a sense there does need to be balance, a mix between the internal and the external.  The start of actually beginning to see what has always been there, though you never noticed it before – reading the energy, seeing the aura, sensing the person, place, thing etc.  The best way to do this is to be quiet and simply observe, see the colours, movements, shadows, mannerisms, spaces, time, grass grow, hear the noise, the silences, whispers on the wind, emotion on the breath, your inner voice.

 But remember that you are a spiritual being already, fully enlightened and already Divine so don’t spend all your time in meditation trying to become what you already are...get out and enjoy life physically, it is after all why you are here.

It is worth mentioning that on a hormonal level, the Ajna chakra is associated with the pituitary gland, which is often called the master gland, as it secretes hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands and regulate various biological processes.  Ajna is therefore also thought of as the command centre of the glands that relate to each of the chakras.

There are various things you can do to connect more fully with this centre

·       Wear purple

·       Wear/hold/place amethyst in the third eye.

·       Alternate Nostril Breathing

·       A balanced yoga practice

·       Ayurveda – especially Shirodhara

·       Receiving Reiki, but also becoming Reiki attuned. Reiki will heighten your connection to your intuition.

·       Transcendental meditation;

·       Burning sandalwood;

·       Sound healing – gong baths or listening to someone chanting ‘Om’.

·       Chanting ‘Om’ yourself.

Colour: Indigo

Element: Ether

Bija Seed Mantra: Om

Yantra: Two petals of pure white colour.

Related organs: Hypothalamus, limbic system and the neighbouring region with connections to the pituitary gland. 

Balanced attributes: Intuition, clairvoyance, imagination, trust in life, discernment.

Examples of possible chakra deficiency or excess: Absent-mindedness, mental confusion, inability to cope with day-to-day life, self-hatred, nightmares, headaches, accidents.

Vishuddha - The Throat Chakra

The throat chakra is in the hollow of the throat.  The throat is between the head and the heart – between heaven and earth - it is the meeting point between the two higher spiritual chakras and the four lower physical chakras. It is the chakra of communication, where we can speak our inner thoughts, blend the inner and the outer, the above with the below, Heaven with Earth – here love become song and compassion becomes speech. 

A healthy throat chakra enhances self-expression and openness to the ideas of others. When it is in balance it purifies all of the chakras and brings harmony into your being.  It is an enormously powerful chakra and it is important to keep it in balance so that all of the other chakras are optimised.

The throat chakra is connected to the idea of vocation or calling.  When this chakra is brought into balance, many people suddenly discover a fresh outlook on what they want to do in life.  They may change their priorities or they may feel a literal vocation calling them to an entirely new profession or way of life.

When it is balanced, you discover your authentic voice and can be yourself in all situations.  Your communication is clear and untainted, and you communicate to others with compassion, kindness, honesty, truthfulness and steadiness.  You also have the ‘space’ to see yourself clearly and can let the divine wisdom of the Universe guide each moment of your life.

A healthy throat chakra ensures self-expression in every sense; being able to put forward your ideas, while listening to the perspectives of others in an open and positive way.  When you come to terms with your own unique inner self and its intuitions and instincts, you know this chakra is working, as it should.  If you are dogmatic, refuse to listen to other’s advice or you get bogged down in minor details rather than addressing the heart of an issue, you need to work on this chakra.

Giving your word is another way in which the throat chakra expresses itself.  Those with strong throat chakras are reliable and mean what they say.  They are able to make commitments to other people, follow a spiritual path, aspire to high ideals, and can sometimes make huge changes in their lives if they instinctively know they should.

The theme of communication is of paramount importance to the throat chakra.  A closed or poorly functioning throat chakra can often be heard in a monotonous, droning voice.  Furthermore poor expression and communication can block this chakra.

An imbalanced throat chakra often means you feel defensive about your ideas, and threatened when others have different views.  You may be unwilling to voice your ideas at all, preferring to align yourself to ready-made ideologies.  Alternatively, you may never stop talking, but without saying anything important.

As the centre of communication, what was not said is important too.  Less is definitely more when it comes to talking and expressing yourself – this is true communication.  Say what you mean and mean what you say and speak only when you have something to say.  Don’t forget that words have power – they are thoughts made manifest.

An imbalanced throat chakra can leave you anxious and confused, not knowing which direction to take and fearful of taking a new path.  Sometimes you can even cling to a person, an idea or a way of life despite knowing it is damaging.  You might suffer with poor self-expression, both spoken or written, fear of powerlessness or lack of choice, no willpower and feelings of being out of control. 

An unhealthy throat chakra can bring physical imbalances such as thyroid issues, sore throats and laryngitis, disorders related to the jaw and mastication, ear infections, ulcers, facial problems, neck and shoulder pain, headaches and teeth and gum conditions. 

There are various things you can do to connect more fully with this centre:

·       Wear blue;

·       Wear turquoise around your neck;

·       Vedic chanting, chanting devotional mantra, Kirtan, singing, these can all help;

·       Writing a journal to express your feelings;

·       Neck and shoulder massage;

·       Yoga including postures such as Ustrasana (camel), Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and Setu Bandhasana (bridge);

·       Brahmari breath – the bumble bee breath;

·       Ujaii breath – the victorious breath;

·       Ayurveda;

·       Reiki;

·       Bach floral remedies – dowse for the one for you;

·       Screaming into the wind!

Colour: Blue

Element: Space

Sense organ: Hearing

Yantra: Ham

Bija seed Mantra: Sixteen smoky purple petals and a pure blue circle representing space!

Related plexus and organs: Thyroid, parathyroid

Balanced attributes: Speak our truth with kindness, good listener, clear communication, creativity and self-expression

Examples of possible chakra deficiency or excess: Unable to express our needs clearly, shyness, compulsive talking, sore throat.

Anahata - The Heart Chakra

This chakra is the spiritual centre of the ‘column’ of seven chakras, below it the root, sacral and solar plexus chakras represent the personal and the physical.  Above it, the throat, brow and crown chakras represent the spiritual and universal.  The heart chakra provides the vital link for the whole.

Called ‘Anahata’ in Sanskrit, this chakra is situated in the heart region  and hence is known as the heart chakra. It is the chakra of devotion, love and trust. It is said that if you look into the heart chakra there is a small window and if you enter there, you will see a staircase that will lead you up to the throat chakra or Vishudda.

The heart chakra is associated with love and compassion, not just love for yourself and others, but a love for the divine (in whatever guise) and all of creation. The hands, in particular, are closely associated with the heart chakra, and a kind touch is an outward sign of love, compassion and forgiveness that typify this chakra when it is in an open and balanced state.  

The heart chakra is also a seat of creativity.  A blocked heart chakra results in creative blocks, while an open one leaves you open to inspiration. However, the heart chakra can be too open.  You can pour out so much heart energy in your desire to help others that you can have none left for yourself. 

When your heart chakra is out of balance, you may lack confidence and be unable to let go of your fears.  You might also love to the point of suffocation and be filled with feelings of jealousy, abandonment, anger and bitterness. You might also have a fear of loneliness and suffer with issues of the heart.

Physically you might suffer with asthma, lung disease, heart disease, have issues with the breasts (e.g. cysts, cancer), issues in the lymphatic system and problems with the upper back, shoulders, arm pain and wrist pain. 

However, when your heart chakra is balanced, you feel energised and have the strength to fulfil your hopes and dreams, and to give and receive unconditional love.  You also feel joy and gratitude, forgiveness flows freely and you have greater trust. 

The key, as ever, is balance.  The heart, in common with all the chakras, needs to have its own flexibility, the ability to open and close as necessary.  This is particularly important in the heart, as it is the chakra of change, giving us the confidence to fulfil our hopes, make a break with the past and embrace the future.

Opening up the heart chakra can feel scary at times, as if you are wide open to attack – and indeed you can be – for a little while.  But soon you will feel the benefit as you will have all this loving energy that you need to share, care and relate to others, so that you are touching people with your heart, and when you do you’ll notice that people become spontaneously drawn to you – chatting at shops, strangers wanting to talk to you, animals coming over for a stroke.

While challenges may still present themselves in your life, rather than just reacting, you may now be able to respond by standing back and handling the situation with love so the outcome will be for everyone’s highest good.  You will feel more in tune with the other person’s heart and you will know just what to do...and trust in yourself.

The heart charka doesn’t occupy the same position as the physical heart, it is more central, in your chest cavity. Hormonally, the heart chakra is associated with the thymus gland, which is part of the lymphatic system, which in turn is central to the immune system.  A blocked or poorly functioning heart chakra can lead to a weakened immune system, stress-related disorders and problems involving the lungs and respiratory system.

There are various things you can do to connect more fully with this chakra:

·       Yoga!

·       Go for a walk in nature and see all the greens – the grass, the trees, the plants, the hills, really ‘see’ nature;

·       Lie on the grass;

·       Grow plants and fresh herbs;

·       Wear green;

·       Surround yourself with rose quartz! Rose quartz is just amazing, it will truly support the heart. Also green aventurine and jade can be helpful;

·       Doing things that bring you joy;

·       Laughing – having fun with friends and family;

·       Receive and/or give Reiki;

·       Let go of people, situations, events, jobs etc that are not aligned with your heart;

·       Forgiving yourself and others

·       Developing self-compassion through forgiveness, a growth mind-set and treating yourself as you would your best friend – letting go of the inner critic;

·       Singing along to devotional songs;

·       Ayurveda.

Colour: Green

Element: Air

Sense organ: Skin

Yantra: Yam

Bija seed Mantra: Twelve petals of a deep red colour

Related plexus and organs: Cardiopulmonary plexus, thymus gland and heart

Balanced attributes: Unconditional love, compassion, self-love/compassion, unity.

Examples of possible chakra deficiency or excess: sentimentality, selfishness, anxiety, jealousy.

Manipura - The Navel Chakra

This chakra is extremely complex.  It is the chakra of the mind, ruling rational thought, discernment and individuality.  Yet it is also a very physical chakra, governing the digestive system, liver and spleen as well as the back.  It is the chakra from which our moral judgements emerge, and from which we draw the moral courage to stand up for what we believe in.

 Manipura is known as the solar plexus or navel centre, and is situated at the umbilicus. It is in close association with the coelic or solar plexus. It is related to the element of fire. When the basic needs of the first and second chakras are satisfied, then another factor appears in the third chakra, Manipura, which is power. In the lowest chakra, matter meets with matter. In the second chakra woman meets with man. In the third, leader meets with follower.

The Sanskrit name, Manipura, can translate as ‘jewel in the city’ and the jewel it refers to is the mind.  When our solar plexus chakra is in balance, our mind is also in balance.  We are in control of ourselves and the challenges and decisions that we face in life.   As well as being warm in nature, people with balanced solar plexus chakras tend to have a healthy intuition, they can generally rely on their hunches or ‘gut instincts’, and they can express themselves well.

With a balanced solar plexus we are also discerning, disciplined and assertive, and we face life’s challenges with courage and integrity.  Our ego will no longer need continual gratification.  We will discover a moderation in thought and action; we are able to listen to people without being overwhelmed by them.  We instinctively find a comfortable relationship with the world.  Our character becomes gemlike: solid, multifaceted and filled with life.

The fire in this chakra gives us our ‘glow’, burnishes our ego, and illuminates our mind; it helps us to see the world around us clearly.  This fire also creates the necessary heat for the metabolism of food, cellular transactions and thought. We will feel greater self-respect, self-compassion, and be assertive and confident. 

On the other hand, an overly dominant solar plexus leads to bullying, egotistical and aggressive behaviour.  These people believe they are always right and get angry easily, and seek to control others through their anger. A weak solar plexus chakra results in depression, guilt and lack of confidence; it becomes hard for us to see our life clearly, leading to feelings of heightened vulnerability.

Because the solar plexus is the centre of the intellect and decision-making, it is important for the health and development of this chakra that we make our own choices, rather than have them made for us.  The development of the solar plexus is hindered if we have a feeling of powerlessness in life.

We can have, be and do anything we choose in our life, anything, we just have to choose wisely and believe in ourselves – we shouldn’t settle for second best.  This chakra is a powerful receiver and transmitter of energy, as we give, so we receive, so balance is essential here.  

If we are giving out feelings of being a failure then this will be reflected straight back at us. If we give out feelings of being a success then this will be reflected straight back at us.  Give to ourselves first and foremost otherwise we won’t have anything to give to others.

Physical imbalances include digestive problems, liver dysfunction, stomach ulcers, chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, pancreas and gallbladder issues and colon disease. Emotional imbalances include issues of personal power and self-esteem, fears of rejection and criticism, and anxiety about physical appearances.

There are a few practical things we can do to help to energise/balance this area including:

 ·       Wearing yellow;

·       Wearing/holding amber, citrine, and/or yellow aventurine;

·       Ayurveda and following Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle choices to promote healthy digestion and balanced digestive fire;

·       Scaravelli-inspired yoga, with its emphasis on self-compassion and truly honouring the body’s wisdom;

·       Reiki;

·       Gentle massage around the navel centre using a base oil to suit such as coconut oil;

·       Doing things that are joyful and fun;

·       Weeding, planting and growing – getting your hands in the earth and being in nature;

·       Resting, enjoying a Yoga Nidra for example;

·       Gentle exercise.

·       Abdominal breathing;

·       Burning sage;

·       Watching sunset/sunrise (just be aware whether sunrise might over stimulate);

·       Listening to beautiful music.

Colour: yellow

Element: Fire

Sense organ: Eyes

Yantra: Ram

 Bija seed Mantra: The red triangular mandala at its centre contain the primordial element of fire. It has ten petals

Related plexus and organs: coeliac or solar plexus and pancreas

Balanced attributes: Greater self-worth and self-respect, self-compassion, confidence, learn from mistakes, healthy boundaries, personal power, assertive and confident, divine will.

Examples of possible chakra deficiency or excess: Feeling overwhelmed and at mercy of fate, loneliness, ego centred, digestive disorders, issues of personal power and self-esteem, fears of rejection, criticism, anxiety about physical appearances. 

Swadhisthana - The Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra is orange, and balances the red of the physical energy with the yellow of the mental energy. It is known as Swadhisthana in Sanskrit, the chakra of procreation. It is situated in between the genitals, about two inches below the navel. This chakra is related to the element of water and is related to the sense organ of the tongue.  

This chakra is the most feminine of the seven chakras.  It is profoundly connected with fertility and is ruled by the moon, which pulls not only the seas and oceans, but also the waters within our own bodies.  

 The sacral chakra is the seat of creativity and is linked to taste in the broadest sense – our likes and dislikes.  It is also the seat of our emotions and is closely linked to pleasure, attraction and, in particular, sexuality.

When this chakra is out of balance nothing and no one is ever enough.  Life has no constancy.  We feel fragmented and volatile.  Our desires dominate and oblige us to seek satisfaction through the senses – sex, food, material possessions, status.  An out-of-balance sacral chakra brings about guilt, self-pity, manipulative behaviour and envy. 

If the chakra is too open, we may forget our own needs and occupy so much with the needs of others that we end up feeling like a martyr.  Lack of balance can also give rise to sexual/fertility problems, jealousy and obsession.

Physical imbalances may include sexual and reproductive issues, urinary problems including kidney dysfunctions, hip, pelvic and lower back pain. Emotional imbalances include an inability to commit to relationships, failure to express emotions, fears of impotence and betrayal and addictions. 

A balanced sacral chakra is characterised by physical fluidity and grace. People with a balanced sacral chakra tend to be friendly, open and trusting, in touch with their feelings and able to express them, willing to see the positive rather than the negative, and able to turn problems into challenges.

People with a balanced sacral chakra also feel able to take risks, they are in touch with their creativity, have no fear of commitment, are passionate about life, sexually confident and outgoing. 

In essence, it is sexual expression – the most powerful and fundamental of our creative energies - that characterises the sacral chakra.  It guides our sexual identity, our ability to bond with a partner and to take pleasure in our sexuality.  

When in balance it gives us profound sexual and emotional happiness.  It is worth reflecting that the word ‘sacral’ comes from the same root as ‘sacred’.  Sex is not meant to be a casual, meaningless event, but nor is it meant to induce guilt.  Rather with openness and empathy, it is something that brings great joy and pleasure – the lover meets the beloved on the physical plane. 

If we are not using this energy internally then we need to be expressing our sacral energy externally through writing, drawing, painting, singing, anything that encourages our creativity and encourages the energy to flow strongly and smoothly.  

 This chakra is situated in the bowl of the pelvis, directly over the ovaries and testes.  It governs the spleen, reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder and all the bodily fluids.  In order to find lightness and balance in this chakra we must seek to balance the pelvis. 

 There are a few practical things we can do to help to energise/balance this area including:

·       Wearing orange;

·       Movement, this area of the body loves movement, so get moving!;

·       Yoni yoga is a blessing for this chakra, getting in touch with your inner goddess;

·       Connecting with the moon and noticing how her cycles affect how you feel;

·       Connecting with your menstrual cycle if you are menstruating, or your cycles post-menopausal (‘Code Red’ by Lisa Lister is a helpful read, also anything by Alexandra Pope, Dr Christiane Northrup and Uma Dinsmore-Tuli);

·       Ayurveda, especially if you are experiencing menstrual, fertility issues or menopausal issues; 

·       Reiki;

·       Journaling as a way of expressing your feelings and emotions;

·       Water, bathing in water, with some essential oils, particularly ylang ylang and neroli;

·       Massaging this area of the body, using oils, coconut oil or another carrier oil, perhaps using essential oils (patch test first);

·       Sage, burn sage to cleanse your energy;

·       Holding, wearing or putting carnelian in your pocket can also help. 

·       Dipping in the White Spring at Glastonbury and visiting any ancient sites of the Goddess;

·       Prioritising time to do what you enjoy doing – those things you feel passionate about;

·       Honouring your body and this area of the body especially – seeing the sacred in it, not giving it away.

·       Taking steps to address any sexual abuse or trauma.

Colour: Orange

Element: Water

Sense organ: Tongue

Yantra: A white crescent moon at its centre and six petals

Bija seed mantra: Vam

Related plexus and organs: Upper hypogastric plexus and ovaries and adrenal glands.

Balanced attributes: Creative, adaptable, flexible, delight in pleasure and life’s gifts.

Examples of possible chakra deficiency or excess: Feeling of separation, creative blocks, compulsive behaviour, arrogance.

Muladhara - the root/base chakra

The root chakra is red in the visible spectrum red has the longest wavelength. It is called Muladhara in Sanskrit, also known as the root centre. It is situated in the perineum, at the base of the spinal column. This chakra is related to the element of earth, and the sense organ is the nose.

This is the chakra of survival. We need food, water and air to survive. We also need sleep and shelter to fulfil our basic needs. In this root chakra there is sex energy. This is the chakra of material existence. It is also the grounding chakra, the one that connects us to the earth and our own physicality. 

Muladhara chakra is our source of stability and grounding that comes from deep connection to the earth and to our roots.  When it is out of balance this affects everything related to our personal stability, safety and security.  It controls how we deal with money, our body and our family: our roots.

An imbalanced root chakra, which is low in vital energy may mean that we may experience emotional imbalances and suffer from low self-esteem, feel out of touch with our body and sexuality, we may constantly worry about money, never feel satisfied with our work or home and have issues around food. It can also lead to self-destructive or addictive behaviour such as eating disorders, smoking, drug taking etc.

It can also cause illnesses such as degenerative arthritis, knee pain, lower back pain, depression, sciatica, constipation and issues with male reproductive parts and the prostate gland. There may be problems in the legs, feet, rectum, tailbone and immune system generally.  

On the other hand, a root chakra which is imbalanced by being too strong can lead to isolation, materialism, bullying behaviour or selfishness.

When this chakra is balanced we feel supported, grounded, physically secure in the physical world, confident, connected, and healthy and happy with our body and sexuality. We trust the universe to take care of us and the world does not seem a scary place to live. We begin to realise that just for today we have a roof over our head, food on the table and some money in our pocket. Life is great – all our primary needs are met.

Physically, the root chakra is located at the base of the spine between the pubic bones, tailbone and sitting bones.  Its centre is the perineum, in the middle of the pelvic floor between the anus and genitals.  

The pelvic floor is influenced and affected by the muscles of the legs and the feet. The integrity of the pelvic floor depends on the proper alignment of the legs and the balance of the feet, which act like the roots of a plant.  We need our feet and legs to be alive and balanced in order to find grounding and stability.

There are a few practical things we can do to help to energise this area including:

·       Wearing red, especially red socks;

·       Eat grounding and warming foods such as soups;

·       Hugging trees;

·       Getting hands in the earth, planting, weeding, growing vegetables and flowers etc;

·       Walk barefoot on the earth or on the beach;

·       Sea swimming;

·       Spending time in nature connecting with the earth can also make a huge difference;

·       Yoga;

·       Reiki;

·       Ayurveda;

·       Holding, wearing or putting red jasper in your pocket can also help. 

In short, to build a solid life, we need a solid base.

Colour: Red

Element: Earth

Sense organ: Nose

Yantra: It has in its centre a triangle, from which the sushsumna begins and which (the sushsumna) end at the top of the head, has four crimson-coloured petals. 

Bija seed mantra: Lam 

Related plexus and organs: Sacral, coccygeal plexus and testes

Balanced attributes: Stamina, vitality, physical health, patience, ability to manifest dreams, inner security.

 Possible chakra deficiency or excess: lack of energy, little enthusiasm, obsessive worrying, impatience, hyperactivity.