An Introduction to Your Chakras

What are Chakras?

Chakras are wheels of spinning energy located in specific areas of the body. There are seven main energy centers controlling different parts of the body and mind. They are concentrations of vital life force within the body formed when energy lines running through the body overlap and cross.

Each chakra is linked to organs within the body, emotional and mental attitudes, physical health or disease, colours, sounds, psychic abilities, and many other things. To feel your chakras, hold the palm of the hand that you don’t write with over each area. Should the chakra be balanced, you will sense a warm swirling sensation. However, if the sensation feels jarring or unpleasant, it could signify that the chakra is overactive, and should you not feel anything, the chakra could be blocked.

Chakras are a part of a much larger human auric field. The aura is a dynamic energy field that surrounds and permeates the human body. It is in constant motion like a pulsating cloud, and its quality, colour, and vibrations change from moment to moment, thought to thought, and feeling to feeling.

Chakras are concentrated energy points within us, and when they are healthy, vital life energy flows through them unimpeded. When this happens, their colours are bright and clear. The opposite occurs during energetic imbalances; their colours are more dense, dark, and dull.

Given that this is a brief look at the Chakras we will focus on seven primary chakras, running from the base of the spine to the top of the head.

Seven Main Chakras

Muladhara – The Root Chakra

This chakra is located at the base of the spine. Most traditions describe it as red in colour. In Tantric tradition, it has four deep petals. Muladhara governs survival, security, and your walk in the world.

Svadhishthana – The Sacral Chakra

This chakra is located in the lower abdomen and womb. It is generally thought to be orange. Tantric traditions believe that this chakra has six vermilion petals. Svadhishthana governs pleasure, desire, sexuality, sensuality, and procreation.

Manipura – The Solar Plexus Chakra

This chakra is located in your solar plexus – the area above your belly button and below your xiphoid process. Most traditions describe this chakra as yellow. In Tantric traditions, the chakra is believed to be made of ten blue petals a downward triangle with Hindu solar crosses, and a running ram at the base. Manipura governs your personal power, confidence, assertiveness, and will.

Anahata – The Heart Chakra

This chakra is located in the center of the chest. Western traditions describe it as green in colour, and it is generally thought to be bright emerald green. In tantric traditions, it is believed to have twelve deep red petals surrounding a six-pointed star. Anahata rules love, breath, balance, relationships, and unity.

Vishuddha – The Throat Chakra

This chakra is located in the throat. In Western traditions, it is blue in colour. The Hindus originally described it as a whitish circular shape made up of sixteen purple and smoky grey petals. Within this circular shape is a blue triangle with a white circle. Vishuddha is associated with speech, communication, and creative expression.

Ajna – The Third Eye Chakra

This chakra is located between the brows, above the eyes, and near the top of the spine. It has an indigo-blue colour in the modern Western system. In the traditional view, the Ajna chakra is white in colour with two petals on either side. The Ajna chakra governs spiritual awakening.

Sahasrar – The Crown Chakra

This chakra is located at the top of the head, in the place where our soft spot used to be when we were babies. In the Western systems, it is seen as violet or white. The crown chakra represents enlightenment, pure awareness, and an ability to escape from the endless cycles of birth and death from which most of us suffer.

Further Reading

Eason, C., (2018). Crystals: Everything you need to know to heal, cleanse, love, energise. Carlton Books. London. ISBN: 987-1-78739-042-3

Leigh, M., & Mercree, C. (2016) A Little bit of Chakras: An introduction to energy healing. Sterling Ethos. New York. ISBN:978-1-4549-1968-1