about this. This is the first of three newsletters focusing on chakras. We’ll do the lower chakras this time, the upper chakras next, and then the main energy center, the Crown chakra, will get an entire newsletter to itself. Cuz it’s BIG!
Each chakra is a specific energy center of the body with specific attributes. Actually, chakra is the plural form of the word, with chakrum being the singular form. But in our English language, we’ve changed it up a little bit and we just use chakra and chakras. The word "chakra" translates as ''wheel.” Chakras are believed to be spinning disks (vortices) of energy. I think of the chakra system as a stack of records in an old-time record player. Each one spins like a 45 record disc. The chakras contain the body's energy and each can either be in alignment (health) or out of balance (illness). The lower chakras are generally concerned with the physical body, and the upper chakras are more spiritually oriented. In this newsletter, we will take a look at the lower chakras.
The first, or root chakra, located at the very base of the physical body, is our connection to our world in a physical way. It is associated with the element of earth, not surprisingly. The root chakra is associated with the color red, sometimes brown, or mauve. Each of the chakras is also associated with one of the seven senses: the root chakra is associated with the olfactory sense or sense of smell. Because of this, the root chakra is highly affected by various scents. It’s always suggested that scents be in the form of essential oils that are used sparingly — possibly a few drops in a bath. The quieting fragrances for the root chakra are cedarwood and patchouli. The stimulating fragrances are musk, lavender and hyacinth. As would be expected, the gemstones associated with this chakra are generally in the red family, such as garnet, ruby, and rose quartz. When the root chakra is healthy, we feel grounded, in control, a solid participant in life, able to manage anything. When the root chakra is out of balance or somehow weakened, we can feel frightened, fearful, or anxious. Supporting ourselves by wearing red, walking on the earth without shoes and bathing with one of the appropriate scents can help reinforce and strengthen the root chakra.
The second chakra, or the sacral chakra, is located just below the belly button; it’s all about our sense of/connection with others. This includes our sexuality, co-creativity, creativity and sincerity. The second chakra’s element is water, representing our flowing into others and our relationships with them. This chakra rules the sense of taste, and is connected to the lymph system. Quieting fragrances, for this chakra are musk and amber; stimulating fragrances are rosemary and geranium. Gemstones associated with the second chakra, orange in color, include amber, citrine and topaz. While the root chakra is the energy center most closely associated with the Earth, this chakra of water is very much part of our physical grounding in this world.
The third chakra is the solar plexus chakra, located just below the sternum and extending down towards the naval. This is the chakra of ourselves as individuals. It’s all about our connection with our self, our self-esteem, our self knowledge. This is where the ego resides; it is the seat of our self-awareness, self-will in the energy world. It is associated with the color orange, the element of fire and the sense of sight. The combination sight and self in this chakra can translate into “how do I see myself?” The gland connection is the adrenals. Quieting fragrances, for this chakra are introvert and rose; stimulating fragrances are bergamot and ylang ylang. Gemstones include topaz, malachite, iron pyrites (fools gold), calcite.
While these first three chakras are somewhat earthbound and do not offer much in the way of spirituality, they are the solid foundation upon which the more ethereal chakra energies are built. We’ll examine those next time.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to breathe
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