Spirit Path - Chakras

First of all, I should point out that the information on this page is for guideline only. The beliefs surrounding the Chakra system are many and varied and are deeply personal to each individual. Therefore, I will leave it to you to make up your own mind and, as is proper and right on the spiritual path, to find your own way and the truth that you are comfortable with.

So, to begin - an explanation. The word 'Chakra' comes from the Sanskrit for wheel, and refers to the seven energy points of the body. These are often responsible for ailments and the way we carry out our day-to-day lives. Below I have listed the Chakras in order from the base of the spine - the Base or Root Chakra, up to the top of the head - the Crown Chakra. These need to be opened - or activated - in order for someone to work with spirit (see below), but caution should be exercised in doing so, so that the Chakra system is not activated too quickly.

It is advised in some quarters that anyone without experience should not work in this way alone and that there should be someone with you. It is believed by many to be important, if you are planning to work with the Chakras, to say a prayer, or ask, for protection first. Once all the Chakras are opened, it acts as a beacon of light for spirit. Like always attracts like - so you would be best advised not to dabble out of curiosity, 'for a laugh' or for your own gain; always work in love and light and no harm will come to you.

It is very important that the Chakras are closed again at the end of meditation or spiritual work, otherwise your everyday life will be adversely affected and you will be unable to keep that fine, necessary balance between spiritual and material.

So what do the Chakras look like? They have been described, by some, as 'swirling pools of light' and by others as 'a cone of energy'. They will produce some of the colours of the aura and therefore someone with the ability to see auras would be able to tell whether the Chakras are working as they should be. Any imbalance will show up within the aura and can be corrected by a trained healer. For meditation purposes, you may find it useful to visualise the Chakras as the swirling pools of light, but others see them as lotus flowers - the petals open when the individual Chakra is opened and close again when the Chakra is closed. The image to use is the one that you feel most comfortable with.

Base/Root Chakra

# 1

Location: Base of spine

Symbol & Element: Earth; Square

Key Crystals: Ruby, Pyrite, Garnet, Hematite, any red stone

Astrology sign: Fire Signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

Sense: Smell

Foods: Proteins; Fruit; Vegetables

Related addictions: Alcohol, sex, compulsive cleaning

Physical Areas: Reproductive system; tailbone; legs and feet

Related to: Safety, sexuality, behaviour, groundedness, physical space boundaries

Spleen Chakra

# 2

Location: 2-3" below naval

Symbol & Element: Water; Crescent

Key Crystals: Coral; Carnelian; Moonstone; Fire Opal; any orange stone

Astrology sign: Water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

Sense: Taste

Foods: Water; Juice; Tea

Related addictions: Sugar; Food; Alcohol; Relationships

Physical Areas: Blood Sugar; Spleen; Female reproductive organs; Adrenal Gland; Urinary Tract

Related to: Feelings and emotions; needs & boundaries; trust; warmth; intimacy; attachment; addictions; pleasure v need; beginnings; endings

Solar Plexus Chakra

# 3

Location: Solar Plexus

Symbol & Element: Fire; Triangle

Key Crystals: Yellow Topaz; Yellow Jasper; Tigerseye; any yellow stone

Astrology sign: Earth signs of Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo

Sense: Sight

Foods: Complex Carbohydrates; Grain

Related addictions: Food; Caffeine; Compulsive cleaning

Physical Areas: Stomach; liver; small intestine; digestion

Related to: Mental energy; beliefs; perfectionism

Heart Chakra

# 4

Location: Centre of the chest (although there is a second, smaller one over the heart)

Symbol & Element: Air; Two triangles (one inverted)

Key Crystals: Emerald; Jade; Aventurine; Rose Quartz; any pink or green stone

Astrology sign: Air signs of Gemini; Libra and Aquarius

Sense: Touch

Foods: Green Vegetables

Related addictions: Nicotine; Marijuana

Physical Areas: Thymus; Lungs; Breathing; Heart; Blood Pressure; Immune System

Related to: Harmony; trust; ability to give & receive; growth; coping with loss; balance

Throat Chakra

# 5

Location: Throat

Symbol & Element: Ether; Circle

Key Crystals: Turquoise; Blue Tiger-eye; any blue stone

Astrology sign: Higher expression of all signs

Sense: Hearing

Foods: Raw fruit

Related addictions: Nicotine

Physical Areas: Thyroid; Neck; Ears; Respiratory system

Related to: Open and clear communication; Creativity; Breathing; Healing

Brow Chakra

(3rd Eye)

# 6

Location: Centre of the forehead

Symbol & Element: Thought; Pyramid

Key Crystals: Amethyst; Lapis Lazuli; any blue/purple stone

Astrology sign: Higher expression of all signs

Sense: Telepathy; Clairvoyance

Foods:

Related addictions:

Physical Areas: Pituitary Glands; Eyes; Autonomous Nervous System

Related to: Visualisation/clairvoyance; Healing addictions; Service

Crown Chakra

# 7

Location: Top of the head

Symbol & Element: Light; Sufi Symbol or Lotus

Key Crystals: Diamond; Alexandrite; any white or lilac stone

Astrology sign: Higher expression of all signs

Sense: Knowing & Oneness

Foods: Sun; Juice; Fasting

Related addictions:

Physical Areas: Pineal Gland; Head; Hair; Central Nervous System

Related to: Compassion; love

*Many thanks to Olwyn Griffiths for help, advice and some of the information for this page*