Root or Base Chakra
Name
- Muladhara, meaning ‘foundation’
Represents
fearlessness, stillness, stability, survival instincts, will to live.
Colour
– red, Element – Earth, Bija Mantra – Lam
Gland:
Adrenal glands
Physical organs:
Base of spine, bones, legs, feet, rectum, immune system.
Physical disorders:
Chronic lower back pain, sciatica, varicose veins, rectal disorders,
depression, alcoholism, immune-related disorders, flu/colds.
Crystals
to help rebalance: red jasper,
haematite, smoky quartz.
Stage
of Development: Conception and birth up
to approx 1 yr old – creation of physical body.
Sacral Chakra
Name
– Svadistana, meaning ‘sweetness’
Relates
to emotions, sensuality and creativity.
Colour
– orange, Element – Water, Bija Mantra – Vam
Gland:
Ovaries/testes
Physical organs:
Reproductive organs, bladder, large intestine, appendix, pelvis, hips.
Physical disorders:
Lower back/pelvic pain, gynaecological/reproductive disorders, sexual
potency, urinary problems, migraine.
Crystals
to help rebalance: carnelian, tiger’s
eye, rose quartz; rhodonite and rhodochrosite to heal wounds.
Stage
of Development: 6 months to approx 2 yrs
– becoming an individual, separate from mother.
Solar Plexus Chakra
Name
– Manipura, meaning ‘city of gems’
Relates
to control of energy, personal power, self-esteem and self-confidence.
Colour
– yellow, Element – Fire, Bija Mantra – Ram
Gland:
Pancreas
Physical organs:
Stomach, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, mid back.
Physical disorders:
Arthritis, gastric/duodenal ulcers, intestinal problems,
pancreatitis/diabetes, indigestion, anorexia or bulimia, liver dysfunction,
hepatitis.
Crystals
to help rebalance: calcite, citrine,
amber, tiger’s eye.
Stage
of Development: Small child 18 months to
approx 4 yrs – development of language and autonomy and search for balance
between freedom and discipline.
Heart Chakra
Name
– Anahata, meaning ‘unstruck’
Relates
to harmony in both inner and outer worlds, love and relationships, compassion
and forgiveness.
Colour
– green or pink, Element – Air, Bija Mantra – Yam
Gland:
Thymus
Physical organs:
Heart and circulatory system, lungs, shoulders, arms, ribs, breasts,
diaphragm.
Physical disorders:
Heart failure, asthma/allergies, lung cancer, bronchial pneumonia,
breast cancer, upper back and shoulder pain.
Crystals
to help rebalance: emerald, green
aventurine, rose quartz, kunzite.
Stage
of Development: The child 4-7 yrs –
relating to others outside immediate family, building self-esteem and
self-acceptance.
Throat Chakra
Name
– Vishudda, meaning ‘pure’
Relates
to union of the elements, communication, self-expression, creativity and
strength of will.
Colour
– blue, Element – Ether/Space, Bija Mantra – Ham
Gland:
Thyroid
Physical organs:
Throat, thyroid, trachea, neck, mouth/teeth/gums, oesophagus.
Physical disorders:
Sore throats, stuttering, mouth ulcers, gum problems, temporo-mandibular
joint problems, laryngitis, swollen glands, thyroid disorders.
Crystals
to help rebalance: lapis lazuli,
turquoise, blue lace agate, chrysocolla.
Stage
of Development: Pre-pubescent 7-12 yrs –
beginning of stage of self-expression.
Third Eye or Brow
Chakra
Name
– Ajna, meaning ‘command’
Relates
to seeing clearly, insight, intuition and imagination.
Colour
– indigo or violet, Bija Mantra – Aum/Om
Gland:
Pituitary
Physical organs:
Left eye, lower brain, nose, ears, pituitary gland, nervous system.
Physical disorders:
Brain tumour, haemorrhage, stroke, neurological disturbances, poor
vision, full spinal difficulties, seizures, nightmares, headaches.
Crystals
to help rebalance: sodalite, lapis
lazuli, kyanite, amethyst, fluorite, sugilite.
Stage
of Development: The adolescent –
reflecting on patterns in own and others’ lives and creating a role in the
world.
Crown Chakra
Name
– Sahasrara, meaning ‘thousand-petalled lotus’
Relates
to unity, formlessness, potential, knowledge and understanding.
Colour
– violet or white, Bija Mantra – Nng
Gland:
Pineal
Physical organs:
Upper brain, right eye, pineal gland, skin, muscular and skeletal
systems.
Physical disorders:
Energetic disorders, chronic exhaustion, mystical depression, extreme
sensitivities to light, sound and other environmental factors; co-ordination
problems, feeling detached from others.
Crystals
to help rebalance: amethyst, clear
quartz, selenite.
Stage
of Development: The adult 20-27 yrs – fully reacting and interacting
with the world.
Cycles of Nature
Each
of the cycles of nature can be regarded as a time during which certain skills
are developed. The precise shift from
one stage of development to another will vary from person to person, often with
stages overlapping. In some cases, however,
stress or trauma disrupts the chakra energy, often causing an underlying
problem for subsequent growth. If one
function remains under-developed, all the others dependent upon it will be
negatively affected.
Having
gone through a whole cycle, root to crown chakra, the individual often asks
themselves existential questions such as ‘Why am I here?’, which may cause
radical changes in life and work. The
whole cycle then begins again, starting at the root chakra, with a metaphorical
rebirth. The chakra cycle can repeat
itself many times in a single lifetime, providing opportunities to heal and
grow and express more of your potential.
A Holistic Approach
When
you perceive the chakras as aspects of consciousness, it can be understood that
the physical systems of the body cannot be separated from the subtler
structures of mind and emotions. In
fact, they are all fundamentally linked together. Changes at one level will bring automatic
changes at the other levels. Dysfunction
at the physical level is echoed in the function of the chakras, while stress in
the chakras can manifest as discomfort at the level of body, mind or emotion.
This is the second in
a series of 3 blogs looking in detail at the human energy system. Part 3, Energising the Chakras and a Chakra
Quiz, will be available at the beginning of July.
Helen
Shortland is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Holistic Therapist
based at Little London Herbal Stores on Kings Walk in Nottingham city centre.
For further information about her courses, workshops and therapies, please
visit her website at http://helenshortland.com.
