What Is This Chakra Mumbo-Jumbo?

Today is May 5, 2013. 

There is deep wisdom within our very flesh, if we can only come to our senses and feel it.  ~Elizabeth A. Behnke

The word chakra comes to us from Sanskrit.  Basically, chakras are centers of energy, or life-force, within our bodies.  There are seven major ones, and each one corresponds to a major plexus (network) of arteries, veins and nerves.  Each one is also associated with a different endocrine gland, and has control over certain parts of the body.  

When the chakras are blocked, we experience physical, mental, and emotional problems.  Our job is to learn to keep the energy flowing freely through our chakras. 

Root Chakra

The root chakra is located at the base of the spine, in the area of the tailbone.  It is associated with the color red.  Of all the major chakras, the root chakra vibrates at the lowest level. It is traditionally pictured with four petals, the number four being associated with squares and foundations.  The root chakra is linked to the two adrenal glands, which are located on top of the two kidneys.  The adrenal glands release adrenaline, the body's call to battle, as it activates the fight-or-flight reflex, which can be triggered by any danger, real or imagined.  In males, it is also associated with male sex glands, which release testosterone.  The root chakra is related to the sense of smell, the most primitive of our five senses, and it has influence over the skeleton, legs, feet, system of elimination, the male reproductive organs, and the prostate.  It is also associated with the reptilian part of the brain, called the brain stem.

When the root chakra is clear, we feel secure, grounded, and stable, connected with Mother Earth.  We are able to access our common sense.  Our system of elimination functions well and sex is comfortable and natural.  

When it is blocked, we feel insecurity and fear.  We are absent-minded and ungrounded.   Our security from material things is threatened. We have trouble letting go of sadness and material sources of comfort.  We may experience problems with hemorrhoids, constipation, sciatic nerve pain, or prostate problems.  To learn more about clearing the root chakra, click on this link: Root Chakra Healing

Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra is located in the lower abdomen, about 2 inches below the navel, about where the ovaries are in women, and where the testes are in men.  It is associated with the color orange or red orange. The sacral chakra is pictured with six petals, the number six having to do with taking responsibility and nurturing for family and community, as well as finding balance and harmony with nature.  It is associated with the gonads, the male and female sex organs (testes, prostate and ovaries).  Besides the sexual organs, the sacral chakra influences the stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, and the middle spine.  It is associated with the sense of taste.   It is associated with the mammalian part of the brain – the limbic system, which controls emotions and short-term memory.


When the sacral chalra is clear, sex for us is natural and loving, and we have a healthy personality that is magnetic and radiant.  We feel self-reliant. We eat only enough to feed the body's physical needs and no more.  

When it is blocked, we may experience impotence or frigidity, or we may be over-sexed.  Eating and drinking become addictive behaviors. Old core beliefs set in early childhood (or past lives) and strongly linked with negative emotions are held in the subconscious and affect our behavior.  We feel we are living hand-to-mouth.  Our emotions run the gamut of pain, guilt, fear, and anger, and these emotions, held in the subconscious, can be triggered by events in our present, resulting in inappropriate responses.  Physical dysfunctions include lower back pain, problems with the sciatic nerve, ob/gyn problems in women, pelvic pain, libido problems and urinary problems.  We have problems related to power and control, money, sex, guilt and blame, creativity and morality.  To learn about clearing the sacral chakra, click on this link:  Sacral Chakra Healing.

Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus chakra is located in the upper abdomen, in the stomach area, between the sternum and the navel.  It is associated with the color yellow or gold.  It is pictured with ten petals; the number ten can be reduced one  (1+0 = 1), which symbolizes the beginning of life. It is associated with the liver, gall bladder, stomach, spleen and pancreas, which secretes insulin, necessary to the digestion of food.  It is also associated with the neo-cortex of the brain, which is the site of the beginning of higher mental functioning.  The solar plexus chakra also influences the sense of sight. 


When the solar plexus chakra is clear, we are confident and in control of our lives. 

When it is blocked, we suffer from lack of confidence and self-esteem.  We feel powerless, and overwhelmed by greed, doubt, anger and guilt.  We may be plagued by excessive worry and hypochondria, irritability and procrastination.  Physically, we may suffer from ulcers, jaundice, hepatitis, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and gallstones.  To learn more about clearing the solar plexus chakra, click on this link: Solar Plexus Chakra Healing.

Heart Chakra

The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest, just above the physical heart.  It is associated with the color emerald green, and sometimes pink. It is pictured with twelve petals, signifying twelve emotions that a human being has to pass through in his life: lust, fraud, indecision, hope, anxiety, longing, repentance, impartiality, arrogance, incompetence, discrimination, and defiance, not necessarily in that order.  Within the chakra is pictured a six-pointed star, created by the intersection of two triangles, symbolizing a balance of male and female energies.  It is associated with the thymus gland, located in the chest, which is an element of the immune system.  In the body, it governs the heart, circulatory system, blood, lungs, rib cage, diaphragm, thymus, breasts, esophagus, shoulders, arms, and hands.  It is also associated with the sense of touch.

When the heart chakra is clear, we can feel complex emotions such as compassion and tenderness, unconditional love, and equilibrium.  The spiritual lessons involved with this chakra include forgiveness, unconditional love, letting go, trust, and compassion.  We feel love, joy, and inner peace.

When the hart chakra is blocked, we can suffer from heart conditions, asthma, lung and breast cancers, problems with the thoracic spine, pneumonia, and upper back and shoulder problems.  Emotionally, we have trouble with blaming others, lack of self-discipline, difficulty in relationships, and dependence on others for our happiness.  We may even try to live vicariously through others, such as our children or siblings. To learn about clearing the heart chakra, click on this link:  Heart Chakra Healing.

Throat Chakra

The throat chakra is located at the base of the throat, and is associated with light/pale blue or turquoise.  It is pictured with sixteen petals. In numerology, 16 reduces to 7 (1+6 = 7), which is the number of analysis, understanding, knowledge, awareness, and meditation.   The throat chakra is associated with the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland that wraps around the front part of the windpipe, just below the Adam's apple.  It produces hormones that regulate metabolism, organ function, heart rate, body weight, energy level, muscle strength, skin condition, and regularity of the menstrual cycle.  It has to do with regulating overall health and well-being.  Physically, it governs all the parts of the body that have to with speech and communication. It is also associated with the sense of hearing.  

When the heart chakra is clear, we can express ourselves clearly and meaningfully, and we have a sense of independence.  We have the ability to do Dream Yoga, or Lucid Dreaming, in which we are aware that we are dreaming while the dream is still going on, and we can control elements of the dream, such as the setting or the outcome.  We are comfortable accessing our intuition, and we experience a state of grace, abundance and creativity.  

When the heart chakra is blocked, we often have issues with drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or overindulgence in food.   To learn about clearing the throat chakra, click on this link:  Throat Chakra Healing.

Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra is located between the eyes.  It is associated with the color indigo and is pictured in the shape of the eye.  It is associated with the pineal gland, which produces melatonin.  This gland regulates our sleep and waking cycles.  It also forms a link between the physical body and the Soul who inhabits the body.

This chakra is associated mainly with emotional issues rather than the physical body.  When it is clear, we can use our intuition and imagination freely, and access our inner wisdom. We are able to think clearly and see past illusions.  

When the third-eye chakra is blocked we may have issues with overpowering others, living in a fantasy world, paranoia, confusion,  inability to focus, and lack of self-discipline.  Physically, we may experience headaches, skull pressure, sinus problems, poor vision, ear problems, or bad dreams. To learn about clearing the third eye chakra, click on this link: Third Eye Chakra Healing.

Crown Chakra

 The crown chakra is located at the top of or just above the head.  It is associated with the color deep violet.  It is pictured as a 1000-petaled lotus. It is associated with the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones that communicate with the rest of the endocrine system, and connects to the nervous system via the hypothalamus.  

When this chakra is clear, we are fully connected with Divine Spirit.  Meditation is easy and natural for us, and we are able to release negative karma while in the physical body.  We experience unity with all life, and the "peace that passeth understanding."

When the crown chakra is blocked, we feel isolated and alone, cut off from God.  We have trouble empathizing with other people.  To learn about clearing the crown chakra, click on this link:  Crown Chakra Healing. 

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Image credits for the individual chakra images: Sacred Centers, Anodea Judith, www.SacredCenters.com.  :-)