Chakras – An ancient metaphysical system for understanding
yourself…
Wheels of colour, the key to inner balance
Have you ever wondered why Balinese people often wear white
and gold for their ceremonies? Perhaps it is because
these are the colours of the Crown chakra, associated with
our connection to the divine. Wearing these colours
will help the wearer to connect with the divinity in their
own nature and come more easily to God.
Just as the physical body comprises a skeleton, muscular and
circulatory system and so on, the soul body includes chakras
or energy centres and an aura or energy field which surrounds
the entire body in an egg shape, extending up to about two
and a half metres (nine feet) around the body.
According to ancient yogic systems originating largely from
India, there are seven major ‘chakras’, or energy
centres, in the body. They are spaced at intervals along
the spine, from the base to the top of the head.
To be a fully rounded human, each chakra must be open, spinning
(Chakra is Sanskrit for ‘wheel’), and working
in harmony. The aim is to enable a free flow of energy
between the base chakra (real world) to the crown (god or
spirit). In other words, we are connected to our divinity
and able to manifest our soul’s purpose in the real
world.
Each chakra has it’s own unique vibration, colour and
emotional quality associated with it. Briefly:
Base chakra (perineum) - red,
birth, sex, death, earth. Example healing stone: Red
carnelian.
Sacral chakra (lower belly) - orange, feminity and flow.
Orange carnelian.
Navel chakra (yellow) - masculinity,
action. Citrine.
Heart chakra (chest) – pink/green,
love. Green onyx, rose quartz.
Throat chakra (throat) – blue, communication
and expression. Blue onyx, turquoise.
Brow chakra (forehead) – purple,
insight and vision.
Amethyst.
Crown chakra (above the head) – white/gold, connection
to the divine. Rainbow Moonstone.
There’s more about chakra definitions at the end of
this article.
Road test your chakra energy!
So how do you know the condition of your chakras? Well,
one way to check is by using a pendulum. When lying
down, suspend a pendulum (a small pebble tied on a string
will do) above the chakra to be tested. The pendulum
should begin to rotate in a clockwise direction (remember,
the chakra itself should be spinning, like a vortex, and a
pendulum picks this up).
Alternatively, you can look at the definitions for a non-functioning
chakra shown at the end of this article, and if you know that
this area is a problem for you, you may need to work on opening
and balancing that chakra.
Many alternative therapies (such as reiki, acupuncture, crystal
healing, and more) focus on balancing the energy of the body,
and work with the chakras and the aura.
So how can you balance your chakras?
Because each chakra is tuned to a certain ‘vibration’,
which is represented by a colour, it is possible to balance
the chakras by using colour. You can simply wear the
colour that you need to boost – for example, wear a
yellow belt to enhance action.
Crystals and gemstones are also ideal for chakra balancing
because they vibrate at similar frequencies. Simply
wear the appropriate colour crystal or gemstone near the chakra
you wish to work on (for example, a turquoise for the throat
chakra).
“ Chakra Spirit”, pendant/necklace, silver, semi-precious
stones.
A totem for the completely balanced human, by Jeli
Lala.
Available from Ashram.
Chakra shake-down…
A brief description of the different properties and colours
of each chakra follows, along with a description of problems
you may experience if they are not working fully:
The Base – Birth and Grounding - Red
The Base (or ‘Root) chakra is red, the colour of the
earth, birth, early experiences, death, the real world and
the ‘here and now’. It is located at the
perineum (between sex organs and anus).
This chakra relates to our primitive will to survive. If it
is not functioning correctly, you may feel ‘airy’
or ‘not really present’ in reality. You
may have low self esteem, feel ‘unworthy’, or
at worst, feel you don’t really want to be here on earth.
Male sexual problems and infertility also reside here.
The base develops from birth and early trauma can result in
trouble here.
The Sacrum – Flow, Feminity and Money - Orange
The Sacral chakra is orange. It is about flow, femininity,
change, and relationships (including your relationship with
yourself). Female sexuality, and money reside here too.
The sacral chakra is located at the lower belly.
If this chakra is not functioning correctly, you may lack
the ability to relax and ‘let it happen’.
You may be overly controlling. There may be feminine
fertility problems, or in men, the ‘feminine side’
may be underdeveloped. There may be problems with money
– not enough ‘flow’.
The Navel –Moving into Action - Yellow
The Navel chakra is about action, power, the will, work, success
in the physical world, and masculinity. It is yellow.
If this chakra is not functioning correctly, you may lack
the ability to make things happen in the real world - however
good your ideas are, your projects do not come to fruition.
You may feel powerless, depressed, and have low energy.
Women may find it hard to take initiative and express their
‘masculine side’.
The Heart – For love and relationships – Green
or Pink
The Heart chakra is for love, higher relationships, connection,
and understanding. It is light green or rose pink.
If this chakra is not functioning correctly, you may find
it difficult to love and accept yourself - and others.
You may be critical, fault-finding, and find it hard to give
and receive affection and to be ‘touched’ by life.
The Throat –For Communication - Blue
The Throat chakra is about communication and self-expression.
It is blue or turquoise. If this chakra is not functioning
correctly, you may not be able to ‘speak up’ and
‘speak your truth’ when you need to. There
may be trouble with hearing and listening. You may find
it difficult to express yourself through work or creativity
(art, singing etc) and have trouble ‘finding your vocation’
or life’s work.
The Brow –For Vision and Insight - Purple
The Brow chakra is for insight, higher perception and vision.
Also known as the ‘third eye’, it is located at
the centre the forehead, about two and a half centimetres
above the bridge of the nose. If this chakra is not
functioning correctly, you may lack awareness and vision and
the ability to take a higher perspective. You may find
it difficult to trust and benefit from your own intuition
and ‘inner knowing’.
The Crown – Portal to the Divine - White
The Crown is for the higher self and the connection with the
divine. It is located in a halo above the top of the
head (which perhaps explains why sacred figures are shown
with halos and why kings wear golden crowns to denote their
divine connection). If the crown chakra has yet to open, you
may lack a sense of truth, divine wisdom, and a connection
to a higher wisdom that seems to come from outside of yourself.
You may feel lonely or alone, or unsure of your life’s
purpose.
Well, that was a whistle-stop tour of the chakras. If
you’d like to find out more, you can experience the
‘Chakra Journey™’ at Ashram – it’s
a free voyage of discovery about your chakra needs.
Approach the Buddha, select a ‘chakra key’ at
random, and you’re off!
NEXT ISSUE: Kundalini Yoga – who’s afraid
of snakes?
ASHRAM of SPIRITUAL JEWELLERY & ART is at 1 Sukma St,
Tebesaya, Ubud (Oppositie Jazz Cafe). Tel: 081
239 43354. Open 10am-10pm (to 5pm Sun/Mon)
Jeli welcomes comments and may be contacted on:
Email: jelila@jelila.com
Website: www.jelila.com or www.imagine-retreats.com
