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The Chakras

Part of working magic is understanding your own body, mind and spirit. When we know where we're coming from and which problems we face are produced by internal factors, we are better able to act for our own good and the good of others. Learning to perceive, understand and manipulate our chakras is a step on the path towards spiritual health.

Basic Concept

There is a form of energy known as the "life-force" which flows in and around your body. This energy is an integral and indivisible part of your whole being. It flows in pathways throughout your physical form and is concentrated at certain points. These points, where the energies intersect and bloom are known as the chakras. ("Chakra" is the East Indian term for these energy centers, but the manipulation of these energy centers is not limited to Eastern spirituality.)

When activated, these energy centers radiate with your vitality and form a conduit between yourself and the forces of the universe. It is commonly agreed that there are seven major chakras resident in a human's etheric body. The term "etheric body" deserves some explanation. I think we can all agree that we all have a purely physical body, yah know, the one made up of flesh and blood and bones. In addition to this material form, many of us have had experience with a primarily non-physical energy-based form. Some call it the soul, others call it the astral body or spirit form. Some of these terms can be misleading because they connotate that this "soul" is separate or "purer" or "higher" than the body. For the purpose of integrating chakra activation with your magical workings I think it is best to see these two apparently opposite forms as inextricably linked facets of your whole self. Therefore the etheric body is a counterpart to your physical body, generated from your living cells and supplying essential vitality to your entire system.

The etheric body can be perceived in several different ways. It can be felt in the flow of vitality coursing through and around your physical body. It can be seen in the burgeoning flowers of each chakra and in the aura which extends beyond your physical form. To properly activate your chakras you will need to develop some method of sensing them. Purely mental visualization is an okay place to start, but to benefit from the full effects of an activated chakra you should try to go beyond the accepted visual representation of each chakra and "feel" the forces flowing through it.

Anatomy of a Chakra

The common image of a chakra is that of a flower or spiraling funnel with its point stemming from the lines of energy extending along your spinal column. The blossom opens as it reaches the surface of the etheric body and may include divisions such as spokes or petals. Each chakra roughly corresponds with a physical organ and is associated with a physiological system. Each chakra is traditionally thought to contain one or more specific colors and has begun to be associated with different kinds of fragrances and stones. It is important to note that although each chakra is predominately associated with a part of the spectrum of color and energy, every chakra includes - if only to a small degree - every part of the spectrum.

The Chakras

The seven major chakras and their associations are listed below. This list is just an overview, a sort of cheat sheet. I've only been working with the chakras for a few years, so I am in no way an authority on the subject. If you're really interested in exploring the meaning and use of each chakra you should buy one of the good books on the subject. The three books that I've found most helpful are "Working With Your Chakras : A Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Approach" by Ruth White, "The Sevenfold Journey : Reclaiming Mind, Body & Spirit Through the Chakras" by Anodea Judith & Selene Vega, and "Healing With the Energy of the Chakras" by Ambika Wauters.

Root/Base

Order: 1st
Location: Stemming from the base of the spine and extending downward or forward.
Developmental Age: 3-5 yrs
Realm: Physiological
Organ/System: Genitals
Colors: Mainly red, also red-violet and brown, green can be used for calming.
Stones: garnet, ruby (to energize), smokey quartz, agate (for balance), hematite
Musical Note: E or C
Fragrances: frankincense, myrrh, musk, lavender, hyacinth
Element: Earth
Associations: groundedness, rootedness, sense of the physical body, physical gratification, sex, ancestoral baggage, security, survival, stability, primal male/female forces
Effects of Imbalance: When overactive there may be a tendency towards violence, anger, obsessive sexuality, recklessness, hyperactivity, and a need to manipulate and control. When underactive there may be a lack of energy, decreased sexual desire, constipation, survival fears, a feeling as if you are "rootless" and have no true home, and a need for approval or attention.
Activation & Balancing Benefits: Good health and vitality, an easing of fears, and the ability to act wisely and with moderation (healthy survival instincts). Stability in this chakra is an essential foundation for work with the higher chakras.

Sacral/Navel

Order: 2nd
Location: Below the navel, stemming from the womb or spleen.
Developmental Age: 5-8 yrs
Realm: Physiological
Organ/System: Reproductive organs, womb, spleen
Colors: orange, yellow, gold
Stones: orange/honey calcite, citrine, carnelian (desire), honey selenite, amber
Fragrances: musk, amber
Musical Note: D
Element: Water
Associations: creativity, sense of others, sensuality, desire, pleasure, productivity, emotional consciousness, masculine/feminine forces
Effects of Imbalance: When overactive there may be an obsessive increase in lustfulness, jealousy, possessiveness, arrogance, selfishness, and/or conceit. When underactive there may be restlessness, confusion, mistrust, lack of creativity, uterine or bladder problems, lower back pain, and trouble opening up to others.
Activation & Balancing Benefits: Enriched creativity, enhanced emotional gratification and courage, a healthy increase in sexual vitality, and the ability to be attracted to others.

Solar Plexis

Order: 3rd
Location: Above the navel, in the curve below the breastbone
Developmental Age: 8-12 yrs
Realm: The Will/Ego - Lower Astral - Lower Mental
Organ/System: adrenals
Colors: yellow, gold, pink
Stones: yellow citrine, orange calcite, pink kunzite (for perspective), rose quartz (for flexibility), yellow topaz (to increase joy), iron pyrite (for strength of purpose)
Fragrances: rose, bergamot, cinnamon
Musical Note: C or E
Element: Fire
Associations: sense of self, ego, the will, prosperity, empowerment, power
Effects of Imbalance: When overactive there may be digestive problems, an overemphasis on power & control, inflexibility in conflicts, a quick temper, stubborness, and a tendency to be overly judgemental and critical of self and others. When underactive there may be digestive problems, a feeling of isolation, unreasonable fears, a weak will, and an inability to explore or try new things.
Activation & Balancing Benefits: A stable sense of self, a healthy dose of objectivity, emotional control, and the ability to freely give to others.

Heart

Order: 4th
Location: On the right side of the chest, opposite the physical heart.
Realm:
Organ/System: Heart
Colors: green, pink
Stones: green calcite (for vitality), emerald (for balance and perspective), peridot, amber (for emotional healing), jade (for serenity), rose quartz (for nurturing and warmth)
Fragrances: sandlewood, pine, honeysuckle
Musical Note: B or F
Element: Air
Associations: love, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, group consciousness, peace, tolerance
Effects of Imbalance: When overactive there may be heart problems, overconfidence, anger, jealousy, bitterness, cynicism, and an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness. When underactive there may be physical rigidity, an inability to feel or accept strong emotions, and difficulty loving or feeling loved.
Activation & Balancing Benefits: The ability to love and be loved. The ability to heal without taking from self. A balanced heart chakra helps bring balance to the other chakras.

Throat

Order: 5th
Location: At the base of the throat, in the dip where the collarbones meet.
Realm: Duality of Mind/Body
Organ/System: Pineal
Colors: blue, aqua, silver
Stones: lapis lazuli, aquamarine, blue topaz, sodalite, sapphire, fluorite
Fragrances: lavender, hyacinth, white musk
Musical Note: A or G
Element: Sound
Associations: inner & outer communication, vocation, talent, expression, inner & universal truth
Effects of Imbalance: When overactive there may be tendancy to communicate harshly or aggresively, a domineering attitude, and a tendancy to be hyperactive. When underactive there may be difficulty with expressing what one wants to communicate, a resistance to change, and depression.
Activation & Balancing Benefits:When balanced, a person will have a true sense of their own vocation or "calling" in life, serenity, the ability to communicate with others, and understand the communication your own body. Insight about universal truth.

Brow/Third Eye

Order: 6th
Location: Between the eyebrows.
Realm: Spiritual
Organ/System: Vision
Colors: blue, indigo, purple
Stones: amethyst, lapis lazuli, sodalite, opal, blue & white flourite, apophyllite
Fragrances:
Musical Note: F or A
Element: Light
Associations: true seeing, intuition, spiritualism, calmness, ingenuity, light, vision, clairvoyance
Effects of Imbalance: headaches, trouble concentrating, altered visual perceptionsWhen underactive, it may cause a person to be forgetful or to worry a lot. The person may be overly superstitious as well. When overactive, it causes a person to be impatient, fearful, and oversensitive.
Activation & Balancing Benefits: Psychic ability and emotional balance.When balanced, a person will have a creative imagination and good visualization. Also, a person will probably be able to see things that other people cannot see, such as visions and spirits.

Crown

Order: 7th
Location: At the top of the head, extending upward.
Realm: Spiritual
Organ/System: Pineal Gland
Colors: clear, white, golden white, blue white, violet, lavender
Stones: clear quartz, diamond, apophyllite
Fragrances: rosewood, lavender, sandlewood
Musical Note: B
Element: Cosmic Energy
Associations: Cosmic consciousness, enlightnment, perfection, creativity, imagination, ingenuity, clarity, inspiration, wisdom, cosmic consciousness, spirituality, oneness with all, thought, understanding
Effects of Imbalance: lack of spiritual vitality, lack of inspiration, depression, When underactive, this chakra leads one to have low self-esteem or a negative self-image. The person may feel misunderstood as well. When overactive, a person may have a strong desire to feel popular or wanted, and may have a very erotic imagination.
Activation & Balancing Benefits: Mental calm, centeredness, enhanced abundance, relief of suppressed emotions, clarity & objectivity about problems, When balanced, it shows a person who is wise and understands all. It links us to higher forces. The person who has a purified crown chakra is very spiritual indeed.

Things To Do

Here I've collected what I think are the most useful exercises and activities for the chakras.

Finding out the Status of your Chakras:

Activating/Balancing/Calming your Chakras:

Visualizations
Aromatherapy
Stones
Colors
Movement
Music

Healing your Chakras:

Visualizations
Physical Massage
Energy Massage
Positive Affirmations
Permanent Behavioral Changes
Psychological Counceling

Sources

Working With Your Chakras by Ruth White
The Sevenfold Journey by Anodea Judith & Selene Vega
Healing With the Energy of the Chakras by Ambika Wauters
The Seven Veils
Scholarly Research - Multi-Cultural Views on the Chakra System
Overview - The Seven Chakras
Traditional Properties Overview - The Chakras



		CHAKRAS Part of working magic is understanding your own body, mind and spirit. When we know where we're coming from and which problems we face are produced by internal factors, we are better able to act for our own good and the good of others. Learning to perceive, understand and manipulate our chakras is a step on the path towards spiritual health. To Learn More...