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Who among us really understands
the chakras? For all that we know about these seven spinal energy
points, much is still undiscovered.
According to ancient texts, the
chakras appear as spinning wheels of light. In fact, the word
chakra is Sanskrit for wheel. Chakras receive and emit energy,
which may be either negative or positive depending on the health
of this energy. During the healing process, you will discover
differences in the needs of each chakra. You needn't fear this
challenge. Think of your chakras as a garden, with each flower
requiring specialized care. Some chakras will require less attention,
while others are more demanding. The dedication to this self-scrutiny
makes healing the chakras as challenging as it is rewarding.
The guidelines below may be modified
to your needs. When choosing stones, be attentive not to the
size or appearance, but instead to your reaction when holding
them. Some of these crystals may be unfamiliar, but you are likely
to find them at a metaphysical or rock shop. Though you may enjoy
this introduction to chakra healing, it is best to undertake
long-term treatment with the guidance of a trained professional.
Besides being experienced, many professional chakra healers are
highly intuitive. Their objective insight may help you understand
the reasons for each imbalance. This can be healing in and of
itself.
1st Chakra
This is the root chakra. It is located
at the base of your spine, or tailbone.
The root chakra belongs to the realm
of the physical. If you feel grounded, secure, and rooted in
the present, this chakra needs little attention. However, many
are not so blessed. A blocked root chakra may lead you to grasp
at the physical, becoming clingy and overly possessive. Conversely,
if you're too open here you may feel estranged from your body
and possessions. As a result, your generosity may be taken advantage
of.
1st Chakra Crystal
Correction
A blocked chakra is opened by obsidian.
This gem brings a centered, peaceful perspective, so that the
impulse to compulsively acquire is replaced by an understanding
of the temporary nature of belongings. To heal blocks, place
a piece of obsidian on your genital region while lying down on
your back, As you relax more the stone's strength will connect
with your own, enhancing it. An abundantly open root needs rose
quartz. Though typically associated with the heart, this soft
pink quartz allows us to accept and love ourselves, so we can
protect ourselves by saying no.
2nd Chakra
The sacral chakra controls our sexual
energy and creativity.
You need only press two inches below
your navel to feel its location. The gift of a balanced sacral
chakra is expressiveness and flair. A blockage may result in
resistance to new ideas. A sacral chakra that's too open is evident
in the "drama queen" as well as in all reckless behavior,
from bed-hopping to dangerous driving.
2nd Chakra Crystal
Correction
Carnelian: this variety of quartz
is beautiful for opening the sacral area. Though it can be found
in many colors, the stimulating qualities of red or orange give
courage to the timid. This enables us to pursue our dreams, without
fear-based illusions blocking our path. Conversely, if this chakra
is too open, you may require lapis luizi. This historic light
blue stone was highly valued in ancient Egypt and Babylon. Today,
we can use its moderating properties to help us act with care.
In Crystal, Gems & Metal Magic, Scott Cunningham writes:
"Simply touching the body with this stone improves your
mental, physical, spiritual, psychic and emotional condition."
For optimum benefits to the 2nd chakra, rest this stone as long
as desired.
3rd Chakra
This is your solar plexus, known
also as the power center.
Here resides a reservoir of untapped
will and heroism. When this chakra is healthy, we understand
our potential and are motivated to explore it. When blocked we
may feel "butterflies in our stomach" or suffer other
stomach woes. A blocked power center makes us act and feel powerless.
The opposite problem happens when this energy-center is too broad.
3rd Chakra Crystal
Correction
Golden Beryl is a light, lemon yellow
stone that directs will and improves confidence. Consequently,
it is fantastic for 3rd chakra blockages. Placing this stone
two inches above your navel will free your power center, helping
you to realize your goals. For those overwhelmed by this chakra,
green jade is in order. This soothing stone helps channel our
passions gently and harmlessly, and reduces negative impulses
towards others.
4th Chakra
This is the heart chakra and its
place is self-explanatory.
This is the divine sphere of spiritual
growth, love, resilience and high ideals. A congested heart chakra
makes us overly critical of both others and ourselves. In this
condition, we find it difficult to open ourselves to possibilities
for love and friendship. Conversely, if our heart is too big,
we may attempt to do the impossible, trying to carry the weight
of the world.
4th Chakra Crystal
Correction
Placed upon the heart, green jasper
helps us feel secure enough to open up and reveal ourselves.
This facilitates honest and joyful communication. For a heart
with no bounds try peridot. This pale, pastel green stone also
recharges us by calming us down. Peridot allows us to be sympathetic
but not sacrificial.
5th Chakra
The throat chakra helps us communicate
both through words and physical language.
It is located at the base of the
throat. When this chakra is balanced, we speak honestly and confidently.
If we are blocked here, our deceit is subtle. For example, we
may leave out information. Alternately, if this chakra is enlarged
we talk too much and without forethought. This is commonly known
as "foot in mouth" syndrome.
5th Chakra Crystal
Correction
Sodalite; a gorgeous navy stone,
helps with a constricted throat chakra. This crystal gives us
courage and clarity. Knowing our truth, we may sound it with
conviction. On the other hand, those with an expansive 5th chakra
need to sound their truth more quietly. In this capacity, amber
is helpful. This stone is intensely soulful. In The Crystal Handbook,
Kevin Sullivan reveals that "in Viennese esoteric literature,
Amber marked the resting place of the spirit or spirits believed
to animate the stone." Fossilized, multimillion year-old
tree sap, amber gifts us with the natural wisdom of early earth.
6th Chakra
Many know this energy center, located
between the brows, as the 3rd eye.
If in balance, this chakra gives
us the ability to peer beyond appearances, revealing our innate
psychic potential. When it is blocked, however, we limit ourselves
to unexamined facts. This leads to rigid thinking and interrupted
joy. However, if we are too open here we may be disconnected
from the physical world. An inability to shut the psychic eye,
when fitting, floods with an upsetting sense of unreality. Balance
is key. As we dream, we also must wake.
6th Chakra Crystal
Correction
A moonstone placed on the 6th chakra
can clear the issues that blind our intuition, and open the mind
to the unseen. Because moonstone is related to cycles of change,
it invites personal growth. This helps us tune into flow, welcoming
spontaneity and releasing rigidity. With an unnecessarily open
3rd eye, blue lace agate is needed. This pretty, sky-blue stone
sharpens our focus, clearing out the clutter of psychic distraction.
7th Chakra
Wow! Words are not enough to express
the capacity of the crown chakra.
Situated at top-center of your head,
this chakra presents the possibility of enlightenment. Though
balancing it won't make us a Buddha, it will surely carry us
to peaks of spiritual ecstasy and connect us with our life's
purpose. If you're blocked here, you're far from alone. A healthy
crown chakra is rare. It is the gift of tireless efforts in spiritual
self-development. When blocked, we may be confused about our
career and lack lasting, rapturous peace. For maximum results
at balancing this chakra, we must first ensure the wellbeing
of our previous chakras. Having this chakra too open is rarely
a problem, unless you dislike joy and harmony. Yet, we live among
the disenchanted. We must be able to communicate with both the
cynic and the sorrowful. Otherwise we are trapped in our own
mind. As safe as this place is, it can get pretty lonely.
7th Chakra Crystal
Correction
Clear quartz is a trusted healer
for all chakras, but it particularly useful in opening the closed
crown. Due to the 7th chakras location, the crystal selected
should be small enough to rest on the top of your head. This
stone provides clarity of purpose and allows us to see the broader
meaning in everyday events. In doing so, it guides us to understand
and live in sync with universal truths. For those with an overly
open crown chakra, hematite is healing. It is also grounding.
By drawing attention to the practical realities of existence,
this dark and powerful stone will help us meet our own and others
earthly needs.
Sidebar
Discover Your Blocks with a Pendulum chakra correction
Using a pendulum is a quick and
reliable way to self-diagnose your chakra imbalances. To start,
obtain a 6-sided quartz pendulum from a rope or chain. Many metaphysical
shops carry these beauties. Hold this crystal steadily over the
chakra you are most curious about. Soon, you will notice the
crystal begin to move. Do not be concerned about the direction
of the swing. On the contrary, width is what's important. An
extremely wide swing indicates an overly open chakra, where a
tight, shaky swing identifies a block.
Galina Pembroke is an internationally
published writer and publisher/editor of New View magazine online.
New View features articles on sprirituality, astrology, self-help
and more. Visit us at
http://www.nuvunow.ca
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