The 7 Chakra System
There are a few different versions of the chakra system but we will describe the 7 Chakra system.
The Chakras are traditionally considered meditation aids. The seven main chakras have a corresponding number, name, color, specific area of the spine from the sacrum to the crown of the head, and health focus.
It is thought that a 'closed' chakra will lead to physical ailments and conversely opening up the chakra will maintain a healthy balance.
The diagram below depicts the positions, health attributes and corresponding colors of the 7 Chakra System.
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1. The Root Chakra
The Root Chakra is foundational. When all is well with this chakra, you’ll feel secure, calm and anchored in reality. You’ll be bold enough to tackle new challenges, and you’ll feel confident doing so. This makes a properly aligned Root Chakra vital whenever you’re trying something new or pursuing a major life goal.
You can develop a blocked Root Chakra if something threatens your basic survival needs (e.g. for food, shelter or money). Even if you simply fear that your basic survival will be undermined, your Root Chakra can come out of alignment in response.
2. The Sacral Chakra
The Sacral Chakra is key to your creative energy. It is related not only to pursuits of artistry and the imagination but also to your sexuality and your capacity for change in all areas of life. Your Sacral Chakra might become misaligned or blocked in some way if you’re stressed about some aspect of your sexuality. Or, if you are unsatisfied in your relationship or struggling to experience pleasure in life more generally. It can also be disturbed by negative feedback that makes you doubt your creative capacities.
3. The Solar Plexus Chakra
The Solar Plexus Chakra is often thought of as vital for self-esteem, autonomy, and determination. Consequently, it is sometimes called the “personal power” chakra.
When all is as it should be with this chakra, you’ll have a clear path ahead of you. You should know what is necessary for success. You may also feel independent like you can accomplish almost anything if you set your mind to it. Meanwhile, this chakra can easily be negatively affected by perceived failures, unpleasant social experiences, or lingering feelings of low self-worth from childhood.
4. The Heart Chakra
As you might expect, the Heart Chakra is intimately connected to your capacity for love and compassion in all their forms. It is sometimes described as a bridge between the mind, body, and spirit.
When your Heart Chakra is well balanced, you will be able to offer empathy to others, be emotionally open, and enjoy a deep sense of inner peace. You may feel your emotions fully, and yet also understand them on a cognitive level. Anything negatively related to love can trouble the Heart Chakra; a breakup, a grief process, a difficult friendship, or even just an instance of casual cruelty. Click here to find out more now.
5. The Throat Chakra
The Throat Chakra regulates your self-expression in all senses, influencing how authentically you convey your deepest self to the world. Your directness, emotional honesty and ownership of your needs connect to this area.
When your Throat Chakra is aligned properly, you will feel able to say what you mean, be well understood by others, and speak the truth in ways that are appropriate. In other words, you’ll be forthright without being blunt. Difficult experiences with communication can shift the Throat Chakra. For example, a tough job interview or a bad argument can shift your Throat Chakra.
6. The Third Eye Chakra
The Third Eye Chakra is a powerful energy source when it is working well. It determines your intuition, your alignment with the Universe, and your ability to see the bigger picture in life.
When you have an open Third Eye chakra, you are adept at picking up signs. Trust in your gut feelings and plan according to your greatest goals. Law Of Attraction successes and manifestation experiences relate to this type of openness. However, the Third Eye can be misaligned if someone is making you doubt your wider purpose. Or, if you tend to prize rationality over intuition.
7. The Crown Chakra
Finally, the Crown Chakra, the highest chakra, is what determines your spiritual connectivity. This chakra is sometimes called “thousand petal lotus” chakra. Given its place as the highest chakra, it is vital in creating a life you love, and in attaining a feeling of peace. However, working with it is a notoriously subtle process.
When all is well, you will be in tune with beauty in the world around you. Plus, you can experience feelings of profound joy. Life may feel worthwhile, glorious and rich. Unfortunately, a traumatic life experience can move the Crown Chakra out of positive. This can then cause you to doubt yourself and purpose.