What are our Chakras?

The word Chakra means disk/wheel, by definition they are energy centres within the human body that help to regulate all its processes, from organ function to to the immune system and emotions. Seven chakras are positioned throughout your body, from the base of your spine to the crown of your head. Each chakra has its own vibrational frequency and colour, and governs specific functions in our body. They are a complex and ancient energy system that originated in India. They were first mentioned in the Vedas, ancient sacred texts of spiritual knowledge dating from 1500 to 1000 BC. The belief is held that human life simultaneously exists in two parallel dimensions, the "physical body" and the other "psychological, emotional, mind, non-physical" called the "subtle body". Everyone has a subtle body — it is the subtle body that perceives sensation. This subtle body is energy, while the physical body is mass. The psyche or mind plane corresponds to and interacts with the body plane, and the belief holds that the body and the mind mutually affect each other. The subtle body consists of nadi (energy channels) connected by nodes of psychic energy called chakra. "In different traditions, one can find wheels, flowers, angels, animals, animal parts, geometric shapes, children, the seven dwarves, deities, buddhas, yantras, or mandalas. But in fact, across the board, believing in any judgements which give rise to emotional reactivity is the one sure way to ‘block’ the performance of a chakra".

1. Root Chakra - Muladhara Our 1st chakra is located at the base of the spine and the coccyx. The Root chakra is represented by the colour Red and associated with security, survival and not just financial but emotional stability and balance. It's also about everything solid in our life (our home, our body and the ground we walk on, etc). It is related to our connection with the Earth, prosperity and how we attract it into our life. When the root chakra is balanced, you feel grounded and have an inner sense of security. You feel supported and are able to manifest opportunities and abundance. When it is unbalanced, you will have a tendency to feel excessively fearful, insecure, unsafe, and stuck in life and feeling like you don't belong, which can all manifest as anger. On a physical level, elimination problems and foot issues are associated with the root chakra.

2. Sacral Chakra - Svadhisthana Our 2nd chakra is located two inches below the navel and into the pelvis. The sacral chakra is represented by the colour Orange. Svadhisthana translates to 'where your being is established' This chakra is where we form ideas around self-worth and deservedness. It is also associated with balancing work and play, effort and ease, dreaming and manifestation, desires, sexuality and gratitude. It’s important to take time to indulge in the simple pleasures of life. Not doing less of what brings us stress, but doing more of what makes us feel alive. Once we have our basic needs met (Root chakra) we’re able to explore what it is that brings us joy. It is said that the sacral chakra is the birthplace of creativity, which shows up as our ability to see the life that we want — and that we know we deserve — and to implement the steps necessary to achieve that life. When this chakra is unbalanced, it can lead to lack of fulfilment, depression, stressful relationships, or menstrual problems.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra - Manipura Our 3rd chakra is located just below the diaphragm The solar plexus chakra is represented by the colour Yellow. Manipura translates as “city of jewels”. The jewels are power, authenticity, instinct, and courage. The solar plexus is our power center, where we get our grit and gumption and get-up-and-go. Action. This is the center of our true Self. When unbalanced, it can lead to feeling unworthy, stressed, along with various digestion problems.

4. Heart Chakra - Anahata

Our 4th Chakra is Heart is located in the center of the chest. The heart chakra is represented by the colour Green it is associated with love, joy & compassion. Love, by nature is unconditional, unlimited and free. It surrounds us and is ours to give and receive. Anahata translates as ‘unstruck.’ It refers to the cosmic vibration of the universe, a constant energetic hum that has no beginning, no middle and no end. It is within this fourth chakra, within our own heart center, that we connect with the heartbeat of the universe. When this chakra is unbalanced, it can result in sadness, lack of self-love, jealousy, as well as lung or upper back issues.

5. Throat Chakra - Vishuddha

Our 5th chakra is located (as it would suggest) in our throat. It is represented by the colour Blue. It is associated with Truth. Hearing your truth, speaking your truth, living your truth, and connecting to the truth of others. Vishuddha translates as ‘pure’ or ‘purification.’ It relates to living a clean and healthy life, so that we can better connect to our fifth chakra. They say that lies, gossip, negative self-talk and any sort of substance abuse that enters through the throat are ways of blocking this chakra. When unbalanced, it can lead to loss of your voice, being afraid of public speaking or throat issues.

6. Third Eye Chakra - Ajna

Our 6th chakra is located in center of the forehead. It is represented by the colour Indigo. It is associated with intuition, wisdom and knowledge. Ajna translates as the ‘command center.’ It is linked to your pituitary gland, which is your master gland and this chakra influences the five chakras below it. It deals with psychic development and mental communication. We are now in the realm of image, idea, imagination, and spirit. A balanced sixth chakra is linked to a steady, balanced mind. When this chakra is unbalanced, it can result in overthinking, sinus or eye problems.

7. Crown Chakra - Sahasrara

Our 7th chakra, is located at the top of the head (crown) and inches above the head. It is represented by the colour Violet. Sahasrara means, ‘thousand-fold.’ It is associated with consciousness, being connected to the element of light and a sense of pure bliss. This chakra is represented by a thousand-petal lotus at the top of the head. The lotus can be thought of as sitting up-right, with our energy emanating out from within. Or it can be thought of as facing down, with the petals dripping divine light and cosmic consciousness into our being. We start to process this connection through our thoughts, words, and actions. We begin to understand that we are contributing to the energetic field and that we have access to the wisdom and knowledge that have come before us, and that will come after us. When this chakra is unbalanced, it can lead to confusion, ego-driven thought processes, narrow-mindedness, closed-mindedness.

We are energy. We are made up of cells and atoms. Atoms are the most basic unit of matter and form, and an atom is made up of waves of energy. So we are made up of many waves of energy/frequencies – examples of which include electricity, sound, light (colour) and vibration; materialised into the physical. There are many ways to balance each of our chakras individually. But one of my favorite ways as it can be done for all of them, is to meditate. Specifically Focused Attention meditation. (I find this easy because it is something for the mind to focus on, such as a sound, an image, or an object). I like to use candles and crystals. This gave me the idea to create a Chakra Candle collection. I wanted to create a candle range designed to enhance meditation. They have been created based on our chakras, combining aromatherapy & crystal energy to help cleanse the mind, so we can focus on bringing our energies into balance.

Each handcrafted crystal infused soy candle has a specific fragrance blend and selected set of crystals, the healing energies of which have been chosen to enhance each specific chakra. They have been designed to add spiritual and magickal healing qualities to your safe space. Click here to view our range. (Coming soon) Candle Gazing Trataka is a form of meditation also known as ‘concentrated gazing’. It is most commonly referred to as ‘candle gazing’. This meditation technique was first used to cleanse the mind of distractions and promote focused concentration, as well as strengthening the muscles of the eyes.

Crystal meditation Using meditation crystals is a powerful way to deepen your meditation it can also help with Chakra healing. On a spiritual level, learning how to meditate with crystals can help to raise your consciousness and awareness, deepening your intuition and bringing insight. Even carrying or wearing a crystal corresponding to a particular chakra can help with alignment. Using healing crystals increases the energy regardless of the type of healing session. Crystals are used based on their colour and vibrational frequencies that match the chakras. Clear crystal quartz is a Master crystal and can be helpful to all seven chakras. By holding the crystals in your hand while doing chakra meditation, or in your lap with the intention that the increased energy be channeled through you, could align the chakras. Whether you’re a frequent meditator or you’re just getting started, and regardless of how long you’ve been working with crystals, bringing these two energetic practices together unlocks a new way to take care of yourself. And with so many different meditation stones available, there’s truly a crystal for every kind of meditative experience you could wish for.