The 7 Basic Chakras

First Chakra - Root Chakra - Red

The root chakra is the chakra located at your perineum, at the bottom of your spine. The root chakra is represented by the first color of the rainbow - red.

If your root chakra is healthy, it governs your basic instincts for survival. It controls your ability to maintain a home, to earn money to pay the bills, to have enough for your physical needs.

If this chakra is unhealthy, it can cause you to be greedy, feel needy, or unappreciative of what you do have. It can cause you to neglect the steps necessary to maintain your environment.

To help strengthen your root chakra, focus on the color red, which is found in ruby and garnet gemstones. Visualise a red flower opening.

If the problem is that you have too open at the root chakra, and are suffering issues of greed or domination in relationships, then it is time to balance the root chakra. See the red flower gently closing.

Related Herbs - Ashwangandha (Withanaia Somnifera, Physalis Flexuosa) and Haritaki Myrobalan (Terminalia Chebula, Terminalia Reticulata)

Related Incense - Cedar

Related Musical Note - C

Vowel Sound - U (you)

Element - Earth

Sence - Smell

Crystals – Agate, Bloodstone, hematite, garnet, ruby and red jasper

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Second Chakra - Sacral Chakra - Orange

The second chakra is the sacral chakra, represented by the color orange. The word sacral relates both to the back of your pelvis, as well as meaning "sacred". Looking at the front of a person, the sacral chakra would be located at around the bellybutton.

The sacral chakra governs the creative and emotion related energies. If your sacral chakra is in balance, then you find yourself on an even keel when you relate to people. You find yourself able to pursue your creative hobbies, to write, paint, sing or dance.

If your sacral chakra is out of balance, this could cause you to have roller coasters of emotions - perhaps being too obsessive about someone, or perhaps falling into deep despair over issues that really are not that bad. It could cause you to have problems feeling creative - writing that paper, thinking up new ideas to solve issues in your life.

If you need to boost your sacral chakra, try carnelian or tiger's eye. Visualise an orange flower at the sacral opening its petals. This will help you find ways to express your emotions more fully, and tap into your inner creativity.

If the problem is that your sacral chakra is too open - that your emotions are swinging wildly out of control, that you are so hyper that you do not have time to focus on any of your ideas imagine the orange flower gently closing its petals.

Related Herbs - Coriander (Coriandrum Sativum) and Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare)

Related Incense - Orris Root, Gardenia, Damiana

Related Musical Note - D

Vowel sound – o (home)

Chakra Element – Water Sense - Taste

Crystals – Carnelian, coral, gold, calcite, amber, citrine, gold topaz, peach aventurine and moonstone


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Third Chakra - Solar Plexus Chakra - Yellow

The third chakra is that of the solar plexus. This is located below your ribs near your stomach. Interestingly, with the word "solar" in this chakra's name, its color is yellow.

In essence your solar plexus is a group of nerves that has a very 'radiating' appearance to it, which is why it got its name. This chakra is in control of your energies and activities. It controls the things you choose to do and why you choose to do them.

If your solar plexus chakra is healthy, you will make wise decisions in your life, choose to work on projects that are worth your time and feel content with the results you achieve.

If you are having problems with your solar plexus chakra, you could make bad judgement calls or head down paths which are clearly bad for you. You could also become a workaholic, pouring far too much time and attention into a given part of your life.

If the problem is that you are not finding the right paths or applying yourself properly to a chosen path, it's time to find some honey calcite, topaz or amber. The solar plexus is like a powerhouse, if you focus on the area you should feel its warmth radiating out. Imagine a beautiful yellow flower opening its petals wide here.

If the issue is that this chakra is over energised compared to the others and you are over working or trying to go ahead too fast then gently close the yellow petalled flower. Take time to be patient and seek the correct balance.

Related Herbs - Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) and Lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis)

Related Incense - Carnation, Cinnamon and Marigold.

Related Musical Note - E

Vowel sound – o (top)

Element – Fire Sense – Sight

Crystals - Citrine, gold topaz, amber, tiger eye, gold calcite and gold

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Fourth Chakra - Heart Chakra - Green

The heart chakra is the fourth chakra, and is represented by the color green. In some people who have developed the ability to be unconditionally loving, the heart chakra becomes a rosy pink. This is the chakra of love, romance, relationships and communication.

If your heart chakra is healthy, you will both be able to empathize with others as well as accept love and friendship into your own life. You will have good friends who you get along with, and will be able to form loving relationships. You will also be compassionate towards yourself.

If your heart chakra is unhealthy, you will have trouble maintaining friendships and finding love. It might be that you feel lonely or are hard on yourself. It might also be that you are obsessive and domineering, or closed off, 'cold hearted'.

To help open your heart chakra, try working with green stones such as jade or aventurine. To be kinder and more loving towards yourself try rose quartz or mangano calcite. See a beautiful pink flower opening at your heart. Rose and geranium essential oil can help here. This will help draw friendship and romance into your world.

If the problem is that you are jealous or possessive it's time to cool things down. Interestingly, because this is the central chakra, you also use green to bring it down as well - your aim here is to focus more on the love, and less on the control. You need to learn to trust. You may sometimes feel too sensitive. At these times visualise the pink flower gently closing for a while, but don't leave it closed, it is important we all learn to work from the heart.

Related Herbs - Saffron (Crocus Sativus, Crocus Saffron) and Rue (Ruta Graveolens).

Related Incense - Lavender, Jasmine, Orris Root, Yarrow, Marjoram and Meadowsweet.

Related Musical Note - FVowel sound – a (far) Element – Air Sense – Touch Crystals - Emerald, green and pink tourmaline, malachite, green jade, green aventurine, chrysoprase, kunzite, rose quartz, ruby, fluorite and moldavite

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Fifth Chakra - Throat Chakra - Blue

The fifth chakra, of the throat, is the primary focus of communication and action. Represented by blue, this chakra helps ensure you are heard and that you can speak your truth.

If you have a healthy fifth chakra, you are able to communicate easily with friends and family - with those you work and interact with. You're even able to give talks in front of an audience.

If you're having trouble with your fifth chakra, you might be shy or intimidated by these situations and feel unable to say what you really mean. You might also be too talkative - boisterous or overbearing in situations where you should listen more.

If you want to strengthen your throat chakra, try blue lace agate or turquoise. Visualise a sky blue flower at your throat unfolding its petals. This will help you express yourself better and be more self assured.

If the problem is that you are too talkative or overbearing, it's time to tone things down. Balance is important between the chakras and this would suggest your throat chakra is overactive compared to the others. Imagine a blue flower softly closing its petals.

Related Herbs - Cloves (Caryophyllus Aromaticus, Syzygium Aromaticum, Eugenia Caryiphyllate) and Vervain (Verbena Officinalis)

Related Incense - Frankincense and Benzion.

Related Musical Note - G

Vowel sound – e (let)

Element – ether Sense – Sound

Crystals - Turquoise, chrysocolla, chalcedony, blue sapphire, celestite, blue topaz, sodalite, lapis lazuli, aquamarine, azurite and kyanite

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Sixth Chakra - Brow Chakra - Purple

The sixth chakra is the brow chakra, also called the chakra of the third eye. The color assigned to this chakra is indigo, or purple. This is the chakra of intuition, of thought and of spirituality.

If you have a healthy sixth chakra, you are at peace with yourself, and are able to study and investigate issues of spirituality. You will also be able to develop your psychic awareness.

If, on the other hand, your sixth chakra is unhealthy or closed, it could cause you to jump from idea to idea with little focus. It could also cause you to cling to a single idea without any ability to even consider or discuss any other idea- hence 'close minded'.

If your aim is to open and clear your sixth chakra, try working with amethyst or lapis lazuli. Focus on the spot just above and between your two physical eyes. You may get a glimpse of your third eye, usually very beautiful, looking right back at you. Even if you don't see it you may become aware of it. You may imagine a deep blue flower gently opening its petals wide.

If the issue is that you that you are overwhelmed with psychic information and it is interfering in your everyday life you may ask the chakra to gently close. Either visualise the third eyelid closing or petals of a blue flower folding softly inwards.

Related Herbs - Sandalwood (Santalum Album) and Elecampane (Inula Helenium)

Related Foods and Plants -

Related Aromatherapy -

Related Incense - Mugwort, Star Anise, Saffron and Acacia.

Related Musical Note - A

Vowel sound – e (me)

Element – Light Sense – intuitiveness or ESP

Crystals - Lapis lazuli, azurite, fluorite, sodalite, quartz crystal, sapphire and indicolite tourmaline

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Seventh Chakra - Crown Chakra - Violet

The seventh and final chakra is the crown chakra, represented by the color violet. It is sometimes also represented by white.

This chakra controls wisdom and true understanding. When the seventh chakra is healthy, it allows you to plan your life and handle the daily trials and tribulations that life throws at you. You will feel your link with the Divine and with the rest of creation.

When your seventh chakra is unhealthy, it leads to unwise decisions, unhappiness, and a sense of indecision. You will feel alone and seperate.

If your aim is to open your seventh chakra, then you should start with amethyst or quartz. Meditation is a key to developing the crown chakra. Visualise a beautiful flower at your crown with hundreds of petals gently opening. This will help you find wisdom and a sense of universal connection.

If the problem is that your seventh chakra is too open, and you are finding it hard to cope with the hustle and bustle of everday living then imagine the same flower gently closing the petals over to protect the chakra.

Related Herbs - Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) and Nutmeg (Myristica Fragrans).

Related Foods and Plants - Blackberry, Dark Blue Grapes and Garlic.

Related Aromatherapy - Cinnamon, Clove and Peppermint.

Related Incense - Lotus and Gotu Kola.

Related Musical Note- B

Vowel sound – ohm

Element – Thought Sense - Will

Crystals - Amethyst, alexandrite, purple fluorite, sugilite, quartz crystal, diamond and selenite