Chakras & Crystals

There are various sytems that relate the the Chakras originating in Ancient India and connected to Tantra, Buddhism, numerous Chinese connotations including Bon: then there are the quasi western applications within occult circles in paticular the Kabbalah.

Here I will attempt to relate the concept in its most basic form. The previous blog on Kundalini gives a more complex view.

Chakra means wheel or circle and even disk: the Chakra are energy centres that relate to points on the spinal column. From the lowest the root chakra to the 6th at the middle of the forehead. The 7th chakra the crown exists beyond the immediate phisical form.

1. Muladhara lower body
2. Swadhisthana reproductive parts
3. Manipura navel
4. Anahata heart
5. Vishuddha throat
6. Ajna eyebrow or forehead
7. Sahasrara top of head

Sahasrara or the crown chakra is generally considered to be the chakra of consciousness. Its role may be envisioned somewhat similarly to that of the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of the endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via the hypothalamus. The thalamus is thought to have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness. Symbolised by a lotus with one thousand petals, it is located on the crown of the head.

Ajna (along with Bindu, either or both are considered to correspond to the third eye) is linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning. Ajna is held as the chakra of time, awareness and of light. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and awakening. Symbolised by a lotus with two petals.

Vishuddha (also Vishuddhi) or the throat chakra may be envisioned as relating to communication and growth, growth being a form of expression. This chakra is paralleled to the thyroid, a gland that is also in the throat and which produces thyroid hormone, responsible for growth and maturation. Symbolised by a lotus with sixteen petals.

Anahata or the heart chakra is related to complex emotion, compassion, love, equilibrium and well-being. It is related to the thymus, located in the chest. The thymus is an element of the immune system as well as being part of the endocrine system. It produces T cells responsible for fending off disease and may be adversely affected by stress. Symbolised by a lotus with twelve petals. See also heartmind.

Manipura or the solar plexus chakra is related to the transition from simple or base to complex emotion, energy, assimilation and digestion, and is held to correspond to the roles played by the pancreas and the outer adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of food matter into energy for the body. Symbolised by a lotus with ten petals.

Swadhisthana or the sacral chakra is located in the sacrum (hence the name) and is related to base emotion, sexuality and creativity. This chakra is considered to correspond to the testicles or the ovaries that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle which may cause dramatic mood swings. Symbolized by a lotus with six petals.

Muladhara or the base or root chakra is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This centre is located in the region between the genitals and the anus. Although no endocrine organ is placed here, it is said to relate to the inner adrenal glands, the adrenal medulla, responsible for the fight and flight response when survival is under threat. In this region is located a muscle that controls ejaculation in the sexual act in the human male. A parallel is charted between the sperm cell and the ovum where the genetic code lies coiled and the kundalini. Symbolised by a lotus with four petals.

As well as the applicatiion of the visualised psyche there is the phisical endrocrine system which reflects the chakras.

The Crystals work as a further aid in this meditation and actualisation over three main areas.

1. They are an aid to the visualisation. Colour.

2. They relate to the chakras on a vibrationary level. Esoteric Significance of Crystals on a Previous Blog.

3. They assist in balancing and maintaining the energies.

The Crystals relate further as so:

1. Root Base Chakra: Red, Earth, Kundalini, Animal Instinct, Poise, Posture, Survival, Base Desire.
Common Stone: Tigers Eye, Hematite , Smoky Quartz

2. Belly Sacral Chakra: Orange Clairsentience, Lunar, Water, Intuition, Gut Feelings, Sensual Pleasure, Socialisation.
Common Stone: Carnelian

3. Solar Plexus: Yellow, Fire, Solar, Will Power, Vitality.
Common Stone: Citrine

4. Heart Chakra: Emerald Green or Rose Pink,Water, Higher Emotional Will, Love Compassion, Unconditional Love.
Common Stone: Rose Quartz, Green Adventurine

5. Throat Chakra: Blue, Air, Communication, Higher Expression of Ideals and the Cosmic Point of View.
Common Stone: Aqua Marine, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite

6. Third Eye Chakra, Indigo, Purple the Elements, Higher Lunar, Clairvoyance, Inner Awareness, Intuitive Perception.
Common Stone: Amethyst

7. Crown Chakra, Clear White Light, Spirit, Universal Mind, Transcendence, Higher Thoughts and Senses, Collective Mind.
Common Stone: Clear Quartz

The above correspondences and applications are by no means exhaustive. And the stones are of my choice.