Chakras

Chakras

The Sanskrit word Chakra literally translates to wheel or disk. In yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, this term refers to wheels of energy or light throughout the body. They regulate, maintain, and manage the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of our beings on this physical plane. There are many systems of Chakras depending on various approaches to energy work. For example, Pranic Healing uses 10 chakras, Kundalini Yoga uses 8. There are also 12 and 32 chakras systems.

For my jewelry, I am inspired by the Yogic system of seven main chakras, which follow the spine, starting from the coccyx up through to the crown of the head. I use the rainbow colors associated with each chakra, from red at the base to white at the top. Some people prefer purple as the crown color, but to me, white feels more transcendent and representative of the energy of the crown, which is connection to spirit. More traditional Tantric yoga has yet another color scheme for the 7 chakras.

Root Chakra ~ Stability

1st Chakra relates to self awareness. It’s the area of survival and stability and your place on this earth. When this chakra is balanced, we feel secure, courageous and adventurous. When it is off, we become insecure, self-pitying and fearful. Red connects us to our physical body.

Sacral Chakra ~ Creativity

2nd Chakra relates to self respect, giving us the ability to be free to be our true selves. It also helps expand your interests and activities while bringing joy to our workday and strengthening our love of life. When this Chakra is balanced, we feel sociable, creative and independent. Otherwise we can become withdrawn, destructive and overly-dependant. Orange is an emotional stimulant which connects us to our senses and helps remove inhibitions so we can be independent and social.

Solar Plexus Chakra ~ Will

3rd Chakra relates to self worth, how we perceive ourselves and how we feel others perceive us. This chakra is about personality, the ego & the intellect. Balance here give us clarity of thought, increased awareness and stimulates interest & curiosity. We become confident, optimistic and good humored. When off balance, we can have feelings of inferiority, become over analytical or pessimistic. Yellow energy connects us to our mental self.

Heart Chakra ~ Love

4th Chakra is all about love and self love. It reflects the ability to give and take unconditionally. When this chakra is balanced, we are able to give love to others and nurture ourselves. Then we feel compassion, generosity and harmonious. When off, we can become indifferent and jealous. Green connects us to unconditional love and is used for balancing our whole being.

Throat Chakra ~ Communication

5th Chakra is all about self-expression and the ability to communicate our needs. It reflects the spirit of truth and purpose. When balanced, this chakra enhances loyalty, trustworthiness and a sense of deep calm. When off, we can become self-righteous and cold. Blue has a pacifying effect on the nervous system and brings great relaxation. It connects us to holistic thought and gives us wisdom and clarity.

Third Eye Chakra ~ Intuition

6th Chakra relates to being responsible for our own life, following our soul’s path and trusting our intuition. When balanced, we are clear sighted, have an orderly mind and are full of integrity. When off, we can be scatter minded, inconsiderate and do not trust our higher self. Purple energy connects us to our unconscious self and we feel we are part of the whole universe, increasing imagination and psychic powers.

Crown Chakra ~ Divine Connection

7th Chakra relates to self knowledge and spiritual awareness. It is the union with our higher self, spirituality and higher consciousness. Balance brings guidance, wisdom and inner strength. Then our thoughts are purified and we feel inspiration in all our undertakings and our artistic talents and creativity is enhanced. When out of whack, we feel no concern for others and lack of contact with reality.