The Seven Major Chakras
The chakra system used in the West was developed in
India. It is important to note, however, that many cultures developed similar systems.
The Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head, slightly to the back of the highest part of the skull. Physically it is associated with the pineal gland. This is people's connection with spirituality and Goddess/Source, and is represented usually by the color violet or white. The Crown is the place of perception of spirit guides and the skill of channeling.
The Brow or Third Eye Chakra is next, located above and between the physical eyes, and associated with the pituitary gland. This is the chakra of psychic perception, and understanding of the Oneness of the Universe. The color for the Brow is indigo, the blue-black of the nighttime sky. It is women's power center and represents the creation of personal realities. In physical healing the Crown and Brow are the brain, eyes, and central nervous system.
The Throat Chakra is located at the base of the neck, and is associated with the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Its color is light blue, and its function is communication both physical and psychic. In a world where speaking out is a risk, most people's Throat centers are in need of healing. Emotions are expressed at this level, and creativity is located there. Healing issues include anything with the throat sore throats, stage fright, thyroid problems, throat cancer.
Below it is the Heart Chakra, behind the breast-bone or sternum, and associated physically with the heart organ or thymus gland. Two colors are often used for the Heart center; the primary one is green and the other is rose. Emotions come from the heart, as does universal love and love for others. Heartache and heartbreak (and physical heart conditions) are typical of modern society most of us need heart and emotional healing.
Below the Heart and between the lower rows of ribs is the Solar Plexus
Chakra — its color is solar yellow. This is men's power center, and the place where energy moving through the body is assimilated. Food is assimilated at this center.
Its physical correspondence is the pancreas gland or liver as well as power issues and balances of power.
The Sacral Chakra is the spleen in men (purification) and the uterus in women, which also has a purifying function. Although most books and teachers would like you to believe that its location is a few inches below the navel, it is actually precisely at the navel! First impressions and old emotional pictures are stored in this center, and it is also the center of sexual choosing. Its color is orange. Healing at this chakra includes recovery from past abuse, and sexuality or fertility issues.
The Root Chakra, usually associated with the adrenal glands, is located at the genitals. It is represented by vibrant red. Known in the East as the Gateway of Life and Death, the Root is the place of birth and rebirth. This is the survival center, the ability to draw abundance from the planet. Root center healing involves basic issues of having enough food, shelter and clothing, of wanting to live or die, of grounding and of living on the
Earthplane.
These are the seven major chakras, and they are present on both the front and back of the body. There are said to be a total of forty-nine chakras on the human etheric double, with the others usually considered to be minor energy points. Each acupuncture point may also be called a minor chakra and there are hundreds of them. The small chakras located in the hands and fingers are not minor centers for healers. And those located on the soles of the feet that can also transmit
Reiki and serve to connect us to the Earthplane cannot be considered minor, either. There is a chakra at the back of each body joint. The chakras are a major part of the electrical system of the body, the bridge between physical and non-physical Being.