In the study of chakras, there are not only the well-known seven main chakras aligned along the spine, but also additional chakras that include 6 spirit chakras and 122 secondary chakras spread throughout the body. Together, these chakras form a comprehensive system that supports overall physiological health and spiritual development.
The seven major chakras are crucial energy centers located along the spine, each about 2 inches in diameter and resembling spinning wheels when energy flows freely or appearing dull and blocked when energy is stagnant. From the base of the spine to the crown of the head, these chakras are:
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Root Chakra (Muladhara): Located at the base of the spine, associated with grounding and survival instincts, and represented by the color red.
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Sacral Chakra (Svadhishthana): Positioned just below the navel, linked to creativity and sexuality, and colored orange.
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Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Found in the stomach area, it governs self-confidence and personal power, and is yellow.
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Heart Chakra (Anahata): At the center of the chest, associated with love and compassion, and represented by the color green.
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Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): Located at the throat, focusing on communication and expression, and colored blue.
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Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): Situated between the eyebrows, this chakra is the center of intuition and foresight, and is indigo.
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Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): At the top of the head, connected to spiritual awareness and enlightenment, and represented by the color violet.
The colors of the chakras align with the ROYGBIV spectrum of the rainbow. Each chakra acts as a vortex of energy that not only affects physical and emotional health but also forms the auric field around a person. At birth, each chakra appears white, symbolizing purity and potential. These chakras interplay dynamically to influence various aspects of life, impacting everything from physical survival to spiritual connection.
The word Chakra means ‘Wheel’ in Sanskrit.
Sanskrit Name: Muladhara
Lotus Petals: 4
Location: Base of spine, lower hips
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Planet: Saturn
Sense: Smell
Metal: Lead (Pb)
Organs: bones, teeth, nails, anus, rectum, colon, prostate, immune system.
Functions: Gives vitality to the physical body. Life-force, survival, instincts.
Dysfunctions: Chronic lower back pain, sciatica, varicose veins, rectal tumors/cancer, depression, constipation
Aromas: Cedar, Clove, Pepper, Vetiver
Gems/Minerals: Agate, Bloodstone, Hematite, Garnet, Ruby, Red Jasper
Foods: Proteins, red fruits & vegetables
Musical Note: C
Sound: Lam
Qualities/Lessons: Material success, the physical body, grounding, individuality, stability, safety, stillness, health, courage, and patience.
Unbalanced qualities: selfish, insecure, violent, greedy, angry, overly concerned with physical survival.
Sanskrit Name: Svadhishthana
Lotus Petals: 6
Location: Lower abdomen, navel
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Planet: Mars
Sense: Taste
Metal: Tin (Sn)
Organs: ovaries/testicles, prostate, spleen, womb, bladder, kidneys, large intestine, pelvis.
Functions: Procreation, physical force, vitality, sexuality.
Dysfunctions: Lower back pain, sexual potency, urinary and bladder problems.
Aromas: Light Musk, Jasmine, Sandalwood.
Gems/Minerals: Carnelian, Coral, Gold, Calcite, Amber, Citrine, Gold Topaz, Peach Aventurine, Moonstone.
Foods: Liquids, orange fruits & vegetables.
Musical Note: D
Sound: Vam
Qualities/Lessons: Giving and receiving, emotions, desire, pleasure, sexual love, change, movement, health, family, tolerance, creativity.
Unbalanced qualities: Over-indulgence in food or sex, sexual difficulties, confusion, purposelessness, jealousy, envy, material desires.
Sanskrit Name: Manipura
Lotus Petals: 10
Location: Abdomen, between chest and navel
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Planet: Sun
Sense: Sight
Metal: Iron (Fe)
Organs: Adrenal glands, stomach, liver, gall bladder, spleen, nervous system, muscles
Functions: Vitalizes sympathetic nervous system, digestive system, metabolism, and emotions.
Dysfunctions: Arthritis, diabetes, indigestion, hepatitis, adrenal dysfunction, liver dysfunction.
Aromas: Rosemary, Juniper, Vertivert, Fennel, Peppermint.
Gems/Minerals: Citrine, Gold Topaz, Amber, Tigers Eye, Gold Calcite, Gold.
Foods: Starches, yellow fruits & vegetables.
Musical Note: E
Sound: Ram
Qualities/Lessons: Will, personal power, authority, energy, mastery of desire, self-control, radiance, warmth, transformation, and humor.
Unbalanced qualities: Taking in more than one can utilize; too much emphasis on power, recognition, anger, fear, hate, or jealousy.
Sanskrit Name: Anahata
Lotus Petals: 12
Location: Center of chest
Color: Green
Element: Air
Planet: Venus
Sense: Touch
Metal: Copper (Cu)
Organs: Heart, circulatory system, arms, hands, lungs.
Functions: Anchors and energizes the body with the life force from higher self.
Dysfunctions: Heart failure, asthma/allergies, breast/lung cancer, thymus gland issues.
Aromas: Rose, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Geranium, Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender, Vanilla.
Gems/Minerals: Emerald, Green & Pink Tourmaline, Malachite, Green Jade, Green Aventurine, Chrysoprase, Kunzite, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Fluorite, Moldavite.
Foods: Green fruits & vegetables.
Musical Note: F
Sound: Yam
Qualities/Lessons: Divine and unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, balance, group consciousness, oneness with life, acceptance, peace, openness, harmony, contentment.
Unbalanced qualities: Repression of love, emotional instability, hatred, resentment, bitterness, grief, loneliness.
Sanskrit Name: Vishuddha
Lotus Petals: 16
Location: Throat
Color: Blue
Element: Universe, Spirit, Ether
Planet: Mercury
Sense: Sound
Metal: Mercury (Hg)
Organs: throat, mouth, thyroid, hypothalamus
Functions: Speech, sound, vibration, and communication
Dysfunctions: Depression, thyroid problems, raspy throat, mouth ulcers, gum disease, laryngitis.
Aromas: Clary sage, Bergamot, Tea Tree, Chamomile.
Gems/Minerals: Blue Lace Agate, Turquoise, Chrysocolla, Chalcedony, Blue Sapphire, Celestite, Blue Topaz, Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine, Azurite, Kyanite
Foods: Blue or purple fruits & vegetables
Musical Note: G
Sound: Ham
Qualities/Lessons: Power of the spoken word, communication skills, creative speech and writing, truth, wisdom, loyalty, honesty, reliability, gentleness, kindness.
Unbalanced qualities: Communication or speech problems, knowledge used unwisely, ignorance, lack of discernment, depression.
Sanskrit Name: Ajna
Lotus Petals: 2 or 96
Location: Between the eyebrows
Color: Indigo
Element: Spirit – Light
Planet: Neptune
Sense: Intuitiveness
Metal: Silver (Ag)
Organs: pineal gland, left eye, nose, ears
Functions: Vitalizes the lower brain (cerebellum) and central nervous system. Vision.
Dysfunctions: Brain tumors, strokes, spinal deformities, seizures.
Aromas: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary, Juniper, Thyme.
Gems/Minerals: Lapis Lazuli, Azurite, Fluorite, Sodalite, Quartz, Sapphire, Indicolite Tourmaline.
Foods: Blue or purple fruits & vegetables.
Musical Note: A
Sound: Ohm
Qualities/Lessons: Soul realization, intuition, insight, imagination, clairvoyance, concentration, peace of mind, wisdom, devotion, perception.
Unbalanced qualities: Lack of concentration, fear, cynicism, tension, headaches, eye problems, bad dreams, overly detached.
Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara
Lotus Petals: 1,000, 960, 972
Location: Top of the head
Color: Violet
Element: Spirit
Planet: Uranus
Sense: Thought – Will
Metal: Gold (Au)
Organs: cerebral cortex, central nervous system, right eye.
Functions: Vitalizes the upper brain (cerebrum).
Dysfunctions: Paralysis, bone cancer, multiple sclerosis.
Aromas: Lotus, Frankincense, Myrrh, Citronella, Palma Rosa, Hyacinth, Cumin, Violet Leaf, Sandalwood, Lemon, Jupiter.
Gems/Minerals: Amethyst, Alexandrite, Purple Fluorite, Sugilite, Quartz, Diamond, Selenite.
Foods: Fasting; purple fruits & vegetables.
Musical Note: B
Sound: Ohm
Qualities/Lessons: Unification to the higher self, oneness with the infinite, spiritual will, inspiration, unity, divine wisdom and understanding, idealism, selfless service, perception beyond space and tie. Continuity of consciousness.
Unbalanced qualities: Lack of inspiration, confusion, depression, alienation, hesitation to serve, senility.
There are 6 additional spirit Chakras; these may vary by teacher so we will cover them loosely.
Zero Chakra: Feet/Earth Star Chakra
Location: Between feet, extending 1 to 3 ft into the Earth
Eighth Chakra: Energy Center of Divine Love/Golden Crown
Location: 2 ft above Crown Chakra
Ninth Chakra: Soul/Karmic Blueprint
Location: 4 ft above Crown Chakra
Tenth Chakra: Center of Divine Creativity/Soul Star
Location: 8-10 ft above Crown Chakra
Eleventh Chakra: Pathway to the Soul
Location: 15 ft above Crown Chakra
Twelfth Chakra: Doorway to the Cosmos/Universal Mind
Location: 20 ft above Crown Chakra
The colors of these chakras and associated crystals vary and are usually associated with white, magenta, gold, iridescent, and ultraviolet light. Remember: your intention holds more power than any given association.
In addition to the seven main chakras, there are 122 smaller secondary chakras distributed throughout the body, as mentioned by the International Association of Metaphysics. These secondary chakras share characteristics with the primary chakras and appear to aura readers as small cyclones or spinning vortexes of energy, though they are less prominent than the primary ones. Unlike the main chakras that align along the spine, secondary chakras are located primarily at body joints such as hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands. They exist where bones intersect or near nerve plexuses, functioning as energy centers connected to nerves, bones, and joints.
While they are not key energy centers, secondary chakras play a crucial role in the overall chakra system. For example, the hips are vital as they connect the legs to the body, housing much of the connective tissue that transports electromagnetic energy. This tissue makes up about 38 percent of our body mass. A disconnect below the hips can interrupt the flow of vital energy, or prana as it’s known in Hinduism, affecting the energy supply to internal organs. Often, cultural mindsets, like those prevalent in America, can disrupt this energy flow by psychologically separating our legs from the rest of our body.
As defined by the International Association of Metaphysics, the 21 minor force centers are located in the etheric body. When the force centers are functioning properly, there is less likeliness of disease and sickness in the physical body. The locations are:
- 1 behind each eye (2)
- 1 in each palm (2)
- 1 in the sole of each foot (2)
- 1 behind each knee (2)
- 1 near each ear, where the mandible connects to the jaw (2)
- 1 above each breast (2), forming a triangle with:
- 1 where the breast bones meet
- 1 for each gonad (testes or ovaries) (2)
- 1 close to the liver
- 1 close to the stomach
- 2 connected to the spleen
- 1 connected to the vagus nerve (near the thymus gland)
- 1 close to the solar plexus