About the Chakric System
What Is It And Why Is It Important?
The Chakric System is the structural configuration of a body’s energy field. Whilst there are many chakras supporting the human body, we use the traditional seven-fold system. Each chakra resembles a spinning vortex of light and operates as an intake organ of energy from the Universal Life Energy Field. The energy absorbed, is metabolised in each chakra before being distributed to parts of the body located in the closest major nerve plexus. This energy is vital for the proper functioning of the auric field and the physical body. Body organs served by poorly functioning chakras do not receive their energy supply, which weakens them as well as their immune defences.
Chakra imbalances are common; we all experience them at various times in our lives. They result in us feeling a little 'out of sorts'. In extreme cases, where a chakra is not functioning effectively over a prolonged period of time, disease may occur in that part of the body. Identifying and addressing these areas are of primary importance for ourselves and our Earth. What we heal in the microcosm we also heal in the macrocosm and so our bodies and Chakric System become the perfect vehicle to heal the larger Earth body and her Chakric System.
Take a look at our Chakras Pinterest board for some great imagery and additional information.
“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly,
our whole life would change.” Buddha
How Does The Chakric System Work?
The chakras do not function independently of one another and need to be viewed as a highly organised and interrelated operating system that always begins with the opening of the Heart Chakra.
The analogy of a seed growing, best demonstrates the interconnectedness between the chakras and the elements and capacity for spiritual Oneness:
Love is the source and inspiration for life. It opens the gates of creation (Heart Chakra). Plant a seed (Base Chakra) into fertile ground (Earth Element). For it to take root and grow into a sturdy healthy plant, it needs to be nurtured, held safe and warm within the womb of Mother Earth’s body (Sacral Chakra). Regular watering (Water Element) and the Sun’s rays and heat from the Earth (Solar Plexus Chakra) energise the seed, igniting the spark of life, stimulating growth and the will to survive (Fire Element). A gentle breath of air (Air Element) ensures that this flame burns with Divine love and power (Heart Chakra). The Spiritual Element flows through the upper three chakras as the plant matures and it expresses (Throat Chakra) its heart’s desire. It rhythmically determines itself into creative form, bending and sprouting new stems and leaves, expanding and developing a strong root system that supports the creation of a flower bud. In time, this bud will unveil its true self (Third Eye Chakra) revealing a splendid corona of petals (Crown Chakra) and radiating an exquisite and intoxicating fragrance, the ultimate expression of Grace.
Base Chakra
The Base Chakra deals with ‘tribal’ or group power. Our genetic roots, family legacy, belief patterns and traditions shape the development of our personal identity, sense of belonging and connection to a particular group of people.
The Base Chakra determines how grounded we are, a critical factor in determining the strength and quality of our foundations as individuals and for what we create in our lives. Our emotional and mental health depends on us feeling connected and at home with others and within our own bodies. In the physical body this energy centre is connected to the spinal column, rectum, legs, bones, feet and immune system via the adrenal glands.
Emotional stability is created through good family relationships and positive social interactions in early life. Family dysfunction is often the cause of mental illnesses. Base Chakra energy manifests in our need for clear directives, rationality and structure. Literal perception rather than symbolic interpretation is the governing modus operandi of this chakra.
The primary obstacle faced through this chakra is fear; fear of abandonment by the group, physical survival and loss of physical order. At its best the Base Chakra promotes family identity and bonding, tribal honour and loyalty, self-preservation, self-sufficiency and self-acceptance, material security and a deep sense of fulfilment and wellbeing.
The Base Chakra requires that we respect our biological family as a perfect and divinely orchestrated vehicle from which we begin our life’s journey. Through this chakra we learn that we are all connected as one spiritual community and that our beliefs and choices have huge influence on our sense of wholeness. We are meant to live together, depend upon and support one other. The tribal or group setting is our safe haven wherein we may learn and create together. This is where we plant the seeds for our future and witness the collective power of our group at work.
Sacral Chakra
The Sacral Chakra deals with the power of relationships and is known as the partnership chakra. Changes in our awareness when we're around seven years old, result in us becoming more independent and developing relationships with people other than our families. With our newfound freedom, come new life experiences and our opportunity to explore our power of choice.
The Sacral Chakra is energetically connected to the reproductive organs, lower intestines, lower vertebrae, pelvis, hip area, appendix and bladder via the gonads. Illnesses arise from the fear of losing physical control of our relationships, our environment, authority or money.
The Moon is connected to the Sacral Chakra and governs our body fluids in the same way that she influences the ocean tides as she orbits around the Earth. Body hydration, blood flow, digestive motion and reproductive function all respond to Moon energy. The ebb and flow of tides correlate with our feelings and emotions.
Through the Sacral Chakra we discover what makes us unique and determine our self-worth and self-sufficiency. Relationships make us more aware; the painful ones often bring the greatest insights. A protective mind-set and need to establish personal boundaries are characteristic of this chakra. We learn to respect and foster one another as well as nurture ourselves and our dreams. When the Sacral Chakra is blocked, creativity is stifled and we feel empty. The birthing of children and ideas into physical form through the procreative energies of this chakra are crucial for our biological survival and growth in consciousness.
When our Sacral Chakra functions well, we are comfortable with ourselves, confident and inspired. Our sexuality is healthy and respected for its creative power. We trust in the order and process of life, accept change and adapt accordingly. We are self-reliant. Our ability to ‘go with the flow’ directs our energy appropriately. We make good decisions and make use of our talents and resourcefulness.
Solar Plexus Chakra
The Solar Plexus Chakra is the centre of personal power. This is where we deepen our focus and connection to our inner intelligence and develop a mature self-understanding and self-appreciation. We cultivate our personality and ego and get to experience and honour the fullness of who we are irrespective of where we are from.
Solar Plexus energy connects to the physical body through the stomach, upper intestines, gallbladder, kidney, liver and lumbar spine through the pancreas. Illnesses develop as a result of low self-esteem and self-respect, fear of rejection, humiliation, hypersensitivity to criticism and inflexibility.
Just as the Sun is the centre of our galaxy, the Solar Plexus Chakra is the centre of our physical bodies and functions like the Sun but on a microcosmic scale. Yellow in colour and fiery like the Sun, the Solar Plexus Chakra is a magnetic super powerhouse, a life force that feeds and supports our creativity. The Sun’s power reflects the potential for achieving self-empowerment through the Solar Plexus. Shadows cannot exist where the Sun shines its light. In the same way, the energies of the Solar Plexus Chakra expand our introspective abilities and insight.
The primary obstacles are shame and humiliation, being criticised and rejected, and guilt for failing to be self-disciplined and responsible. We are stripped of our power, which is frustrating. When our Solar Plexus Chakra operates optimally we act with assertion, stand up for ourselves and account for our actions. We are able to manifest our intentions and desires. We are spirited, spontaneous, generous and trustworthy. We are confident in our abilities. We display great strength of character, self-discipline, ambition, ethics and integrity. We have strong self-esteem, self-respect, will and personal purpose. Solar Plexus emotional maturity means that we are able to understand, manage and clear raging emotions. Our attention is focused on more positive dynamics that bring us joy and happiness.
Heart Chakra
The Heart Chakra is the centre of emotional power. Through it we learn that love is the most powerful energy of all and that when we act with unconditional love and compassion we develop our emotional intelligence and bring balance and peace into our lives.
The Heart Chakra is energetically connected to the heart and circulatory systems, the lower lungs, breasts, shoulders, arms and hands via the thymus gland. This chakra is pivotally positioned midway in the Chakric System and works to restore harmony throughout the body by mediating between the denser energies of the lower chakras and the lighter more mental and spiritually inclined energies of the upper chakras. Illnesses result from longstanding resentment, bitterness and unacknowledged grief.
Extreme emotions are typical of an unbalanced Heart Chakra - love and hate, hope and hopelessness, generosity and greed, envy and kindness. Conscious awareness is what stabilizes these extreme reactions, and is a function of us learning to accept and love ourselves and others. Extreme emotions often place us in awkward situations that we later regret, and so forgiveness becomes an issue. An inability to forgive paralyzes us; we cannot find peace within or ‘without’. Forgiveness breathes new life into our world and allows us to move forward again. We are not required to understand or know why things happen the way they do, we simply need to surrender to what is, accept and let go.
When the Heart Chakra is blocked we experience loneliness and feel isolated from our world. We feel vulnerable and weak. Fearful, and untrusting we have difficulty following our hearts. When our Heart Chakra is healthy and strong we love and are loved, and feel deeply connected to others. We are compassionate and committed, filled with optimism and trust.
Heart Chakra energy is love energy. It is the most intoxicating energy available to us, which is why we spend all of our lives learning how to love and be loved. It is the alpha and omega of our existence the essential elixir to our physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Love is what brings joy and meaning to our lives.
Throat Chakra
The Throat Chakra is the centre of will power. It deals with the complexity and power of choice and the challenge of releasing our personal will to the will of the Divine. In the Base Chakra, the group has control over our individual will. In the Solar Plexus we develop our own authority. By the time we reach the Throat Chakra, we realize that our willpower means nothing unless we are aligned with our God-self.
The Throat Chakra is energetically connected to the mouth, throat, oesophagus, neck vertebrae and upper lungs via the thyroid gland. Illnesses arise from an inability to express our emotions, say what we need to say and make ourselves heard.
An inability to communicate effectively may place us into difficult situations where others cannot hear or misunderstand what we are saying. We fear being criticised and judged and may resort to editing what we say to keep the peace and everyone happy. When this chakra operates efficiently we are able to aptly express ourselves and voice our hopes and dreams. We speak the truth, communicate clearly, hear others and are heard. We keep our word, have faith and trust our intuition. We recognise and respect the power and impact of language when we set our intentions and say our prayers.
We are responsible for what we create through our choices, and so it is in our highest interest to listen to our intuition when making decisions. When we trust the Divine authority of our ‘inner voice’ also called the ‘voice of God’, we attain the best results.
Third Eye Chakra
The Third Eye Chakra deals with the power of the mind and is known as the chakra of wisdom. Patterns of perception are the key focus. Our beliefs determine how we function as human beings. Strongly held thoughts become beliefs which become ingrained patterns that influence the way we see ourselves and our world. Our thoughts and feelings about our past experiences colour our current perceptions, which then drive our attitudes and behaviour. We unravel these patterns through the Third Eye Chakra. When we understand our subconscious influences we have greater control over our lives. We know the truth, what is real and what is not. We act with greater awareness rather than being thrown about by our conditioned responses stemming from fear and illusion.
The Third Eye Chakra has an energetic connection to the brain, central nervous system, face, eyes, ears and nose through the pituitary gland. Illnesses develop from an unwillingness to look within, see the truth, understand and address recurring debilitating patterns that cloud our reasoning and the decisions we take.
Illusion is the primary obstacle of the Third Eye Chakra, which results in self-doubt and distrust. When this chakra operates maximally, we self-reflect and enjoy getting to ‘know ourselves’ better. We are more discerning. Our spiritual connections are enhanced and we have greater insight, intellectual and intuitive abilities. We are imaginative, inspired and creative. We are willing to learn from our past experiences and are thus able to perform great acts of healing on ourselves by unveiling the illusions that keep us trapped in destructive patterns.
Crown Chakra
The Crown Chakra is the centre of our spiritual power. It is our connection with the Divine and entry point of our life force, which feeds and sustains our mind, body and spirit. The Crown Chakra focuses on our link and union with the Divine and mystical realms of life. Spiritual practice should be a part of everything we do and not something we turn on or off at whim. We are essentially spiritual beings having a human experience and so it is in our highest interest to recall our true nature and cultivate our ‘heavenly connections’.
The Crown Chakra is energetically linked to our muscular and skeletal system, the skin and brain through the pineal gland. Illnesses arise from extreme sensitivity and anxiety, addictive and dogmatic beliefs that make us inflexible to our need for change.
When Crown Chakra energy is blocked we are unable to trust life, which thwarts our spiritual growth and keeps us mentally trapped, blindly obedient and small-minded. We fear being abandoned by Spirit, losing our individuality and connection with life and those closest to us. When our Crown Chakra is fully functional we are able to tap into pure awareness, the Universal mind or ‘mind of God’ and see beyond the illusion of our reality - space and time describes our thinking not where we live - which is extremely liberating.
Crown Chakra energy engenders intense devotion and dedication to our calling. It is the well source of our symbolic sight, prophetic thoughts and ideas. Like a lotus flower our Crown Chakras open up to the light of consciousness of the eternal now. Living in the present moment is how we experience Heaven on Earth. We discover our pure being and Oneness with all of life. We realise that we ‘have always been and will always be’, and that our growth in consciousness is guided and our enlightenment inevitable.