Chakras & why they matter
Chakras are energy points in and around our physical and energetic bodies. Most people that write and talk about chakras usually focus on the ones along your spinal column, the core 7: the crown, third eye, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral and root chakras.
There are a few other significant chakras that are not brought up as often. After years of learning about chakras, their functions and connections to each other, there are a few more chakras that I believe are worth mentioning: Stellar Gateway chakra, Soul Star chakra, thymus or upper heart chakra and the Earth Star chakra.
The Stellar Gateway, Soul Star, and Earth Star chakras are called transpersonal chakras and are located outside of the physical body. They connect the physical body and its respective chakras with the Higher Self, collective consciousness, other beings and high frequency energy.
The Stellar Gateway chakra is lined up with your Soul Star chakra and resides 6 inches above it. The stellar gateway chakra’s purpose is to filter, receive, balance and integrate the energy you receive from the stars, planets and other dimensions.
Signs that the Stellar Gateway chakra is out of balance: egomania, lack of discernment, repeating the same negative life patterns, involuntary out of body experiences, physical objects appearing and disappearing, uncontrolled inner visions that disrupt the daily routine.
Ways to help align the Stellar Gateway chakra: meditation, Kundalini yoga, connect with energy healers for support.
Supporting Crystals: Selenite, Calcite
Mantra: I am open and willing to receive.
The Soul Star chakra is located 3 to 6 inches from the crown chakra and its main role is to integrate the physical body with the spiritual bodies. Through it you can connect to your higher self, past lives by accessing the Akashic records and the collective consciousness.
Signs that the Soul Star chakra is out of balance: disconnection from our feelings, feeling numb, feelings of doubt, lack of authenticity, making decisions out of fear.
Ways to help align the Soul Star crown chakra: meditate, claim and own your life, be authentic.
Supporting Crystals: Selenite, Indigo Kyanite, Phenacite.
Mantras: I commit to life. My life is my creation. I claim my life and I accept full responsibility over it.
The Crown chakra is our highest physical chakra and is the bridge to Source or Divinity. It is the chakra of meditation and spirituality. Physically, it influences the central nervous system, muscular system and skin.
Signs that the crown chakra is out of balance: inflexible thoughts and behavior, disconnection from others, despair, disheartenment, inability to surrender, fear to take action.
Ways to help align the crown chakra: meditate often, practice gratitude for the blessings in your life, surrender a situation to Source/ the Divine and trust it will be resolved.
Supporting Crystals: Amethyst, Clear Quartz, Labradorite, Selenite, Sugilite.
Mantras: I am connected. I see the light in everyone. I honor all beings. I am unconditional love. I live in the present moment. I am open to divine guidance. My life moves with grace.
The Third-Eye chakra is located between the eyebrows and is the center of our intuition, and wisdom, and it helps us think and make decisions. When this chakra is aligned, we experience mental clarity, can focus easily, see things for what they are, we exercise discernment, we question our history, social programming and what is truly appropriate for our wellbeing and self growth.
Signs that the third eye chakra is out of balance: narcissist behavior, ego driven, mistrustful, external focus, inability to be compassionate, stubbornness, lack of focus, inability to retain information, fear of the unknown, procrastination, indecisiveness.
Ways to help align the third eye chakra: yoga, meditation, energy healing work, sound therapy, acupressure.
Supporting Crystals: Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Moldavite, Purple Fluorite, Black Obsidian.
Mantras: I am connected to my higher power and to the wisdom of the Universe. Every situation is an opportunity to grow. I am able to see and act in alignment with my divine purpose. I am wise, intuitive, and connected to my Higher Self. I trust my intuition and act according to its guidance.
The Throat chakra is located at the center of the neck, at the level of the throat. The throat chakra’s main function is self-expression both internally and externally. This includes expression of feelings, beliefs, intentions, thoughts and aspirations.
Signs that the throat chakra is out of balance: inability to listen to others, to be discreet and keep secrets, inability to express yourself, suppressing feelings, beliefs and opinions in order to avoid judgement, fear of silence, excessive talking, constant complaining, needing to be right all the time, depression, anxiety, aggression, poor self-esteem.
Ways to help align the throat chakra: meditate on the color blue, hydrate (drink water), write, journal, sing, dance, express yourself in private or with your close friends until you feel comfortable to share it with the world.
Supporting Crystals: Lapis Lazuli, Amazonite, Blue Kyanite, Blue Apatite.
Mantras: I express my feelings easily. I speak my truth freely and easily. I live my truth, I express my truth, I am the truth.
The Thymus chakra, also known as the higher heart chakra, is located between the throat chakra and the heart chakra. This chakra is associated with the thymus gland and it connects the emotions of unconditional love, compassion, truth and forgiveness with your throat chakra allowing you to speak from the heart.
The thymus gland is connected to the immune system and contains within it the patterning for your DNA, and your karmic design for this lifetime, including past lives.
Your thymus is just as important for your physical health as it is for your spiritual health, since it plays an important role with your immune system. The thymus is a lymphoid gland which plays an essential role in the production of T-cells, which are some of your best protectors in the fight against viruses.
Just in case you need more incentives to work with this chakra, here are a few more reasons why you want this chakra to be aligned and happy:
Strong immune system.
It will help reduce high blood pressure, and heal tumors.
Lowers anxiety and irritability, which leads to a more restful sleep.
Shorter recovery from sickness.
Signs that the thymus chakra is out of balance: getting sick often, feeling tired and weighted down no matter how much rest we get, hopelessness, apathy.
Ways to help activate the thymus chakra: Reiki, sound therapy, meditation, yoga, qi gong, tai chi.
Supporting Crystals: Green Calcite, Turquoise, Selenite, Clear quartz.
Mantras: I accept all aspects of myself. I accept others the way they are. I forgive easily. I am compassionate towards myself and others.
The heart chakra is located 3 inches below the thymus chakra and is responsible for processing and extending acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, empathy, grief. The heart chakra’s focus is to help us love ourselves and others, transform, change, and integrate insights.
Signs that the heart chakra is out of balance: negativity towards others, feelings of unworthiness of love, codependency, desperation, greed, lack of empathy, inability to trust oneself or others, deep insecurity and fear, holding grudges and not being able to let go, excessive isolation, jealousy, being overly defensive, always rescuing others or being the victim, trying to please at all costs.
Ways to help balance the heart chakra: practice self-care, self-compassion and acceptance, participate in activities that feed your heart, focus on receiving if you generally give all the time, focus on giving if you generally receive all the time, express gratitude.
Supporting Crystals: Rose quartz, Rhodochrosite, Green Jade, Green Aventurine, Malachite
Mantras: I accept myself in every way. I forgive myself. I love myself unconditionally.
The Solar Plexus chakra is located 3 inches or so below the heart chakra and is responsible for self-esteem, willpower and sense of self. It is the core of power and balance both from a physical and spiritual perspective.
Signs that the Solar plexus chakra is out of balance: addiction, codependency, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, controlling, overindulgence, excessive laziness, insecurity, lack of focus.
Ways to help balance the Solar plexus chakra: meditation, yoga, sunbathing, spending time in nature, express your feelings through movement (exercise, dance, cry, write, draw), stop seeing yourself as the victim,
Supporting Crystals: Orange calcite, Yellow Tiger’s eye, Agate, Pyrite, Citrine, Amber
Mantras: I respect and honor myself. I can succeed in anything I focus on. I respect and honor myself. I stand up for myself. I am responsible for my life. I am whole.
The Sacral chakra is located above the pubic bone and is responsible for sexuality, intimacy, passion, joy and creativity. When the sacral chakra is balanced our relationship to ourselves and others thrive.
Signs that the Sacral chakra is out of balance: fear, jealousy, detachment, low self-esteem, feeling overwhelmed, blocked creativity, sexual dysfunction, manic depression, repetitive toxic relationships, lack of motivation, manipulative behavior, self-sabotage.
Ways to help balance the Sacral chakra: meditation, yoga, water activities (swimming, baths)
Supporting Crystals: Carnelian, Citrine, Orange calcite, Yellow Tiger’s eye, Amber, Orange Moonstone
Mantras: I am creative. I am comfortable with my body. It is safe to express my sexuality. It is my Divine right to be joyful and find pleasure.
The Root chakra is located at the base of your spine and it is associated with your basic needs ( food, sex, shelter and survival), security, grounding, and how you relate to others. When your Root chakra is balanced you feel safe, stable and able to take on anything. Physically it oversees the bladder, kidneys, lower spine and back. From a physiological aspect it rules the survival instincts, like “fight or flight”.
Signs that the Root chakra is out of balance: overeating, hoarding goods and money, insecurity, anxiety, detachment, poor decision making, feeling alone, lack of focus, restlessness
Ways to help balance the Root chakra: practice mindful movement (take walks in nature, dance, practice yoga, while you shower focus on connecting with the Earth),
Supporting Crystals: Bloodstone, Garnet, Hematite, Red Jasper, Black Obsidian, Snowflake Obsidian, Black Onyx, Petrified Wood, Ruby, Smoky Quartz, Shungite, Red Tiger's Eye.
Mantras: I am safe and protected. The universe supports me. All of my needs are met. I receive support whenever I need it. I am healthy in body, mind and spirit.
The Earth Star chakra is located 12 inches below your feet, outside of your physical body. Its main function is to ground the entire chakra system and allow for a deeper connection with Mother Gaia and universal energies. The Earth Star chakra is our direct line to Mother Gaia (Earth) and our soul life purpose. When balanced, the Earth Star chakra helps us stay present during our daily routine, it gives us a sense of being connected to something greater than ourselves, of truly being loved and welcomed on Earth.
Signs that the Earth Star chakra is out of balance: anxiety, feeling lost, instability in life, lack of spirituality, acute fear of the unknown, depression, loss of purpose, poverty mentality, feeling lonely, feeling homesick, feeling disconnected, overactive mind.
Ways to help balance the Earth Star chakra: take your shoes off and walk barefoot in nature, meditation, yoga, sound healing, reflexology, listen to the frequency of the Earth Star Chakra (68.05 Hz)
Supporting Crystals: Black Kyanite, Black Tourmaline, Charoite, Marcasite, Black Obsidian, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, Pyrite, Fire Agate, Moldavite
Mantras: I am grounded and stable. I release all lower frequency beliefs and patterns from all timelines into Mother Gaia. I am safe, grounded, loved and connected with Mother Gaia.
I would like to mention the Gaia Gateway which is located 6 to 12 inches below the Star Earth Chakra. It is the energy portal through which we communicate our beliefs, our soul knowing and our awareness of our purpose into the core, or center of the earth. The core of the earth serves as a mirror, what we project and focus on, it reflects back our intentions.
I intend to post in depth articles on each chakra, including the colors, foods and physical symptoms they are each associated with. I did not feel like the colors were important to mention above, since each individual experiences the color of each chakra differently. As a point of reference, these are predominantly experienced:
Stellar Gateway Chakra: silver or white
Soul Star Chakra: gold or white
Crown Chakra: violet or white
Third-eye Chakra: purple
Throat Chakra: sky blue or deep blue
Thymus Chakra: pink-gold
Heart Chakra: green
Solar plexus Chakra: yellow
Sacral Chakra: orange
Root Chakra: red
Earth Star Chakra: magenta
Happy healing! Love, accept, forgive, be compassionate with yourself, have courage to be your authentic self and see your world transform, and the world around you. You are the creator of your universe and together we can co-create a beautiful, healthy and loving world.