Online Reference For Body, Mind & Spirit

Term: Chakras

DEFINITIONs:
1.  A chakra is a spinning vortex of energy created within ourselves by the interpenetration of consciousness and the physical body. Through this combination, chakras become centers of activity for the reception, assimilation, and transmission of life energies. Uniting the chakras is what we experience as the "self."

The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "disk" and originated within the philosophy of the ancient yoga systems of India.
SOURCE:  Truth about Chakras, Anodea Judith
2.  Wheel of light or spinning disc. The energetic organ located at various plexuses throughout the body and work to revitalize the physical body and the energy field.
SOURCE:  The Sacred Path of Reiki, by Katalin Koda
3.  Pronounced “Chak-rah” with a hard “ch” as in the word “chalk” or “Kahk-rah,” these are power centers in the aura related to organs or glands in the body. The chakras are not in the body per se; they are actually whirls, vorteces, circles, or lotuses that psychics can see in the aura.
SOURCE:  Modern Magick, by Donald Michael Kraig

4.  Sanskrit. "Wheel, Vortex, or Whirlpool." Psychic centers located in the aura functioning through the etheric body that exchange particular energies between the physical body and the personality, and the higher sources of energy associated with the planets, the Solar System, and the cosmos. They are interfaces between Mind and Body.

There are seven traditional "master" chakras and dozens of minor ones located in such places as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, joints of arms and legs, and just about any place traditionally adorned with jewelry.

Chakras are "vortexes," whirling centers of energy associated with particular areas of the body. In the Hindu tradition, muladhara is located at the base of the spine and is the source of kundalini and the power used in sex magic. Svadhisthna is located at the sacrum. Muladhara and Svadhisthna are linked to the physical body. Manipura is located at the solar plexus. Muladhara, Svadhisthna, and Manipura are together associated as the Personality, and their energies can be projected through the solar plexus in such psychic phenomena as rapping, ectoplasm, and the creation of familiars. Manipura is linked to the lower astral body. Anahata is located at the heart and is associated with group consciousness. Vishuddha is located at the throat and is associated with clairvoyance.

Anahata and Ajna are linked to the higher astral body. Ajna is located at the brow and is associated with clairvoyance. Sahasrara is located at the crown and is associated with spiritual consciousness. Anahata, Vishuddha, and Sahasrara are together associated as the spiritual self.

The master, or major, chakras are as follows. While we are listing some correspondences to planets, colors, and the Kabbalistic sephiroth, there is considerable debate about these and the correlations cannot be specific because the chakras and the sephiroth involve two different systems. Likewise, although not listed, there are differences between both these systems and those of Oriental martial arts and healing systems.

Base Chakra: Muladhara, base of spine, color red, associated planet Saturn, Sephirah Malkuth, associated Tattwa Prithivi, symbol of the element of Earth.

Sacral Chakra: Svadhisthana, genital area, color orange, associated planet Jupiter or Moon, Sephirah Yesod, associated Tattva Apas, symbol of the element of Water.

Solar Plexus Chakra: Manipura, solar plexus below the navel, color yellow, associated planet Mars, sephirah: none suggested, associated Tattva Tejas, symbol of the element of Fire.

Heart Chakra: Anahata, heart, color green, associated planet Sun or Venus, sephirah Tiphareth, associated Tattva Vayu, symbol of the element of air.

Throat Chakra: Vishuddha, throat, color blue, associated planet Mercury, Sephirah Daath, associated Tattva Akasha, symbol of the element of Spirit.

Brow Chakra:Ajna (the Third Eye), brow (just above and between the eyes), color indigo, associated planet Moon, Sephiroth Chokmah & Binah.

Crown Chakra: Sahasrara, crown, color violet, associated planet none, Sephirah Kether.

The following chart is a simplification of the primary chakra system:

 

No. Common
Name 
Sanskrit
Name 
Location2 Color1 Spokes
or Petals 
Associated
Gland6 
1   Base   Muladhara   Base of Spine5    Red 4   Ovaries, Testicles  
2   Sacral   Svadhisthana     Over Spleen   Orange   6   Pancreas
3   Solar Plexus    Manipura   Over Navel   Yellow 10   Adrenals
4   Heart   Anahata   Over Heart   Green 12   Thymus
5   Throat   Vishuddha   Throat   Blue 16   Thyroid
6   Brow   Ajna   Brow   Indigo 96   Pituitary
7   Crown   Sahasrara   Top of Head   Violet 960+124   Pineal 

 

1 These are the most commonly assigned colors, but authorities differ.

2 These are the most commonly assigned locations, but authorities differ. Instead of the Solar Plexus, Theosophists identify it with the Spleen, others with the navel.

3 Commonly, this is given as two, but it is really two "wings" of 48 each.

4 Most commonly, it is identified as a thousand-petaled lotus. The crown chakra has 960 spokes plus another 12 in its center, which is gleaming white with gold at its core.

5 Between anus and perineum.

6 Again, there are disagreements among authorities. Remember that there is no direct physical connection between the etheric chakras and the physical body.

 

Suggested Reading:

Wheels of Life: A User'ss Guide to the Chakra System, by Anodea Judith

A Chakra & Kundalini Workbook: Psycho-Spiritual Techniques for Health, Rejuvenation, Psychic Powers & Spiritual Rejuvenation, by Dr. Jonn Mumford

AUTHOR:  Carl Llewellyn Weschcke
SOURCE:  Llewellyn Complete Book of Psychic Empowerment, by Carl Llewellyn Weschcke & Joe H. Slate, Ph.D. (Llewellyn Publications)

5.  Disk or wheel. Chakras are energetic centers in the body that can be used as a kind of inner roadmap in Tantric practice. Dr. Mumford defines a chakra as, "a whirling vortex of energy, the meeting point between the body and the mind."

AUTHOR:  Mark A. Michaels and Patricia Johnson
SOURCE:  Great Sex Made Simple, by Mark A. Michaels and Patricia Johnson (Llewellyn Publications)
See also:  Chakra
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