What are Chakras?

Chakras are areas of spinning energy, the slowest rotating chakra being at the base of the spine and the fastest at the crown of the head. Each chakra spins at a different speed, so has its own specific vibration or frequency. Chakras translate etheric, astral and higher vibrations drawn into the body, via the endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of glands which govern growth, development and daily physical activity. Each chakra is associated with a particular gland or glands.

Chakras are relative to many holistic therapies and anyone involved with Reiki, yoga, reflexology, massage, psychic development or metaphysical study will already be working with them. The famous analyst, Carl Jung, referred to chakras as "gateways of consciousness".

It is sometimes necessary to re-balance the chakras, as we expend energy on our daily lives. Matters such as stress, tension and ill-health can seriously deplete chakras and cause them to under or over-function. The natural semi-precious stones used in the jewellery are chosen to correspond and vibrate in harmony with the chakras, realigning them and allowing them to work with the physical to aid our well-being.

The 1st Chakra is the foundation of the whole system. It relates to our basic needs in life....i.e. security, sense of belonging, roots within society and family, confidence, self-awareness and the monetary and material existence necessary for our survival, shelter, warmth etc.

The 2nd Chakra is to do with our awareness of others on an intimate one to one level. We accept our differences and long to unite to overcome our separateness. Consciousness thrives on change; we are nourished by our experiences and begin to grow and develop spiritually and emotionally.

The 3rd Chakra is all about the relationship you have with yourself. Do you truly value the needs of your 'self' and value and honour your own personal power? Sometimes in our busy, demanding lives we lose track of our personal values and who we really are! We are so wrapped up in what others expect of us and how they see us!

The 4th Chakra relates not only to the ability to love oneself and to love and nurture others, but also to allow ourselves to be loved and nurtured. Through the heart chakra we become aware of, and embrace, love on a deeper and larger universal scale.

The 5th Chakra is the centre of communication through listening, singing, speaking, writing, chanting, telepathy and the arts. This is the centre of creativity and acceptance of change.

The 6th Chakra is the third eye. It is in reality made up of three chakras...the brow, relating to the pineal gland, (situated just above the bridge of the nose), the alta-major (below the left ear lobe) and the crown chakra. Many people who meditate concentrate on the third eye in order to go within. The 6th chakra is the gateway to our inner world and through it we develop self-reliance and balance.

The 7th Chakra is located at the top of the head, about two inches above the centre of the skull. Each chakra is symbolised as a lotus flower, each with a different number of petals. This chakra is known as the "Thousand Petalled Lotus", because it is the totality of enlightenment.

Chakra	Element		Stone	Areas of Body
SEVENTH Crown	Cosmic Energy - linked with Higher Self		Amethyst	Pineal gland
SIXTH Third Eye	Telepathic - inner knowing and spirituality, dreams, inner visions, intuition		Lapis Lazuli	Pituitary gland, brain, face, eyes, nose, sinus and hearing ability
FIFTH Throat	Ether - controlling, creating, transmitting and receiving communication		Turquoise	Thyroid and parathyroid glands, lungs, throat, voice and neck
FOURTH Heart	Air - relating to aspects of true, unconditional love		Peridot	Thymus gland, heart, skin and circulatory system
THIRD Solar Plexus	Fire - seat of self worth, emotions, ambition, growth and will power		Citrine	Pancreas, stomach, liver, gall bladder, spleen and small intestine
SECOND Sacral	Water - root of pleasure, desire, self-respect, sexuality and creativity within relationships		Sunstone	Ovaries, testicles, reproductive system, bladder, kidneys and all the fluids of the body
FIRST Base	Earth - grounding us in our turbulent lives, necessary for growth and nourishment		Garnet	Adrenals, bones, teeth, large intestines, rectum, nails