The Pagan Heart Tools of the Trade

February 2005 Issue

Working with Energy: Connecting with the Divine through Chakra Meditation By Franconian-Die-Drud     There are many ways to connect with the Divine. Meditation is one method. Recently I have found that Chakra meditation brings me even closer to my personal definition of the Divine. This type of meditation allows an individual to open their minds to infinite experiences and endless possibilities. Chakra work allows an individual to look deep inside him/herself, exploring and balancing areas of one's health and consciousness that are limited by constraints of society and daily life. A Chakra, a Sanskrit word for disc or wheel, represents one of seven major energy centers in the body. These seven centers are related to the major nerve ganglia that branch off the nerve bundle in the spinal column. As we learn to balance each of these energy centers we gain a wisdom and power that awakens our spirit.         Muladhara The Root Chakra is the first energy center. Located in the perineal area, this grounding Chakra affects one's ability to feel secure and satisfied. It represents a connection with the earth and an awareness of one's own body. Opening Muladhara allows one's self to be nourished, grounded and brings a greater awareness to one's physical body. Color Correspondance red         Elemental Correspondance Earth                 Consciousness Correspondance home job security relationship with money survival nourishment - satisfaction of inner self connection with self connection with the mother earth     Sense Correspondance smell Physical Correspondance bladder elimination system prostate (in men) skeletal system lymph system sacral plexus     Endocrine Correspondance Adrenal Glands         Svadhisthana The Naval Chakra is the second Chakra and the second stage of power. Located in the center of abdomen below the naval, the balancing of this Chakra affects one's ability to feel their emotions. It connects an individual with the ability to accept change, and connects the self to others by allowing for desire, sensation and movement. Color Correspondance orange         Elemental Correspondance Water                     Consciousness Correspondance food sex communication with inner self body's wants and needs pleasure reproduction     Sense Correspondance appetite taste Physical Correspondance sexual organs reproductive system lumbar plexus             Endocrine Correspondance Gonads                 Manipura The Solar Plexus Chakra is the third energy center. Located in the solar plexus, this Chakra rules the individual's personal power and will. When open and balanced, this energy center brings self empowerment, spontaneity and energy to the individual. Color Correspondance yellow         Elemental Correspondance Fire, the sun                         Consciousness Correspondance power control freedom ease of being mental activity/body personality, ego     Sense Correspondance eyesight         Physical Correspondance stomach liver large intestine skin muscular system solar plexus eyes face, figuratively     Endocrine Correspondance Pancreas         Anahata The Heart Chakra is located in the center of the chest. This fourth energy center relates to self acceptance, relationships and our social identity. When an individual feels loved, they find a deep compassion, peace and centeredness; all signs of an open and balanced Chakra. Color Correspondance green         Elemental Correspondance air                 Consciousness Correspondance love relationships (with people close to your heart) difficulty breathing     Sense Correspondance touch, in relation to the person "inside" the physical body             Physical Correspondance circulatory system (heart, blood) lungs and chest area cardiac plexus                 Endocrine Correspondance Thymus, controlling immune system         Vissudha The Throat Chakra (or Cornucopia Center) is the fifth chakra in this system of seven. Located at the base of the throat, it is associated with self expression, creativity and sound. When this chakra is open the individual is able to accept unconditionally the abundant mysteries of the universe. Color Correspondance light blue         Elemental Correspondance Ether                 Consciousness Correspondance expressing recieving listening to intuition abundance creativity     Sense Correspondance hearing     Physical Correspondance throat neck arms hands brachial or cervical plexus     Endocrine Correspondance Endocrine Correspondance Thyroid         Ajna The Third Eye Chakra is the sixth energy center. Located in the center of the forehead, this chakra is related to self reflection, and identity. When this center is balanced it allows the individual to listen to their intuition and see things for what they really are. Color Correspondance dark blue or indigo         Elemental Correspondance Inner Sound                 Consciousness Correspondance Spirit spiritual identity seeing intuitively     Sense Correspondance extra sensory perception (clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience)             Physical Correspondance forehead temples cartoid plexus             Endocrine Correspondance Endocrine Correspondance Pituitary         Sahasrara The Crown Chakra (or Cosmic Consciousness) is the seventh and final chakra in this system. Located located at the top of the head, it is associated with thought, wisdom and identity. When an individual achieves the opening and balancing of this chakra, a universal spiritual connection is formed - wisdom and knowleged surges through our spirit and body, and time and space becomes infinite. Color Correspondance violet         Elemental Correspondance Ether                 Consciousness Correspondance unity seperation connection with the father sky authority realization     Sense Correspondance Inner Light or White Light     Physical Correspondance brain nervous system                 Endocrine Correspondance Pineal     There are many different ways of connecting with the Divine. Chakra meditation is just one mode of connection. As you continue on YOUR journey remember...we all have something inside ourselves waiting to surface. It is how we go about the process of awakening that allows us to graduate to the next level of consciousness.

Primary article for February - Mudras   

Secondary article for February - One Woman's Sacred Vision   

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