{"id":3511,"date":"2010-04-01T01:10:17","date_gmt":"2010-04-01T06:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=3570"},"modified":"2010-03-23T11:54:54","modified_gmt":"2010-03-23T16:54:54","slug":"new-to-the-craft-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2010\/04\/01\/new-to-the-craft-16\/","title":{"rendered":"New to the Craft"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n

Our Energy Centers, the Chakras<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Merry Meet and welcome!\u00a0 I am so glad to have each of you as readers to this column and as promised we are going to discuss the chakras in this edition.\u00a0 I must admit that after a great deal of thought after writing the first portion of this (Grounding and Centering) that I found myself debating about whether or not I should have included this portion in that posting.\u00a0 Ultimately, I am not sure if I left people confused or not, but I didn\u2019t get any e-mails either so that may mean that things are alright!\u00a0 If you are a reader I would love to hear from you as input is always a wonderful thing and suggestions are always welcome as well!\u00a0 However, we shall move on with the topic at hand and get into some greater detail on each of the seven chakras as well as the colors associated with each.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oddly enough we do not start with the chakras at the top of the head and rather at what is referred to as the \u201croot\u201d\u00a0and move on from there.\u00a0 Since there are seven chakras to cover, perhaps we should first develop and understanding what a chakra is.\u00a0 A chakra is most clearly defined as an energy center that runs from the root of your spine (sacrum) out the top of your head.\u00a0 In the Hindu belief system, the Kundalini works directly with these energy centers and produces a powerful type of sensation.\u00a0 I highly recommend that some time is dedicated to researching this aspect of using the energies of the chakra centers as well as it is not only quite informative, but exhilarating as well the first time you experience it!\u00a0 Since Kundalini is a bit more complicated, we are going to focus on the chakras as this is less complicated and above all less complicated energy work.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first chakra that we are going to focus on is going to be what is known as the \u201croot chakra\u201d\u00a0or muludhara.\u00a0 Generally, this is the first chakra opened, but this is of course open to discussion among many groups and I often elect to open this chakra last.\u00a0 However, I also open them all and then work toward grounding and centering with the energies running upward toward my crown chakra.\u00a0 Since (as far as I know) there is no specific sequence to this, go ahead and start in whatever order you feel most comfortable with.\u00a0 This particular chakra is usually visualized as a deep red color as it is being opened.\u00a0 As you gain experience with your chakras you will be able to tell if they are glowing, dim, and even harboring some negative energies.\u00a0 This will all come in time of course, but useful when trying to meditate and clear out those pesky energies that we don\u2019t want!\u00a0 I prefer to visualize a spinning spiral of sorts when opening the chakras, but there are many other ways to do this as well.\u00a0 Two that I can think of are: an opening door and a blooming flower.\u00a0 I have used both and actually use a spiral to open my own and a closing door to close the chakra.\u00a0 Now, since I have rambled so much on this topic\u2026lets get down to what this chakra symbolizes.\u00a0 The most basic of needs such as food, water, and shelter are often needed for this chakra to feel balanced.\u00a0 However, there are other \u201cneeds\u201d that do not include these physical things that this chakra represents like balance within our own lives.\u00a0 An example of this would be that this chakra represents vitality, courage, and self-confidence.\u00a0 Delving deeper we find that this energy center also helps with the <\/span>kidneys and bladder, the vertebral column, and hips and legs.\u00a0 Many issues that we have medically in regards to these areas can also be focused upon with meditation and the use of this particular chakra.\u00a0 In the end, this chakra helps represent the balance within yourself as well as a connection to the earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our second chakra energy center is known as the \u201csacral\u201d\u00a0chakra and is generally symbolized with the color orange.\u00a0 This chakra can be found in our lower abdomen just below the navel and is symbolic of sexuality, health, feelings, and balance within our own lives.\u00a0 It is when this chakra is balanced that we truly feel that we are enjoying our lives and getting all the things that we deserve.\u00a0 Through this recognition of the ability to express emotion, we find not only our mental health, but physical health improving as we work toward a better relationship with this chakra center.\u00a0 Going along with this chakra we will move onto the third chakra, the solar plexus.\u00a0 This particular center is viewed as a yellow ball of fire and is symbolic of our growing personal power.\u00a0 What makes this chakra the most important is that this center is where we learn about ourselves and continue to develop into the person that we wish to become.\u00a0 Through the energy in this chakra we discover that we as people possess the energy to make our dreams a reality and all the tools that we need are actually deep within us.\u00a0 As with most things we must learn to use this energy and practice awakening the gifts that we have deep inside us.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fourth chakra is known as the heart chakra and is usually viewed as being a green center of light and is synonymous with our own internal balance more than any of the others.\u00a0 What is important about this chakra is that we must first learn to love ourselves and then we can actually learn to love others.\u00a0 Where I found this difficult is that this chakra also takes the brunt of many things that occur emotionally in our lives.\u00a0 If you take a little bit of time you can view this chakra and see if it is glowing bright green or a dulled color.\u00a0 This can be representative of negativity lingering and a simple clearing of this chakra can not only help resolve the problem, but strengthen your understanding of this energy center as well.\u00a0 One unique fact about this chakra is that as the heart it not only provides us with life, but can also help in the strengthening of our immune system as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fifth, sixth, and seventh chakras are all located in the region from out neck to the crown of our head.\u00a0 We will first take a look at the throat chakra (5th<\/sup>) and what some of the attributes are with this particular energy center.\u00a0 Since we use this area in our physical lives, it is logical to assume that this center would be directly connected to our use of speech and how we address others.\u00a0 The goal here would be to not only speak wisely, but to also keep in mind that which is being said and the effect that it may have on others.\u00a0 Master this technique and you are well on your way to dealing with this chakra that tends to store up words that are not said to others.\u00a0 Our sixth chakra is known as our third eye and is located within the area of our forehead and symbolized by the color violet or purple (depending on what you read).\u00a0 It is during the times where we are most uncertain about the clarity necessary in the decision making process that we can turn to this chakra.\u00a0 After all, all the answers that we seek are inside of us and all the wisdom necessary to make a decision has been there all along.\u00a0 The challenge is learning to listen to it!\u00a0 Our last chakra (crown) is generally symbolized by bright white light.\u00a0 However, as mentioned with the other chakra I have also seen this described as being violet or indigo in color.\u00a0 Make the choice that feels the best for you as in the end you are the one seeking internal balance and wisdom.\u00a0 With this chakra we find ourselves learning to attune to the energies that are all around us and much like the heart chakra, we can learn to project those energies of love and light to not only ourselves, but others as well who may be in need of our help.<\/span><\/p>\n

While I have provided an overview of these wonderful tools that we have at our disposal, please keep in mind that this is only a generalized description.\u00a0 There are many wonderful books out there that will not only discuss the chakras in great detail, but will also provide some wonderful meditations to go along with the text.\u00a0 In my opinion this is a great way to learn and through practice the results will come flowing to you and the surprise will be not only wonderful, but appreciated. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our Energy Centers, the Chakras Merry Meet and welcome!\u00a0 I am so glad to have each of you as readers to this column and as promised we are going to discuss the chakras in this edition.\u00a0 I must admit that after a great deal of thought after writing the first portion of this (Grounding and Centering) that I found myself debating about whether or not I should have included this portion in that posting.\u00a0 Ultimately, I am not sure if I left people confused or not, but I didn\u2019t get any e-mails either so that may mean that things are alright!\u00a0 If you are a reader I would love to hear from you as input is always a wonderful thing and suggestions are always welcome as well!\u00a0 However, we shall move on with the topic at hand and get into some greater detail on each of the seven chakras as well as the colors associated with each. Oddly enough we do not start with the chakras at the top of the head and rather at what is referred to as the \u201croot\u201d\u00a0and move on from there.\u00a0 Since there are seven chakras to cover, perhaps we should first develop and understanding what a chakra is.\u00a0 A chakra is most clearly defined as an energy center that runs from the root of your spine (sacrum) out the top of your head.\u00a0 In the Hindu belief system, the Kundalini works directly with these energy centers and produces a powerful type of sensation.\u00a0 I highly recommend that some time is dedicated to researching this aspect of using the energies of the chakra centers as well as it is not only quite informative, but exhilarating as well the first time you experience it!\u00a0 Since Kundalini is a bit more complicated, we are going to focus on the chakras as this is less complicated and above all less complicated energy work. The first chakra that we are going to focus on is going to be what is known as the \u201croot chakra\u201d\u00a0or muludhara.\u00a0 Generally, this is the first chakra opened, but this is of course open to discussion among many groups and I often elect to open this chakra last.\u00a0 However, I also open them all and then work toward grounding and centering with the energies running upward toward my crown chakra.\u00a0 Since (as far as I know) there is no specific sequence to this, go ahead and start in whatever order you feel most comfortable with.\u00a0 This particular chakra is usually visualized as a deep red color as it is being opened.\u00a0 As you gain experience with your chakras you will be able to tell if they are glowing, dim, and even harboring some negative energies.\u00a0 This will all come in time of course, but useful when trying to meditate and clear out those pesky energies that we don\u2019t want!\u00a0 I prefer to visualize a spinning spiral of sorts when opening the chakras, but there are many other ways to do this as well.\u00a0 Two that I can think of are: an opening door and a blooming flower.\u00a0 I have used both and actually use a spiral to open my own and a closing door to close the chakra.\u00a0 Now, since I have rambled so much on this topic\u2026lets get down to what this chakra symbolizes.\u00a0 The most basic of needs such as food, water, and shelter are often needed for this chakra to feel balanced.\u00a0 However, there are other \u201cneeds\u201d that do not include these physical things that this chakra represents like balance within our own lives.\u00a0 An example of this would be that this chakra represents vitality, courage, and self-confidence.\u00a0 Delving deeper we find that this energy center also helps with the kidneys and bladder, the vertebral column, and hips and legs.\u00a0 Many issues that we have medically in regards to these areas can also be focused upon with meditation and the use of this particular chakra.\u00a0 In the end, this chakra helps represent the balance within yourself as well as a connection to the earth. Our second chakra energy center is known as the \u201csacral\u201d\u00a0chakra and is generally symbolized with the color orange.\u00a0 This chakra can be found in our lower abdomen just below the navel and is symbolic of sexuality, health, feelings, and balance within our own lives.\u00a0 It is when this chakra is balanced that we truly feel that we are enjoying our lives and getting all the things that we deserve.\u00a0 Through this recognition of the ability to express emotion, we find not only our mental health, but physical health improving as we work toward a better relationship with this chakra center.\u00a0 Going along with this chakra we will move onto the third chakra, the solar plexus.\u00a0 This particular center is viewed as a yellow ball of fire and is symbolic of our growing personal power.\u00a0 What makes this chakra the most important is that this center is where we learn about ourselves and continue to develop into the person that we wish to become.\u00a0 Through the energy in this chakra we discover that we as people possess the energy to make our dreams a reality and all the tools that we need are actually deep within us.\u00a0 As with most things we must learn to use this energy and practice awakening the gifts that we have deep inside us. The fourth chakra is known as the heart chakra and is usually viewed as being a green center of light and is synonymous with our own internal balance more than any of the others.\u00a0 What is important about this chakra is that we must first learn to love ourselves and then we can actually learn to love others.\u00a0 Where I found this difficult is that this chakra also takes the brunt of many things that occur emotionally in our lives.\u00a0 If you take a little bit of time you can view this chakra and see if it is glowing bright green or a dulled color.\u00a0 This can be representative of negativity lingering and a simple clearing of this chakra can not only help resolve the problem, but strengthen your understanding of this energy center as well.\u00a0 One unique fact about this chakra is that as the heart it not only provides us with life, but can also help in the strengthening of our immune system as well. The fifth, sixth, and seventh chakras are all located in the region from out neck to the crown of our head.\u00a0 We will first take a look at the throat chakra (5th) and what some of the attributes are with this particular energy center.\u00a0 Since we use this area in our physical lives, it is logical to assume that this center would be directly connected to our use of speech and how we address others.\u00a0 The goal here would be to not only speak wisely, but to also keep in mind that which is being said and the effect that it may have on others.\u00a0 Master this technique and you are well on your way to dealing with this chakra that tends to store up words that are not said to others.\u00a0 Our sixth chakra is known as our third eye and is located within the area of our forehead and symbolized by the color violet or purple (depending on what you read).\u00a0 It is during the times where we are most uncertain about the clarity necessary in the decision making process that we can turn to this chakra.\u00a0 After all, all the answers that we seek are inside of us and all the wisdom necessary to make a decision has been there all along.\u00a0 The challenge is learning to listen to it!\u00a0 Our last chakra (crown) is generally symbolized by bright white light.\u00a0 However, as mentioned with the other chakra I have also seen this described as being violet or indigo in color.\u00a0 Make the choice that feels the best for you as in the end you are the one seeking internal balance and wisdom.\u00a0 With this chakra we find ourselves learning to attune to the energies that are all around us and much like the heart chakra, we can learn to project those energies of love and light to not only ourselves, but others as well who may be in need of our help. While I have provided an overview of these wonderful tools that we have at our disposal, please keep in mind that this is only a generalized description.\u00a0 There are many wonderful books out there that will not only discuss the chakras in great detail, but will also provide some wonderful meditations to go along with the text.\u00a0 In my opinion this is a great way to learn and through practice the results will come flowing to you and the surprise will be not only wonderful, but appreciated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":11,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3511\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}