THE CHAKRAS

by Sheila Holden

The word 'chakra' means 'wheels of fire'. Chakras are centres in the human aura distributing local energy of prana or ch'i.

The following table lists the seven chakras and their correspondences.

1 - MULDHARA Base of the spine
Colour	Red
Gem stone	Coral
Planet	Saturn
Endocrine gland	the Gonads

2 - SVADHISHTHANA The pelvic cavity
Colour	Orange
Gem stone	Topaz or Amber
Planet	Neptune
Endocrine gland	the Lyden (Leydig Cells)

3 - MANIPURA The navel or solar plexus
Colour	Yellow
Gem stone	Citrine
Planet	Mars
Endocrine gland	Adrenal

4 - ANAHATA The heart
Colour	Green
Gem stone	Emerald or Malachite
Planet	Venus
Endocrine gland	the Thymus

5 - VISHUDDHA The throat
Colour	Pale Blue
Gem stone	Lapis Lazuli
Planet	Uranus
Endocrine gland	the Thyroid

6 - AJNA The third eye
Colour	Indigo
Gem stone	Azurite
Planet	Mercury
Endocrine gland	the Pineal

7 - SAHASRATA Top of the head
Colour	Violet
Gem stone	Amethyst
Planet	Jupiter
Endocrine gland	the Pituitary

To open chakras

Relax and start breathing deeply, go into a meditative state.

Visualise a red flower bud at the base of your spine (1) and gradually open this flower bud petal by petal until it is in full bloom. I use a lotus - a fully open lotus blossom. Become aware of the tingling sensations and warmth. When you have done this, move up to the pelvic area (2) and see the orange bud open as before, using orange energy and feeling the warmth.

Now move up to the solar plexus (3) and see the bud opening bright yellow, like the sunshine. Open it petal by petal into a full blown lotus.

Move up to the heart (4) and open the lovely green bud as you have the others, feeling the new vitality being unleashed.

Now to the throat (5) where the bud is a beautiful pale blue opening into a lovely full lotus.

Rise up again to the third eye (6) where the bud is a deep indigo blue, and feel the tingling sensation growing. In the centre is the closed eye; now watch it open, emitting clarity.

Finally, go to the top of the head (7) where the violet bud is. Open up the bud petal by petal as before, experiencing the heat and tingling.

Now feel your whole self rising up. Meditate on the good feeling. You may find a guide waiting - mentally speak with him or her.

Remain a short while in peace and then return, starting at the top of your head (7) and close the violet lotus bud petal by petal. Close each flower as you come to it into a tiny furled bud. Come back through all seven chakras, finishing with the base of the spine.

Rest for a short while and gently come back, knowing that all chakras have been closed.