The Seven Chakras

Energy and/or nerve centers.

• the perineum
• the yoni or lingam
• the solar plexus
• the heart
• the throat
• the cavernous plexus
• the pineal gland, or above the crown

There are colors associated with each chakra as well, I'll leave it up to some other noder to research the correspondences.

Hindu Fours

The colour mapping of the chakras is a simple rainbow. In addition, there is a "principle" which attaches to, or is centred in, each chakra. If activities and feelings concerning these matters are not dealt with, they build up in the psychic body and will eventually manifest themselves in the physical body. An example of this is that ulcers, stomach pain and lower back pain can all be linked (at least sometimes - strong adherents may say always) to fear of external control, lack of self control and/or related feelings of helplessness.

Meditation is the generally recommended route to chakric healing. The ideal is that of living in the moment which stops a build up of emotion in the chakras as events are dealt with as they occur rather than being stored in the psychic body.

The lower chakras tend to hold negativity. The Heart or fourth chakra is the fulcrum and once the negativity in the chakras below are released, Unconditional Love is brought into being, allowing the higher chakras to flower into full positive use.

From the base chakra at the bottom of the spine to the highest at the crown of the head, the chakras are:

1. Red Survival - fear of death
2. Orange Sensation - the physical body, sex
3. Yellow Power - issues of control
4. Green Heart - emotional feeling, loving without posessiveness
5. Blue Creativity - innovation, artistic creativity
6. Indigo Mind - consciousness, the Higher Self
7. Violet Spirit - transcendence

Chakra is a Sanskrit word which means 'wheel of light'. The chakras appear as wheel-like vortices of pure energy and are sometimes referred to as 'lotuses'. They spin at great speed and in a deeply spiritual person they become spheres of radiant energy. C. G. Jung refers to the chakras as the 'gateways of consciousness'. Each chakra has its own purpose, association and connection.

CROWN
Purpose
Here the human being connects with the Universe. It is the entire person, as combined from the other chakras which 'offers itself' to the Universe. The individual experiences knowledge beyond words or intellect. Interfacing with cosmic energies and pure consciousness.
Essential Oils
Frankincense, Olibanum, Oakmoss, Lotus.
Related Gemstone
Amethyst, Crystal, Topaz, Alexandrite, Sapphire.
Symbol
1000-Petaled Lotus
Principle
Pure Being.
Direction
Pointing Upward.
Associated Body Parts
Brain, cerebellum, skull.
Colour
Violet, White, Gold.
Location
Top and centre of head.
Element
All elements.
Effect
Cosmic aspects, overcome self limitations.
Zodiac & Planets
Capricorn, Pisces, Saturn, Neptune.
In Harmony

• Living with the knowledge of Unity.
• Knowing that the self reflects the divine.
• Abandon individual ego for universal ego.

Out of Harmony

• Unable to let go of anxiety and fear.
• Unable to imagine cosmic unity.
• Depressed and unsatisfied.

Massage Directions

• Male - clockwise
• Female - anti-clockwise

THIRD EYE Purpose
Enables the recognition of 'Being'. Connects to the part of creation that is beyond science and physical manifestation. The 'knowing' of spiritual matters is passed down through this chakra, and consequently influences all other parts of the individual.
Essential Oils
Jasmine, Vetiver, Basil, Patchouli, Rosemary.
Related Gemstone
Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Indigo Sapphire, Opal.
Symbol
96-Petaled Lotus Principle
Knowing of Being
Direction
Pointing Forward
Associated Body Parts
Face, eyes, nose, sinus, pituitary gland, cerebellum.
Colour
Indigo.
Location
Between the eyes.
Element
All elements.
Effect
Understanding, Harmony.
Zodiac & Planets
Saggitarius, Aquarius, Pisces, Mercury, Venus, Uranus.
In Harmony

• Awareness of spiritual side of being.
• Invites intuition and inner awareness into everyday life.
• Connects to the universe.

Out of Harmony

• Rejects spiritual aspects.
• Focus on intellect and science.
• Only sees obvious, surface meaning.
• Afraid of intuition.

Massage Directions

• Male - anti-clockwise
• Female - clockwise

THROAT
Purpose
Here feelings and emotions are transformed into expressions such as laughter or crying. Deals with everything related to sound on a physical and metaphysical level. Communicates and mediates all emotions and feelings. Provides space from 'Self' to enable 'inner' reflection.
Essential Oils
Lavender, Sandalwood, Neroli, Sage.
Related Gemstone
Aquamarine, Turquoise, Chalcedony.
Symbol
16-Petaled Lotus
Principle
Expression of Being
Direction
Pointing forward
Associated Body Parts
Lungs, vocal cords, bronchials, throat, thyroid, voice, jaw, neck, nape of neck.
Colour
Light Blue, Cyan.
Location
Between inner collarbone
Element
Ether
Effect
Brings harmony to speech and voice.
Zodiac & Planets
Gemini, Taurus, Aquarius, Mars, Venus, Uranus.
In Harmony

• Knows balance of expression; silence and speech.
• Knows how to listen to the 'inner voice'.
• Trusts intuition

Out of Harmony

• Despite much talking, cannot find expression.
• Fearful of being judged and rejected.
• Afraid of silence.

Massage Directions

• Male - clockwise
• Female - anti-clockwise

HEART
Purpose
The centre of the chakra system. Here aesthetic impulses (art or music) are processed into feelings and emotions. The ability to love freely, without fear or self-consciousness is generated here. Negative feelings and emotions are neutralised. Healing by acceptance of suffering.
Essential Oils
Geranium, Bergamot, Rose, Clary Sage.
Related Gemstone
Emerald, Green Jade, Rose Quartz, Kunzite.
Symbol
12-Petaled Lotus
Principle
Loving beyond self.
Direction
Pointing forward
Associated Body Parts
Heart, upper back, rib cage, chest, skin, lower lungs, circulatory system, abdominal cavity.
Colour
Green
Location
Centre of chest
Element
Air
Effect
Brings peace and understanding
Zodiac & Planets
Leo, Libra, Sun, Venus, Saturn
In Harmony

• Exudes a feeling of wholeness.
• Tolerance and acceptance of life and relationships.
• Balance of the material and spiritual.

Out of Harmony

• The love you give is not sincere.
• You look for rewards.
• You cannot accept love given by others.

Massage Directions

• Male - anti-clockwise
• Female - clockwise

SOLAR PLEXUS
Purpose
Impulses such as desire and wishes blend with impulses coming from above. This is where personality is formed. 'Feeling' and 'Being' are integrated here. This is the melting pot of spiritual and earthly aspects.
Essential Oils
Chamomile, Lemon, Thyme, Ylang Ylang
Related Gemstone
Amber, Tiger's Eye, Citrine, Yelloe Topaz, Agate
Symbol
10-Petaled Lotus
Principle
Formation of being
Direction
Pointing forward
Associated Body Parts
Abdomen, lower back, stomach, liver, spleen, digestive system, gallbladder, nervous system
Colour
Golden yellow
Location
Slightly down from navel
Element
Fire
Effect
Eases aggression, brings peace
Zodiac & Planets
Leo, Saggitarius, Virgo, Sun, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury
In Harmony

• Feeling of wholeness, inner calm and peace.
• Inner tolerance and acceptance of others.
• A balance of the spiritual and material world.

Out of Harmony

• No trust in the natural flow.
• Need to dominate.
• Emphasis on the material.
• Great need for material security.

Massage Directions

• Male - clockwise
• Female - anti-clockwise

LOWER ABDOMEN
Purpose
Centre for sexual energy, creativity and pure emotions. Here the male sex drive combines with the female sexual response. Feelings and emotions flow freely through, regulating the relationship between lovers and friends. Balances the free receiving and giving of feelings and emotions.
Essential Oils
Sandalwood, Petitgrain, Ylang Ylang
Related Gemstone
Moonstone, Carnelian, Tourmaline
Symbol
6-Petaled Lotus
Principle
Reproduction of being
Direction
Pointing forward
Associated Body Parts
Reproductive organs, kidney, bladder, pelvic area, sperm, all liquids and fluids of the body
Colour
Orange
Location
Slightly above genital area
Element
Water
Effect
Stimulates desire, rejuvenates
Zodiac & Planets
Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury
In Harmony

• A considerate, open, friendly, kind person
• Has no trouble sharing emotions and feelings with others.
• Happily connected to life.

Out of Harmony

• Unsure and unstable and sexual and emotional matters.
• Cannot express feelings.
• Suppresses natural needs.

Massage Directions

• Male - anti-clockwise
• Female - clockwise

ROOT
Purpose
Links the individual to physical world. Defines the concept of 'being' and 'accepting being'. Serves as the foundation to evolve and build the personality. Embraces aspects such as energy, self-expression, ambitions, consistency, desire for security and the survival of self and species.
Essential Oils
Cedar, Clove, Cypress, Marjoram, Myrrh
Related Gemstone
Agate, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Smoky Quartz
Symbol
4-Petaled Lotus
Principle
Physical entity
Direction
Pointing downwards
Associated Body Parts
The dense, solid parts of the body: bones, teeth, nails, legs, arms, intestines, anus, prostate
Colour
Bright Red
Location
Between genitals and anus
Element
Earth
Effect
Calms, dissolves tension
Zodiac & Planets
Aries, Mars, Taurus, Scorpio, Capricorn, Saturn
In Harmony

• Profound connection to nature.
• Trust in nature's laws, a deep understanding of its ebb and flow.

Out of Harmony

• Inability to trust nature.
• Focus on material possessions.
• need to satisfy own desires and wishes.

Massage Directions

• Male - clockwise
• Female - anti-clockwise

The formalized seven-chakra system is basically a modern conceit, and the correspondence to the septenary colors of visible light is a fairly new innovation, introduced through "Theosophy" movements in the past century, by people like Alice Bailey.

In the available mystical literature of the Tantriks, Tibetan Buddhism, and other assorted esoteric traditions, many chakras are actually mentioned and there was little attempt to systematize them (outside an individual work or school of thought), or to implicate an obvious order to their manifestation.

The color-coded chakras of modern "esoteric" works seem quite different from the original ideas, and their common association with physiological function and correspondences to psychological development aspects would at best place them as "etheric" in nature and linked to the personality and its libido energy rather than to cosmic forces. If you have decent concentration and skill at visualization, it is relatively easy to access them.

The chakras spoken of in traditional literature are perceived in advanced states of meditation by adepts, many of whom devoted their entire lives to such contemplation and esoteric development. Patanjali among others speaks about the powers of successfully performing samadhi on some of them in his Yogasutras.

This is not to say that modern ideas about Kundalini and the chakras are necessarily wrong or useless, only that they are not ancient esoteric knowledge based in millenia of universal experience, confirmed by countless Masters, Gurus, and Sages, but in all probability are fairly modern inventions by early 20th-century occultists who popularized esotericism.

Attempts to combine the chakra system with other devices of Western esotericism have also been problematic. Dion Fortune (aka Violet Firth) and Aleister Crowley, for example, gave chakra attributions to the Sephira which are quite at variance with one another.