Have you ever heard someone talking about the seven chakras, but you weren’t exactly sure what they are?
Chakras are important in many holistic practices, including meditation, acupuncture, yoga, reiki, crystal work, etc. Keep reading to learn about the seven chakras, where they’re located, what they represent to us in terms of spiritual energy, and more.
What Are Chakras and What Do They Do?
The simplest explanation comes from the meaning of the word chakra itself, which translates to “wheel” in Sanskrit.
The human body is incredibly complex, forming thousands of connection points and paths. A chakra is an energy focal point in the body.
Imagine the chakras as the seven major water wheels turning with the flow of the energy river. If a wheel isn’t turning properly, your flow and overall wellbeing are going to be affected.
The concept of chakras has been around since ancient times. The Upanishads, which are sacred scriptures of many Hindu traditions, first mentioned chakras around 7-800 BCE.
Most people focus on the seven primary chakras, although some believe there are as many as 114 chakras in the human body.
Learning the Chakras
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of the seven chakras, including:
- What are the 7 chakras?
- Where are your chakras located?
- What parts of the body are affected by your chakras?
- Which color represents each chakra?
- Which element represents each chakra?
- What are the chakra stones / best crystals for each chakra?
- Which essential oils are best for each chakra?
- What is a good mantra for each chakra?
1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
The root chakra is our foundation. It represents our basic needs, survival instincts, and overall feeling of groundedness and safety.
When it’s blocked, we feel anxious and off-balance, as if the ground beneath our feet is unstable. This chakra is tied to our survival needs, such as income, financial independence, food, and home. Unblocking the root chakra will help you to feel safe, secure, and confident in your ability to hold your own and face challenges. It is the ground upon which you stand.
Location: Base of the spine
Parts of the body affected: Large Intestines · Base of Spine · Feet · Knees · Legs · Kidneys · Adrenals · Perineum · Colon · Bladder · Lower Back
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Crystals: Bloodstone · Garnet · Hematite· Ruby · Smoky Quartz
Essential Oils: Cedarwood · Myrrh · Patchouli · Sandalwood · Vetiver
Mantra: “I am in a safe place. I am protected and secure. I am at peace.”
2. Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
The sacral chakra is our own emotion as well as our empathy and connection to others. It’s also responsible for our creativity and sexual energy.
When it’s blocked, we struggle to establish healthy boundaries with other people. We feel disconnected, uninspired, and emotionally unstable. Your sex drive may be affected, and you may worry about not being your authentic self. Fear of change and addictive behaviors are also tied to this chakra’s ailments. Unblocking your sacral chakra will help light your creative fire and ignite your passion, both in your sex life and in your ambitions.
Location: Lower abdomen, slightly below the navel
Parts of the body affected: Lower Back · Urinary System · Spleen · Reproductive Organs
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Crystals: Carnelian · Citrine · Sunstone · Tiger’s Eye
Essential Oils: Cardamom · Cinnamon · Clary Sage · Neroli · Orange · Rose · Yang Ylang
Mantra: “I am living an authentic life and being true to myself and others around me.”
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3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
The solar plexus chakra is where your self-esteem, personal power, confidence, and sense of purpose reside.
When it’s blocked, we feel like we aren’t in control. You may feel butterflies in your stomach, which is where the solar plexus chakra is located. Self-doubt, lack of confidence, and shamefulness stem from the blockage of this chakra. Unblocking your solar plexus chakra will enable you to freely express yourself without worrying about not being good enough. You’ll be able to accept yourself as you are and learn the value of self-love and self-worth.
Location: Upper abdomen
Parts of the body affected: Upper Abdomen · Spine · Spleen · Gallbladder · Pancreas · Small Intestines · Stomach · Digestive System
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Crystals: Citrine · Amber · Tiger’s Eye · Yellow Calcite
Essential Oils: Bergamot · Juniper · Lavender · Mandarin · Roman Chamomile · Rosemary
Mantra: “I accept myself for who I am. I am good enough.”
4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)
The heart chakra is the bridge between the lower chakras, which are associated with materiality, and the upper chakras, which represent spirituality. When this chakra is blocked, we have difficulty opening up to the people in our life, and we struggle to give and receive love. We also open the door to invite in unpleasant emotions, such as jealousy and controlling behavior. Unblocking your heart chakra will deepen your capacity for compassion and unconditional love. It’s the key to achieving inner peace.
Location: Just above the heart
Parts of the body affected: Heart · Lungs · Arms · Breasts · Thymus
Color: Green
Element: Air
Crystals: Amazonite · Emerald · Green Adventurine · Jade · Rhondite · Rose Quartz
Essential Oils: Cardamom · Eucalyptus · Geranium · Peppermint · Rose · Thyme
Mantra: “I love myself, and I am loved. I will give and receive love unconditionally.”
5. Throat Chakra (Vishunddha)
The throat chakra is our communication center.
When it’s blocked, we have difficulty both speaking our inner feelings and listening to what others are telling us. You might have trouble finding the right words to convey your thoughts. Unblocking your throat chakra will enable you to find your voice. You’ll be empowered to freely express yourself and process your own needs and the needs of others.
Location: Throat
Parts of the body affected: Throat · Neck · Jaw · Mouth · Ears · Larynx · Thyroid · Nasal passages
Color: Turquoise
Element: Music / Sound / Ether
Crystals: Apatite · Aquamarine · Celestine · Lapis Lazuli · Sodalite · Turquoise
Essential Oils: Clove · Cypress · Eucalyptus· Frankincense · Lavender · Sage · Tea Tree
Mantra: “I will speak my truths, and I will listen to the truths of others.”
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6. Third-Eye Chakra (Ajna)
The third-eye chakra is intuition, imagination, memory, wisdom, and perception. This energy wheel is responsible for your decision-making process. It’s often viewed as the eye of the soul, where we register details below the apparent surface to form our opinions.
When it’s blocked, we struggle to see the big picture and make confident decisions. Your intuition seems to fail you. It may feel like the metaphorical gears in your brain are locked and slow to turn. Unblocking your third-eye chakra will give you clarity of thought and allow you to see further ahead and make strategic decisions to steer your future in the right direction.
Location: Middle of the forehead
Parts of the body affected: Brain · Eyes · Pineal gland
Color: Indigo
Element: Light
Crystals: Amethyst · Clear Quartz · Labradorite · Lapis Lazuli · Moldavite · Moonstone · Purple Fluorite · Sodalite
Essential Oils: Bay Laurel · Cypress · Frankincense · Lemongrass · Patchouli · Rosemary · Sandalwood · Vetiver
Mantra: “I will trust my intuition while remaining open to new perspectives.”
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The crown chakra represents a deep connection to true spirituality. It is the connection point between the physical body and a higher state of consciousness. Fully opening this chakra is very difficult for most people!
When it’s blocked, we feel disconnected from the universe around us. Your materialistic needs are in the way of reaching enlightenment; it hinders your ability to connect with nature and everyone and everything. You may feel isolated and unable to pinpoint the cause of your emotional distress. Unblocking your crown chakra will give you clarity and allow you to reconnect with the flow of the universe.
Location: Top of the head
Parts of the body affected: Nervous system · Cerebral cortex · Hypothalamus
Color: Violet / White
Element: Thought / Divine consciousness
Crystals: Amethyst · Charoite · Diamond · Howlite · Moonstone · Selenite · Sugilite
Essential Oils: Cedarwood · Elemi · Frankincense · Jasmine · Lavender · Myrrh · Rose · Rosewood · Sandalwood · Vetiver
Mantra: “I am one with the universe.”
Award-winning fantasy author, freelance writer, spiritual explorer, and sole founder of Green Witch Lunar Witch. She created her first website in 2016 and published her first novel two years later. Sara spends most of her time writing, creating, and daydreaming.
Love this! Thank you for the concise breakdown!
You’re welcome! Glad to help!