Sat Chit Ananda Marga - Part Two
the path back to one's soul through conscious rapture

   By Axiom

Reality or Mirrors and Smoke?

Many modern Pagans, and quite a lot of New Age healers, work with the "Chakras". But, as you are probably beginning to realise, a lot of them don't know or understand the basics behind what the Chakras are and how to use them. You will find reams of data about crystals and colours and special pictures to use - but without the full knowledge of what you are working with, you are working at least partially blinded, and certainly inefficiently. Crystals and colours, scents and oils - all these are related to the Secondaries. They can act as a focal point. They have an impact upon the body and thus the Secondary and Minor Chakras. They have no actual immediate impact upon the Primary Chakras though - it is through bringing the Secondaries into balance and the body into a state of complete health that one affects the Primary Chakras. Afterall, if the body is fueled and maintained the energy output is optimal and vice versa. But placing a crystal over a chakra and wearing specific colours will not impact the Primary one. If you read an article that refers to Chakras using the Primary names but talks about utilising colour or scent or something then you need to read further to see if the author understands the differences and is talking holistically or rather has confused the Primary and Secondary Chakras. If the author has confused them then you need to seriously question what else the author proclaims and seek out additional material since it's quite likely the author has other material wrong.

But, back to the Secondary Chakras and the use of alternative therapies. How do they actually work?

Each Secondary Chakra is centered around a point on the spinal column - a spot of intense energy, continually barraged with commands, impulses, data, and stimuli. The Chakra itself is a command centre in the system of life-energy within the body. It is also responsible for and affected by physical activity. Take the Root Chakra. Located at the base of the spine, it is affected by bodily disorders of the lower intestine. It controls the spinal cord and thus in many ways the other Secondary Chakras. Aromatherapy that influences the rectum will affect the Root Chakra. Crystals that aid the kidney function also will be effective in helping the Root Chakra strengthen the kidneys.

Knowing the relationship between various alternative therapies and the portions of the body controlled by each Secondary Chakra is important. Just knowing a list of crystals that correspond to the Root Chakra is useless - after all, applying red coral when the Root Chakra is unbalanced due to lower spinal damage doesn't help. So, while I provided a very basic list of useful herbs, oils, and crystals for each Secondary Chakra, unless you intend to study the application of them and use them according to the physical need, it's not much use.

What about colours, shapes, senses, etc? Each Secondary Chakra has a colour - depending upon which philosophy you follow, the colours vary. I tend to subscribe to Hills' Rainbow Chakra theory. From a visualisation aspect, it is useful even if you can't perceive auras to use those colours when you focus upon the Secondary Chakras. Many people find that they develop a feel for the colours and either "see" or "sense" when the colours have shifted from a healthy vibrant state to one that represents illness or imbalance. The shapes are a more modern New Age concept - I have found them useful as a guide for candle or crystal placement during intense work. If my Heart Chakra is particularly in need, I may sit within a crescent formed from rose quartz and green candles. The physical shape does affect the energy flow.

All of this refers primarily to healing and balancing energies. What about meditation? Tune in next issue...

In the meantime, the next page contains a breakdown of the Primary and Secondary Chakras and verious correspondences.
   

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