The Seven Major Chakras

Find out what the seven major chakras are, crystals for the chakras and more.

What exactly are chakras?

The word “chakra” comes from Sanskrit meaning “wheel”. These “wheels” reside in the body and are centers of energy. Energy moves within these chakras that spin like wheels.

The chakras are seen as spinning wheels of light that begin at the base of the spine to the top of the head.

In the body there are 88,000 chakras in the human body, yet the major seven chakras are usually the ones that receive the most attention and healing.

The practice of Ayurveda medicine focuses on treating the body holistically by addressing issues with the chakras, and taking a mind, body and spirit approach to healing.

Each major chakra rules specific parts of the body and part of your wellbeing.

Specific ailments can appear when one of the chakras isn’t balanced or is blocked, such as back pain, headaches, nausea or anxiety.

Sometimes behaviours and emotions can be affected when a chakra isn’t working properly.

So, how does a chakra become unbalanced or blocked?

It is believed that certain ailments and illnesses can manifest if there is an imbalance or blockage with one or more chakras in the body.

Sometimes we can treat the ailment as the symptom, yet the source may reside in the chakra that is causing the ailment or illness to reoccur or persist.

Life has ups and downs; how we deal with them can affect our chakras.

What happens to us can also affect our chakras.

Preconditioning can affect the chakras as well.

When we experience pain, loss, conflict, grief or strife, these can latch on to our chakras. I think of chakras as sort of “sticky wheels” at times.

Sometimes certain events “bounce” right off the chakra, other times a situation or event can “stick” to it and it can be hard to “let go” and move on.

If you have fears about financial security or debt, are generally anxious and fear the worst, these emotions can “stick” to your root chakra.

If you have fears about expressing yourself because someone once told you that your idea is “stupid”, you may be fearful to speak up, and that feeling/memory “sticks” to your throat chakra.

Sometimes we suppress ourselves or feel suppressed by someone else, which can cause a blockage in the chakra.

This can be from being in a relationship or situation that you can’t freely be yourself and therefore you may feel supressed and unable to be open.

This type of situation can cause the chakra to close down and stop “spinning”, which may then cause other emotional or physical problems or ailments.

What are the seven major chakras?

Here’s a list of the seven major chakras, including how imbalances and blockages may manifest as, and a selection of a few crystals, essential oils and tarot cards that can help with that chakra.

Root/Base Chakra

(Sanskrit: Muladhara) This chakra lies at the base of the spine and is the “root” or “foundation” of the self.

The root chakra is where we find our sense of security and place in the world.

It is often affected by past worries, fears and insecurities which can “stick” to the root chakra and create instability.

Our sense of survival is “rooted” in the base chakra.

Some imbalances of the root chakra can often manifest as:

lower back pain
leg and feet issues
anxiety, fear
nightmares
colon or bowel problems
in men, prostate issues.

Crystals that may help with the root chakra:

red jasper
red carnelian
black obsidian
black tourmaline

Essential oils that may help with the root chakra:

frankincense
patchouli
myrrh
cedarwood

Tarot cards that can be associated with the root chakra:

The Emperor
The Devil
The Tower

Sacral Chakra

(Sanskrit: Svadhisthana) This chakra lies above the pubic bone and below the navel, which is known for creativity and sexuality.

It’s where we find and nurture our passions, joys and creative pursuits.

This chakra allows us to express ourselves creatively and openly.

Not only does this chakra associated with creating life and sexuality, but can also be creative for projects and self-expression.

Some imbalances of the sacral chakra can often manifest as:

emotional instability
feeling numb
sexual dysfunction
depression
lack of interest
fear of change
addictions

Crystals that may help with the sacral chakra:

orange kyanite
orange calcite
orange carnelian
peach moonstone

Essential oils that may help with the sacral chakra:

bergamot
clary sage
sandalwood
ylang-ylang

Tarot cards that can be associated with the sacral chakra:

The Empress
The Fool
Queen of Wands

Solar Plexus Chakra

(Sanskrit: Manipura) This chakra lies at the navel and is where our personal power is.

From the solar plexus is where we know our purpose, our self-esteem, our identity, our will power and independence.

We feel more assertive from a sense of personal power and strength.

The solar plexus is where we have the drive and motivation to achieve our goals and reach for them.

Some imbalances of the solar plexus chakra can often manifest as:

a need to control others or situations
anger issues
lack of direction or purpose
feeling helpless
feeling irresponsible
difficulty making decisions.

Crystals that may help with the solar plexus chakra:

citrine
sunstone
amber
golden tiger’s eye

Essential oils that may help with the solar plexus chakra:

cinnamon
spearmint
sandalwood
mandarin

Tarot cards that can be associated with the solar plexus chakra:

The Magician
The Sun
The Chariot

Heart Chakra

(Sanskrit: Anahata) This chakra is located in the chest at the breastbone and is known for love, compassion and kindness.

This is the middle chakra with three above and three below, where the physical (lower) chakras meet the spiritual (higher) chakras as one.

Forgiveness comes purely from the heart chakra, that we can love others openly and compassionately. This is where we also learn to love and accept ourselves.

Some imbalances of the heart chakra can manifest as:

jealousy
anger
betrayal
grief
self-hated and hatred/animosity towards others.

Crystals that may help with the heart chakra:

malachite
rose quartz
green aventurine
emerald

Essential oils that may help with the heart chakra:

lavender
jasmine
lemon
geranium

Tarot cards that can be associated with the heart chakra:

Ace of Cups
Ten of Cups
The Lovers

Throat Chakra

(Sanskrit: Vishuddha) This chakra is located at the throat and controls how we express ourselves vocally.

While the sacral chakra is how we express ourselves creatively, which may be visually or idealistically, the throat chakra is how we voice our thoughts, feelings and opinions.

This is where we speak our inner truth.

Clairaudience (clear hearing) and mediumship can often be voiced and expressed through the throat chakra, which can connect to the ears, nose and throat.

Some imbalances of the throat chakra can manifest as:

unable to speak your truth
fearfulness to speak up
sore throat or other throat/ear/nose issues (which can manifest from withholding inner truths or not speaking up).

Crystals that may help with the throat chakra:

blue apatite
amazonite
blue kyanite
lapis lazuli

Essential oils that may help with the throat chakra:

bergamot
peppermint
basil
chamomile

Tarot cards that can be associated with the throat chakra:

Ace of Swords
Knight of Swords
Justice

Third Eye Chakra

(Sanskrit: Ajna) This chakra is located just above and between the eyes (connected to the pineal gland) and is known for receiving clairvoyant (clear seeing) visions and other psychic information such as telepathy and lucid dreaming.

Known as the sixth chakra and sixth sense, intuitive messages and insight are highly received through this chakra.

Some imbalances of the third eye chakra can manifest as:

lack of clarity
frontal headaches may sometimes occur if there is psychic information trying to be received, yet the third eye isn’t receptive or open to it;
not being able to see the big picture
being lost in fantasy if the third eye chakra is overactive.

Crystals that may help with the third eye chakra:

azurite
fluorite
labradorite
sugilite

Essential oils that may help with the third eye chakra:

frankincense
patchouli
sandalwood
marjoram

Tarot cards that can be associated with the third eye chakra:

The High Priestess
Queen of Cups
The Moon

Crown Chakra

(Sanskrit: Sahaswara) This chakra is located at the top of the head and is the chakra that receives information from the higher self and can also connect with Spirit.

It’s how we connect to the Divine/Divinity.

From the crown chakra, we experience universal consciousness, which can also connect us spiritually and assist with channeling messages.

Psychic ability of just “knowing” something can come strongly from this chakra.

Some imbalances of the crown chakra can manifest as:

feeling disconnected from Spirit
if overactive, disconnected from the body and only living in the mind;
closed-mindedness or indifference to spiritual matters;
if overactive, obsessive with spirituality and spiritual communication.

Crystals that may help with the crown chakra:

lepidolite
Herkimer diamond
selenite
amethyst

Essential oils that may help with the crown chakra:

sandalwood
cedarwood
frankincense
myrrh

Tarot cards that can be associated with the crown chakra:

The World
The Tower
Judgement

Chakras don’t always need constant cleansing, but they should be periodically checked on, especially if you feel an imbalance within yourself.

However, it’s always recommended to take the “common sense approach” and following up with physicians if you feel there’s something specifically wrong.

Yet, if you’re on a treatment, sometimes working with the chakra can help “boost” and improve a condition, helping to give an overall feeling of wellness.

Combining western and eastern medicinal treatments and practices can create a more holistic approach, while covering all the bases and taking a spiritual practice in addition to treating an ailment in a western traditional way.