The First Chakra
FIRST CHAKRA
Color
Red – Red is the color of vitality, courage and self-confidence. When you are feeling drained and you need a surge of physical energy focus on the color red. It connects us to our physical bodies and draws energy from the earth, which sustains us on all levels.
THE ROOT – It is through the first chakra that energy from the earth enters the subtle energy system of the body, and where we would feel our connection with the earth on which we live. It gives us a connection with the life on the planet as a whole, that we are not separate little entities.
It is the seat of the Kundalini, the coiled up serpent waiting to spring. It controls the horizontal section of the body from just below the buttocks to a point just above the sexual organs; excretion and digestion of food.
Your first chakra is associated with your connection to a tribal force and your sense of belonging in the world. It symbolizes the physical plane of existence both the earth and your physical body. This being true, it’s not surprising that the first chakra is known to be the source of self-preservation and survival. When this first chakra energy is disrupted, you may be more liable to feel alone in the world, be afraid for your safety, and feel disconnected from other people. You’re also likely to feel ungrounded, lacking a strong connection to the earth or your body. Energetically, when the first chakra is disrupted you can feel you have no real “roots.”
• The Earth element nurtures all that we do, and represents solidity and grounding. Earth people are firm and resolute – we can say they are “down to Earth”. They are also practical, hardworking and very conservative. Those of you born under the influence of the Element of Earth are wise, serene and prudent, firmly rooted in your morals, ethics and responsibilities. Led by logic rather than emotion, you seek to plan your life as far out in advance as possible, to expect the unexpected and control your destiny down to the last detail. Your disciplined reserve — which can come across as true grace if you work it right — garners you respect and admiration.
• Saturn is known as the planet of restriction and limitation, but it could also be known as the planet of manifestation. Saturn is the planet that keeps us grounded because Saturn requires tangible usefulness from all that it touches. Saturn is that which denies entropy and manifests the physical form to maintain order over chaos.
| Sanskrit Name | Muladhara | Meaning | Root/support | |
| Location | Base of spine, coccyx – It is through the first chakra that energy from the earth enters the subtle energy system of the body, an where we would feel our connection with the earth on which we live. It gives us a connection with the life on the planet as a whole, that we are not separate little entities. It is the seat of the Kundalini, the coiled up serpent waiting to spring. It controls the horizontal section of the body from just below the buttocks to a point just above the sexual organs; excretion and digestion of food. We must balance this chakra before moving on to the others. Otherwise our growth will be without roots, i.e., ungrounded |
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| Situated | Base of the spine and the pubic bone (but encompasses genitals and reproductive organs) | Function | Survival, grounding | |
| Lesson | Survival–The right to exist. Deals with tasks related to the material and physical world. Ability to stand up for oneself and security issues. Imbalances Anemia, fatigue, lower back pain, sciatica, depression. Frequent colds or cold hands and cold feet. Root Stimulants Physical exercise and restful sleeps, gardening, pottery and clay. Red food & drink. Red gemstones, red clothing, bathing in red, etc. Using red oils such as ylang ylang or sandalwood essential oils. |
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| COURAGE, STRENGTH, VITALITY | ||||
| Crystal | Ruby | Element | Fire - earth energy | |
| The base or as it is sometimes better known the root center, relates to the life force energy and is the spirit of life. The color red gives us physical strength and vitality. It is a stimulant and has healing qualities and controls the creative, procreative and restorative functions of the body. Red is used where there is an ability to accept life’s responsibilities and if someone tends to be too dominant, dogmatic and pushy. Different reds have different influences on energy and confidence. | ||||
| Regions effected | Eyes and Reproductive system | Area of consciousness | Physical body - Also our survival (as an individual and as a planet), our need for world peace and environmental balance. | |
| Key Words | Stability, solidarity, unity and form. | Physical organ association | Gonads, also the glomus coccygeum or coccygeal body, adrenal gland, the kidneys and the spinal column | |
| Relationship | To the solid part of the body, especially the bones | Importance | Location of the kundalini | |
| Attributes | Athletic, cares about survival, sensuality, pleasure and power | Governs | Perception of the physical world, willpower, motivation and intent | |
| Inner state | Stillness, firmness, stability | Other manifestations | Solid | |
| Glands | Adrenals | Other body parts | Legs, feet, bones, large intestines | |
| Malfunction | Obesity, hemorrhoids, constipation, sciatica, degenerative arthritis, anorexia nervosa, knee troubles | Sense | Smell | |
| Tarot suite | Pentacles | |||
| Metal | Lead | |||
| Foods | Proteins, meats | Corresponding verb | I have | |
| Herbs for incense | Cedar | Gemstones | Loadstone, ruby, garnet, bloodstone | |
| Animals | Elephant, ox bull | Chief operating force | Gravity | |
Key phrases
Matter, survival, grounding, the body, food, beginning, unity, individuality, earth
Courage, strength, vitality
Red is the color of vitality, courage and self-confidence.
When you are feeling drained and you need a surge of physical energy focus on the color red. It connects us to our physical bodies and draws energy from the earth, which sustains us on all levels.
It is through this chakra that the energy from the earth enters the subtle energy system of the body, and where we feel our connection with the earth on which we live. It gives us a connection with the life on the planet as a whole, that we are not separate entities. This is the seat of the Kundalini. This is the physical body area of consciousness, also our feelings of survival – stability, solidarity, unity and form.