The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or disk and signifies one of seven basic energy centers in the body. Each of these centers correlates to major nerve ganglia branching forth from the spinal column. 

The Human Energy Field or Aura is an energetic, multidimensional field that surrounds penetrates, and is the human body. It has rivers of energy called meridians that nourish every organ and cell in our bodies. These rivers are supplied by cone shaped vortexes of energy called chakras. These chakras, in turn, collect energy from the universal energy field that is all around us. (See my Reiki page for scientific information.)  When blocks accumulate in the field, a disruption in the flow of energy through the Chakras result. It is these blocks that disrupt the Harmony in the field and eventually are the cause of disease, as well as, emotional and mental disorders in the physical body.

 Below is a brief description of each chakra.

Chakra Seven:
Thought, Universal identity, oriented to self-knowledge

This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. This chakra is associated with the color violet or white and governs the upper brain and right eye.  It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing.  When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss.  Excessive characteristics:  overly intellectual, spiritual addiction, confusion and dissociation.  Deficient characteristics:  learning difficulties, spiritual skepticism, limited beliefs, materialism and apathy.  Gemstones to counter-act negative qualities: amethyst, diamond, white chalcedony, moss agate, salenite/desert rose, white opal and moonstone.

Chakra Six:
Light, Archetypal identity, oriented to self-reflection

This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye center.  It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively.  This chakra is associated with the color Indigo and governs  the lower brain, left eye, ears, nose, and nervous system.  As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us "see the big picture." Excessive characteristics:  headaches, nightmares, hallucinations, delusions and difficulty concentrating.  Deficient characteristics:  poor memory, poor vision, can't see patterns and denial.   Gemstones to counter-act negative qualities: lapis, quartz, sodalite and blue sapphire.

Chakra Five:
Sound, Creative identity, oriented to self-expression

This is the chakra located in the throat and is thus related to communication and creativity.  This chakra is associated with the color blue and governs the bronchial and vocal apparatus, and lungs. Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language.  Excessive characteristics:  excessive talking, inability to listen, over-extended and stuttering.  Deficient characteristics:  Fear of speaking and poor rhythm.  Gemstones to counter-act negative qualities:  turquoise, lapis lazuli, chrysocolla and green aventurine. 

Chakra Four:
Air, Social identity, oriented to self-acceptance

This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven.  This chakra is associated with the color green or pink and governs the heart, blood, and circulatory system.   It is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, have a deep sense of peace and centeredness.  Excessive characteristics:  codependency, poor boundaries, possessive and jealous.  Deficient characteristics:  shy, lonely, isolated, lack of empathy, bitter and critical.  Gemstones to counter-act negative qualities:  tourmaline, rose quartz and emerald.

Chakra three:
Fire, Ego identity, oriented to self-definition

This chakra is known as the power chakra, located in the solar plexus.  This chakra is associated with the color yellow and governs the stomach, liver, gall bladder, and nervous system.  It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power.  Excessive characteristics: dominating, blaming, aggressive, scattered and constantly active.  Deficient characteristics:  weak will, poor self esteem, passive, sluggish and fearful.  Gemstones to counter-act negative qualities:  amber, topaz citrine quartz and tiger eye.

Chakra Two:
Water, Emotional identity, oriented to self-gratification

The second chakra, located in the abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs. This chakra is related to the element water, and to emotions and sexuality. This chakra is associated with the color orange and governs the reproductive systems.  It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change. Excessive characteristics:  overly emotional, poor boundaries, sex addiction and obsessive attachments.  Deficient characteristics: frigidity, impotence, rigidity, emotional numbness and fear of pleasure.  Gemstones to counter-act negative qualities:  carnelian,  coral, agate and jacinth.

Chakra one:
Earth, Physical identity, oriented to self-preservation

Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. This chakra is associated with the color red and governs the spine and kidneys.  It represents the element earth, and is therefore related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence. Excessive characteristics: heaviness, sluggish monotony, obesity, hoarding, materialism and greed.  Deficient characteristics: frequent fear, lack of discipline, restless, underweight and spacey.  Gemstones to counter-act negative qualities: Lodestone, ruby, garnet, smoky quartz, obsidian, onyx, jet, hematite, bloodstone and red jasper.

During a Reiki session I use gems and minerals to open the chakras and promote healing and relaxation.  This is a $10.00 fee in addition to the Reiki fee's.   

All information regarding gemstones and minerals relating to their healing properties is attributable to "Love is the Earth" by Melody.