In this series of 8 posts I’ll be looking at the Chakra System.  The word ‘chakra’ comes from the Sanskrit word for wheel.  It is a metaphor for the eternal cycle of time and so represents celestial order and balance ( Wheels of Life, Anodea Judith).  The chakras turn like a set of interconnected cogs and serve to move energy between matter and consciousness. Together they form the chakra system – a set of spinning energy centres responsible for the “reception, assimilation and transmission of life energies” (ibid.)

There are 7 main chakras in the body (and many other smaller ones) which correspond to particular parts of the body and to specific glands.  In addition each chakra reflects a particular aspect of our being.

When a chakra is metabolising energy efficiently it is said to be ‘open’ and this results in balanced and harmonious functioning of the parts of the body which are under its influence.

When there is a restriction or distortion in the energy flow of a chakra it is described as ‘closed’ or ‘partly closed’ and this causes dis-ease in the related areas of the body.

In the next seven posts I will outline a brief guide to each chakra giving a description of its attributes.  Among other things, each has its own colour, sense, food and element.  These vary slightly depending on which book you read so my description will generally follow the most common version.

(This post was taken from my article on the chakras.  You can read the full text here)