Wheels of Life
Understanding & Working With the Chakras
It is a great curiosity that the revival of the Western Mystery Traditions in the current-day has also opened our consciousness to the divine wisdom of the East. Karma, mandalas, Feng Shui, Taoism (Yin Yang), I Ching, etc. are all principles and philosophies that relate to the Eastern experience and their current of understanding. There are significant parallels between the esoteric and occult practices of East and West, and almost every aspect of the Pagan spirituality has its equivalent within the Eastern dialogue. For example the old adage “what goes around comes around” is a verbal expression of the concept of Karma and the Norse too had their Wyrd which is both a term to define the connective nature of the web underlying our reality and a word that is sometimes found to be interchangeable with that of Fate (i.e. the course that unfolds before us according to actions committed past and present, mapping out our future). Then what of another commonly-touted philosophy within the Eastern paradigm, specifically relating to teachings that stem from India and thereabouts? The Chakras.
Chakras – they are the transformers and refiners of the divine current of cosmic energy that travels up and down the axis that is our main meridian (the spine). They are the power-centres that permeate each layer of the spiritual body, though they are symbolised as indwelling potencies contained within the seven main nerve plexuses within the physical body. The word ‘chakra’ comes from the ancient language of the Vedas, Sanskrit, and means wheel. This along with the lotus flower are the two main symbols used to express the chakras in Eastern art and philosophy. They are considered to demonstrate the nature of the human body as a microcosm or little world of the macrocosm, greater world. As the meridians or nadis distribute the essential life-force (Qi, Prana, Hado) that is conducted as an electro-magnetic pulse or charge along the centred path of the chakras, so do the ley-lines and song-lines of the Earth charter a similar flow, but on a much larger scale, spatially speaking. The chakras are universally-accessible as we are all beings composed of the vital energy that is our life-source. In fact knowledge and practical experience of the chakras is now almost a prerequisite within NeoPagan groups. Whether you belong to a reconstructionist tradition or are vividly eclectic it is hard to deny the overwhelming shudder of power as it washes through you, and becomes as the rainbow – hidden within each colour is the derivative of them all.
The Seven Chakras
It is essential to grasp the nature of each of the chakras and then their collective holism before applying them practically in your magickal work.
There are seven main chakras associated with and situated at the seven main nerve plexuses within the body. These are as follows:
- The Base Chakra (Muladhara – root/support) – corresponds to the physical needs concerning the basic human instinct of survival. It is also the first point of contact with the earth energies and the Kundalini, the dynamic serpent-force, is coiled within it. The associated colour is red and it is situated at the base of the spine. It is at the base chakra where the energy of the earth is received and moved upward, flowing along the autonomic nervus system as the Kundalini rises.
- The Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana – her special abode/sweetness) - relates to the sexuality of a being. The associated colour is orange and it is located between the pubic bone and the navel.
- The Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura – Lustrous Gem) – associated with the ego, self-esteem and persona. It is as the sun; shining forth and projecting its light into an external realisation of itself. The corresponding colour is yellow and this chakra is located at the joining of the ribs.
- The Heart Chakra (Anahata – Not Struck) – associated with matters of love, forgiveness and compassion. It is here that the energy is charged with the individual perennial character, and sent forth towards the Crown. This is the centre through which the life-current carries on affirmed, directed and charged. It is Love’s fine hand that pours forth the divine current. The corresponding colour is green and it is located at the centre of the chest.
- The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha – Purified) – relates to the communicational faculties, self-expression and creativity. The corresponding colour is sky blue and it is located at the throat.
- The Third Eye Chakra (Ajna – to perceive) – relates to insight, intuition and inner knowing. The third eye or brow chakra is one’s own inbuilt scrying device; a tool of clear-sight. The corresponding colour is deep blue or indigo and it is located in between and just above the two eyebrows, in the centre of the forehead.
- The Crown Chakra (Sahasrara – Thousandfold) – associated with the Godhead, the cosmic infinity to which we are all intrinsically linked to by way of existence. This is the realm of the Divinity where the ascension is made complete and the light-current issues forth brightly, as an ethereal crown. We are neither here nor there, but omnipresent and omniscient. The corresponding colour is violet and it is located at the very top-point of and just above the head.
Working with the Chakras – An Exercise in “Bringing Forth”
The purpose of aligning and balancing the chakras is to, in effect, allow for the transmission of the cosmic energy between the Above and the Below (the heavens and the manifest, material realm that is our Earth). We are made and consecrated the Rod of Power as the Spear of Light is brought forth, searing division between all things and uniting it simultaneously. As the Kundalini rises it brings with it a current that is initially receptive and then projective and transformed with Creative Love in between, and as the chakras work their way into the centre that is the heart each respectively receives or directs the flow of energy accordingly (as described above). In doing so a polarity and dynamism occurs in which the receptive and projective qualities are harmonised (the masculine and the feminine united) and arouse Gnosis, which glows brightly aflame at the Crown, bringing divine insight, vision, power and peace. The chakras can also be equated to the planetary spheres of the Hermetic journey-work, which aims at stripping away each layer that coats our being (represented by the then known celestial bodies) to reach the inner core that is the sanctum, our own divinity.
The chakras form a ladder of ascension into higher states of consciousness through which we achieve union with the divine, though they are all inherently equal and significant pieces of the puzzle. This is the World Tree, the Axis Mundi, the Poto Mitan of the Voudoun tradition. It is phallic, but activated and brought into being by the dynamic, wise Serpent herself. If we balance, align and channel through our chakras we are purposefully creating a life of happiness, health and wisdom.
- Ground and Centre through rhythmic breathing standing upright.
- Focus on your being and visualise yourself as the World Tree, a megalithic standing stone or another meaningful and vivid power-image that relates to the purpose at hand.
- Centre your attention at the base of your spine. Visualise a sphere of red light pulse and spin, unfolding as it goes to become a beautiful flower. Feel and see the link that is now forged between your base chakra and the Earth. Visualise this as a glowing white chord of energy spiralling up to meet you.
- Now allow the energy to continue upward as the sacral chakra in its vivid orange spins and unfolds to become a flower.
- Continue on with the appropriate colours and chakras until you reach the heart chakra where you will imbue this current of energy with unconditional eternal Love. Now direct the current with added will-power, but still allowing for the natural flow, unhindered.
- The light continues to grow in intensity and clarity as it passes through and is charged by each chakra (don’t forget colours!), finally reaching the Crown and spilling forth in incandescent rays of pure white light. Allow yourself to receive the light of the heavens and let it pass through your body joining with the Earth’s energy, creating a dynamic cycle of supreme polarity.
It is done.
Don’t forget to ground the energy and work you way back down through the chakras, closing them off as you go and keeping them aligned.