Chakras are centres or anchored energy vortexes in the human etheric body that correspond, in etheric matter, to the respective, and relatively more physical, glands and organs of the physical body. In the Hindu tradition the word chakra means “wheel.”
Many people are familiar with the non-physical aspects of the individual human form ~ besides the physical body, each of us also has invisible etheric / physical, emotional, mental and soul bodies. Those who can see ethereally (as mystics and intuitives) have sensitive visual apparatus enabling them to recognise these subtler aspects of the form, and in this way may assist others in tuning into them.
The four overlaying etheric human bodies ~ physical etheric, astral / emotional, mental and soul ~ connect by way of channels of energy that converge in energy centres or vortexes ~ the chakra centres ~ as their paths form the invisible scaffolding inside of which the physical body is formed. Relating to this, when we look at charts of the human physical nervous system, or at diagrams showing the energy meridians and acupuncture points recognised and used in traditional eastern medicine, we’re seeing maps that chart the “effects” of these channels of energy and their hubs ~ namely, the centres.
These energy centres differ in relative size, and in each human body number in the hundreds. The four etheric bodies together form an energy field surrounding the entire physical body; depending on the person this can radiate out in distances ranging from six inches to far wider, in all directions. This energy field is actually generated by two major components, the first of which is comprised of the seven major chakras / energy centres ~ vortexes or nerve-plexus points where the flow of energy through the four subtle bodies comes together in seven major chakras along the spinal channel.
The second major component is the central energy channel running from the base of the spine to the top of the head, connecting these seven major nerve-plexus points.
One of the major gateways through which energy enters the body is the top of the head. Where there is alignment and balance in the being, energy generally moves down the front of the central channel to the base of the spine, where it is collected, blended, amplified, and propelled up the back, through the spinal column, directly through the seven energy centres, and out the top of the head.
It is this simultaneous movement of energy up and down the central channel and in and out of the seven centres that creates the electromagnetic field surrounding the physical body.
Our understanding of the chakra system is handed down from ancient Hindu teachings; this is where the Sanskrit word “chakra” originated. These ancient teachings have been validated over the ages in practices of meditation, yoga and healing techniques.
The human body’s subtle vehicles form an aura that is actually observable: various reactions can be detected with instruments such as dowsing rods and pendulums as these react in noticeable ways when held near to one of the body’s chakras or energy centres.
The lines of force forming the centre itself are made up of refined particles of light energy that travel in an organized manner, inscribing patterns of light, to simplify the concept, that flow in the shape of flower petals, to which they are compared by way of description. In the human etheric body, each of the seven major centres is comprised of a different number of these so-called petals, increasing in quantity with each centre moving up the spinal column. This number signifies much concerning the centre, describing what nature of energy coalesces there.
More essentially, the centre itself is the “jewel” or point of consciousness at the heart of a chakra. It is at that point that the spark of consciousness sounds the creative note which sets etheric substance in motion. The motion of etheric substance creates a vortex of etheric force, which moves energy into, through, and out of the centre.
In looking at the respective functions of the seven major chakra centres, one analogy is that each of the centres is like a certain type of computer, programmed to handle different tasks and specific functions that then are synthesized in the individual’s overall personality makeup ~ the way the person experiences life and expresses themselves. And as energy from the environment is channelled towards and directed away from the person, in their day to day expression, you could say it is “routed” through the appropriate computer for handling ~ that is, to the centre that “handles” that type of energy.
Each of the chakra centres in fact consists of rapidly rotating spiral-shaped openings in the front and back of the body, that act as points of transformation by regulating and distributing energy as it flows in and out of these centres. This energy then serves to stimulate the endocrine glands that control the body’s chemical balance, as well as powering the nervous system and organs.
The chart presented just below gives a comprehensive overview of the functions and other significances of the seven major centre, plus the eighth, the Soul centre, which we could analogise is yet another computer designed to regulate and govern the seven computer centres along the spinal column, each of which corresponds directly with important areas of the human physical body.
Our chart lists the Sanskrit names from Hindu tradition, as well as the planetary influences which assist in understanding the ray influences directly hooked up to each of the chakra centres. Note: In the first column, where two planets and rays are given for a centre, such as Pluto / Ray 1 and Mercury / Ray 4 for the Base (or Muladhara) centre, the first is the correspondence for the mass of humanity, and the second planet is the correspondence for disciples and initiates.
To further assist with reading the chart, we’ll consider the Base centre, located at the base of the spine. Known as the “first chakra,” for the system of study generally begins counting at the bottom, this centre is seen ethereally as having four petals or energy loops that rotate similarly to how electrons rotate around the nucleus of an atom ~ in the case of the root centre, inscribing the shape of four petals in various patterns depending on the individual.
While the colours seen in the chakra petals can vary almost infinitely from person to person and even for an individual person, significantly from time to time, there are general similarities in the predominant colour / s found there, these are listed on the Chakra Chart. For the first centre, for average humanity the predominant colour is red at the centre, with white glowing in the petals. However for more spiritually evolved or focused humans, the centre actually transforms to become white in the centre, with red in the petals.
The organs controlled by the base or first centre include the last three inches of the digestive tract, the bones or skeletal system, the blood, and the adrenal glands.
Actually the emotional energies focused in the first centre are concerned with survival, such as fear. As fear and even stress are known to be connected with the adrenal glands, notice this is one way the form and the emotions “connect” in each of the chakra centres ~ each of the seven major centres has an astral component in part forming the chakra centre.
For the lower three centres, there is also a mental component to each of the chakras, or energy centres. This is how the Soul, our higher mind, contacts the physical plane through the lower mind ~ the mental aspects of the three lower centres are its channel. The Soul animates the personality, “speaks to the vehicle.” Indeed, the mental and astral bodies are the eyes and ears of the Soul on the physical plane.
Through the mental component of the respective chakra, the mind and mental plane are affected by thought forms that flow in and out of the first, second and third centres. Whereas the higher four centres ~ the heart, throat, third eye and crown ~ instead consist of a soul, or higher mind, aspect of the person’s mental body.
Note: In all seven centres, for some people the petals are more opened and “flattened” while in others they are more closed and erect, like flower buds and their petals in varying stages of maturity. Also for each individual, depending on the situation in time and space, the size, shape and colour of each centre can vary widely; typically, when the person is agitated or disturbed, the lower chakras appear to be larger and congested with darker energy than when the person is calm and resting.