The solar plexus chakra, or manipura, which we also call umbilical chakra, is the third chakra, responsible for our metabolism, both in what concerns the digestive system and in each cell individually. In this article we will talk a little more about this chakra, which basically takes care of the way we digest things - physical and emotional. Come check it out!

What does manipura mean?

Originating from Sanskrit, the term "manipura" means "city of jewels" or alternatively "shining jewel" ("mani" = "jewels"; "pura" = "city"). It is the "home" of the celiac plexus, which innervates much of the digestive system.

This chakra is depicted as a lotus flower with 10 petals, each bearing a Sanskrit letter that represents a mode of consciousness (or vritti): spiritual ignorance, thirst, jealousy, betrayal, shame, fear, disgust, delusion, foolishness, and sadness.

In the center, a red triangle with its tip downwards, inside which a circle symbolizes its element, fire. The seed is the syllable RAM, its bija mantra.

Bijas mantras are sacred sound vibrations that carry the power of a particular energy. When pronounced, these sounds potentiate, unblock, or activate the energy of the chakra to which they are connected.

Solar Plexus Characteristics

Manipura is located in the abdominal cavity, under the navel, near the stomach. It is the chakra most sensitive to external stimuli, because it is where we find the center of our mystical energy. It is responsible for connecting us with our intuition, our sixth sense. It is also connected to our self, where the ego of each individual dwells.

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This chakra is responsible for the pancreas and the adrenal glands. It is also in charge of other organs, such as the liver, spleen, gallbladder, and stomach. The vegetative nervous system is also among its responsibilities.

Solar Plexus Color, Element, and Stone

There are many factors associated with the chakras that help establish balance or even strengthen their energies - the main ones being color, the element of nature, and the stone. Each chakra has its own.

The color of joy and optimism

The color that represents the solar plexus chakra is yellow, yellow like the sun's rays, in our imagery. It symbolizes comfort and the ability to stimulate our concentration and intellect, as well as project joy and other positive emotions.

There are countless ways to use the color to help balance the chakras. In this case, there are two simple ways. The first is to close your eyes, do some breathing exercises and imagine the yellow in the region ruled by the chakra, repeating its mantra (RAM). The other is to imagine the organs associated with the manipura (all from the digestive system) and its nervous system energized by yellow. Think about thiscolor by cleaning out the bad feelings, especially suffering and anxiety.

Fire and Power

Manipura is light, heat. Ruled by Fire, this chakra transforms passive elements into pure energy, bringing out all its potential.

Because it has such a powerful ruler, it acts in transformation through willpower, through drive, through the ability to achieve. It moves us in the direction of the new, of change, of a broad vision of things.

Crystals and protection

A variety of stones are associated with this chakra: yellow citrine, imperial topaz, yellow calcite, pyrite, sulfur crystal, and yellow quartz.

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The function of stones and crystals is to balance the chakras, besides helping to restore self-healing. Their action is through electromagnetism, and the vibrations they emit have the power to purify, align, and activate the energy of the chakras, helping to potentiate their properties.

One way to use the stones for chakra benefit is to practice meditation with each stone placed exactly on the corresponding chakra, all aligned. Be sure to keep them in this position for about 30 minutes on average.

Don't forget to always clean your stone after use by rinsing it under running water. You can also recharge its energy by placing it under the sun for an hour or so. Clean and energize your stones whenever you find it necessary.

By using your chakra stone in conjunction with the properties of chromotherapy, you ensure the balance of your energies and also ward off bad vibrations in any circumstance or environment.

What happens when the solar plexus is out of balance?

As mentioned above, there are many ways to balance and strengthen our chakras, and this is an essential practice, since health, physical, or emotional problems can throw us off track, also throwing our energy centers out of balance.

Since it is a chakra linked to the ego and the digestive system, when solar manipura is unbalanced, problems occur in the physical, spiritual and emotional fields: digestive disorders (such as gastritis and ulcers), liver problems, risks for diabetes or hypoglycemia; arrogance, lack of confidence, tendency to depression, low self-confidence; relationship difficulties and a greaterattraction to bad and negative energies.

When it is very active, pride and stubbornness can be difficult issues to deal with, while when it is closed or blocked, self-esteem declines, the person feels extremely insecure and indecisive, and psychic problems take on a certain dimension.

Therefore, achieving balance - neither too active, nor too limited - is vital if our physical, mental, and spiritual health is to be safeguarded at all times.

Balanced solar plexus

Balanced manipura brings us feelings like passion and desire in the right measure, vitality and good physical and mental disposition, ability to make decisions and choices, emotional control, and satisfaction with others and ourselves.

Our thoughts start to flow better, we are in tune with our feelings, and self-love reaches its fullness.

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Physically there are also noticeable effects: the skin becomes more lustrous, digestion improves, the kidneys work efficiently, the blood sugar comes into balance, the metabolism is balanced, and there is a better absorption of nutrients.

The essential oils associated with this chakra help to balance and energize it. Ginger and star anise in synergy are excellent to keep it in harmony. Bergamot, cardamom, sweet orange, basil, and lemongrass are also great choices.

There is no doubt that everything we have mentioned here is highly effective in keeping the chakras in harmony, working well, and protecting our energies. But you can do more than this. Take care of your body, eat well, don't drink too much alcohol, stay away from cigarettes, drink plenty of water, and engage in physical activities.

To take care of body and mind together, try yoga - an activity that has a powerful connection with the chakras. And to keep your thoughts in tune with good energies, try meditation! It really works and connects you with your self, which is the focus of this chakra.

Your body is your temple, your mobile home, and it needs to be in good condition for you to be housed in health and safety - physically, emotionally and spiritually. So don't neglect it. Respect yourself, take care of yourself, love yourself!

Getting to know the chakras

The chakras are energy centers connected along our spine, and their purpose is to receive and emit vital energy at certain points in our body. They act continuously, transferring these energies between our physical body and the material and spiritual planes. They are a form of nourishment for our aura.

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Although there are passages in the Vedas (sacred books of Hinduism) mentioning 32 chakras, and others even counting up to 88 thousand, the consensus is that there are seven main ones: basic, sacral, solar plexus, laryngeal, frontal, and coronal.

Keeping the chakras in balance guarantees not only a healthy body full of good vibrations, but also a full life with self-knowledge, self-esteem, and self-love.

Learn more about the chakras in this article . good reading!