The sacral chakra or Svadhisthana chakra is related to our sexuality, creativity, and vitality. Its characteristics are connected to movement and change. Its purpose is to let things flow.

What does Svadhisthana mean?

The word "Svadhisthana" originates from Sanskrit and among the meanings found are: "abode of pleasure", "support of the breath of life", "foundation of self" and "where your self is established" (Swa" = "self"; "Adhishthana" = "established").

This chakra is represented by a lotus flower with six petals, each one containing Sanskrit letters. Each petal represents a mode of consciousness (or vritti): affection, ruthlessness, destructiveness, delirium, disdain, and suspicion.

In the center of the flower is the white Crescent Moon, symbolizing water. There is also, in this center, the letter that represents the sound VAM, which is the bija mantra of this chakra.

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

Sacral Chakra Characteristics

Located approximately four fingers below the navel, in the pubic region, this chakra is responsible for the functioning of our reproductive system, governing fertility and sexual and creative impulses.

It controls our health and well-being, and is essential in the constitution of our immune system, thanks to its ability to concentrate the vital force necessary to keep our body active.

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The parts of the body under the "responsibility" of this chakra are: kidneys, lower back, hips and sacrum. Furthermore, it is associated with all body fluids, such as blood, tears, urine, lymph, digestive juices, as well as those secreted during birth and pregnancy (such as amniotic fluid).

Color, element and stone of the sacral chakra

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

The color of vitality

The color associated with the sacral chakra is orange, and this color highlights creativity and vital impulse. To it are attributed the sensations of joy, energy, enthusiasm, and humor. Vibrant, it reflects warmth and excitement.

There are a few ways to use color as a balancing factor for the chakras. One of them is associating that color with the chakra's bija mantra (VAM).

Another way is to imagine the reproductive organs themselves being energized with orange. When thinking about this energization, one must also think about cleansing bad emotions, such as anger, insecurity, and animosity.

The flow chakra

The element governing the sacral chakra is water. Because it is ruled by water, it is responsible for behavioral issues such as sexuality, pleasure, and control over our emotions and the way we deal with them.

The Moon, which is connected to this chakra, controls the waters, including that of our body, and thus also influences our emotions and sensations.

Balance through crystals

The stone that represents this chakra is kornaline, but there is also mention of topaz and the sun stone.

Stones or crystals have the function of balancing the chakras, besides being great stimulators of self-healing capacity. 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 increase their strength.

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One way to use the stones for the benefit of the chakras is to practice meditation with each stone placed exactly on the corresponding chakra, all aligned. The ideal is to keep them in this position for a few minutes.

Remember to always clean your stone after use by washing it under running water. It is also a good idea to recharge your energy by placing it under the sun for about 1 hour. Clean and energize your stones whenever you feel the need.

By making use of your chakra stone and chromotherapy, you ensure a balance of your energies and ward off bad vibrations in any sphere.

What happens when the sacral chakra is unbalanced?

As we saw before, there are mechanisms that help us balance and strengthen our chakras, because it is quite common that stressful situations or health problems contribute to its unbalance.

In the case of the sacral chakra, the imbalance is reflected in many ways. In the physical sphere, it can cause endocrine problems, poor sleep quality, bladder problems, and excessive fatigue.

On the mental level, a malfunctioning chakra causes feelings of insecurity, generating repressed instincts and feelings of guilt.

If it is too open, there will be a vicious search for pleasure in all senses, not only in sexual matters. If the opposite occurs, that is, it is too closed, it can lead to relationship difficulties, lack of trust in others, fears, jealousy, and even sexual disinterest or impotence.

For this reason, achieving balance - neither too open nor too closed - is essential for us to be well physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Balanced sacral chakra

When the sacral chakra is balanced, we are able to perceive life with creativity, willpower, and enthusiasm. This allows us to have a more efficient connection with the world around us.

In addition, our physical body is in harmony, causing the reproductive organs to function normally. It also promotes good kidney function and protects the back and lower back from pain and other dysfunctions.

To keep the chakra balanced, in addition to what we mentioned above regarding the use of stones and color therapy, it is important to remain diligent about one's own physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Essential oils are also good therapy, because the fragrances associated with this chakra help stimulate creativity, renewal, and motivation. The main oils are orange, sage, sandalwood, rose, and geranium.

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Adopting a good diet, drinking plenty of water, getting adequate sleep, and practicing exercise - especially yoga - and meditation are all ways to help ensure physical balance, to keep the emotional balance in harmony.

Do more for your body, your home, because keeping its energy in good vibrations is essential for your life to be in complete balance. Take care of yourself! Your home thanks you.

Getting to know the chakras

The chakras are energy centers connected along our spine and their function 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, and are a form of nourishment for our aura.

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Although there are passages in the Vedas (Hinduism's holy books) giving an account of 32 chakras and others even mentioning 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.

Happy reading!