As a Reiki Practitioner using Chakras as a guide to healing is really important. Chakras are best described as wheels or vortex's and they refer to the seven energy centres of which our energy system, our consciousness is composed. These Chakras function like valves that regulate the flow of energy through our energy system. The functioning of the Chakras reflects the decisions we make regarding how we choose to respond to conditions in our lives. We open and close these valves when we decide what to feel, and what to think which through our own perceptual filter we choose to experience the world around us.

Chakras are not physical, they are probably best described as aspects of consciousness in the same way as aura's are. Chakras are more dense than auras. They interact and communicate with our body through two major vehicles, the endocrine system and the nervous system.

All of our senses, all of our perceptions, all of our possible states of awareness, everything it is possible for us to experience, can be divided into seven categories. Each one can be associated with a particular Chakra!

THE SEVEN CHAKRAS

1. The Crown Chakra - its colour is Violet/Purple and it's at the top of our head. The Crown Chakra is our sense of Beauty, Creativity & Inspiration. It relates to self knowledge & spiritual awareness and is the union with our higher self. Disease (Dis-ease) can result with an in-balance of energy in this Chakra, either too much, or too little. The purple energy of the Crown connects us to our spiritual self bringing guidance, wisdom & inner strength. It purifies our thoughts & feelings and gives us inspiration in all of our actions. It enhances artistic gifts & creativity.

Associated problems with the Crown Chakra are: Depression, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, Senile Dementia, Alzheimer's, many mental disorders, confusion and dizziness.

Personality Traits are: Inspirational leadership, kind & fair, humanitarians, visionary, self sacrificing, creative and mentally strong.

2. The Third Eye Chakra - its colour is Indigo and is in the centre of your the forehead. The Third Eye Chakra is our Intuition, Mysticism & Understanding. It is related to the eyes, lower head and sinuses. Indigo relates to responsibility of the self, being responsible for your own life and to follow your soul's path. To trust your own intuition. Indigo energy connects us to our unconscious self (not the thinking self/ego) and give us the experience of being part of the universe. the Third Eye Chakra strengthens imagination, psychic powers & increases our dream activity.

Associated problems with the Third Eye Chakra are: Tension, headaches, migraine, visual defects, short and long-sightedness, cataracts, glaucoma, sinus problems and ear ache/problems.

Personality Traits are: Intuitive, fearless, idealistic, practical, wise and a truth seeker.

3. The Throat Chakra - its colour is blue and it of course located in our throat. The Throat Chakra relates to our Knowledge, Health & Decisiveness. Blue is the colour of spirit and relates to self expression, speech, communication, the ability to communicate our needs, it's the spirit of Truth & Purpose. Blue has a pacifying effect on the nervous system & brings beautiful relaxation which is ideal for insomnia, and hyper-active children. It brings clarity to our speech and gives us wisdom.

Associated problems with the Throat Chakra are: Thyroid problems either over or under active, anorexia, asthma, bronchitis, hearing problems, tinnitus, mouth ulcers, sore throats and tonsillitis.

Personality Traits are: Loyal, tactful, affectionate, inspiring, inventive, caring & cautious.

4. The Heart Chakra - its colour is green and it governs self control, love and balance. It relates to love/self love and the ability to give and take it unconditionally. When we are balanced we are able to give love as well as love and nurture ourselves. Green helps relax our muscles, nerves and thoughts. The heart cleanses & balances our energy to give a feeling of rebirth, peace & harmony.

Associated problems with the Heart Chakra are: Heart disease, AIDS, Chronic Fatiuge Syndrome, allergies and breast cancer. Pink also relates to the heart being the colour of love.

Personality Traits are: Understanding, adaptability, sympathetic, compassionate, generous, humane, a lover of nature, romantic and self controlled.

5. The Solar Plexus Chakra - its colour is yellow and is situated just below the ribs. It governs our wisdom, clarity & self esteem. Yellow is a creative colour and it relates to our self worth, how we feel about ourselves and how others view us. The is the area of our personality, ego & intellect. It gives us clarity of thought, increases our awareness and stimulates interest and curiosity. Yellow energy is related to the ability to perceive & understand, it connects us to our mental self.

Associated problems with the Solar Plexus Chaka are: Diabetes, pancreatitis, liver disease, peptic ulcers and gall stones.

Personality Traits are: Good sense of humour, optimism, wisdom, confidence, practical and intellectual.

6. The Sacral Chakra - its colour is orange and it is situated in the lower abdomen. It governs our happiness, confidence and resourcefulness. Orange is the colour of success and relates to self respect; having the ability to give ourselves the freedom to be ourselves and helps us to expand our interests and activities. Orange brings joy to our workday & strengthens our appetite for life. It's the best emotional stimulant! It connects us to our senses and helps to remove inhibitions, makes us social and independent.

Associated problems with the Sacral Chakra are: pre-menstrual syndrome, problems with menstrual flow, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, testicular disease and prostate disease.

Personality Traits are: Enthusiastic, happy, sociable, energetic, sporty, self assurance and constructive.

7. The Base Chakra - its colour is red and it is situated at the base of the spine. It governs our vitality, courage & self confidence. Related organs are the kidneys, bladder, hips and legs. Red relates to self awareness and is the area of survival and your place on this earth. Red provides the power from the earth and gives us energy on all levels. It connects us to our physical body...everything that is to be commenced needs the vitality of red!

Associated problems with the Base Chakra are: Constipation, diarrhea, piles, colitis, Crohn's disease, cold fingers and toes, frequent urination, high blood pressure, kidney stones, impotence, hip problems, legs and feet. Pink can also be used in this area for a more gentle energy if required.

Personality Traits are: Courageous, confident, humanistic, strong willed, spontaneous, honest and extroverted.

I hope that I have been able to provide you with some insight into the "Major" Chakras and you use these colours to heal these areas in your being. Understanding where the Chakras are and how they effect you negatively & positively can change the way you feel and live in life. Where ever you may feel blockages, pain, discomfort, or irritation take notice now, of the area in which the affliction is and use the colours to heal your condition. These conditions can be mental, physical or spiritual.

If for example you are suffering from a sore throat or are unable to communicate how you feel to another try wearing a blue scarf or blue stoned necklace to assist in healing the problem, the same applies to all the other Chakras. We humanbeings are truly amazing and powerful and the more we understand the potential of our powers to heal ourselves and others, the more we will love ourselves and the life we are living in.

Blessings!