In the second of this series of blog posts we will look at the second of the seven main chakras; the sacral chakra.
As the second of the chakras, the sacral takes us from our physicality (demonstrated in the root chakra) and brings us into our feelings and emotions; our desires, sexuality and creativity. It teaches us to let go, to feel and to move.
This chakra is where we hold our sense of self, our self-esteem, sexual energy and power, desires, pleasures and self-gratification.
Below is a summary of the some of the main attributes of the sacral chakra:
Chakra: Sacral
Sanskrit name: Svadhisthana (sweetness)
Location: Around four finger widths below your tummy button
Colour: Orange
Element: Water
Subtle body: Emotional body
Vowel: Oooh
Sense: Taste
Challenge: Guilt
Twinned with: Throat chakra
Basic rights: To want, to feel, to have pleasure
Physical issues: Kidneys, bladder, female reproductive system, urinary system, lymphatic system, lower back, pelvis, hips
Emotional issues: Creativity, sensuality, sexuality, sense of self, identity, motivation, passion, pleasure, flow and movement, the world of the inner child, addictions.
What are the signs of a healthy sacral chakra?
When your sacral chakra is healthy and in balance you generally enjoy life and have fun. You are able to give and receive pleasure and experience desire and excitement. Connecting to your creativity comes easily. You have a good sense of self; displaying healthy boundaries and emotional intelligence. When your sacral chakra is healthy you are comfortable with your sexuality, sensuality and intimacy. You find it relatively easy to adjust to change and be flexible. And you can move freely and easily with grace.
What can affect your sacral chakra?
Anything that challenges your sense of self, your sexuality and pleasure can affect your sacral chakra. Those who have suffered abuse (sexual, emotional or physical) will often experience issues with the sacral chakra. In addition, if you suffered neglect, rejection or emotional manipulation you may also see problems in this chakra. Sacral chakra issues can be prevalent if you are/have been in or around volatile situations (for example an alcoholic family). On a physical level, anything impacting your sexual organs (such as rape or abortion) can also trigger problems in this chakra.
As the chakra is related to movement and feeling, anything affecting this in childhood can cause issues; children who were restricted in movement (perhaps confined to a play pen too often) or suffered a lack of physical contact or intimacy may see issues. Also, if you felt you were not allowed to express your feelings or emotions, you may suffer in this chakra.
What are the symptoms of an out-of-balance sacral chakra?
If your sacral chakra is out of balance you may feel a general lack of desire, passion and excitement. You may feel ‘stuck’ as you are unable to connect with your creativity. Alternatively, you may feel you need constant stimulation, drama, change and excitement as you feel a sense of lack.
Physical manifestations of an out-of-balance sacral chakra are:
Rigid inflexible joints
Eating disorders
Sexual dysfunction
Urinary tract infections
Menstrual problems
Problems with female reproductive organs
Lower back pain
Knee pain
Deadened senses
Loss of appetite
Kidney stones/infections
Prostate problems
Emotional manifestations are:
Blocked creativity
Fear of change
Poor social skills
Inability to be flexible to life’s changes
Precoccupied with duties and responsibilities
Addictive behaviours
Prone to tears
Feeling jealous
Emotional instability
Lack of confidence
Emotional dependency
Poor boundaries
Being needy
Frigidity or, alternatively, addiction to sex
Excessive emotions – EG. hysteria, bipolar.
How to support and heal your sacral chakra?
There are many ways you can help to support and heal your sacral chakra:
Movement therapy Because the chakra is related to movement, any type of movement therapy can be beneficial. Movement therapy can come in many forms; dance therapy, drama therapy, yoga, qigong or t’ai chi and also forms of psychotherapy.
Inner child work The sacral chakra is the home of the inner child – that part of us that has been denied, neglected, abandoned or rejected and that we try to hide. Working with your inner child can be hugely beneficial. There are many books on this subject. Personally, I like Susan Anderson’s Taming Your Outer Child. You can also work with a therapist or healer to connect with your inner child.
Addiction therapy If you suffer any addictions you may want to consider specific therapy for these. Many people rate hypnotherapy and kinesiology.
Working through guilt Guilt is one of the key issues we face in the sacral chakra. We may be aware that we experience guilt or it may be buried quite deeply in our psyche. Working with a therapist or healer to release this can help to heal the sacral chakra.
Fragrances If you enjoy burning essential oils or using them in aromatherapy practices, try bergamol, jasmine, orange, patchouli, sandalwood, musk, rosemary or rose geranium. These are particularly helpful for balancing the sacral chakra.
Crystals The following crystals can be carried in your pocket or bag, left under your pillow or next to your bath, or used in healing to support the sacral chakra: any orange crystals, amber, citrine, topaz, carnelian, moonstone and jasper.
Yoga poses If you would like to support your sacral chakra through yoga poses, try child’s pose or the twisted triangle or the butterfly pose or the cobra.
Affirmations Affirmations can be helpful and, for the sacral chakra, anything affirming your creativity, movement, sensuality and enjoyment are all helpful. Try the following:
I deserve/enjoy all the pleasures in my life
I embrace my sexuality/sensuality
I move effortlessly and with grace
I am deeply connected to my creativity
Creativity and pleasure are flowing through me now
Colours Orange is the colour of the sacral chakra so to support this chakra, surround yourself with orange – eat orange foods (oranges, tangerines, orange pepper, butternut squash, carrot, pumpkin, apricot, sweet potato), wear orange or amber clothes and surround yourself at work or home with objects in bright orange, burnt orange, amber or an orangey brown.
Water The element related to the sacral chakra is water so any activity related to water can be useful. Visit a lake, go swimming, visit a waterfall, go for a walk along the river, visit the coast and paddle in the sea. Or even be more mindful when taking a shower or bath – focusing your attention on the feeling of the water on your body.
Taste Taste is the main sense of the sacral chakra so try more mindful whilst eating. Before you eat, engage your senses – look at your food, smell it, feel the sensation of it on your tongue, eat it slowly paying attention to every sense and taste.
Visualisations/meditation If you like to use visualisations, anything related to water is helpful. Perhaps follow a guided waterfall meditation. Buddhanet has a couple of water meditations, or make up your own.
Or use the colour orange in your meditation: Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on your sacral area (a few finger widths beneath your tummy button). Feel your breath flowing into and out of this area. After a while, begin to picture a small bud here, slowly imagine it opening into an orange flower – see the petals open slowly one by one until they become a beautiful bright orange flower, pointing out both forwards and backwards. Sit breathing orange light into this flower and breathing deeply. Feel the warmth of the orange spread further out to your abdomen and into your hips and then slowly around the rest of your body. When you are ready, slowly close the petals one by one, fold the flower back into a bud, take some more deep breaths and open your eyes.
Work on other chakras No chakra works in isolation. They all affect each other. And you will want to ensure you have a healthy root chakra to keep you supported and grounded before working on your sacral (read my guide to the root chakra). The sacral chakra is paired with the throat chakra and a healer may choose to work on these two chakras at the same time to achieve maximum affects.
See a qualified energy healer You may wish to see a qualified energy healer who can help you work through any blockages in your chakra, and release them. Find out more about my energy healing sessions in Newbury, Berkshire. I can also offer distance healing upon request.
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