One of the nicest aspects of crystals is that they are color-coordinated with the energy centers called the chakras. We've provided this in-depth guide to help make working with crystals and the chakras easier.

Please note that our chakra descriptions focus on imbalances. If what you read doesn't apply to you that chakra is most likely in balance. However, it does no harm to place an appropriate stone on each chakra while meditating. This helps to provide overall balance for the aura.

You may notice that some crystals relate to more than one chakra. Tiger's eye, for instance, as a grounding stone, relates to the first chakra. Because of its golden hue and its connection to manifesting goals it can be used as a third-chakra stone as well.

The same is true of essential oils. Rose and Jasmine, for example, relate to love on the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels, thus connecting to the second, fourth, and seventh chakras.

When a stone's name is underlined you can click on the name to read an article about it.

In Sanskrit chakra means "wheel," and those who can see them describe chakras as spinning wheels of light. They are found in the aura, an electromagnetic force field which surrounds every living being. The energy of the aura is that of our thoughts and feelings, and the chakras concentrate and coordinate the flow of these energies in and from the physical body.

We who use healing modalities based on subtle energy (flower essences, crystals, Reiki) believe that illness first manifests in the realm of thought and feelings. Stress is an excellent example. The mind says, "I'm doing too much; I'm under pressure." This message translates into the emotional feeling of being burdened. On both levels resistance creates energetic blockages form, as mind and emotions try to close up against what is perceived as a negative experience.

If the mind and emotions continue to create resistance the blockage will eventually assume physical proportions, lodging in whichever physical area is most vulnerable.

The purpose of chakra balancing is to dissolve blockages before they become physical (although it can also be helpful with physical conditions. Crystals, being symmetrical in their molecular structure, radiate energy in a consistent and steady manner. When they're used in chakra balancing they can help to reestablish a healing, creative flow.

Each chakra has a color, and usually stones of corresponding colors are placed there. (If you are familiar with the chakras you will note that we use some modifications. We use the system developed by Katrina Raphaell, author of the Crystal Trilogy.)

If you feel moved to put a different colored stone on any of these chakras please do. The above are guidelines only.

The first chakra represents our relationship with our physical bodies and with the material world. It grounds us in physical existence. When balanced, its energy helps us to blend the physical and spiritual, and to eliminate that which is no longer needed for growth. We enjoy physical existence. When unbalanced, we may be afraid of life, feel like victims, withdraw from physical reality, or operate in our own interests only. Physical symptoms can include any difficulties with feet, legs, or lower back.

Any of these stones may be placed at the base of the spine or at the feet.

This chakra is most directly related to energy flow, as expressed in the flow of blood, and especially with the energies of sexuality and creativity. It is also deeply connected to the five physical senses.

When it is unblocked people feel fully alive, energetic, spontaneous, guilt-free. and in full appreciation of their bodies. When it is unbalanced reproductive organ diseases, joint stiffness, and various blood disorders may result.

Bloodstone can stimulate energy.

This is the chakra of physical and material power, with an emphasis on mastery in the physical realm, especially the ability to manifest one's hopes and dreams. It relates to expressing one's unique individuality in the physical world.

When it is unblocked people feel self-confident, have a clear sense of purpose, and pursue dreams which others would consider impossible. Imbalances appear as lack of self-confidence, insecurity about money or other physical things, and may also express itself in terms of being aggressive or using one's power to dominate others. Physical symptoms are usually digestive.

This chakra relates to love and emotional well-being. When it is unblocked we give love unconditionally and attract to ourselves those people who give us an abundance of love. When it is blocked we feel the lack of love in our lives as keenly as those with third-chakra blockages feel a lack of material security. Heart conditions are the most common physical symptoms.

Stones associated with the fourth chakra:

This chakra governs communication and mental creativity. When it is balanced we communicate easily and effectively with others in both written and verbal form. This includes being able to constructively express anger and other emotions. When it is blocked communication is difficult to impossible, and these may be the people who say, "I'm just not creative.

In my experience there can be more physical blockages associated with the fifth chakra than with any other. These can include excessive eating and drinking (good ways to keep the throat busy while preventing communication), and a range of respiratory diseases. Teeth and gum disorders fall into this category, as well.

Aqua Aura teaches us self-expression through service to others.

This is the psychic center, and, when unblocked, the source of intuition, esp, and other psychic abilities. This chakra is particularly related to the fears of cultures which wish to believe only that which they can experiences with the physical senses, and blockages abound, including fear of the imagination, of dreams, and one's "irrational" intuitions. Physical symptoms of blockage may include persistent headaches, insomnia, and anxiety.

The seventh chakra is our direct connection to spirit. When it is balanced we understand our relationship with the universe. We dissolve the illusion that we are separate from other humans and other forms of life. We appreciate our uniqueness and our places as parts of the whole. When it is blocked we compare ourselves to others or to internal checklists (and usually find ourselves wanting). We feel lonely, we are afraid of death. Stones associated with the seventh chakra:

Selenite

Choose one or more stones for each chakra. You want to balance all of your chakras, even if you have a particular one to work on. Lie down and place each stone on the appropriate location. I like to hold a clear quartz point and rotate it over each stone, beginning at the first chakra.

Inhale deeply, and as you inhale imagine your breath coming up through the soles of your feet, and filling your body as it rises to the top of your head. As you exhale imagine it traveling back down your body and exiting through the soles of your feet.

After you've practiced this for a while you may want to visualize the color associated with each chakra as the breath travels through the related part of the body.

If you are working on a particular chakra, you may want to create an affirmation related to it. For example, a fourth-chakra affirmation could be "I give and receive love unconditionally." Repeat the affirmation to yourself, visualize yourself flooded with the color rose. Imagine yourself in loving situations.

You can't overdo chakra balancing, and it's a relaxing and simple way to meditate. As you continue to practice it you will find yourself more attuned to your subtle energies. You will become more aware of imbalances before they express themselves physically.