the Chakras

Chakra Balancing:

The Crown Chakra is located at the center of the top of the head, and is represented by the color of violet. The attributes of this Chakra are cosmic consciousness, unity, communion, inner peace, refinement, beauty, and grace. Blockages can express themselves in the form of despair, destructiveness, alcoholism, and egoism.

Affirmations: 

"I am at one with the Universe." 

"I am open and receptive to all life." 

"I am at peace." 

The Third Eye Chakra is located between the eyes, and is represented by the color of indigo blue. The attributes of this Chakra are concentration, clarity, awareness, detachment and intelligence. Blockages can express themselves as coldness, bitterness, meanness and ungraciousness.

Affirmations:

"I radiate love, clarity, & integrity."

"My thoughts are clear & focused."

"I know who I am."

The Throat Chakra is located at the center of your throat, and is represented by the color turquoise.  The attributes of this Chakra are creativity, self-expression, spiritual will and clear communication.  Blockages can express themselves in the form of difficulty communicating, suppressed feelings, untruthfulness, gossip, and lack of creative expression.

Affirmations:

"I express my true self."

"I express myself creatively & openly."

"I love & trust my creative gifts."

The Heart Chakra is located at the center of your chest, and is represented by the color green or pink. The attributes of this Chakra are purity, innocence, love, harmony, balance and brotherhood or sisterhood.  Blockages can express themselves in the form of hatred, selfishness, resentment and callousness.

Affirmations:

"I am willing to love myself."

"I open myself to receive love."

"Love is everywhere."

The Solar Plexus Chakra is located just under the sternum, and is represented by color yellow. The attributes of this Chakra are self-respect, integrity, self-worth, good judgment, decision making, and personal power. Blockages can express themselves in the form of a lack of self confidence, low self respect, poor judgment, and an inability to make decisions.

Affirmations:

"I am worthy."

"I am worth my weight in gold."

"I am worthy of my own self-love."

The Sacral Chakra is located about two fingers down from the navel, in the center of your pelvis, and is represented by the color orange. The attributes of this Chakra are well-being, pleasure, sexuality, abundance and prosperity.  Blockages express themselves in the form of Greed, Manipulation, Guilt, and Promiscuity.

Affirmations: 

"Who I am is enough."

"What I have is enough."

"All is well in my Universe."

The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine, and is represented by the color red.  The attributes of this Chakra are structure, stability, security, manifestation, commitment, patience and order.  Blockages express themselves in the form of fear, frustration, restlessness, even violence.

Affirmations:

"I am safe & secure at all times."

"I have a strong foundation in life."

"Life is good." 

When you program a crystal, you're aligning the energy of the stone with your intent, thereby directing the energy of the stone in a more powerful and focused manner.

Programming is simple.

• Before you begin, decide what purpose it is you wish to use the stone for. Be specific.
• Once you've established your intention, hold the crystal in your hands. In your mind, envision the purpose you wish to use the stone. Now, imagine your intention as a bright, white energy inside of you. This energy grows from your heart and spreads out. Envision this light flowing down your arms, into your hands, and into the stone. Essentially, you're pouring your intention into the stone, and attuning yourself with it at the same time.
• When you feel totally in tune with your crystal (trust your instincts), say out loud or in your mind, "I program this crystal for [your specific purpose]." Crystals are great for Chakra balancing!

That's it! Now, put the crystal in a place where you'll see it often, or keep it in your pocket. Or, if jewelry, put it on.  Feel free to reprogram your crystal whenever you feel. Also reprogram a crystal at a later time for a different purpose, but be sure to cleanse it first. Crystal cleansing is a must!

• Lie flat on the floor. Feel free to use cushioning to support your body. Your comfort is of the most importance here.
• Once you've found your comfortable position, place one or all of your crystals on their corresponding Chakra. If a crystal happens to roll slightly away from where you place it, allow it to do so. It knows where it needs to be.
• Now close your eyes & relax. Visualize yourself surrounded by white, healing light. With the healing light all around you, begin to focus on your Chakra. Envision the crystal filling & surrounding the Chakra with a radiating, healing light. Envision this light in the color that corresponds to the specific Chakra.
• Visualize the Chakra as a small energy system that circulates in a clockwise motion. As the crystal releases its healing energy, the circulation increases in speed. 
• As you're visualizing the crystal healing & balancing the Chakra, feel free to repeat any of the affirmations provided, or come up with your own. This is referred to as Chakra balancing!

Trust your intuition about crystal cleansing. Cleansing them every week or two is sufficient, depending on how you feel and the type of environment you're in. If you have any emotional experiences or are around extreme negativity, cleanse them. There are a number of cleansing methods.

• A common one is smudging with White Sage. Simply submerge the crystal in the smoke until you feel it's cleansed.
• You can also place stones in sunlight, moonlight, or rain for up to one day. Placing your stones on or near a plant can help. 
• The water method is where you submerge your stones in alternating hot and cold running water for five minutes. However, there are some stones that shouldn't get wet such as Lapis and Sodalite, so be careful.
• Another water method is with 1 cup of sea salt to 2 cups of natural spring water, placing stones in for the day. Let them dry in sunshine for a few hours. Again be careful.
• Lastly, you can bury your stones in a sacred spot outside or near your home, allowing the Earth to cleanse them. Simply bury the stones for up to 24 hours.