September 29, 2024 12 min read

What is a Chakra? 12 Chakra System

Chakras are energy centers within the human body and beyond that influence our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. While many are familiar with the traditional 7-chakra system, which runs along the spine, the 12-chakra system offers an expanded view that includes energy points outside the physical body. These additional chakras help connect us to higher realms of consciousness, the Earth, and the universe, reflecting the multi-dimensional nature of our being.

In essence, chakras can be understood as spinning wheels of energy that regulate the flow of life force (or prana) throughout our energy field. This flow determines how we interact with our internal and external worlds. The smooth functioning of these chakras allows for balance and harmony in all aspects of life, while blockages can lead to physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges.

Let’s dive into how each chakra works within the 12-chakra system and how the energy of these chakras shapes our reality.

The Flow of Energy in the 12-Chakra System

The energy of each chakra flows in a circular or spiral motion, creating a vortex. Each vortex interacts with our internal state (mind, body, spirit) and the external world. These energy centers not only process energy but also act as bridges between the physical and metaphysical, shaping our experiences and perceptions of reality.

Earth Star Chakra

  • Location: 6-12 inches below the feet

  • Element: Earth

  • Color: Black or deep red

  • Purpose: Grounding, connection to Earth and ancestral energy

The Earth Star chakra serves as our deep connection to Mother Earth, allowing us to anchor our soul’s energy into the physical plane. Its energy moves downward, linking us to the core of the planet. This chakra helps us feel secure and connected to our roots, both physically and spiritually.

When balanced, it promotes stability, grounding, and ancestral healing. Blockages can lead to a sense of disconnection from nature, instability, or feeling lost.

Root Chakra (Muladhara)

  • Location: Base of the spine

  • Element: Earth

  • Color: Red

  • Purpose: Survival, grounding, security

The root chakra grounds us in the physical world and deals with survival instincts, safety, and stability. Its energy flows downward and outward, providing a solid foundation for the higher chakras. A balanced root chakra manifests as confidence in meeting our basic needs, a sense of security, and feeling grounded.

When blocked, it can cause fear, anxiety, or financial and physical insecurities, leading to physical issues such as lower back pain or immune system problems.

Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

  • Location: Below the navel

  • Element: Water

  • Color: Orange

  • Purpose: Creativity, pleasure, emotional identity

The sacral chakra governs creativity, pleasure, and emotions. Its energy flows in a fluid manner, much like water, allowing us to embrace joy, sensuality, and emotional well-being. When energy flows smoothly through the sacral chakra, we feel creative, connected to our emotions, and able to enjoy life's pleasures.

If blocked, it can cause emotional instability, difficulty in relationships, or a lack of creativity. Physical symptoms may include reproductive or lower abdominal issues.

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

  • Location: Above the navel

  • Element: Fire

  • Color: Yellow

  • Purpose: Personal power, will, self-esteem

The solar plexus chakra is the seat of personal power, self-esteem, and willpower. Its energy radiates outward like the sun, giving us the confidence to assert ourselves and pursue our goals. When balanced, we feel empowered, in control of our lives, and confident in our decisions.

A blocked solar plexus can manifest as low self-esteem, lack of direction, or control issues. Physical symptoms may include digestive problems or chronic fatigue.

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

  • Location: Center of the chest

  • Element: Air

  • Color: Green or Pink

  • Purpose: Love, compassion, emotional healing

The heart chakra is the center of love, compassion, and emotional balance. Its energy flows both inward and outward, allowing us to give and receive love freely. The heart chakra serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, enabling us to experience deep connections with others and with the universe.

When balanced, we feel love for ourselves and others, empathy, and compassion. Blockages in the heart chakra can lead to feelings of loneliness, heartache, or difficulty in relationships. Physically, it can affect the heart and respiratory system.

Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

  • Location: Throat

  • Element: Ether (Space)

  • Color: Blue

  • Purpose: Communication, self-expression, truth

The throat chakra governs communication and the expression of our authentic selves. Its energy flows like a spiral, allowing us to speak and share our inner truths with the world. A balanced throat chakra enables us to express ourselves clearly and confidently.

Blockages in this chakra can lead to difficulty communicating, fear of speaking up, or dishonesty. Physically, it can manifest as issues with the throat, neck, or mouth.

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

  • Location: Between the eyebrows

  • Element: Light

  • Color: Indigo

  • Purpose: Intuition, insight, inner wisdom

The third eye chakra is the center of intuition and spiritual insight. Its energy moves inward, helping us to see beyond the physical realm and connect with higher wisdom. A balanced third eye chakra heightens intuition, mental clarity, and spiritual vision.

If blocked, it can lead to confusion, lack of clarity, or an over-reliance on rational thinking. Physically, this imbalance can manifest as headaches, vision problems, or sinus issues.

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

  • Location: Top of the head

  • Element: Cosmic Energy

  • Color: Violet or White

  • Purpose: Spiritual connection, enlightenment

The crown chakra is our connection to the divine, the universe, and higher consciousness. Its energy flows upward, linking us to the infinite and facilitating spiritual enlightenment. When this chakra is balanced, we experience a sense of unity with all life, divine wisdom, and deep spiritual connection.

A blocked crown chakra can lead to spiritual disconnection, closed-mindedness, or a lack of purpose. Physically, it can manifest as neurological issues or a feeling of isolation.

Soul Star Chakra

  • Location: 6 inches above the crown

  • Element: Divine Light

  • Color: White or Gold

  • Purpose: Karmic clearing, soul purpose, spiritual awakening

The Soul Star chakra is where the soul’s higher wisdom is stored. It connects us to our soul’s path, karmic lessons, and the divine. Its energy moves upward, allowing us to access the Akashic records, past lives, and higher spiritual understanding. This chakra governs our connection to our spiritual mission and ascension process.

When balanced, we feel aligned with our soul’s purpose and spiritually aware. If blocked, it can create feelings of confusion about one’s life path or purpose.

Stellar Gateway Chakra

  • Location: Above the Soul Star Chakra

  • Element: Cosmic Consciousness

  • Color: Gold or Platinum

  • Purpose: Connection to the cosmos, higher realms of existence

The Stellar Gateway is the highest point of entry into the cosmos and is connected to universal consciousness. Its energy helps us access higher dimensions and integrate cosmic wisdom into our physical existence. This chakra allows us to transcend duality and experience oneness with the universe.

Blockages in the Stellar Gateway chakra may lead to spiritual disconnection or difficulty accessing higher realms.

Universal Chakra

  • Location: Above the Stellar Gateway

  • Color: Silver or Rainbow

  • Purpose: Universal oneness, connection to all beings

The Universal Chakra connects us to the collective consciousness, fostering unity and oneness with all living beings. Its energy flows outward, creating an infinite connection between our individual soul and the universe. When balanced, we feel deep compassion, universal love, and interconnectedness with all life.

Divine Gateway Chakra

  • Location: Beyond the Universal Chakra

  • Color: Violet, White, and Gold

  • Purpose: Source connection, divine will, enlightenment

The Divine Gateway chakra is the highest point in the 12-chakra system. It represents our connection to Source energy, divine will, and pure consciousness. Its energy expands infinitely, uniting us with the divine and the true essence of creation. A balanced Divine Gateway chakra enables us to experience total spiritual enlightenment and unity with the universe.

How the Energy in Chakras Shapes Our Reality

The flow of energy through the 12-chakra system not only influences our health and emotional well-being but also shapes how we navigate and experience reality. The lower chakras anchor us into the physical world, providing stability, security, and creative energy, while the higher chakras connect us to the spiritual realms, offering insight, intuition, and divine connection.

When all 12 chakras are balanced and aligned, energy flows harmoniously through our being, allowing us to live in alignment with our soul’s purpose. We feel deeply grounded yet spiritually connected, able to manifest our dreams while staying attuned to higher consciousness. Conversely, blockages or imbalances in any chakra can disrupt this flow, leading to struggles in specific areas of life, whether in relationships, health, career, or spiritual growth.

Understanding and working with the 12-chakra system allows us to access deeper layers of healing, transcend duality, and live from a place of alignment with both the Earth and the cosmos. This balance and flow enable us to co-create our reality with greater awareness, purpose, and love.

By attuning to these energy centers, we open ourselves to expanded consciousness, divine guidance, and a more harmonious existence with the universe.

The Multi-Dimensional Nature of the 12 Chakras

The 12-chakra system represents an expanded model of our energetic anatomy, taking us beyond the physical and into higher dimensions of consciousness. The seven primary chakras (Root to Crown) govern our interaction with the physical world and the astral realm (the emotional and mental planes), while the additional five chakras (Earth Star, Soul Star, Stellar Gateway, Universal, and Divine Gateway) connect us to dimensions beyond the immediate human experience—allowing access to soul-level wisdom, cosmic consciousness, and the divine.

Each chakra corresponds to a different plane of existence:

  • Physical Plane (Earth Star to Solar Plexus): These chakras ground us in the material world, influence our physical reality, and regulate bodily functions.

  • Emotional and Mental Plane (Heart to Crown): These chakras mediate our emotional, mental, and spiritual perceptions, allowing us to experience love, truth, and inner wisdom.

  • Spiritual and Cosmic Plane (Soul Star to Divine Gateway): These higher chakras open the doors to multidimensional awareness, guiding us through spiritual awakening, soul evolution, and divine connection.

Energy Flow: Vertical and Circular Pathways

Energy flows through the chakras in two primary ways:

  1. Vertically: From the Earth up to the cosmos and vice versa. This flow links the lower chakras to the higher chakras, symbolizing the connection between the Earth (the physical realm) and the heavens (spiritual realms).

  2. Circularly: Each chakra spins as a vortex, pulling in energy from the surrounding environment, transmuting it, and releasing it back into the energetic field. The circular flow of energy represents the processing of external stimuli, emotions, and experiences.

Together, these flows of energy facilitate the balance between grounding in the material world and expanding into spiritual dimensions. When in harmony, they allow us to access deep spiritual truths while remaining grounded in day-to-day life.

Lower Chakras: Grounding Us in the Earthly Experience

1. Earth Star Chakra: The Foundation of Our Being

The Earth Star chakra, located below the feet, is often overlooked but crucial for grounding our energy. It anchors us not only to the Earth’s physical energy but also to its ancient wisdom and consciousness. This chakra is associated with ancestral healing, helping to resolve generational trauma and patterns rooted in family lines.

Energetically, the Earth Star chakra absorbs Earth energy and provides stability, making it essential for anyone engaged in spiritual work. When this chakra is activated, it allows you to ground higher spiritual energies into the physical plane, enabling you to manifest your soul’s mission while staying connected to the Earth.

Working with the Earth Star Chakra: Practices like earthing (walking barefoot on natural surfaces), deep breathing, or visualizing roots growing from your feet into the Earth help activate and balance this chakra.

2. Root Chakra: The Pillar of Stability

The root chakra governs our survival instincts, material needs, and connection to the physical body. This chakra is where we process primal fears and desires related to security, survival, and grounding in the material world. When energy flows harmoniously through the root chakra, we feel a strong sense of safety, stability, and presence in our physical environment.

The root chakra also connects with the Earth Star chakra to ground our spiritual energy. This alignment keeps us from feeling “floaty” or ungrounded as we explore higher spiritual realms, ensuring that we remain present and stable in our everyday reality.

Healing the Root Chakra: Techniques like grounding meditation, physical exercise, and eating nourishing, earthy foods can help to activate and balance the root chakra.

3. Sacral Chakra: The Flow of Creative Life Force

The sacral chakra governs creativity, pleasure, and emotional expression. This chakra is closely linked to the water element, symbolizing fluidity and adaptability in our relationships and creativity. It allows us to experience joy and pleasure, to connect deeply with others, and to create art, ideas, and experiences that bring beauty into the world.

Energy in the sacral chakra often corresponds to how we express our emotions. When blocked, we may feel creatively stifled or emotionally detached. Conversely, an overactive sacral chakra may lead to emotional volatility or dependency.

Balancing the Sacral Chakra: To open this chakra, engage in creative pursuits, flow-based yoga (like vinyasa), or activities that bring you joy. Working with water—whether through baths, swimming, or simply being near bodies of water—can help restore its natural flow.

Middle Chakras: The Bridge Between the Physical and Spiritual

4. Solar Plexus Chakra: The Seat of Personal Power

The solar plexus chakra is the center of personal power, will, and transformation. It is the “fire” that fuels our ambitions and drives us to act on our desires. Here, the energy of the lower chakras merges with the higher spiritual chakras, creating a balanced sense of self-esteem and personal authority.

This chakra plays a vital role in how we navigate the external world and interact with others. A well-functioning solar plexus chakra empowers us to set healthy boundaries, take control of our lives, and express ourselves authentically. Blockages can lead to feelings of powerlessness or indecision.

Energizing the Solar Plexus Chakra: Practices like sun gazing, core-strengthening exercises, and setting clear intentions or goals can activate this chakra.

5. Heart Chakra: The Portal of Love and Compassion

The heart chakra is the bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Its energy flow moves both inward (to cultivate self-love) and outward (to extend love and compassion to others). This chakra governs our ability to love unconditionally, forgive, and form meaningful connections.

When the heart chakra is balanced, we experience love as a divine force that connects us to all living beings. This chakra serves as the portal through which we can understand unity consciousness—seeing ourselves not as separate individuals but as part of a greater whole.

Activating the Heart Chakra: Practices such as loving-kindness meditation, gratitude journaling, or heart-opening yoga poses (like backbends) can expand and balance this chakra.

Higher Chakras: Accessing Spiritual Dimensions

6. Throat Chakra: The Gateway to Authentic Expression

The throat chakra governs communication, truth, and self-expression. Its energy enables us to speak our inner truth and manifest our ideas into the world through language. A balanced throat chakra fosters clear, honest communication and the ability to speak with integrity.

Blockages in the throat chakra often show up as difficulty in expressing oneself, withholding opinions, or even physical symptoms such as sore throats or neck tension.

Balancing the Throat Chakra: Chanting, singing, or journaling can help activate this chakra. Additionally, practicing mindful, honest communication with others strengthens the throat chakra.

7. Third Eye Chakra: The Visionary Center

The third eye chakra is the seat of intuition, psychic abilities, and spiritual insight. This chakra allows us to see beyond the material world, into the subtle energies that shape reality. Its energy flows inward, helping us perceive inner truths and higher spiritual realities.

When open, the third eye chakra enhances our ability to access deep wisdom, visions, and intuitive knowing. Blockages in this chakra may result in confusion, difficulty focusing, or feeling disconnected from your inner voice.

Activating the Third Eye Chakra: Meditation, visualization, and spending time in darkness (which stimulates the pineal gland) are powerful ways to enhance this chakra’s energy flow.

8. Crown Chakra: Divine Connection

The crown chakra is the highest of the physical chakras, connecting us to the divine, the universe, and infinite consciousness. Its energy flows upward, opening a channel to higher wisdom, spiritual guidance, and the realization of our oneness with all life.

When this chakra is fully open, we transcend the ego and experience a deep sense of unity with everything in existence. This can lead to profound spiritual awakening, often described as enlightenment.

Opening the Crown Chakra: Practices such as prayer, deep meditation, and silence can help activate this chakra. Mindfully connecting with the cosmic or divine energies through spiritual rituals also helps to open this channel.

Higher Dimensional Chakras: Expanding Beyond the Physical

9. Soul Star Chakra: Access to Karmic Lessons and Soul Wisdom

Located above the crown chakra, the Soul Star chakra connects us to our higher self, soul wisdom, and the Akashic records (which hold the collective knowledge of all existence). This chakra governs our soul’s purpose and evolution, helping us to clear karmic patterns and align with our destiny.

10. Stellar Gateway Chakra: Cosmic Consciousness

The Stellar Gateway chakra connects us to the cosmos and higher-dimensional energies. It serves as the portal through which cosmic downloads, spiritual activations, and multidimensional insights flow. Working with this chakra accelerates spiritual growth and opens access to non-physical realms.

11. Universal Chakra: Unity Consciousness

The Universal Chakra allows us to perceive the oneness of all creation. When this chakra is fully activated, the illusion of separation dissolves, and we experience unity with all beings, nature, and the cosmos.

12. Divine Gateway Chakra: Connection to Source

The highest chakra in the 12-chakra system, the Divine Gateway chakra connects us directly to Source or God. When open, it provides a direct line to divine will, allowing us to live in complete alignment with the flow of universal love and wisdom.

Working with the 12 Chakras in Everyday Life

To fully integrate the wisdom of the 12-chakra system into your life, it’s important to regularly practice balancing and activating these energy centers. Some methods include:

  • Meditation: Focus on each chakra, visualizing its color and energy spinning freely.

  • Breathwork: Use deep, rhythmic breathing to open and clear energy blockages.

  • Visualization: Imagine energy flowing vertically through the chakras, from the Earth Star to the Divine Gateway.

  • Grounding Practices: Connect regularly with nature, especially to balance the lower chakras.

  • Spiritual Practices: Engage in prayer, ritual, or cosmic meditations to activate the higher chakras.

By regularly aligning and balancing your chakras, you create a flow of energy that supports both your earthly existence and spiritual expansion. Through this practice, you become more attuned to your soul's purpose, access higher wisdom, and navigate reality with grace, empowerment, and divine connection.

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