THE CHAKRAS The word 'chakra' is derived from the sanskrit word meaning 'wheel'. If we were able to see chakras (as many seers and psychics, in fact, do) we would observe a wheel of energy continuously revolving or rotating. And each chakra rotates at a different speed. One of the reasons that many people fall ill is because their chakras become out of alignment, they are 'imbalanced' or there are blockages which restrict the free flow of the body's energy. There are seven major chakras (and dozens of minor ones). For simplicity I intend to concentrate upon these seven chakras. They are as follows:- First Chakra - base of the spine Second Chakra - spleen, or sexual centre Third Chakra - solar plexus Fourth Chakra - heart Fifth Chakra - throat Sixth Chakra - third eye Seventh Chakra - crown These chakras all play an extremely active role in all our crystal healing treatments. As already mentioned any 'imbalances' that exist within any chakra may have profound effects upon either our physical or physiological bodies. We are able to use our quartz crystals to re-balance all our chakric centres and once the chakra has been properly balanced then our body will gradually return to normality. First Chakra - The first chakra is located at the bottom of the spine. This is where the kundalini is situated. This chakra is associated with the colour red. It is a very important centre as it has so much effect upon the rest of the body. I find personally that I am able to release a great deal of the physical stress and tension of the nervous system by working on the base chakra with my quartz crystals. Second Chakra - The second chakra is located within an area bounded by the spleen and sexual centre. This chakra is associated with the colour orange. Usually people suffering from sexual blockages need healing here. Third Chakra - The third chakra is the solar plexus and is located just below the navel. This chakra is associated with the colour yellow. There is often a great amount of physical energy and power within this chakra or emanating from it. This chakra is also the psychic store- house of mystical energy and is the energy centre used by materialisation mediums for producing ectoplasm and other psychic manifestations. Fourth Chakra - The fourth chakra is the heart centre. It is located in an area in the centre of the chest, between the two nipples. The colours associated with this chakra are green and pink. I use the heart chakra to help people suffering from emotional traumas and problems in their relationships. I find that by using a piece of rose quartz I am able to help release their inner emotional tension and trauma. Fifth Chakra - The fifth chakra is the throat centre. It is located in an area which corresponds to the centre of the throat. The colours associated with this chakra are either blue or turquoise When people suffer from headaches (perhaps migraine) and tension within the neck and shoulder muscles I find that often the basic cause is that the throat chakra has become blocked. Sixth Chakra - The sixth chakra is the third eye. This chakra is located between the two brows on the forehead. The colour most associated with this chakra is purple. When helping people to develop their own spiritual intuition I find that amethyst, sodalite, lapis lazuli or sugilite are ideal stones with which to work. Seventh Chakra - The seventh chakra is the crown centre. This chakra is located on the top of the head. The colour associated with this chakra is white. During any crystal healing session this chakra needs to be open. It is the chakra through which you obtain the highest understanding and the highest knowledge. To balance the chakras I use the following technique. First I have my patient lying down on their back. I then place two quartz crystals on the third eye chakra, points facing downwards. Two quartz crystals I put on the palm, points upwards; two quartz crystals on the breast area, points upwards; and two quartz crystals placed on the top of the thighs, point upwards. If the patient lies quietly on his or her back for about 15 minutes, the chakras will quickly re-align themselves.