Your Heart Knows (Heart Chakra)

I picked up a journal last night into which I had written to my babies while they were still in utero. Both pregnancies resulted in pre-term labor, which meant bed rest for me in the third trimester. When I was five months pregnant with my second child, a few days after we came up with the name, my labor started. In my journal I wrote, "since the moment you were conceived, I have felt you were a boy baby. I imagine you sweet with brown eyes and blonde hair. I think we have decided your name is Aidan." A sob came out of me as my heart swelled with love for the angel who sat next to me sucking his tounge and holding his "lee-lee" (blanket). I was right. My baby is a blonde haired, brown eyed boy who has love overflowing from his every gesture. He is kind and friendly to everyone he sees and tells me multiple times a day, out of the blue, "mommy, I loves you.". I knew this child before I saw him. I feel like we have loved each other far longer than the three years he has been alive.

The fourth chakra is called Anahata. It means, the pure sound of creation. It is located in the mid chest and expresses its gentle energy through the vibrations of pink and green. Its elment is air. Physically, Anahata governs the thymus gland, heart, blood vessels, bronci, lower lungs, ribs, upper back, skin, hands, immune system and sense of touch. The heart chakra is the pivotal point in the energy system and the seat of unconditional love; the crucible through which celestial energy and lower energies unite. A healthy heart chakra enables one to give and receive love in all its forms. To love unconditionally is crucial to our ability to thrive on a physical plane. Empathy and compassion are the first steps toward the development of a higher consciousness.

Emotional Dysfunctions: co-depedency, melancholia, fears concerning lonliness, commitment and/or betrayal.
Physical Dysfunctions: shallow breathing, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease.
Associated body parts: heart, lungs, chest, circulation.
Functional Archetype: lover
Dysfunctional Archetype: performer
Societal Association: unconditional acceptance of others.
Goals: balance, compassion, self acceptance.
Life Lesson: forgiveness and compassion for oneself and others.

The fourth chakra belly chains contain a variety of stones that resonate with this part of the body. They can be worn closer to the heart as a long or short necklace, or used as they are needed during meditation, resting on the chest. A complete description of the properties of the stones comes with the purchase of each belly chain.

Gut Feeling (Solar Plexus Chakra)

I've noticed that my gut feelings are getting harder to ignore. I had one recently that wouldn't let up. It caused me great discomfort. Until I acted on it, I was tortured. I won't tell you what it was, but what I will tell you is that my gut feeling made me do something I didn't want to do. It was an uncomfortable thing. After I did it, the feeling went away. I always trust my gut now. It doesn't steer me whong. I don't think.

The third chakra is called Manipura. It is located between the navel and the sternum and relates to the element of fire. Manipura represents our internal sun, or solar plexus. Its color is yellow and it governs the sense of sight. It relates energetically to the spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, midback, diaphragm,and kidneys. The solar plexus is the seat of empowerment or control over one's life, self acceptance and inner harmony. It represents the beginning of psychic perception as it finds its impression as a "gut reaction". One who's energies are well integrated experiences a healthy appetite with good physical digestion and a healthy metabolism, knowing a sense of comfort with the universe and a well defined sense of right and wrong.

Emotional Dysfunctions: need to be in control, oversensitive to criticism, addictive personality, aggressiveness and low self esteem.
Physical Dysfunctions: stomach ulcers, fatigue, weight around the stomach, allergies, diabetes.
Associated Body Parts: digestive system, muscles, adrenal glands and pancreas.
Functional Archetype: spiritual warrior
Dysfunctional Archetype: drudge
Goals: purpose, effectiveness, endurance, self respect.
Life Lesson: self esteem/self confidence, the courage to take risks, to BE.
Main Issue: personal power, self will.

The third chakra belly chain is made with mostly citrine. I add a few other stones depending on the individual, but citrine is the mainstay of manipura. Citrine is a powerful cleanser and regenerator, carrying the power of the sun. It is warming, regenerating, creative, cleansing and protective. Citrine absorbs, transmutes, dissipates and grounds negative energy. It has the ability to cleanse all the chakras but especially the solar plexus, or navel, chakra. It activates the crown chakra and opens the intuition. Citrine is a stone of abundance. It raises self esteem and self confidence and removes destructive tendencies. It encourages acting on constructive criticism, helps development of a positive attitude and looking forward optimistically, going with the flow, instead of hanging on to the past. Citrine promotes joy in life.

Sex and Creativity (Sacral Chakra)

Sexuality and creativity are governed by the sacral chakra. I find that these two wonderful aspects of life are linked. Stimulate one and you blissfully stimulate the other. Unleash one, and the other becomes free. So many of us are blocked here. Both sex and creativity are celebrations of life. Satisfying and elemental.

The sacral chakra is called Svadhisthana. It is located between the navel and the pubic bone. Relating to the element water and hence, our emotional life and the subconscious. Its color is orange and it governs the sense of taste. Svadhisthana introduces the aspect of relationships into our lives as we reach out beyond the family unit for validation, new experiences and companionship. Our work ethic relates to a healthy development of this chakra. The second chakra energy influences our creative and sexual energies. Physically, this chakra governs the kidneys, bladder, sexual organs, small and large intestines and lumbar spine.

Emotional Dysfunctions: unbalanced sex drive, instability, feelings of isolation
Physical Dysfunctions: impotence, frigidity, bladder and prostate problems, lower back pain
Functional Archetype: sovereign
Dysfunctional Archetype: martyr
Goals: Allowing pleasure, creative expression
Life lesson: uncovering motivations influencing choices- based on conditioning
Main Issue: emotional balance and sexuality

The sacral chakra belly chain is made of carnelian, a stabilizing stone with high energy, excellent for restoring vitality, motivation and stimulating creativity. Carnelian is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind, helping you to trust yourself and your perceptions. Carnelian is full of the life force and vitality. It influences the female reproductive organs, increases fertility, overcomes frigidity and impotence. Carnelian has the ability to cleanse other stones.

I, personally, wear carnelian every day.

Start Low (Base Chakra)

Lets talk about Chakras. This is the system that manages energy that flows through our bodies from the earth up through the crown of our head. Chakra energy sometimes doesn't flow properly, resulting in disease and stagnation, emotional upheaval and bad feelings. For optimum health of the body, mind and spirit, chakras need to be tended, like a garden, aligned and tuned like a machine and protected like the treasure that they are.

The Base Chakra is called Muladhara. It is located at the base of the spine and it's color is vibrant red. It relates to the element earth.Muladhara governs the spine and everything below, including legs, feet, colon, anus, urethra and adrenal glands. It governs the sense of smell. It is associated with basic survival and groundedness. When we are secure in the lessons of the base chakra, we radiate vibrancy in our physical health, a sense of belonging on earth and a strong identification with our immediate family. We are able to meet a crisis with equanimity. Muladhara fosters a connection with mother earth and her many gifts.

Functional archetype is "earth mother"
Dysfunctional archetype is "victim".
Emotional Dysfunctions: mental lethargy, spaciness, unfocused mind, incapable of stillness, difficulty achieving goals.
Physical Dysfunctions: osteoarthritis, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy body.
Life Lesson: Standing up for oneself.
Goals: Physical health and fitness, grounding, stability, security.

The base chakra belly chain grounds and energizes, imparts mental clarity, aids in repair, restoration and proper functioning of the base chakra. It can be worn every day or whenever you need it's beneficial effects.

Live Dangerously

Live dangerously. Live foolishly. Live embarrassingly. Live sillily. Live sadly. Live joyfully. Fear not the impact you will have by being you. Part the waters. Cause a wave. Dare to be stared at. Inspire thought and courage. When you go to high tea in Beverly Hills, wear a hat and gloves. Sip your tea as if you were a princess or a movie star. Embody the experience. Embarrass your family. Live.

Just Ask

As an experiment, might I suggest simply asking for that which you deeply desire? Or perhaps stating with confidence that it is desired and that you are willing to work for it and that you will appreciate it when you have it. Go ahead. Try it. I will too. "I want to walk on the moon." I do. I expect that I will. I will finance my private journey by selling hundreds of thousands of pieces of earth in the form of therapeutic gemstone belly chains. Will you please buy a belly chain so that I can begin saving for my trip to the moon? Thanks.