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Understanding the Throat Chakra
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The Throat Chakra is known as the Vishuddha in Sanskrit, which translates to purification. It is the first of the “spiritual” chakras (the first three chakras being the physical world, with the heart acting as balance) and the energy center which governs communication, authenticity, and creativity. It can be viewed as the spiritual component of the physical world desires and strengths of the Navel Chakra. The fifth chakra is associated with the color blue, and is located in at the base of the throat, and includes the neck and shoulders.
Creative Communication
The main functions of the Throat Chakra are self expression and communication. Only by expressing ourselves are we able to tell the outer world about our inner workings, and declare what we need for our mental, physical, and spiritual survival. As the second chakra gives us insight to who we are and what we want, the fifth chakra allows us to express those things and bring them into existence.
Communication also includes active and effective listening. When this energy center is in balance, our conversation with others is a true exchange of listening and responding. Our need to be heard is validated, and we able to offer the same. The fifth chakra is also where we develop sober thinking: thinking that is not under the influence of anything or anyone. It’s just us; our hearts, our minds, moving us to act in our most honest and authentic ways.
In order to communicate efficiently we have to use our authentic voice, which is a pivotal component of the Throat Chakra. Here we find our personal integrity, and our need to express our individuality; this is the literal “speaking your truth” energy of the authentic self tapped into with the Navel Chakra. Telling lies and keeping secrets locks the throat, leading to introverted behavior, while yelling and over-sharing leads to an influx of energy, causing difficulties with empathy and resistance to learning. Either of these behaviors throws the Vishuddha out of balance, which disrupts the resonance between our Self and the world.
Resonating Within
The Universe, and everything within it, is built upon a rhythm. Every atom vibrates at a certain frequency, binding together to create energy and form. When two separate forms of energy vibrate at the same frequency they resonate, also known as sympathetic vibration. It is the job of the fifth chakra to balance our resonance with the physical and spiritual world.
When our energy is out of balance with the world, and/or the things we desire, we cannot connect to it; we miss opportunities, we find it difficult to find our “tribe” and bond with loved ones, and have problems expressing desire. This is the basics of the law of attraction; when our spiritual vibration is low, we can find it difficult to participate in esoteric tasks such as meditation, prayer, and trusting our intuition. Resonating with hope or trust becomes close to impossible. The Throat Chakra in balance puts our life energy in synch with the Universe, bringing our energy into harmony with the powers of manifestation and realization.
The Fifth Chakra is considered the passageway, as its blockage prevents energy and information from the physical body centers (chakras 1-3) from flowing into the conscious mind. When this happens, we cannot speak our wisdom or our needs, and we cannot transform our feelings into actions.
As Vishuddha translates as purification, the Throat Chakra handles the detoxification of mind, body, and spirit. When we rid the body of toxins, speak our minds truthfully, and enjoy the spiritual calm of silence, this energy center is strengthened. This purification of our Self on all levels also prepares us to enter the energies of the Sixth and Seventh Chakras.
Creative Balance
The creativity energy found in the Throat Chakra is mentally based, a result of the will. This is our ability to create words, movement, plans; while the Navel Chakra can create on its own (dreams, babies, desires), Vishuddha creativity is conscious action to create your reality. For example, when you want to create intimacy and connection, you visit friends and family. When you want to create solitude, you turn off your phone and tell everyone to go away. If you want to create the awesome painting or novel inspired by the Navel Chakra, you make a plan, gather tools, and do the actual work with the energy of the Throat Chakra. This aspect of creation is what supports our present circumstances, and builds our future.
An overactive Throat Chakra can manifest itself as authoritative issues: these people tend to be very opinionated (regardless of whether they have the facts correct or not), critical of others, and verbally abusive. You may find yourself thinking obsessively about the future, and prattling on about any subject that crosses your mind when nervous. The high frequency Vishuddha can also manifest as compulsive lying, over-planning, and ADD symptoms.
When the Throat Chakra is under-stimulated, you may find it difficult to express yourself, particularly in large crowds. When you do speak, you are often misheard and misunderstood, as you have a tendency to give mixed messages. Here, the throat energy is locked, usually by secrets from the past, based in guilt and shame. You may also find it difficult to create the life you wish to live, and have a tendency towards negative self talk.
When the Throat Chakra is in balance, you have a good balance between speaking and listening in conversation. You may find that others often seek your advice. You express yourself clearly and eloquently, and have a a flair for creative thought. You express your truth, including your strengths and weaknesses, and aren’t afraid to ask for help when it is needed. Esoteric activities, particularly meditation and chanting, may have a special place in your life.
Correspondences
Sanskrit name: Vishuddha (purification)
Color: Blue, Turquoise
Element: Sound
Sound: HAM
Virtues: communication, creativity, resonance, vibration, etheric body (aura), self expression, symbolic thinking, the voice
Vices: lies, stagnation/boredom, verbal abuse, secrets, criticism, emotional block, shyness, defensive
Body Association: Throat and neck (jaw, mouth, ears, vocal cord, esophagus, teeth, thyroid, parathyroid, trachea, cervical vertebrae of the spine, shoulders, and arms)
Divine Feminine: Queen
Sacred Masculine: Young Magician
Scents: sweet birch, eucalyptus, mint, rosemary, sage, lemongrass, ginger
Crystals: turquoise, blue topaz, azurite, danburite, lapis lazuli, blue calcite, blue kyanite, aquamarine, turquoise, sodalite, amazonite,aqua aura crystal, celestial aura quartz, blue lace agate.
Herbs: eucalyptus, mint, rosemary, sage, lemongrass, ginger
Affirmations:
- I hear and speak the truth.
- I express myself clearly.
- I understand and speak my truth.
- I communicate my feelings with ease.
- I express myself creatively through art/writing/acting, etc
- I live with integrity.
- I am open to becoming my authentic self.
- I know when it is time to listen.
- I freely express my gratitude.
- Creativity flows in and through me.
- I listen to my thoughts and my body so that I may understand myself.
- My voice is necessary.
Resources:
Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith
Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System As a Path to the Self by Anodea Judith
Chakra Wisdom Oracle Cards: The Complete Spiritual Toolkit for Transforming Your Life by Tori Hartman
Chakras and Their Archetypes: Uniting Energy Awareness and Spiritual Growth by Ambika Wauters
© 2015 Brandi Auset