Discover the Seven Chakras: Their Meanings and Benefits for Inner Peace

In recent years, the topic of chakrashas been circulating more and more across social media and within Western society. However, the chakra system originated thousands of years ago as a focal point of various ancient practices within Eastern cultures. Chakras represent the interconnected centers of energy within our bodies. These metaphysical energy points are believed to govern various aspects of our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. 

Understanding and balancing the seven chakras is considered essential for harmonizing the body, mind and spirit—ultimately leading to a more enriched and fulfilling life. 

Parade  spoke with Cassie Spiresabout the chakra system to help you better comprehend the profound powers of these energetic gateways. Spires is a multi-creative free spirit and a long-time enthusiast for self-transformation through the power of sound.

Chakras play a significant role in both our spiritual and psychological well-being. Plus, they can personally influence various aspects of our lives. The meaning of chakrasmay seem like a lot to understand at first, but with expert knowledge from Cassie Spires, we'll uncover everything you need to know. 

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What Are Chakras and What Do They Do?

You may have heard people talking about their chakras being unbalanced or how certain healing crystals are better for particular chakras. But what are chakras, exactly?

"Chakra is Sanskrit for 'wheel of light,'" Spires tells  Parade . "It is a thousands of years old term used by Eastern cultures to describe the energy, or subtle body. Some refer to this part of ourselves as an aura or light body."

Spires continues, "The chakras radiate seven colors; that of the rainbow. Each one governs a different aspect of the human experience." 

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What Do the Seven Chakras Mean?

As Spires mentioned, each of the seven chakras governs a different aspect of the human experience and radiates a color of the rainbow. Here is what the seven chakras mean and represent:

• Root= Red: Survival, security, grounding, stability, safety

• Sacral= Orange: Pleasure, creativity, inspiration, connection and relationships

• Solar Plexus= Yellow: Willpower, determination, confidence, motivation

• Heart= Green: Love, compassion and forgiveness

• Throat= Blue: Communication and authenticity

• Third Eye= Indigo: Vision and imagination; seeing the bigger picture

• Crown= Violet: Understanding, divine wisdom and spiritual connection

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Where Are the Seven Chakras Located?

Each of the seven chakras is located within a corresponding part of the physical body. "The human body has hundreds of chakras, but the seven main energy centers begin at the base of the spine and rise to the crown of the head," Spires added.

• Root: Base of the spine

• Sacral: Lower abdomen

• Solar Plexus: Between the navel and at the bottom of the rib cage

• Heart: Heart area, around the chest

• Throat: Base of the throat, coinciding with the thyroid gland

• Third Eye: Between the eyebrows

• Crown: Top or crown of the head

What Powers Do Chakras Have?

When our chakras are balanced, they can bestow us with a wide array of powers—from groundedness to creativity and confidence. Understanding and nurturing the chakras can be a transformative journey toward a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us. 

Spires explains that some of the benefits of balancing your chakras include mental, physical and emotional coherence, harmony and balance.

"We are better able to align our thoughts, feelings and emotions so that a life we love can manifest," Spires continues. "It cultivates a deeper awareness of ourselves, helping us to take action in the direction of our best path. It prevents us from being easily swayed by outside influences that would have us unknowingly go against ourselves."

When our energy is in harmony, we tend to feel more vibrant and excited about life, equipping us with the powerful tool of handling stress gracefully along with other challenges that naturally arise within the human experience. 

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What Causes Chakras To Be Blocked?

We all feel stuck sometimes in life—whether it be in our careers, relationships or hobbies. When we feel stuck, does this mean that our chakras are blocked? Spires says that she does not like to use the term "blocked" when speaking about energy, as it implies energy has stopped moving. And, in reality, energy never stops moving.

Instead, she prefers to use the terms "overactive" or "underactive." 

"The chakras are closely tied to our emotional states," Spires explains. "The way we feel is our first clue to the disharmony within our energy field. The longer we ignore the way we feel, the more likely that energy presents as a physical problem in the body. Over time, the body will develop discomfort near the chakra that is disturbed."

So, since the chakras correspond to a location within the physical body, you can gain clues as to which chakras may be more overactive or underactive for you. But what, exactly, causes chakras to be "blocked"? 

Spires provided an example of a physical manifestation that correlates to an over or under-active chakra. "Headaches often indicate that the third eye is over or under-active," she says. "The energy of that center is either being ignored and not used, or given far too much attention—creating an imbalance between it and the other six chakras. Someone may lack vision and imagination, or may develop confusion and fog when overusing this center. The body will alert us thru frequent headaches."

Additionally, Spires informs  Parade that many imbalances begin at the root and affect the upper chakras, so it is important to be attentive to each center.

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How Can You Activate and Unblock Your Chakras?

The good news is that if you are alive, your chakras are already active. Seriously! Even if they are under-active or "blocked," chakras are active for everyone. If you want your chakras to feel more activated, however, there are plenty of simple steps you can take within your everyday life. 

Spires highly suggests finding fun ways to build a relationship with the subtle nature.

"If you enjoy cooking, you could focus on cooking by the chakras' colors and consuming the food in awareness of it being prepared for the subtle body’s care," she shares. "Root vegetables, for example, will energize the root chakra."

There are plenty of other ways to further activate your chakras if you don't fancy yourself a cook. Fashionistas can choose their outfits of the day by tuning into their feelings and awareness of which chakra needs their attention.

"If you feel a lack of creativity, wearing orange could inspire your creative energies. If you’re having a good day and hitting all the green lights on the way to work, send some gratitude into the heart with each green light you drive-thru."

Spires preaches the healing power of sounds, and that also comes into play when activating the chakras.

"If you're like me and you enjoy music, something like tuning forks and singing bowls are a great way to literally tune the subtle body," she explains. "The chakras energy vibrates kind of like that of a guitar string, and just like with a guitar, all the strings have to be in tune to strike the harmony necessary for creating beautiful music. Harmony in our chakras is how we create a beautiful life."

Meet Cassie Spires

Cassie Spires is a multi-creative free spirit and long-time enthusiast for self-transformation through the power of sound. She promotes a deeper awareness of the self through a better understanding of the subtle nature of the human experience.

Spires hosts the spiritual podcast, Love Hertz, is a self-published author with her debut book Believe in Love , and enjoys singing/songwriting for the indie duo, Cassie and Mallory.

Spires offers her intuitive guidance and acquired wisdom in metaphysics, and shares divinely inspired creativity through her talents in art, writing, music and podcasting to encourage others to love themselves more deeply in the here and now.

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This story was originally published by Parade on Aug 6, 2023, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.