The 2nd Chakra – The Sacral Chakra – Swadhisthana
The Sacral Chakra is in the sacral plexus area located in the lower abdominal. This chakra is associated with the element water and it represents desire, pleasure, sexuality and procreation. As we move up the chakra system, we change from the 1st chakra which is solid, formed earth to the 2nd chakra which is liquid, formless and ever-changing water.
The Swadhisthana Chakra; also spelled Svadhisthana; represents change, fluctuation and movement. Even it’s location in the body is related to movement. The sacral plexus is a collection of nerves located in the lower spine which control movement in the legs and pelvis.
This chakra is associated with the color orange. The color orange has the second longest wavelength (635 nm) and second slowest frequency (480THz) in the visual color spectrum.
Swadhisthana Chakra – Bija Mantra Vam (sounds like vom)
Listen to the Bija Mantras: Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati – Chakra Bija Mantras
Bija Mantras.
The Swadhisthana Chakra emits violet and ruby light.
This is the chakra of emotion, sexuality, and pleasure.
The symbol for the Swadhisthana Chakra is a six petal lotus flower. There are also two lotus petals within the large six-petal lotus. This chakra is related to the moon. The moon, with it’s ever changing cycle, pulls on the tides of the earth creating subtle changes on earth’s residents. It is dark, mysterious and full of emotion.and nurture.
All of these things are fluid and ever-changing. This constant change is at once the source of pleasure and the source of pain. The Swadhisthana Chakra deity is Goddess Rakini.
Blocks in the Sacral Chakra
Blocks in the second center can lead to loss of creativity, low sexual energy, a feeling of dullness, loss of emotion, and depression. It’s easy to get trapped in the second chakra by overindulging in pleasurable things such as food, drugs, alcohol, or sex. People can be stuck in the second center by not channeling their desires properly. The Swadhisthana Chakra deity is Goddess Rakini.
The key to opening the second chakra is to maintain balance when it comes to pleasurable, worldly things. Do not deny, but do not overindulge either. Choose the middle of the way.
Another way to get stuck in the second chakra is by suppressing emotions. Emotion itself is fluid – it’s ever changing and dynamic properties are perfectly represented by water. Emotions travel, by moving from the atmosphere around us, to the subconscious within us, through the conscious mind, and back out into the atmosphere in whatever way we give them off. It’s very important to keep this movement flowing. However, many people will suppress their emotions in the subconscious level. Feeling emotion can be painful, and these people choose to keep it bottled up rather than let it out and feel it’s effects.
Although this may work temporarily, it will cause problems in the future. Emotions which are stuck in the subconscious will manifest themselves in other ways – be it anger, fear, anxiety, or hatred. Meditation is an excellent way to work through emotions and allow them to rise to the surface. Students who practice the Violet Fire decrees for transmutation of mis-qualified energy benefit very quickly, especially when the decrees are given with inner visualization and concentration techniques.
Yoga Poses to Work the Second Chakra
Poses which work the hips and lower abdomen are excellent for opening the second chakra.
SECOND OR SACRAL CHAKRA
Sanscrit name: Svadhisthana (sweetness)
Symbol: A circle surrounded by five or six lotus petals.
Central issue: Sexuality, emotions, financial, creativity,
codes of honour and ethics
Color: Orange
Essential Oils: Rosemary, juniper, sandalwood, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang
Crystals and Stones: Amber, Citrine, Topaz, Moonstone, Fire Agate, Orange Spinel, Fire Opal;
Stars and Astrological Signs: Moon, Planets Venus and Pluto, and the signs of Libra, Cancer, and Scorpio;
Sound or mantra: Vam (sounds like vom)
Sense: Touch and taste
Body: Ethereal body
Orientation to self: Self-gratification
Goals: Pleasure, healthy sexuality, feeling
Rights: To feel, to want
Developmental stage: 6 to 24 months
Identity: Emotional identity
Level of relationship: One-on-one
Demon: Guilt
Element: Water
Hormonal gland: Pancreas
Organs: Sexual organs, large intestine, lower vertebrae, pelvis, the kidneys, appendix, bladder, prostate, hip area, the lymphatic system, all the body fluids;
Excessive: Sexual, pleasure addiction; excessively sensitive and strong emotions; invasion of others, seductive manipulation; obsessive attachment; emotional dependency.
Deficient: Poor social skills; frigidity, fear of sex, lack of desire, passion, excitement, denial of pleasure; fear of change; rigidity in attitudes
Balanced: Graceful movements; emotional intelligence; ability to experience pleasure; nurture of self and others; ability to change; healthy boundaries
Physical Dysfunctions: Sexual dysfunctions; sexual problems; dysfunctions of reproductive organs, spleen, urinary system; loss of appetite for food, sex, life; chronic lower back pain
Addictions: Alcohol, sex, heroin, lethargy
Traumas and Abuses: Sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, rejection, emotional manipulation, physical abuse, alcoholic families, denial of child’s feelings, inherited (untreated incest, sexual issues)
Spiritual challenges: Negative one-to-one control patterns need to be confronted
HEALING STRATEGY: Movement therapy, emotional release, inner childe work, boundary work, assign healthy pleasures, develop sensate intelligence
AFFIRMATIONS:
I accept and acknowledge my sexuality.
I absorb information from my feelings.My physical health is strong and pure.
I deserve pleasure in my life.
Life is pleasurable.
I move easily and effortlessly.