Sacral Chakra:  I FEEL

The Svadhisthana or Sacral Chakra is the second chakra in this energetic system.  The Sanskrit translation of Svadhisthana is “where your being is established”.  Sva means self, and adhishthana means established.  This is where unity and stillness becomes duality and movement along with change.  It is here that the solid nature of earth becomes the liquid nature of water, and form becomes formless.  With formlessness comes a degree of freedom, but with increased complexity.

The sacral chakra is associated with the water element, therefore it represents fluidity and constant change.  It is located in the lower abdomen, below the navel in the region of the genitals.  It is symbolized as a six-petaled lotus, the six petals representing the six intersecting nadis or energetic pathways at this chakra.  Inside reside two more inner lotuses, representing duality at this level.  From unity we move to duality, along with the awareness of the other.  In connecting with others, desires arise and with this increased emotions and sexuality.  We long to unite with our lover; subconsciously we long to return to unity and overcome the separateness that this energetic level brings.

The bija mantra or seed syllable is Vam; when chanted the sound vibration cleanses and heals this chakra.  The sacral chakra is visualized in a bright orange color.  Within the depiction resides an alligator-like water creature called a Makara, with a coiled tail much like the coil of the Kundalini Shakti energy.  The creature represents consuming desires and animal instincts which much be controlled and harnessed in order to pass onward through the levels.

Chakra 2 represents Yin or feminine energy, and is associated with the qualities of receptivity, the same quality as water itself.  It is governed by the moon, which is responsible for controlling the ebb and flow of the tides, as well as the ebb and flow of the torrent of emotions than can be experienced within human existence.  Common crystals associated with this chakra are Carnelian, Moonstone, and Coral.  It is connected to the sense of taste.

The sacral chakra represents desire, pleasure, sensations, sexuality, procreation, emotions, movement, nurturance, and creativity.   If the roots of the tree are watered and nurtured, it will bear sweet fruits.  The pleasures experienced at this level represent the enjoyment and experience of these sweet fruits.  However, imbalance in this chakra will quickly turn the sweet fruits quite bitter.

Fear of death is the main blocking force of this chakra.  Because one can become so consumed with experiencing the pleasures, desires, and enjoyments of the physical world, the unity that we came from is quickly forgotten.

Since human beings are hardwired to gravitate towards pleasure and push away pain, the sacral chakra can often become a trap, acting as a double edged sword.  Interestingly, the trap set for both excessive pursuits of pleasure, or the total avoidance of, depriving oneself of one of the most basic human experiences.   With pleasure one expands, and with pain one contracts.  Therefore, a certain amount of pleasure is absolutely necessary – to allow flow and movement of the beneficial energies resulting from a spiritual or meditation practice.  But at the same time, not too much pleasure to tip the scales into the realm of obsessions, addictions, unbalanced emotions, etc.

It is said that damage occurs at the astral or subtle levels long before physical symptoms appear.  Chronic Svadhisthana imbalance can manifest physically in a variety of ways, including impotence, frigidity, sexual addiction, uterine, bladder or kidney trouble, circulatory disorders, and lower back stiffness.

The three astrological signs associated with the water element are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.