Exploring the chakra system: The best crystals for balancing each chakra

Crystals and chakras go hand in hand. In fact, you don't have to look very far online to find people that attest to the potential influence of crystals on various parts of the human body. But what's it all about? Regardless of your position on crystals and their possible properties, there's no escaping the fact they are often referred to in the same breath as chakras. With that in mind, here we take a dive into everything you need to know about this phenomenon.

What are chakras?

As a Sanskrit word meaning “wheel” or “disc”, chakras are seven points located around the body that are considered major highways for energy to flow. Many believe that it's through these chakras we receive and send out all kinds of emotional, physical, and spiritual energies. The idea is to have all chakras open and unblocked to create balance and harmony, and to help people thrive and live their lives to their highest potential. However, this isn't a new-age practice, as chakras have been a part of Hinduism and Buddhism for thousands of years.

How do crystals interact with chakras?

So, what role do crystals play in chakras? It's thought that the unique energies that crystals produce directly interact with the chakras in the body. Crystals can be placed on the body when meditating, which is believed to open up the chakras. However, two of the most common methods of incorporating crystals are wearing them as jewellery to have direct contact with the body or placing a crystal under your pillow while sleeping to let the vibrations interact with you as you rest.

The best crystals for balancing each chakra

Now that we've gained an understanding of the relationship between chakras and crystals, it's time to explore each of the seven chakras, what they are potentially responsible for, and the crystals that best interact with them.

Root chakra

Starting things off is the root chakra. Located at the base of the spine just above the tailbone, the root chakra (otherwise known as Muladhara) is thought to be where we get our sense of safety, preservation, and strength. A potential sign that the root chakra might be out of balance or blocked could be feeling stressed or on edge. It's believed that crystals such as black obsidian, bloodstone, and hematite can realign and open the root chakra and help ground users so they feel stronger and more equipped to deal with life.

Obsidian

Obsidian

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Sacral chakra

Svadhisthana, the sacral chakra, is thought to be the home of our creative spirit—the fire that burns inside and fuels our passions in life. It is located just below the naval in the pit of the stomach. If the sacral chakra becomes blocked, we may feel low in mood, struggle to find pleasure in everyday life, or even struggle to make connections with others. As this particular chakra is known to be connected to the colour orange, many turn to crystals such as carnelian, orange calcite, and tiger's eye—all of which are thought to empower owners and have the ability to stabilise mood, perhaps reigniting that creative passion.

Tiger's Eye

Tiger's Eye

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Solar plexus chakra

The solar plexus chakra, or the Manipura, is situated just below the breastbone. Those well-versed in crystals believe this chakra to be responsible for a person's ego and confidence. While the term “ego” has some negative connotations, it's a vital part of the human personality, and many think the solar plexus chakra plays a considerable role in overall health, wealth, and emotional balance. A blocked solar plexus chakra is believed to bring about some physical effects, such as digestive issues or fatigue. Crystals such as amber, yellow jasper, and citrine are often cited to increase confidence and feelings of clarity.

Dalmatian Jasper

Dalmatian Jasper

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Heart chakra

The fourth chakra is the heart chakra, otherwise referred to by its Sanskrit name Anahata. This chakra is known to be the bridge between all the others as it sits right in the centre of the body and is thought to control a person's compassion, trust, empathy and even self-care. It's believed that when this chakra is open, we are better able to care for ourselves and others deeply, and are able to nurture and maintain relationships better. However, some clear signs this chakra is blocked are holding onto old grudges or feelings of loneliness. Many crystal enthusiasts turn to rose quartz, emerald, and green jade as they have the potential to unblock this chakra by radiating empathy and making users comfortable.

Throat chakra

The throat chakra is also known as the Vishuddha chakra in Sanskrit, which means “pure” or “purification”. The fifth chakra is believed to be the energy centre in our body and is responsible for how we communicate with others and externalise our sense of self, and with it carries confidence and self-worth. Some potential signs that the throat chakra is blocked are feelings of shyness, timidness, or avoiding confrontation. It's also thought that a blocked throat chakra carries some physical symptoms, such as mouth ulcers, jaw pain, and a sore throat itself. Many turn to crystals such as aquamarine, amazonite, and sodalite as they have the potential to open up clear communication and connection with others.

Aquamarine

Aquamarine

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Third-eye chakra

Located in the centre of the forehead, the third-eye chakra, also known as the Ajna in Sanskrit, is arguably the most well-known chakra on our list. You certainly don't have to look far online to find people discussing the power of the third eye. This chakra is considered the doorway to inner wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual areas of the mind. A blocked third-eye chakra has a wide range of possible symptoms, such as indecisiveness, close-mindedness, and headaches. Of course, there may be plenty of other causes for these symptoms, but if you believe your third-eye chakra to be blocked, consider using crystals such as amethyst, black obsidian, and clear quartz to unblock and encourage the chakra to embrace wisdom.

Amethyst

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Amethyst

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Crown chakra

Last but by no means least is the crown chakra. As you might have already guessed, this chakra, also known as Sahasrara, is located at the top of the head. It's thought this particular area is responsible for abstract thinking and minimises cynicism to create a stronger bond to the universe we are a part of. Feelings of confusion, headaches, and insomnia are supposed signs of a blocked crown chakra. However, if you're looking to unblock, crystals such as amethyst, selenite, and labradorite are thought to rejuvenate and create a stronger connection to the crown chakra.

Balanced and energised: Your crystal journey awaits

There you have it: a breakdown of all the chakras, their supposed functions, and some crystals you can harness to unblock them. Regardless of what you choose to believe, there's no denying that crystals, stones, and minerals are still hugely popular in the world today. So, whether you just love their appearance and want to display them in your room, or you want to fully embrace the world of crystal healing and chakras, Zamnesia has got you covered. Head over to the store now and get your hands on some of the finest crystal products around.

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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