Energy Centers: Solar Plexus Chakra

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA:  Manipura
LOCATION: Slightly above the Navel
COLOR: Yellow
ELEMENT: Fire
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Personal Power, Self-worth/Self-Confidence, Self Esteem


CHAKRA DEVELOPMENT
The Solar Plexus Chakra is the energy connection to our emotional and mental body, it is our personal power center, the magnetic core of the personality and ego. It functions as the storage house for the judgments, opinions, and beliefs we have gathered about ourselves and the world. These judgments, in turn, affect our self-esteem and self-confidence. Perhaps this is why this center is seen as the source of cognition, the "knowingness" that tells us how to operate within the framework or school, society, and the world. This center develops during our adolescence and regulates an inner knowing and gut instincts about things and people. This center is also where we connect with others on a subtle energy level. We pull in energy though this center whenever we meet someone or are in a new situation. The Solar Plexus is a "psychic energy pump" for the physical and non-physical bodies. Emotional and psychic balance are located at this center and thought-forms are produced here. Many highly sensitive people and empaths struggle with stomach issues as well as holding onto extra weight in their mid-section due to holding onto others energies and subconsciously building up a layer of "protection".

This Chakra, which  manages the digestive process and organs, also influences the nervous system and immune process. Digestion is a reflection of the ability to digest and assimilate everything-including thoughts. Thus, this center determines the health of both body and mind. Fire is the element associated with the solar plexus chakra. And just as fire burns and generates energy, so the solar plexus fuels our metabolism.

ASSOCIATED BODY PARTS: Stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, muscles.

PHYSICAL PROBLEMS: Indigestion, acid stomach ulcers, hepatitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, diabetes.

GLANDULAR CONNECTION: Pancreas

The Solar Plexus' emotions revolve around power. They reflect our relationship to inner strength and self-worth. These emotions help us take a stand for ourselves. If we are comfortable with our power, we will act confidently and exercise freedom of choice. If we are uncertain and doubtful about our right to our own power, we will evade situations that call for an affirmative response. While holding thoughts about power, confidence and freedom of choice, if we fail to value ourselves, our ideas about power may be inflated or deflated, depending on how we see ourselves in relation to others. When we know who we are, we cultivate power.  When we accept ourselves and know that we are worthy of love and respect we are able to stand in our power.


Issues related to the Solar Plexus Chakra
*Oversensitive; too open to others thoughts & feelings or negative psychic impressions
*A sense of vulnerability. Feelings of unease in solar plexus chakra area
*Lack of self worth
*Lack of personal boundaries
*Power issues
*Emotional neediness & conditional love
*Aggression, anger
*An overly active mental body

SIGNS OF AN UNDERACTIVE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA:
Low self-esteem, lack of self-trust, weak will, poor digestion, victim mentality, unreliable, unable to take responsibility, attraction to stimulants.

SIGNS OF AN OVERACTIVE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA:
Overly aggressive, need to be right, bossy, power hungry, competitive, attraction to sedatives, self-centered, narcissism, hyperactive.

WHEN BALANCED:
Responsible and reliable, healthy self-esteem, spontaneity, playfulness, sense of humor, able to make decisions and meet challenges, warmth in personality.

Each chakra also is interconnected with Intuitive of "Psychic" Gifts. In relation to the Solar Plexus Chakra we will experience Mental Sympathy. If the Chakra is balanced and in harmony we will be able to know what others are thinking or what they believe; determines belief-system causes of others' issues and provides clarification. If the Solar Plexus is imbalanced the tendency is to think others' beliefs or thoughts are one's own beliefs of thoughts.

WAYS TO HEAL THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA:

*HEALTHY EATING- eat five to six small meals a day, each combining a healthy fat (such as olive oil or avocado), a low-glycemic carbohydrate and a protein. Because this chakra is associated with the pancreas, eat to keep your blood sugar and insulin in the normal range and avoid the current epidemic of diabetes. The pancreas is connected to all your digestive organs, so don’t overload them with toxins like alcohol, trans fats, artificial flavors and sweeteners, or pesticide foods.

*EXERCISES- any exercise that strengthens the core muscles, planks, boat pose

*RESPONSIBILITY- try to take responsibility for your life, and not blame others, circumstances, or the universe.

*MEDITATIONS-begin by visualizing a large golden globe that expands our from your belly. Allow this globe to fill your entire abdomen. See the golden light warming you and releasing tension in your stomach, gallbladder, liver and pancreas. This light reaches into the dark corners of your organs, aligning each recess with light. Breathe deeply into your body and feel the warmth of your own light take away the stress and pressures you have recently experienced. Know that you are worthy of the life you say you want. When you have expanded the form of the Solar Plexus chakra, visualize a cross of light within the circle of light. Whenever you feel too diffuse, spaced out or frightened, visualize this large golden globe in your solar plexus and seal it with a cross of light within a circle of light. It will give your protection, grounding and a sense of yourself at all times.

*GET OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE- do not be afraid to try new things. Experience of self develops from placing yourself in challenging situations.

*LEARN TO SET BOUNDARIES- be more assertive. Make decisions and stick to them.

*SPEND TIME OUTSIDE- since the Solar Plexus is associated with the Fire element, spending time out in the sun and in nature will help balance this center.

*SALT- taking a salt (epsom, sea, pink or just table) bath can help cleanse you of any thought patters or energies that you may have picked up in this center. If you do not have a bath tub (I don't) I just take a handful of salt and rub it in a circular motion the front and back of this chakra setting the intention that I am clearing it of anything that is not mine or for my highest and best good.

*REIKI OR SOUND THERAPY-energy therapy and vibrational therapy can assist with balancing and removing old energies that no longer support of serve your highest and best good.

ESSENTIAL OILS: Bergamot, Cinnamon, Clove, Fennel, Ginger, Grapefruit, Coriander, Juniper Berry
FOODS: Include yellow foods that provide enzymes for good digestion, like papayas and pineapples,  squash, beans, peppers, ginger and turmeric.
CRYSTALS: Topaz, Amber, Citrine, Yellow Calcite

AFFIRMATION: " I AM POWERFUL, CONFIDENT, AND SUCCESSFUL IN ALL OF MY VENTURES"

How I Became an Energy Healer

I just started a new YouTube channel and my first video explains how I got on my Soul Path and became a Reiki Energy Healer. I plan on uploading more videos so please subscribe and comment on any topics you would like to be covered!

Energy Centers: The Chakras

To understand yourself and energy, the chakras will be of central importance. There are seven major chakras associated with the human body, each one having a direct relationship to the part of the physical body it governs. The corresponding system on the physical body is called the endocrine system. Most people are concerned with the seven major chakras primarily, but we do have many more that lay within and outside our physical body. Each chakra is shaped like a funnel or whirlpool of energy. The seven main chakra vortices lie inside the body, along the spinal cord (which corresponds to a central energy channel) and up into the head.  Each of these seven major chakras, or primary energy centers, has its own character and corresponds to a unique aspect of our being- from the 1st chakra (physical vitality, or survival) to the 7th chakra (totality of beings, or spiritual perfection).

The chakras are energy processing centers, points of energy flow, and act as the major energy junctions in the energy field. The energetic operations within them are what make every aspect of our bodily, emotional, mental and spiritual life possible.  Every chakra is always receiving energy into itself, from all around, and it is this energy that supports the energy field and the entire life process of each individual. Aside from this entry of energy into the energy field through each of the seven major chakras, there is also an upward flow of energy in the central energy channel from the lower to higher chakras.  This upward flow of energy originates mostly from the earth and then moves through the 1st chakra, 2nd chakra, etc. as it ascends finally to the 7th (crown) chakra.  This energy is processed at each chakra, on its way up, in accordance with the unique nature of that chakra.  The lower chakras are simpler functioning, but as the energy ascends upwards there is a greater degree of sophisticated and more spiritual functioning.

A defect in the energy flow through any given chakra will result not only in a defect in the energy provided to certain portions of the physical body, near to and associated with that chakra, but will also affect emotions, mind and spirit in certain specific ways associated with the nature and character of that particle chakra. Defects will also often affect many other parts of the energy field. This is because the energy field is a holistic entity: every part affects ever other part.

We develop each chakra for a period of seven years, before moving onto the next one. This begins at birth, as we emerge from the protection of our mother's womb and start to develop our relationship with the outside world. The chakras represent a journey, beginning at the base and moving up. The chakras can be seen as a logical progression through life as we learn to deal with the outside world and its relationship with our inner world. The soul incarnates in the physical world, which is represented by the vertical line from spirit to earth. Then the soul goes through five levels of interaction with the world as it develops its physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual self.

Each week coming up, I will spotlight one charka. What is represents on a mental, emotional and spiritual level. What physical aspects of the body it rules, as well as what imbalances will look like in all forms. Included will be ways to balance each center with different tools.

Grounding Energy

It requires extra effort to ground your energy when you are a spiritual person or going through a spiritual awakening. When you are opening up to higher spiritual awareness and downloading many different frequencies of energy, you must be completely grounded to the Earth in order to not burn out your system. There are ways to physically ground so you will be calm and centered and be able to speak your Soul's message with clarity and confidence.

When you are ungrounded you will pick up thoughts and feelings from your surroundings that do not belong to you. You will feel off balance and your energy will be anxious. This is an issue for people who are extremely empathic. This is something that I have dealt with most of my life until I learned energy work and Reiki and started to understand energy.

Before you meditate, or do other spiritual work such as energy healings you should prepare and protect yourself. You do this by grounding yourself and centering your energies.

Centering means that one’s attention is always centered inside the body, more or less.  This also causes a person to be more realistic, more present and more grounded and attentive.  People who are not centered in themselves are usually more distracted, less present, more emotional and often feel pulled in several directions at once.  Centering and grounding are thus related to one another, though they are not exactly the same. We can become so scattered and give our energy out to everyone around us that we feel drained. Spend a few moments focusing on your breath. Then ask all energies that are not yours to move out of your space and into the Light. Then ask all energies that are yours that you have left with others or in other places to return so that you own all your power now. Then you can proceed to grounding.

Grounding connects you to the energy of the earth, and it is important in healing work since it prevents you from depleting your own body's energy. Simply put, you connect to the earth by imagining you are connected to the earth. Sounds silly, but it works. Here are some different ways you can do it:

• Standing up in bare feet (if you can't have your feet bare then imagine your feet are bare) on the ground- you can do this anywhere. With you feet planted firmly on the bare earth, and by your visualization and intention send roots into the earth. As you inhale, you draw energy up through your new "roots", and as you exhale, you send your roots even further into the earth. Do this for several minutes-you should definitely feel a change in the state of your feeling.
• Eating grounding foods- When you are feeling like you are floating and up in the clouds, eat foods that will ground you to the Earth. Roots veggies: beets, carrots, turnips, radishes, ginger, and garlic. All of these veggies have roots that reach down into the ground. 
• Go outside and put bare feet in the ground.
• Hug a tree! 
• Walking.  Walking slowly and deliberately is very helpful for centering and grounding.  Think about your feet as you walk and send your energy into the earth with each slow, deliberate step.  If helpful, imagine you are being pulled along when you walk by a magnet hidden under the earth. 
• Sea Salt bath- purifying in nature this will help eliminate toxic energies and clear the auric field. You can add a bit of lavender essential oil to calm the energy field and clear out other peoples energies and thought patters you may have collected.
• Spend time in nature.
• Use grounding Crystals- such as hematite or black tourmaline
• I like to use essential oils as well. Grounding oil by Young Living assist with centering energies. I apply this blend to the bottoms of my feet.
• If you are attuned to Reiki I like to draw the Power Symbol (CKR) on the bottoms of my feet before doing any energy work.

Can what your Jewelry is made of affect your energy?

Many of us wear jewelry on a daily basis. But did you know that different materials can either draw or repel energies? It is important to make sure that we are properly choosing the items that we wear as well as cleansing them on a regular basis to keep the energy high. Every natural substance has a unique vibration that creates an energy field. Metal is no exception. Jewelry also holds the thought implants from the person who made it, and if it is second-hand also from the person who wore it before.  It will also hold the vibration from the environment where it used to sit. If it was a happy atmosphere there will be no problem. But if you own jewelry that once belonged to a negative thinking relative, or perhaps a depressed or alcoholic person, those dominant thoughts and emotions will be imprinted in the jewelry and will resonate out. It is important to be mindful of where you purchase your items as if you are a highly sensitive person it can be very disruptive to your energy.

GOLD

Gold is the metal of the Sun. Gold has been known to possess a warm energy that brings soothing vibrations to the body to aid in the healing process. Gold really opens the crown chakra and is known to help the wearer who is open to wisdom obtain it from universal sources. Gold will not accept negative energy very easily, but silver and especially base elements will. Gold absorbs and attracts. Gold is an empowering element and truly implements the law of attraction. It is a high-level amplifier of subtle energies. It is important to understand this because it is such a powerful amplifier that if you are someone who has poor boundaries or are psychically sensitive you may attract more unwanted energies while wearing gold. Gold encourages satisfaction and positivity. Eases the load when you are overburdened. Gold has also been used to strengthen the meridians.Gold is very easily programmable much like how you would set your intention with programing a crystal as explained in my previous blog post. You can program gold to attract opportunities. It is important to program your intention prior to wearing.

SILVER

Silver is closely associated with the moon; if you know anything about the influences of the Moon in astrology, you’ll find it closely related to the influences of silver. One of its key traits is that it increases sensitivity—particularly psychic sensitivity. If you’re trying to hone your psychic abilities, silver is a good choice to wear when you work on them and it enhances your psychic abilities it can protect you from others energy. Wearing Silver can also produce psychic/prophetic dreams. It's protective properties and can be used to deflect negative energies while drawing out your own negative energy and reflects others' harmful energies back to their higher selves. Reinforces all energetic boundaries. 

COPPER

Not a lot of people wear pure copper jewelry, but copper is still found mixed into a lot of jewelry. Copper has been hailed for improving circulation. Wearing copper can help you improve your awareness and expand your consciousness. It's particularly useful in strengthening bonds between people. Copper helps the wearer amplify thoughts when sending and receiving psychic communication. Copper can also stimulate the flow mental and physical energy and aids in overcoming lethargy. Bolsters self-esteem and releases mental burdens.


HOW TO CLEANSE JEWELRY 

Jewelry can be cleared but sometimes it can be difficult if it was second-hand. But if you want to work with it, first dedicate and bless it. Dedicate it to the highest of Light and Harmony. Then bless it with understanding, wisdom, healing and your need at that time. Whenever you are doing clearing work it is important to bring white Light down around your body and root yourself into the earth to link yourself into the higher and lower.

To pass the clearing energy into the piece of jewelry, cross your arms over your heart center, and visualize white Light coming down into your heart center and building up as an energy change representing unconditional love. When you heart chakra feels hot, open your arms and allow this energy to flow out of your heart, into your third eye and both palms in a triangular formation.  Visualize this energy surrounding the object until you sense a shift. At this time you can then set the intention of what you would like this jewelry piece to do for you.

For second-hand items or items that may need a deeper cleansing, I have also buried the item in a bowl of pure sea salt and let it sit, sometimes for a few days. Afterwards I remove the item from the bowl and discard the salt in the trash.

Depending on how often you wear a piece of jewelry, the intention behind it, as well as if the piece also has crystals in it, you may need to cleanse it from time to time as it may pick up energies from the environment. You may repeat the process above or you may also use sage smoke to cleanse it. Use whichever method resonates with you!