The base chakra extends down and the crown chakra extends up...the chakras in between have vortexes both to the front of the body and to the back.
The first chakra is located at the base of the spine and is associated with red. It is the chakra that governs our physical existence, our bodies and our health.
The second chakra is located in the area of the womb (or thereabouts for men) and is associated with the color orange. This chakra governs creativity, and some say emotion. (I associate emotion with the heart chakra).
The third chakra is located at the solar plexus and is associated with the color gold (yellow). It is associated with the will or desire.
The fourth chakra (the middle chakra in the chain of seven) is the heart chakra and is associated with the color green, and also the color rose, which is the "color of love." This chakra is connected with emotion and human love.
The fifth chakra is located at the throat and is a bright blue. It governs communication and personal magnetism. It is the chakra that most influences intercommunication and our "personas." It is also the link between emotion and thought.
The sixth chakra is located at the third eye (mid-forehead) and is indigo (deep purply/blue). This chakra is associated with thought (though some say the third chakra governs thought) and with vision, particularly psychic vision. It is also the chakra of spiritual love and connection.
The seventh chakra is at the crown of the head, and is violet fading to white further away from the body. This chakra is our connection to our "higher selves" and to the "divine." It is associated with wisdom and integration of our eternal selves with our current physical selves. It is like our umbilical cord to "God."
When all the chakras are "whirling," open, bright and clean, then our chakra system is balanced. When a chakra becomes blocked, damaged, or muddied with residual energy, then our physical and emotional health can be affected. Often this occurs habitually as the result of negative or incomplete belief systems. The effects of our habits, feelings, beliefs, thoughts, fears and desires can be found in our chakras.
For example, if you eat poorly (a lot of processed food, for instance) and don't exercise, chances are your root (red) chakra is going to become sluggish, darkened and dull. If you "close off" your emotions because they're painful or overwhelming, your heart chakra is likely to become tight and closed and block emotional energy. If you, on the other hand, are extremely centered in your intellect, you may have a bulging and bright third eye chakra but a disproportionately small heart chakra or root chakra or womb chakra. Or perhaps you're cerebrally focused on finding answers to deep questions about "reality." (as I was for a while). In the West we tend to value the upper chakras over the lower chakras. This probably has it's roots in our ancestors' religious aversion to the "flesh" and their focus on the rewards of "heaven."
The goal is a strong, clear, balanced energy system. The more open, clear and balanced the chakras, the more energy can flow through your system. This energy is essential for vitality, health, and continued growth on all levels.
About Chakras
CROWN CHAKRA Located on top of the head. Color- violet Stones - diamond or quartz crystal For - inspiration, wisdom and spirituality When unbalanced, may feel depression or lack of grounding and inspiration. To balance, meditate and let energy work.
ROOT CHAKRA Located at base of spine. Color - red Stones - ruby, red jasper or garnet For - good health, survival instincts, vitality and male sexuality When unbalanced, one may feel violence, anger, constipation, and have survival fears. To balance, spend some time each day sitting on the ground, and dance.
SACRAL CHAKRA Located in lower belly Color - orange Stones - amber and citrine For - creativity, female sexuality, desire and pleasure When unbalanced, one feels jealousy and possessiveness and may experience sexual problems. To balance, try sexual healing, creative dance or yoga.
PLEXUS CHAKRA Located between chest and naval Color - yellow Stones - gold and tiger's eye For - will, determination, assertion, power and laughter. When unbalanced, one feels a lack of will, anger, poor digestion, fear and hate. To balance, rub belly and breathe through the diaphragm.
HEART CHAKRA Located in area of center chest Color - green Stones - emerald, malachite, green jade For - unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, group consciousness, peace and tolerance. When unbalanced, you feel anger, heart problems, rigidity or lack of love. To balance, serve others and not yourself.
THROAT CHAKRA Located - at throat Color - sky blue Stones - lapis lazuli, sodalite, blue quartz When unbalanced, you may feel difficulty communicating and feel all your emotions in your throat. To balance, sing, chant, hum and breathe consciously.
THIRD EYE CHAKRA Located between eyebrows Color - indigo Stones - indigo blue or amethyst For - intuition, imagination and visualization When unbalanced, one may experience headaches or lack of meditative abilities. To balance, meditate.
Credit: pagan-space.blogspot.com
