Heart Chakra
Location • In the centre of the chest between the breasts (the energy centre is not located where our actual heart organ lies; rather, the heart chakra is in the centre of the chest area). As the fourth energy centre, it’s important to remember that it is multidimensional and is energetically represented with a front going through the centre of the chest, and a back going through the spine between the shoulder blades.
Color • Green (higher energy frequencies can turn to pink). Even though most of us think about the pink color when thinking about the heart, this chakra is traditionally associated with the color green. The auric color of an active fourth chakra can also be seen as a pink or smoky pink, hence our popular representation of love as a pink heart.
Driven by the principles of transformation and integration, the fourth energy centre is said to bridge earthly and spiritual aspirations.
When the heart chakra is open, you may feel being deeply connected, the harmonious exchange of energy with all that is around you, and the appreciation of beauty. However, when there’s a blockage in the heart chakra, you may experience difficulties in your relating with others, such as excessive jealousy, codependency, or being closed down, withdrawn.
Because of its location, the heart chakra is associated to the cardiac system and the lungs. These organs are interdependent and rely on air and breathing to function properly. The gland associated with the heart chakra is the thymus, which is in charge of regulating the immune system.
The fourth chakra connects the lower and upper chakras. In other words, the heart chakra acts as a centre of integration of earthly matters and higher aspirations. Far from seeing these energies as separate, the experience of the heart integrates them effortlessly and harmoniously.
The Heart chakra is all about connecting and relating. The emphasis here is on love, giving and receiving, and how open we are in relationships. Love is the
energy that helps transfigure emotions and experiences. It’s an essential element in any relationship, whether it’s is with others or oneself.
Love experienced through the fourth chakra is not just about romance, but about going beyond the limitations of the ego and personal preoccupations to open up more fully to compassion and acceptance of all that is, as it is. When we live from our heart and our heart energy is opened and balanced, we can see clearly and position ourselves in any situation, no matter how challenging it is, with discernment and compassion.
The heart chakra is also a centre through which we experience beauty in life. Seeing the world through a balanced fourth chakra is being in a state of openness and acceptance that brings us in touch with our world and ourselves in profound and fulfilling ways.
As a result of a balanced Heart Chakra you may experience the following:
- Capacity to love
- Integration, bridge between earthly and spiritual aspirations
- Transcending personal identity and limitations of the ego
- Experience of unconditional love and connection with all
- Heart-centred discernment
- Appreciation of beauty in all things
- Experiencing deep and meaningful relationships
As a result of a unbalanced Heart Chakra you may experience the following:
- Being overly defensive
- Feeling closed down
- Jealousy; fear of intimacy
- Codependency, relying on other’s approval and attention, trying to please at all cost
- Always putting oneself in the role of the saviour or the rescuer; or on the contrary, falling into victimization
- Excessive isolation, being recluse, antisocial
- Holding grudges, not being to forgive
The heart chakra can become imbalanced as a result of life experiences that have a strong emotional charge, physical ailments, or significant changes in your environment. It may manifests as a blockage in the energy flow or, on the contrary, a tendency to become overactive or have an excess of energy.
How to balance your Heart Chakra using crystals:
Place one of the crystals that aid in balancing your Heart Chakra in the centre of your chest, between your breasts during meditation or wear one on your body as you go about your day.
The best crystals for the Heart Chakra include:
- Rose Quartz
- Rhodochrosite
- Emerald
- Rhodonite
- Green Aventurine
- Unakite Jasper
- Green Jade
