Root Chakra

The Sanskrit name for the first chakra is Muladhara, meaning root and support. Just like a tree, your Root Chakra is what grounds you to the Earth, creating the foundation on which you build your life. The Root Chakra is associated with our feelings of safety and security, both physical and metaphorical 

Location • The base of the spine. 

Color • The typical color used to represent the root chakra is a rich vermilion red. This is the color used on its symbol to fill its petals. Traditionally, it is also associated with the color yellow or gold (this is the color of its element as opposed to its petals). In the spectrum of Chakra colors, red symbolizes strength, vitality, and stimulates our instinctual tendencies. 

The root chakra is the first chakra. Its energy is based on the earth element. It’s associated with the feeling of safety and grounding. It’s at the base of the chakra system and lays the foundation for expansion in your life. 

The root chakra provides the foundation on which we build our life. It supports us in growing and feeling safe into exploring all the aspects of life. It is related to our feeling of safety and security, whether it’s physical or regarding our bodily needs or metaphorical regarding housing and financial safety. To sum it up, the first chakra questions are around the idea of survival and safety. The root chakra is where we ground ourselves into the earth and anchor our energy into the manifest world. 

There are many ways to open your Root Chakra. For example, you can engage more in grounding and earth-related activities (for example, connection with nature, gardening, cooking healthy, hiking). 

The main idea is to work at growing your ”roots” in a safe and comfortable environment (i.e., surround yourself with earth colors, objects reminding you of nature, stability; or on the contrary, if you wish to feel less stuck, do the opposite). 

The Root & Sacral Chakras are closely linked to our sexuality. Therefore learning to improve and master our sexuality can awaken, activate and strengthen these Chakras. 

The first chakra is associated with the following functions or behavioural characteristics: 

• Security, safety 
• Survival 
• Basic needs (food, sleep, shelter, self-preservation, etc.) 
• Physicality, physical identity and aspects of self 
• Grounding 
• Support and foundation for living our lives 

At the emotional level, the deficiencies or imbalance in the first chakra are related to: 

• Excessive negativity, cynicism 
• Eating disorders 
• Greed, avarice 
• Illusion 
• Excessive feeling of insecurity, living on survival mode constantly 

For a person who has imbalance in the first chakra, it might be hard to feel safe in the world and everything looks like a potential risk. The desire for security dominates and can translate into concerns over the job situation, physical safety, shelter, health. A blocked root chakra may turn into behaviours ruled mainly by fear. 

On the same line, when the root chakra is overactive, fear might turn into greed and paranoia, which are extreme forms of manifestation of imbalance in the first chakra. Issues with control over food intake and diet are related to it. 

How to balance your Root Chakra using crystals:  Place one of the crystals that aid in balancing your Root Chakra at the base of your spine during meditation or wear one on your body as you go about your day.

The best crystals for the Root Chakra include: 

• Brown Jasper 
• Red Jasper 
• Smoky Quartz 
• Hematite 
• Black Tourmaline 
• Rhodonite 
• Garnet 
• Bloodstone