The Sacral Chakra

The second chakra is known as the Sacral chakra and is located in the lower abdomen, behind and approximately two inches below the belly button. It is associated with the color orange and is the source of creativity and inspiration and is the foundation of the emotional body. It influences our ability to feel emotions, sensations and atmospheres and controls our ability to let go of our emotions. It influences our sexuality and sensuality, physical force, sexual and ardent love, open-mindedness, and our ability to yield and cooperate amicably with other people.

The sacral chakra connects us to the water element and its eternal state of movement and dynamic change. It is the hub of creative potential and assists us in wielding and manifesting our internal raw creativity into an external form involving visual arts, body expression, and sound. When the sacral chakra is functioning optimally, we are able to go with the flow of life and to move as our creative expression calls us, without judgement. This chakra also contains the creative energy of the universe and our ability to harness this energy to manifest our dreams, desires, and passions. Where we put our energy, we will manifest.

The sacral chakra helps us to be empowered in terms of creative expression and reflects the relationship of the self to all living beings in our surroundings - or our relationship with others. Emotions can trigger the creative process within and get us moving in our desired direction.

Signs you might need work on your Sacral Chakra:

• If you don't enjoy life.
• If you don't feel sexually fulfilled or if you suffer from sexual problems.
• If you lack appreciation for life and don't recognize its beauty and poetry.
• If you are very hard on yourself and put too much importance on discipline and self-control.
• If you feel that your creativity is blocked.
• If you tend toward jealousy or are preoccupied with feelings of guilt.
• If you are prone to back pain.
• If you suffer from impotence or lack of sexual appetite.
• If you get severe menstrual pain.
• If you have bladder or kidney problems.
• If your prostate gives you trouble.
• If you feel that your physical drives are controlling you.

Color: Orange

Functions: Procreation, assimilation of food, physical force and vitality, sexuality, creativity, emotions, relationships, self-worth, empathy.

Glands/Organs: Ovaries, testes, prostate gland, genitals, spleen, uterus, bladder.

Affirmation: “I give my creativity and joy in living free rein.”

Foods to feed the Sacral Chakra: Orange-colored foods like apricots, blood oranges, cantaloupes, kumquats, mandarins, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, passion fruit, peaches, persimmons, tangerines, carrots, orange bell peppers, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, yams, salmon.

Crystals/Stones: Red Aventurine, Coral, Fire Opal, Orange Carnelian, Orange Calcite, Sunstone, Red Tiger's Eye, Orange Kyanite

Sources: A Handbook of Chakra Healing by Kalashatra Govinda; Chakra Foods for Optimum Health by Deanna M. Minich, Ph.D., C.N.