What is the 1st chakra?  

The Root chakra is about the physical feelings. If it is open, you feel stable, secure and grounded. You trust people more. You feel connected to your physical body and tend to live in the moment.  

If you are nervous or fearful, your Root chakra is probably under-active. You may feel dis-connected to people and possibly unwanted. 

If this chakra is over-active, you may be greedy and materialistic. You may also resist change and be obsessed with security issues. 

ROOT CHAKRA (Adrenals) (Red) (Muladhara) (Ruby):  Known in the East as the Gateway of Life and Death, the root is the place of birth and rebirth.  This is the survival centre, the ability to draw abundance from the planet.  This is the Seat of the Kundalini Energy or Kundalini Shakti or the sleeping serpent. 

FIRST CHAKRA: ROOT or BASE CHAKRA
LOCATION: Base of the spine (coccyx)

COLOUR: Red (secondary colour is black)
ELEMENT: Earth
FUNCTIONS: Gives vitality to the physical body, Life-force survival and self-preservation, instincts.
GLANDS/ORGANS: Adrenals, kidneys, spinal column, legs bones.
FOODS: Proteins, Red fruits and vegetables.
ASSOCIATED AROMAS: Cedar, Clove
SENSORY FUNCTION: Smell
QUALITIES/LESSONS: Matters relating to the material world, success. The, mastery of the physical body, Grounding, individuality, stability, security, stillness, health, courage, and patience.
NEGATIVE QUALITIES: Self-centred, insecurity, violence, greed, anger. 

GEMS/MINERALS: Ruby, garnet, bloodstone, red jasper, black tourmaline, obsidian, smoky quartz. 

Bloodstone - Colour : Green with red and yellow flecks.  

Bloodstone is considered a powerful healing stone with many magical properties. In ancient folklore, bloodstone was said to give off audible sounds as a guide. It gives one the ability to banish evil and negativity of all kinds. Ancient Christianity held the belief that the blood of Christ dripped from the cross onto a dark green stone, thus creating bloodstone. 

Bloodstone is used to aid in circulation of all energy in the body and helps to remove energy blocks, acting as a blood cleanser, it stimulates immune system to fight infections and detoxifies. Ancient Egyptians used bloodstone to treat tumours . 

Chakra - First Chakra (Base of Spine) 

Lessons Related to the Material World  

The first chakra is the foundation of emotional and mental health. Your connection to traditional familial beliefs supports the formation of identity and a sense of belonging to a group.  

Sacred Truth: All is One. You are connected to all of life. Every choice you make and every belief you hold exerts influence upon the whole of life. 

Organs    Base of spine,
legs, bones, feet, rectum, immune system. 

Effects    Chronic lower back pain, rectal and immune disorders, depression, multiple personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addictions, sciatica, varicose veins. 

Issues     Physical family and group safety and security, ability to provide for life's necessities and stand up for yourself, feeling at home, social and familial law and order, abandonment fears, family bonding, identity, tribal honour code, support and loyalty. 

The First Chakra is the seat of the Physical Body. It is the Gonadic Centre. The vibration of this centre is red. It is the bone marrow within the bones. Bone marrow vibrates red. It is the vibration needed for cell replication and life. 

The FIRST CHAKRA is located at the base of the spine, the coccyx centre, and is known as "Muladhara." The Muladhara chakra is connected with the energies of Saturn. According to the strength of Saturn in a horoscope, the impulses arising out of this chakra influence the inner psychic life of the individual in a harmonious or inharmonious manner. 

FIRST CHAKRA: ROOT or BASE CHAKRA 

It is the slowest moving Chakra, relating to our survival needs, and is therefore the foundation of the Chakra system in the body. The colour associated is red, and thus represents the Martian energy needed to keep us alive. 

If these survival needs are met, the Base Chakra will function healthily, but if there is a perceived threat to this, (such as a difficult house move, job change, health problems, etc.) it can create an important disturbance in the whole body. These imbalances can show themselves in various ways, from sleeplessness and the inability to relax, to obsession with money, possessions or health.  

Eating is a basic Base Chakra activity, and so eating disorders often indicate imbalance, as do obesity, haemorrhoids and constipation. To maintain balance, we need to be both stable and flexible, and very much in contact with our true survival needs, without becoming too obsessed by them. We need regularly to walk 1 kilometre to keep the base chakra in balance.  

As the name suggests, the Base Chakra is situated around the base of the spine in the genital area and its’ energy extends downward, like roots, through the legs and feet to contact the solid earth below. The root chakra, or the centre at the end of the spine by the loins, is the centre which radiates a white, divine light, when seen from the highest spiritual level. This centre is the centre for the material life; it is the centre that roots the subtle divine consciousness in the material life. Consequently it is the basis for human existence in this physical world, and if it is blocked, you will have a human being that feels rootless in both his spiritual and his physical existence. 

This centre holds the basic needs for survival, security and safety. The root chakra is powerfully related to our contact with the Earth Mother, providing us with the ability to be grounded into the earth plane. This is also the centre of manifestation.  

When you are trying to make things happen in the material world, business or material possessions, the energy to succeed will come from the first chakra. If this chakra is blocked an individual may feel fearful, anxious, insecure and frustrated. Problems like obesity, anorexia nervosa, and knee troubles can occur.  

NOTE: A man's sexual organs are located primarily in his first chakra, so male sexual energy is usually experienced primarily as physical. A woman’s sexual organs are located primarily in her second chakra, so female sexual energy is usually experienced primarily as emotional. Both chakras are associated with sexual energy. 

The Root chakra is about being physically there and feeling at home in situations. If it is open, you feel grounded, stable and secure. You don’t unnecessarily distrust people. You feel present in the here and now and connected to your physical body. You feel you have sufficient territory. 

If you tend to be fearful or nervous, your Root chakra is probably under-active. You'd easily feel unwelcome.  If this chakra is over-active, you may be very materialistic and greedy. You're probably obsessed with being secure and resist change. 

Your First Chakra helps you to 

·         Allow the truth 'All is One' to penetrate your body  

·         Drop your attention to the root of your spine.  

·         Feel yourself magnetically connected to every part of life: 

·          the fragrance of the earth  

·         the oceans and rivers 

·          the air  

·         your family and friends 

·          the planet  

·         Identify your fears for today and pull them into your consciousness. 

·          Acknowledge the strength of the energetic circuitry connecting you to all life.  

·         Visualize that strength replacing your fears for today.  

·         Standing tall.  

How to develop Your First Chakra 

·         Focus on the base of your spine, your connection to Gaia, force of nature.  

·         Place your body in a relaxed position and request Gaia,” Watch my body and give me guidance as I seek to resolve the issues I've put forth".  

·         Take a deep breath and imagine your spirit beginning to lift and leave your body. Feel yourself unhooking as your energy begins to move through all your chakras, out the top of your head. 

·          Stand over your body watching it sleep and then allow your spirit to let go, with the blessing, "I'll see you in the morning".  

Questions for Self-Examination 

1.       What belief patterns did you inherit from your family? 

2.        Do all of them still have authority over you?  

3.       What superstitions do you have? Which have more authority over you than your own reasoning ability?  

4.       Do you have a personal code of honour? What is it? 

5.        Have you ever compromised your sense of honour? If so, have you taken steps to heal it? 

6.        Do you have any unfinished business with your family members? If yes, what prevents you from healing your family relationships? 

7.        List all the blessings that you feel come from your family.  

8.       If you are a parent, what qualities would you like your children to learn from you?  

9.       What tribal traditions and rituals do you continue?  

10.    What tribal characteristics within yourself would you like to strengthen and develop?