(Note: this is part two of a seven part series)
Last week, I wrote a brief introduction to the seven chakras and focused on the first chakra. You can read that here. This article will focus on the second chakra.
Chakra 2
The second chakra is also called the sacral chakra, and in the Sanskrit language it is called Svadhisthana. It is located about three inches below the navel, extending to the reproductive organs in both men and women. The second chakra is associated with the element of water, and the color orange.
The qualities associated with the second chakra include:
- Sexuality, sensuality
- Feelings, emotions, passion, joy
- Creativity
- Fantasies, imagination
- Relationships
- Procreation and fertility
- Experiencing life through the senses
A person with a healthy, open second chakra is emotionally stable, in touch with their sexuality, savoring life, and enjoying pleasures in the moment. They often have a good sense of humor.
When the second chakra is lacking energy, the person might feel disconnected from others, have little or no sex drive, or experience numbness, and get no enjoyment from life’s pleasures.
But if someone has too much energy stuck in the second chakra, there might be an overemphasis on sex, with sex addiction, codependent relationships, and little control over their emotions. It’s really all about balance.
Plants to the rescue
The power of plants can help restore balance and flow in all situations, whether the chakra is blocked and lacking energy, or if all the energy is stuck and not moving.
Here are the best herbs and teas to balance and energize the second chakra.
Damiana is an aphrodisiac herb from Mexico. It calms the nerves, and brings energy downward from your head (anxiety and worry) and into your pelvis and legs. It’s perfect for anyone experiencing low libido, or is feeling dull and uninspired. Damiana can help relight the inner flame.
Cinnamon is a warm spice that can literally spice up your life. If you’re feeling cold, dry, and disconnected, add a pinch of cinnamon to your tea or smoothie and reignite the energy.
Raspberry leaf is a reproductive tonic for both women and men. The flavor is similar to black tea, but it has no caffeine. Full of minerals and vitamins, this astringent tea can tone and balance the second chakra.
Maca is an adaptogen from South America. It helps boost fertility and sex drive, and can build vital energy when used regularly. It has a naturally sweet flavor and is great in smoothies.
Chaste tree is a female hormone balancing herb that can be used to balance and reduce an overactive libido.
The best tea blends for the second chakra are
- Fertili-Tea, a tea for women to enhance fertility by promoting hormone balance. Even if you don’t wish to conceive, this tea provides balance and support to the hormones and libido
- Go Chai is a spicy black tea blend that can be used to energize the second chakra
- Tigger & Pu is a naturally sweet tea with bright orange persimmons and safflower. The tea promotes joy and groundedness
Second chakra tea meditation
Brew a cup of any of the teas listed above. Smell the aroma, sip and savor the flavor, and imagine the energy from the tea permeating throughout your body when you swallow. After a few sips, close your eyes, and breathe slowly a few times. Sit with your spine straight and picture a glowing circle of light below your navel. If you’re a woman, you can focus on the area of your womb. Using your imagination, picture the light as a brilliant orange or fuschia. Is the color bright or dull? Small or large? Use the power of your mind to clean up the area, so that the light can grow into the shape of a vibrant flower. As you inhale, picture the flower petals opening, stretching. When you exhale, allow the flower to relax and close. Inhale and exhale a few times, opening and closing the flower in a gentle rhythm. Allow the energy of the breath to sync with the rhythm of the flower opening and closing. When the flower seems radiant and healthy, let it rest, and know that you have infused your second chakra with fresh energy. Enjoy the meditation as long as you like. When you’re finished, wiggle your toes, stretch your limbs, and open your eyes. Write down your experiences in your journal, so you can keep track of your progress.
Try aromatherapy
Essential oils are ideal for chakra work, because they engage the mind and emotions instantly. How we feel has the strongest influence over the quality of our life. The essential oils and aromatherapy blends that are most suited to the second chakra are sandalwood, patchouli, ylang ylang, and Eros Oil. Black pepper essential oil can energize the chakra, and blends well with all of the other oils on the list. Choose the oil or combination of oils that pleases you the most, rub a small amount between your palms, and inhale deeply. Pretend you can inhale all the way down past your lungs, past your belly, and into the pelvic floor. You can make a second chakra massage oil by blending two to three drops of essential oils into a teaspoon of coconut oil. Massage this oil into your abdomen and lower back. This will help release tension and improve your mood.
Have you ever done a chakra meditation? Tell us about it in the comments below!
