The Second Chakra
The Second Chakra is located in the region of the pelvic bowl. It originates about three finger widths below the navel and crests the pubic synthesis. Known as the sacral charka, it is associated with the color orange and connects to the element of water. The related structures include the reproductive organs, the bladder (and kidneys), the colon, the sacrum and the ilea. And because it is the element of water, all fluids of the body are also assigned to this chakra.
The sacral chakra is the center of creation, the true seat of Shakti (the feminine aspect of the Hindu God). All aspects of the Goddess reign here and thus this becomes the seat of a woman’s power. (The solar plexus area is the power center of the Godhead, where ideally men hold their seat of power.) (It is interesting to note that if we, as humans, feel threatened or disempowered, we tend to put down layers of fat for protection over our seats of power. Have you ever noticed that women tend to have excess adipose tissue below their wasteline – protecting the sacral chakra – whereas most men tend to create fat over their solar plexus chakra – in that their bellies hang over their belts. Could it be that we are protecting these sacred power centers physiologically against energetic attack? )
In this second chakra not only do we create life, but also all forms of creation such as art, music, poetry, etc. It is a very sacred and powerful place for women to manifest their dreams and desires, as well as stand in combat to protect those dreams and desires. In the varying aspects of the Goddess, we not only have the nurturing mother, the young sexual maiden, the wise old crone, but also the warrior, the artist, the intellectual, the sacred prostitute etc. We are all faces of the Goddess in the sacral chakra and play out all her different personalities.
In this area we also hold control issues. If we are weak or lacking energy in this chakra, we can give over our control to others and become disempowered, impotent and fearful. Physical complaints such as prostate problems, PMS, fibroids, menstrual problems and lack of sexual drive can occur when the second chakra is imbalanced. Lower backache, sacroiliac problems, sciatica, and bowel dysfunction can also be attributed to a challenged sacral chakra. We need the creative life energy pulsing through this area to maintain homeostasis in the lower organs and stabilize health.
For the sacral chakra, in aromatherapy, the essential oils that can help women with menstrual problems are clary Sage,elemi, fennel, galbanum, geranium, jasmine, melissa, neroli, rose, rosewood, and ylang ylang. Oils that are considered aphrodisiacs and may assist with impotence or lack of sexual drive are black pepper, cinnamon, clary sage, jasmine, patchouli, petitgrain, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, and ylang ylang.
Essential oils that support backache and sciatica are the antispasmodic or anti-inflammatory oils, which are Basil, Calendula, Camphor, Chamomile, clary sage, cypress,eucalyptus, hyssop, juniper, lavender, peppermint, rosemary and valerian.
This area is, of course, the sexual center of our body and if it is imbalanced we can feel a lack of sexual drive or just the opposite, excessive libido. Disharmony in this center often begins in puberty, when sexual energy begins to awaken. Lack of self-esteem, uncertainty, lack of nurturing or tenderness in the teen years can seriously lead to instability, negativity and rejection of the child’s sexuality. Repression of sexual energy can erupt in angry and hostile ways, creating sexual confusion, emotional detachment, and bitterness rather than openness and love. Creative potential can become misdirected and power struggles can ensue. Instead of using this sacral energy for love, co-creation in partnership and sexual sharing in union, a person with a dysfunctional second chakra can often become money hungry, using wealth and the power it has over people to dispassionately control and dominate them. Essential oils that can help disperse negativity and low self-esteem are Chamomile, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Elemi, Jasmine, Lavender, Melissa, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, and Vetiver.
As stated earlier, the sacral chakra also connects to water and the urinary system. Here we are able to cleanse and purify through connection to the sacral energies. Life begins in amniotic fluid, life cannot be sustained without water, and the majority of the body is comprised of water, so it stands to reason that properly maintaining the energies in this chakra will lead to a balanced and healthy eliminatory tract. We can more easily flow through life, releasing negativity and dissolving energetic blockages that stop us from fulfilling our true creative potential. Instead of feeling the need to control, or suppress sexual energy, or greedily gather money, we can cascade positive energy in this area, flushing away the negative and allowing passion and compassion to be generated. Essential oils that encourage free flow of the urinary system are Anise, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Fennel, Garlic, Geranium, Juniper, Lemon, Rosemary, and Sage.
Likewise water is energetically equated with the emotions and by opening to the positive realms of emotions, like love, joy, harmony, trust, we can bring a more fulfilling vortex of energy to the sacral chakra and radiate these positive aspects out to others. Essential oils that encourage us to emit the higher frequencies of emotion are Elemi, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Melissa, Neroli, Rose, and Rosewood.
The second chakra is a base for power and creative force. In this spring season, with life being created all around us in nature, we should take time to connect to our sacral center and feel the energy that it has to offer and use it for positive flow and joyous creation.
To Listen to a Meditation on various aspects of the 2nd chakra, click audio below.