Chakras, or spirals of coiled life-force energy (or prana) found throughout the body, are in the Vedic tradition thought to be associated with various physiological functions, as well as mental and emotional states and different levels of consciousness. When we talk about the chakra system, we are generally referring to the seven primary chakras, which are loosely mapped along the spinal column.
Prana flows along channels called nadis from the base chakra, which sits near the tailbone, all the way up to the crown of the head, and depending on how the energy moves through each chakra—whether it is free-flowing and balanced, resistant, or blocked—our health and wellbeing are affected.
Chakras and crystals
Chakras are made up of energy and are said to spin at different vibrations (they are also affiliated with unique pitch and color vibrations). Crystals, also known to hold specific vibrational frequencies, are stones and minerals that work synchronously with each chakra and can be helpful tools to incorporate into energy healing work.
Reiki, for example, is an energy healing practice that originated in Japan, and many of its practitioners focus on balancing chakras, using crystals in their work to help guide clients back into vibrational alignment.
The best crystal for each chakra
Whether you’re looking to kick up some stronger, supportive energy at certain chakra points or to create more balance in these areas, incorporating crystals into your meditation, yoga practice, or daily routine may help you to bring about shifts where and when you need them most.
Root chakra
Key words: safety, security, survival, protection, foundation, groundedness
Key crystals: smoky quartz, obsidian, bloodstone, black tourmaline
Color: red
The root chakra is located at the base of the spine and provides a sense of stability for our entire energetic system. A balanced root chakra means we feel safe, secure, strong, capable, and relaxed in the comfort of meeting our basic needs. Imbalanced, this energy is scattered, fearful, anxious, or depressed and could manifest in physical ailments in lower back pain, hip or leg issues, low energy, or struggles relating to the bowel/elimination.
The best crystals to work with at this level are heavy, strong, dark, and protective. Dark red, brown, or black stones are the best choices as they offer the best protection and groundedness.
Sacral chakra
Key words: creativity, passion, playfulness, flow, procreation
Key crystals: carnelian, sunstone, orange jasper, orange calcite
Color: orange
The sacral chakra is located at the base of the spine in the area called the sacrum. When balanced, this chakra lends us the ability to be creative, abundant, playful, passionate, and inspired. Out of balance or blocked energy here could result in stifled creativity, an inability to find joy or pleasure, issues with sexual expression, reproduction, or libido, or an overall resistance to the flow of life.
In general, vibrant orange stones will be great choices to boost creativity and passion and encourage alignment in the sacral area, though carnelian is often thought of as the go-to!
Solar plexus chakra
Key words: power, strength, motivation, resilience, boundaries
Key crystals: citrine, tiger’s eye, pyrite, yellow jasper
Color: yellow
The solar plexus chakra is our power center and is located around the navel. When energy flows well here, it allows us to stand strong in our own power, hold solid and healthy boundaries with those around us, find the motivation and drive to reach our goals, and have the courage to overcome obstacles.
When this energy is off-kilter, we may slide into powerless complacency or victimhood or, on the other hand, become overly controlling, angry, or bossy. Issues relating to the liver or digestion could also reflect obstructed energy in this chakra.
Yellow power stones such as tiger’s eye can be great helpers in encouraging confidence and courage, and pyrite is a go-to crystal for a boost of strong, assertive energy.
Heart chakra
Key words: love, kindness, compassion, empathy
Key crystals: rose quartz, rhodochrosite, malachite
Color: green
The heart chakra is where love lives in all its forms—self, romantic, communal, and spiritual. A balanced heart is open, forgiving, caring, empathetic, and compassionate, and easily finds harmony and communion with others.
This chakra may need balancing when we can’t let go of grudges, are emotionally shut down to others, struggle to find connection or empathy, or bond in codependent ways. Since this chakra is located in the chest, issues relating to the physical heart, circulation, and lungs could flag your attention here.
Rose quartz is a wonderful stone for encouraging healthy love and compassion, while rhodochrosite promotes healing and recovery from heavy emotional ties that have impacted your heart space. Malachite (and many other green stones) vibrates with this chakra’s color frequency and can also ward against negativity and heaviness.
Throat chakra
Key words: truth, communication, clarity
Key crystals: lapis lazuli, sodalite, blue kyanite, amazonite
Color: blue
The throat chakra is the energetic home of communication, and when it’s in balance, we are capable of easy vocalization, speaking up, clarity, and saying what we need to say. Speaking our truth is the bridge between the feeling states of the heart chakra and the insights we receive from the chakras of the higher mind.
Imbalanced energy here can result in loose and harmful speech, gossip, lies, confusion, or a feeling that we are unable to express ourselves truthfully. Blue stones and crystals match the vibrational frequency of the throat, facilitate clear and concise communication, and help us build relationships on truth and understanding. Sore throats, losing one’s voice, or any other issues relating to the neck, throat, ears, or mouth can be a sign to tune into this chakra.
Lapis lazuli is a fabulous stone for aligning the wisdom of the mind with how it might be best shared with the world.
Third-eye chakra
Key words: perception, thought, understanding, learning, intuition
Key crystals: amethyst, lapis lazuli, labradorite, lepidolite
Color: indigo
The third eye chakra rests in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows (loosely affiliated with the pineal gland) and relates to the mind and its ability to learn, think, process, and perceive. When we are balanced in this area, our thoughts are clear and insightful. We are able to learn, understand, and remember information, and we can more readily discern between reality and delusions.
This is also where our intuition is at work, and a clear mind helps us decipher messages that we are downloading from a deeper place. When this energy is off, we can experience brain fog, muddled thinking, rumination, delusions, or a mind that feels out of control. We may also have recurring headaches, migraines, or insomnia.
Meditation is one of the best practices to help with this, and working with dark blue/indigo stones such as lapis lazuli or the peaceful amethyst in our seated practices is a great way to get our thoughts and impressions back into alignment.
Crown chakra
Key words: joy, connection, gratitude, wisdom, spirituality
Key crystals: celestite, selenite, crystal quartz, moonstone
Color: clear/white or violet
The crown chakra is located at the top of the head, though its energy extends out into the aura space around you. When there is good energy flow here, there is a clear sense of purpose, a connection with life, feelings of gratitude and bliss, and a sense of the universal energy within.
Perceptions are able to reach beyond the limits of the ego, and we can see and understand life from a broader perspective. When the crown’s energy is out of balance, we may feel cut off from the pulse of life, feel a lack of purpose or direction, be closed off to experience, or lose hope for the future. We might also be overly egoic, driven by our own needs and desires without consideration for others, and unable to see life from any perspective but our own.
The highest vibration stones, superchargers such as clear quartz and selenite, are the best choices for amping up crown energy, warding off negativity, and helping us to feel more positively engaged with life. Celestite and moonstone help us tune into the spiritual realms, encouraging a sense of peace.
How to use the stones
Before working with any crystal, cleanse it, then hold it close and set your intention by getting clear on what you would like the stone to help you with.
If you practice meditation, place the crystal directly upon your body at the chakra point you are working with (low back, sacrum or low pelvic region, abdomen, heart, base of the throat, between the eyebrows, the top of the head) while you mindfully tune in to the energy. You can also play a pre-recorded, chakra-focussed guided meditation as you work with your stones or even play music in the right chakra key.
Keep your chosen stones close to you as you work or rest, and place a large clear quartz near it to help amplify its energy further.
Carry your crystal in your pocket (especially helpful for the lower three chakras, as the stone will rest close to their energy points), or wear it tucked into your bra or shirt pocket (heart), as a pendant (heart or throat), or tucked into a hat (third eye, crown).
Whichever way you choose to use your stones, know that—at the very least—they will help you become mindful around what you are trying to heal, so you can make better choices, think different thoughts, and know that you are always an active participant in the direction of your own life.
Do you have a favorite way to use crystals to balance your energy? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo by Esther Verdú on Unsplash
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