The 5th Chakra, also known as the throat chakra or Visuddha, is the first of the higher chakras on the chakra ladder. The only two above this chakra are the third-eye chakra and the crown chakra. The symbol for the throat chakra is a circle surrounded by sixteen petals. It can also be represented by a crescent with a circle inside or by a circle inside an upside-down triangle inside a larger circle. This chakra works with the thyroid and esophagus, is represented with the color blue, and responds well to essential oils such as frankincense, ylang ylang, sandalwood, rose, jasmine and neroli as well as the mantra ham with an ah sound. This chakra is directly related to the element of sound and is a critically important tool in our ability to communicate. When you struggle with communication you will often find that your throat chakra is closed.
When the 5th Chakra is Blocked
When your 5th chakra is closed you may find you struggle with not just difficulty in communicating, but general feelings of illness such as sore throat, headaches, hoarseness, neck pain, you may have mouth issues such as ulcers or teeth problems. You may also experience trouble expressing your thoughts, social anxiety, your creativity may be inhibited and you may develop a sudden stubbornness that you don’t actually understand. Many people may perceive you as arrogant, lying or manipulative. However, when the 5th chakra is open again you are able to respond to people confident, able to make commitments and meet them.
A Healthy Chakra
The throat chakra is the chakra of self-expression. When it is healthy you will have the ability to speak your truth and communicate both verbally and non-verbally. You will begin to experience a connection to the spirit and intuitive realms – appropriate as this is the first of the three higher chakras. You will find that you have a sudden ability to create, you will have a firm sense of what your purpose is, and your sense of timing will be impeccable. You will know what to do or say at exactly the right moment with clarity.
How to Balance the Throat Chakra
To balance a closed 5th chakra you will want to spend time in meditation using positive affirmations to help heal yourself. Use mantras that affirm a willingness to release fears and negativity, and that affirm your commitment to speaking to others in a loving fashion. Work on singing! Singing is an excellent way to get the mind and spirit in connection with one another. It also helps to soothe the soul and renew the heart. Thinking about the color blue is another way to improve the 5th chakra, as is surrounding yourself in things that are blue. Wear blue jewelry and clothes, keep yourself near things that are blue. Bright sky blues are best as they lighten the spirit.
Chakra health is very important to our well-being. Each of the chakra’s rule over a different part of our physical as well as our meta-physical bodies. Making sure that these centers of energy are functioning properly is important.
