Thursday: Heart Chakra

The Heart Chakra or Anahata, is located in the center of your chest, or your heart. Anahata means “unstruck.” “All sound in the manifested universe is produced by the striking together of two objects, which sets up vibrations or sound waves. However, the primordial sound, which issues from beyond this material world, is the source of all sound, and is known as anahad nada, the unstuck sound. The heart center is where this sound manifests.” -S. Saraswati (page 531) It’s symbolized by a green lotus with twelve petals. At the center of the twelve-petaled lotus is a hexagon, formed by two overlapping triangles, or the Star of David, with the bija mantra yam. Air is connected to this chakra. The animal connected to this chakra is the swift antelope, being a symbol of alertness.

The heart chakra allows you to feel love, self-love, have strong relationships, empathy, forgiveness, acceptance, change, transformation, awareness, and compassion. If this chakra is out of balance you might be feeling excess isolation, depression, jealousy, fear of intimacy, defensiveness, always feeling like the rescuer. The organs connected to this chakra are, of course, your heart, as well as your circulatory system, lungs, and thymus gland.

The essential oils that are great for balancing this chakra are angelica, chamomile, frankincense, sandalwood, jasmine, rosemary, and lavender. Some foods that also helps balance this chakra are wheatgrass, avocado, cucumbers, kiwi, green apples, limes, and green tea. The crystals or minerals associated with the heart chakra are rose quartz, jade, green calcite, and green tourmaline.