When I first came to Reiki, I was very outcome-focused, particularly after Reiki 2 when I learnt the sending symbol - a tool that directs Reiki to past or future events and affirmations. I would write specific statements to achieve specific outcomes, which would sometimes work and other times not. It was when they didn’t ‘come true’ that I received my biggest learnings, understanding that a bigger agenda was at work for my greater good.
Now when sending Reiki or working with intentions, I am much looser with my wishes and my wording, trying to use terms such as “unfolding process” and “natural flow”. It was a big shift for me: to not focus on what I want, but what I need. Through strengthening our Sacral we are able to better listen to instinct with adaptability coming more naturally.
This brings us on to my focus for the month: the sacral chakra. As the element is water, this energy centre dictates our fluidity and flow in life. Located between the belly button and the pubic bone, it represents our relationships and creativity. If the Root/Base chakra is related to our physical identity, the Sacral chakra is the expression of our emotional identity.
In Sanskrit its name is Swadhisthanam, sometimes written Svadhisthana - 'Swa' and 'Adhisthana' - where ‘swa’ means 'one's own' and 'adhisthana' means abode or seat. Therefore, the word literally means 'one's own abode'. Interestingly 'swad' can also mean “to take pleasure in”, and it is our Sacral chakra that governs our physical pleasure and the body: also our creativity, sexuality, sensuality, intimacy, relationships, and basic emotional needs.
The colour for the sacral chakra is orange and the symbol, a lotus flower with six orange petals. The number 6 represents responsibility and the nurturing of family and community.
The lesson the sacral chakra can teach us, is that every relationship we create – from the casual to the most intimate – has a purpose (no matter how painful) to help us become more conscious of our karma and ourselves. Some relationships are necessarily difficult because it encourages us to learn about our limitations.
Think back to the first time your heart was broken or maybe betrayed…
I remember when I was a child, my best friend’s parents said, “one day a boy will come between your friendship”. My friend and I were adamant this wouldn’t happen, but sure enough after some time off school due to glandular fever, I returned to my best friend engrossed in her first romantic relationship.
In addition to the six petals, there is the shape of a crescent moon. Like the moon, this chakra does not have energy of its own - its energy is reflected from an outer source, being our environment, the food we eat, the company we keep, and all the things we expose ourselves to, which play a huge role in keeping this centre balanced.
Having a balanced sacral is the foundation of a healthy ego, which allows us to interact with the world without selling ourselves short or pretending to be someone we are not. With a balanced second chakra, we have the ability to take risks and the resilience to recover when things go wrong; for this reason, those with a balanced sacral chakra are fantastic to have around you in a crisis.
If our Sacral chakra is not in balance, the physical problems that might manifest are fertility, sexual issues, lower back pain, urinary or kidney issues. On an emotional level we might be drawn in to manipulative and controlling relationships, either as the recipient or the giver. Emotions can also often swing between excessive and erratic, or rigid and unemotional. People who struggle with addictions - such as those to food, sex, or drugs - can start to heal by engaging in energy healing centred around this chakra.
Sacral Chakra Profile
Here is an overview of the Sacral chakra profile, making its characteristics perhaps a little clearer...
Energy: COHESION and COVALENCE
Element: WATER
Colour: ORANGE
Psychological Characteristics:
POSITIVE: Adaptable, fun-loving, creative, diplomatic, good social skills, open-
minded, appreciative, sensitive, nurturing.
NEGATIVE: Fickle, procrastinating, lacking practicality, indecisive, passive, overly
influenced, frigid.
Below is a more detailed guide to the Sacral chakra to help you check in with yourself…
WHEN THE ENERGY IS FLOWING AND BALANCED
ADAPTABLE TO ALL ENVIRONMENTS
GOOD SOCIAL DEXTERITY/SOCIAL SKILLS
EASY-GOING
OPEN-MINDED AND ACCEPTING
NURTURING
SENSITIVE AND CARING
APPRECIATIVE
COMFORTABLE WITH TOUCH, SENSUALITY AND SEXUALITY
FINDS HEALTHY BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND PLAY
CONFIDENT SOCIALLY
FUN / ENJOYS ARTS / ENTERTAINMENT / ACTIVITY / CREATIVITY
WHEN THE ENERGY IS TOO STRONG AND OUT OF BALANCE
OVER-INDULGENT
GOSSIPY
ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY
TOO SOCIAL
UNABLE TO BE STILL, SILENT OR ALONE
OVERLY-DRAMATIC TO GET ATTENTION
NEEDY
OVERLY PLEASING
NEGLECTING OF PERSONAL NEEDS
OVERLY-INFLUENCED
CO-DEPENDENT
WHEN THE ENERGY IS WEAK OR DEPLETED
STIFF BODY/NOT FLEXIBLE
INABILITY TO GO WITH THE FLOW AND ADAPT
EMOTIONALLY COLD / NUMB
HARD TO RELATE TO
SEXUALLY FRUSTRATED / FRIGID
WITHDRAWN AND TIMID
LOW SELF ESTEEM
INDECISIVE
PASSIVE
NO BOUNDARIES
PROCRASTINATES
LACK OF PASSION AND EXPRESSION
Each chakra represents a spiritual life lesson or challenge that helps us gain a more in-depth understanding of our personal and spiritual power. This in turn helps us learn how to overcome obstacles, let go of emotional blockages, and learn to flow with life’s ever-changing current. Once we tune in to these energy centres do we realise how critical they are to our overall well-being? I would suggest thinking honestly about the health of your Sacral chakra, and if you’re in need of a little advice, do not hesitate to get in contact with me at… miki@positiveimpact.global