The chakra system

The Seven Chakras

Seven centres of subtle energy, threaded from the base of the spine to the crown. The chakra map is a contemplative language — a way to notice where you feel open and where you feel held, and to bring attention, breath and ritual to each in turn. Begin wherever you are drawn; the system is a circle, not a ladder.

  1. Crown chakra symbol Sahasraraसहस्रार Crown Čakra Čakra 7 · Pituitary gland“I understand”
  2. Third Eye chakra symbol Ajnaआज्ञा Third Eye Čakra Čakra 6 · Pineal gland“I see”
  3. Throat chakra symbol Vishuddhaविशुद्ध Throat Čakra Čakra 5 · Thyroid gland“I speak”
  4. Heart chakra symbol Anahataअनाहत Heart Čakra Čakra 4 · Thymus gland“I love”
  5. Solar Plexus chakra symbol Manipuraमणिपूर Solar Plexus Čakra Čakra 3 · Pancreas“I act”
  6. Sacral chakra symbol Svadhisthanaस्वाधिष्ठान Sacral Čakra Čakra 2 · Gonads“I feel”
  7. Root chakra symbol Muladharaमूलाधार Root Čakra Čakra 1 · Adrenal glands“I am”

A map for paying attention

The chakra framework reaches back through the yogic and tantric traditions of the Indian subcontinent, where the body is described as woven with subtle channels (nadis) and centres (chakras, “wheels”). Each centre gathers a theme of human experience — safety, feeling, will, love, voice, insight, connection — and a colour, a seed sound, and an element.

You do not need to believe anything for the map to be useful. Read it as a gentle checklist of where your attention naturally rests and where it could soften: a prompt to breathe, to set an intention, and to choose a stone, a scent or a practice that draws you back to that part of yourself.