7/27/2019 Astrology and Chakras

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/astrology-and-chakras 1/8

Astr ology and Chakras ..........

Gregory J. de Montfort 21st March, 2001

The centre picture above is a side view of the human body and it's 7 main chakras, showing the front/back aspect of the 'funnel' shape attributed to them. The two side bars accompanying the drawing represent thechakras aligned to the spinal column and their respective mandalas in the corresponding colours. See alsothe chakra diagrams on the Crystals Page.

The term chakra is a Sanskrit word which means 'wheel' or 'wheel of light [or force]' referring to the

constant rotational spin of the chakras. It is likened in esoteric teachings to the lotus flower as it unfolds itsmany petals, in reference to the unfolding of the chakra's individual vortices . This 'spin' alternates directionin sequence from the base to the crown chakra, and is different for both sexes . For males, the rotation isclockwise, starting at the base chakra and anti-clockwise for females. In many teachings, the chakras areseen to be energy vortexes of the subtle bodies - the correct functioning and alignment of which is necessaryfor our physical, emotional and spiritual health and well being.

The main chakras are associated with glands of the endocrine system of the human body, and as alreadystated, lie along the spine. It is through them that a person's spirit and soul can become receptive to andcommunicate in a form of 'biofeedback' with cosmic energies.

So, we may define a chakra as - an energy centre of the Human Energy Field (HEF) which spins like awheel and opens like a funnel shaped flower. Our 'biofeedback' channels to the Universe around us.

Carl Gustov Jung referred to them as 'gateways of consciousness'.

Esoterically, each chakra functions at seven levels and is associated with an archetypal principle of consciousness relating closely to the psychological functions of man, and can be thus related to the sevenvisible planets of classical astrology.

Uranus, Neptune and Pluto also have their respective roles, but these outer, trans-personal, 'new-comers'tend to operate on a more subtle level. The higher energies of these planets touch that of Spirit and thecollective consciousness of mankind as it relates to our planet and in turn our solar system, through thegalactic to the Universal or Cosmic Consciousness - "As Above; So Below".

7/27/2019 Astrology and Chakras

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/astrology-and-chakras 2/8

The First or Base Chakra according to esoteric tradition, relates to the element of Earth and our connection to it. Psychologically, it mainly concerns our relationship with the material plane andarchetypally relates to the principle of limitation in both constructive and destructive forms. Basictrust, self-confidence and our sense of security in harmony with the laws of nature feature stronglythrough this energy centre. It relates to the Sensation Function of Jungian psychology. At it's lower level of expression, this covers such things as greed and lust, and the drive for survival. At its highestexpression, this can manifest in wise relation to matter and physicality, one's body and the physicaluniverse generally.

The Second or Sacral Chakra relates to the element of Water, and psychologically governs our emotions and how we experience them. Such matters as survival of the species, sexuality, family,sociableness and solidarity with the surrounding world are governed by the 2nd chakra. It relates tothe Feeling Function of Jungian psychology. At the lower expression this may occur as escapism,excess, and dogmatism; at the higher level of expression it can denote more constructive enthusiasmand spiritual devotion.

The Third or Solar Plexus Chakra concerns the Fire element, and it's expression psychologicallyrefers to emotions of a more energetic type. The powers of imagination, visions of the future, desire

for action, and coming to terms with the past are factors governed by the Solar Plexus chakra. It has been referred to as "the inner fire that both creates and destroys". It relates to the Intuitive Functionof Jungian psychology. In the lower expression this may manifest as anger, and combativeness, butmore positively as strength and assertiveness.

The Fourth or Heart Centre Chakra relates to Air, and is psychologically connected with love, beauty and allurement and governs the capacity for harmony and relatedness in social interactions.Joi de vivre, love and affection; the source of unconditional selfless love toward fellow humans,every creature, every element, and the entirety of Creation feature at this energy centre. It relates tothe Thinking Function of Jungian psychology. In it's lower form of expression this can manifest ashedonistic, pleasure seeking behaviour, but at the higher level, can be expressed as asthetic sense and

unselfish love.

The Fifth or Throat Chakra refers to Ether - the 'substance' that permeates all thingsconnectively, and it's psychological correspondence is that of pure mind, or intellectuality. It may beconsidered "Divine Air". Purity, ethics, knowledge and expanded consciousness in perfect harmonyare characteristic ideals. It may be termed "Divine Air" in terms of these qualities. In it's lower state,it can produce uncontrolled thoughts (dissociated) or communications. In it's higher function canexpress as creative and/or spiritual thinking, and superlative skills in communication.

The Sixth or Third Eye Chakra concerns "Divine Water" and in it's higher expression refers tothe "Divine Nature" or psychological awareness of self; of intuition, introspection and reflection, andqualities such as nurturing and compassion. It is here that the dissolution of duality occurs, governingthe regulation of all mental processes, intuition, inspiration, and memory. The beginnings of Unityoccurs at the level of this chakra - consciousness, super-consciousness, and the sub-consciousnessflow together. In the lower expression, this can manifest as fearfulness, emotional dependency and a

pre-occupation with the past and a failure to live in the 'now'.

The Seventh or Crown Chakra corresponds to "Divine Fire" and refers to our point of contactwith the transpersonal Divine or 'cosmic consiousness'. Psychologically it represents our capacity for integration of the total personality with life, and the spiritual aspects of mankind. In it's negativeexpression it can manifest as dissolution and disintegration of the personality leading to nervous

breakdown. The Crown chakra is also known as the "Thousand Petalled Lotus".

This 'divine fire' in Vedic Tradition is said to have been given to mankind with the coming of the Kumaras -energy or spirit beings of the mythologies as related in the Vedas as those who 'blended' with mankind togive him 'true consciousness', thus setting him apart, yet still within the domain of the animal kingdom.

7/27/2019 Astrology and Chakras

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/astrology-and-chakras 3/8

Man's potential holds much, and much may be learned through the study of the chakras - in body, mind andspirit, for even combined with the Divine Knowledge of Buddha and the Redeeming Love of Christ, man yetyearns and searches for Truth and spiritual Unity, while at the same time he strives for the base ego need of mastery of the material to his own ends and his planet's detriment.

It is significant that the 'stories' of the Kumaras correspond closely with the 'Fallen Angels' of Christianliterature, and are characterised by the myths of Prometheus in Greece.

It should be noted that there is some disagreement as to what is classed as a 'Main' and 'Minor' Chakra invarious schools of thought - some schools suggest that the spleen is quite active and should be included -others suggest other points in the human body should be of greater/lesser import. Nevertheless, the seven aredefinitely agreed upon.

Summary Table of Chakra Association Compiled from Various Sources

Main Chakras-(Sanskrit Name)

-Colour-Seat of

AstrologicalSign

Planet

Associated Emotions

Spiritual Life Lesson

PsychologicalFunction

PhysicalAssociation

EndocrineGland

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

White or Gold

Spirituality

Leo

Sun

Emotional imbalance

Lessons related tospirituality

Integration of total personality withlife, and thespiritual aspects of

mankind

Malfunctions of the pituitarygland

Pineal

Third Eye orBrow Chakra (Ajuna)

Violet or Purple

Mysticism

Cancer

Moon

Imagination, idealism,love

Lessons related to mind,intuition, insight andwisdom

Capacity tovisualise andunderstand mentalconcepts. Theability to carry outideas in a practicalway.

The sense of smell, Brain,eyes, nose, ears

Pituitary

Throat Chakra (Vishudhi)

Virgo/Gemini

Mercury

Honesty and dishonesty,criticism

Taking in andassimilating. Senseof self within

Vocal chords, pulmonary and bronchial

7/27/2019 Astrology and Chakras

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/astrology-and-chakras 4/8

Blue or Indigo

Peace

Lessons related to willand self-expression

society and profession.

systems, nervoussystems

Thyroid

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Green or Pink

Harmony

Libra/Taurus

Venus

Love, compassion, protective instincts

Lessons related to love,forgiveness andcompassion

Openness to lifeand heart feelings

of love for other human beings.Ego, and willtoward the outer world

Heart, bloodcirculation, lung,

respiration, theimmune system,thymosinhormones,touch/sensation

Thymus

Solar PlexusChakra *& Spleen *

(Manipurak)

Yellow

Rationality

Scorpio/Aries

Mars

Pluto Secondary

Warmth, nurturing, fierynature

Lessons related to ego, personality and self-esteem

Pleasure andexpansiveness,spiritual wisdom,

and consciousnessof theconnectedness of all things. Healingand intentionalitytoward one'shealth.

Stomach,digestive system,spleen, Heat

regulation andcontrol,Endocrinedigestive

processes,Sugar/insulinmetabolism

Pancreas

Sacral Chakra (Svadasthan)

Orange-Red

Creativity

Sagittarius/Pisces

Jupiter NeptuneSecondary

Desire, jealousy

Lessons related tosexuality, work and

physical desire.

Quantity of sexualenergy. Quantity of love; giving andreceiving physical,mental andspiritual pleasure.

Sexualreproduction,Hormonal

balance

Adrenals

Base Chakra (Muladhara)

Red

Physicality

Capricorn /Aquarius

SaturnUranus

Secondary

Fear,obsessive/compulsiveness,

protectiveness

Lessons related to thematerial world

Quantity of physical energyand the will to live.

Kidneys,excretion, spine

Gonads

7/27/2019 Astrology and Chakras

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/astrology-and-chakras 5/8

When viewed symbolically, the Seven main chakras can be identified with the Seven Sacraments of Christianity - specific qualities of 'Grace' or 'Divine energy' - viz. - Baptism, Communion, Confirmation,Marriage, Confession, Ordination, Extreme Unction.

These seven stages of personal initiation or development represent inherent powers that man is meant toactualise - powers that we need to consciously utilise and employ in meeting the specific challenges that life

presents us.

Some years ago, American astrologer Ray Grasse, proposed a model for correlation of the chakras andastrology based upon what he had learned through the teachings of such as Goswami Kriyananda andParamahnsa Yogananda.

Grasse says he was taught that the Crown chakra is not active in most humans today and so is not generallydiscussed, as there is more than enough work for the ordinary man/woman to open or awaken the lower

chakras let alone this ultimate connection with the Divine. So in effect, eight chakras are viewed as mainchakras in this system (Traditionally there are only seven).

In the Grasse Model, the Sun and Moon, representing the conscious and unconscious (male/female;right/left) self are placed at the top - corresponding to the third eye and a 'lesser' chakra toward the rear of the head, midway between the third eye and throat chakras. The Sun and Moon of course corresponds to Leoand Cancer respectively.

So, pick up your natal chart and rotate the wheel to show Leo and Cancer at the very top as in the diagram below, then following this sequence of chakric pairs downwards, around the wheel (you imagine that thistop pair represents the head), we have Virgo/Gemini at the throat, Libra/Taurus at the Heart; Scorpio/Ariesat the Solar Plexus; Sagittarius/Pisces at the Sacral and Capricorn/Aquarius at the Base. If you requiredetails of the astrological background of the correspondences, please have a look at the Planets, Signs andHouses Page for their respective characteristics and qualities.

7/27/2019 Astrology and Chakras

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/astrology-and-chakras 6/8

The following diagram should help to clarify these correspondences:-

Source: A wonderfully diverse and detailed anthology titled " Eastern Systems for Western Astrologers " (pp.6), with essays by -Robin Armstrong, James T. Braha, Hart de Fouw, Michael Erlewine, Dennis Flaherty, Ray Grasse, Richard, Houck, Thomas

Moore, Bill WatsonPublisher:- Samuel Weiser Inc., York Beach, ME. 1997.

If you now look at the natal planets in their signs in relation to the qualities and characteristics of the chakrasas described above, you can see where the emphasis of chakric activity in the life path of the individual liesthus adding a new dimension to your astrology.

As you can see, the Grasse Model corresponds astrologically through the characteristics of the Planets andSigns with what is known of the chakras in terms of their respective energies and characteristics. The onlyexception is that in esoteric teachings, the left side of the body corresponds to the feminine polarity and theright side to the masculine. Looking at the Signs as represented from right to left in the diagram, it is clear that this concept does not correspond with traditional astrological thought on the matter, and gives pause for further thought and discussion on the subject.

In this respect if we consider the fact that the chakra spin alternates as we rise from base to crown thisreversal of spin may well be seen to correlate to astrological thought, but it must be remembered that inesoteric thought, the chakra spin also alternates between the sexes..........

Much like the practice of astrology in reading an astrological chart, it is of no avail to view the individualchakras as though they are actually separate, for they are indeed part of the whole or Unity. The chakras areconnected via Sushumna - the subtle current within the spine - hence the Base and Crown chakras may beregarded as the two poles of the physical body and the specific energies that it represents. When balanceexists, the way is clear, that is, the intervening chakras have been sufficiently awakened (opened - think of the blossoming lotus), spirit and matter unite in harmony. When this occurs the Kundalini energy flowsalong a twin serpentine pathway following the spine (think of the caduceus symbol as carried by Mercury to

visualise this - the sceptre is the spine and the serpents the reciprocal flow of energy). The flowering of allseven lotuses brings about awareness of the connection to the Divine, a mystical or cosmic consciousness.

Following is an excerpt from " Letters on Occult Meditation " - Letter I - Alignment of the Ego with thePersonality -The Chord of the Ego by Alice Bailey:-

"When I use the term "reciprocal vibration," what do I mean? I mean the adaptation of the Personality or Lower Self, to the Ego, or Higher Self, the dominating of the Personality ray by the ray of the Ego and thecombining of their tones. I mean the blending of the primary color of the Higher Self with the secondary hueof the Lower Self until beauty is achieved. At first, there is dissonance and discord, a clashing of the colors,and a fight between the Higher and the Lower. But as time progresses, and later with the aid of the Master,harmony of color and tone is produced (a synonymous matter), until eventually you will have the basic noteof matter, the major third of the aligned Personality, the dominant fifth of the Ego, followed by the fullchord of the Monad or Spirit.

7/27/2019 Astrology and Chakras

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/astrology-and-chakras 7/8

It is the dominant we seek at adeptship, and earlier the perfected third of the Personality. During our variousincarnations we strike and ring the changes on all the intervening notes, and sometimes our lives are major and sometimes minor, but always they tend to flexibility and greater beauty. In due time, each note fits intoits chord, the chord of the Spirit; each chord forms part of a phrase, the phrase or group to which the chord

belongs; and the phrase goes to the completion of one seventh of the whole. The entire seven sections, then,complete the sonata of this solar system, - a part of the threefold masterpiece of the Logos or God, theMaster-Musician."

There are many books that speak of exercises and life practices to awaken the energy centres of the HEF. If you wish to explore this beneficial practice, check with your local library for the books listed in thereferences at the end of this essay, or you can purchase them through amazon.com or barnes&noble.com. -you can access their sites at any time from my Services Page. See also the Course in Developing PsychicAbility

In Western medical terms, physio logically speaking, energy is produced in the body by various cellular metabolic processes (chemical interaction at the molecular level). Currently it is held that this 'mysteriousenergy' that esotericism speaks of is the free flow of information carried by the biochemicals of emotion -called neuropeptides and their receptors in the human body. In effect, it has been scientifically proven that

emotions and memories are stored in every cell of the human body. The mind/body connection that sciencealways questioned is just being discovered. - Shades of Pluto/Chiron in Sagittarius here do you think?

Through such practices as active and conscious visualisation, meditation and hypnotism, massage andchiropractic, aromatherapy, Back Flower Remedies and crystals and many other 'alternative' andcomplimentary health therapies - it is possible for the human mind to actually alter its physical state (bodilyfunction) - with awareness of one's own body and feelings we can self-regulate the release of powerfulnatural chemicals in our bodies (endorphins, neuropeptides etc.), enabling us to ease pain, release pastemotional trauma and rediscover who it is we really are to live in the now.

Many ancient and 'alternative' techniques refer to another 'force' which animates the entire organism.

This energy is called subtle energy by metaphysicians, vitality globules by 'new-age' healers, prana byHindus, and chi by the Chinese. Freud called it libido , Reich called it orgone energy , Henri Bergson called ité lan vitale .

To some it is the emanations of the original Word.

As in all things - what is currently known is not all that will ever be known, and this is an area of studywhich merits much more attention.

The vast potential that lies within the unification of ideas through interdisciplinary discussion is inevitable atthis stage of man's unfoldment, and is now occurring globally in all fields at all levels. We are simply at that

point in the cycle of the 'cosmic clock'. By remaining open to new ideas and ways of being, we are open toencounter other lines of thought, leading to further development and evolution of man's consciousness andhis understanding of his ability to live in harmony with the Cosmos of which he is an intrinsic part.

Home

Back to the Astrology Articles Page

References

7/27/2019 Astrology and Chakras

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/astrology-and-chakras 8/8

" Eastern Systems for Western Astrologers " by - Robin Armstrong, James T. Braha, Hart de Fouw, Michael Erlewine, DennisFlaherty, Ray Grasse, Richard, Houck, Thomas Moore, Bill Watson Samuel Weiser Inc., York Beach, ME. 1997

" Anatomy of the Spirit " by Caroline Myss. Transworld Publishers, Ealing, London. 1997

" Hands of Light " by Barbara Brennan. Bantam Books, New York, NY. 1988

"The Secret Doctrine" by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. Vasanta Press, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras. 5th Adyar Edition 1971

" Molecules of Emotion" by Candace B. Pert, PhD. Scribner, New York, NY. 1997

"The Psychology of Transcendence" by Andrew Neher. Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. 1980

"Chakras for Beginners " by Naomi Ozaniec. Hodder and Stoughton, London. 1994

"The Chakras " by C.W. Leadbeater. Quest Books, Wheaton, Illonois. 1927

" Esoteric Philosophy " Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul - the whole ebook can be downloaded for free at the NetNewsOrg.