COLOR: RED | LOCATION: BASE OF THE SPINE | ELEMENT: EARTH | ENERGY: MASCULINE | MANTRA: LAM

FUNCTION: SURVIVAL, GROUNDING | BODY PARTS: MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM, NERVOUS SYSTEM

TAROT SUIT: PENTACLES | ARCHANGEL: AURIEL

The root chakra, located at the base of the spine, is the foundation for opening the chakras above. The word Muladhara breaks down into two Sanskrit words: Mula, meaning 'root', and Adhara, meaning 'support' or 'base'. This energy center houses your basic needs and instincts, including food, water, shelter and safety. This chakra is all about empowerment and feeling strong within your body! Associated with the earth element, it establishes your physical presence in the world, allowing you to feel safe, grounded and connected to the earth. The root chakra's primary color is red, a bold color that linked to vitality and survival.

The root chakra receives energy from the earth through two smaller chakras located in the feet. If we don't feel safe enough to ground ourselves and receive this nurturing earth energy, the root chakra becomes blocked. When this happens, we need to learn to address the issues that may be affecting our feelings around safety and security.

How you felt during childhood is closely related to the development of your root chakra. If you felt secure in your environment while growing up, you are more likely to have your basic survival needs met as an adult, whereas if you experienced inconsistent care or traumatic events, you may find yourself with a weakened first chakra. As a result, this energy center will need to be healed and cleared before you are able to feel safe, grounded and present in your body.

The root chakra corresponds directly to the adrenal glands, which activate the fight-or-flight response when triggered by stress or fear. In our fast-paced society, many of us are running too much adrenaline through our systems. When we are in a state of fear, we’re unconsciously clinging to control as a way to feel safe, and that leaves us feeling drained and ungrounded. If our survival feels threatened, we have little energy to focus on other aspects of our lives. When the root chakra is balanced and we feel secure, we are able to be present in the moment and accept new opportunities. The root chakra empowers you to make the changes you need to create the life you want.

Those who embody the root chakra have a positive relationship with their physicality. Although the sacral chakra is the primary center for your sexuality, it’s the root chakra that actually powers that energy. If your root chakra is blocked, you won't feel comfortable expressing yourself openly, leading to a low sex drive and crap physical connection.

People with imbalanced root chakras also tend to struggle with setting boundaries. If you find yourself agreeing to do things purely out of obligation or find it difficult to cut yourself off from negative influences, this can indicate that you need to work on this energy centre. Once the root chakra is balanced, you are able to experience higher energy levels, a stronger work ethic and a positive attitude to life.

The root chakra produces negativity surrounding ones realm of security. This results in feelings of lack, or like you don’t have enough. Since the root chakra is also connected to our basic needs being met, an imbalance can show up in the way we feed and nourish ourselves, spend money, live, relate to safety, and so on. The root chakra may become imbalanced due to trauma, unresolved conflicts, karmic, and past life circumstances, behavioral patterns, or blockages or damage to the chakra. The key to healing is to address the root cause of the disorder.

There are many ways to bring balance to the root chakra, so that safety and security may be felt in your life. The most abundant source of all nourishment, security and belonging is found within Mother Nature itself. Connecting with nature allows you to more clearly see and step into your own nature, aligning your root chakra with the abundance that is. This chakra draws energy from the Earth to nourish and energize your body, while also allowing that stability to flow through your other chakras.

FOOD: Red Apples, Beets, Raspberries , Cherries, Tomatoes, Red Peppers, Radishes, Strawberries, Pomegranates, Watermelon

HERBS: Hibiscus, Red Raspberry Leaf, root herbs like Ginger, Garlic, Ashwaganda, Dandelion Root

CRYSTALS: Black Tourmaline, Shungite, Red Jasper, Hematite, Garnet, Bloodstone, Ruby, Smoky Quartz

I am grounded, I am safe and I am divinely protected

the universe is working on my behalf and everything is working out for my highest good

I am deeply rooted in this present moment

i belong here and it is right to be exactly where i am

I release all doubts and worries

I feel safe and love being in my body

My body takes care of me

I am always supported and protected

I feel peaceful, grounded and secure

I am centered and grounded

I am at peace with the material world in which i live

I am able to let go of fear and know I am eternally safe

Designed to bring the root chakra back into alignment, this meditation will help ground and center your energy so that you feel more present in your physical body. This meditation will also promote a sense of safety and security.