Crystal Healing and the Root Chakra
There are seven chakra points on the body where the energy flows and intersects, bringing peace, harmony, and balance to our lives. Yet, like everything else chakras tend to become blocked over time, and we can feel the physical effect of this blockage within our bodies. Removing these blockages is simple and may require some practice, but in the long run it’s worth it. While crystals are a popular method of clearings, this article includes items you may wish to use along with crystals. All work well together and will enhance your connection to this energy point.
You cannot balance the other chakras without first tending to the root chakra.
What the Root Chakra Does
The root or base chakra keeps us grounded and is our connection point to the earth. When this chakra is balanced, we are confident, trusting, and independent. We learn to grow in all aspects of our lives ‒ spiritually, physically, and mentally. When it is blocked, we become anxious and stressed and can lose interest in our most basic of needs.
Crystals Are Connected to the Chakras
Many crystals emanate vibrations that parallel the chakras, and each chakra has a corresponding crystal companion. While all work to balance them out, I have found some crystals work better than others. I suggest you work with a few to see which one is a good fit for you. The root chakra has two color associations, so stones of both colors will do, but not all stones of these particular colors are adequate, or may be more suited for something else. There is also the price. Some crystals are rare to come by and expensive. I suggest doing some research to make sure the stone you use – or wish to use – is both accommodating in price and healing. It doesn’t have to be expensive to help.
Crystals for the Root Chakra
The colors associated with the root chakra are red and black ‒ fire and earth elements. Some, like hematite and onyx, have more than one use. Most black or brown stones have an affinity with the earth and are already widely used as grounding stones. For added measure, you can wear a clear quartz stone to amplify the vibration.
Black/Brown Crystals
- Hematite
- Obsidian
- Onyx
- Tiger’s Eye
- Black Tourmaline
Red crystals
- Red Jasper
- Red Calcite
- Bloodstone
- Garnet
Note – garnet comes in green as well. If you wish to use a garnet, make sure it is the proper stone.
Meditating with Crystal Energy
After purchasing and cleansing your desired crystal (crystal cleansing is very important), lay on your stomach. Pick a place to lay where you will be comfortable and there are no worries about someone disturbing you. Place the stone on your tailbone, making sure it won’t fall off. Alternately, if you can’t lie on your stomach it’s fine to lay on your back. You can either hold the stone in your hand near the chakra point, or place it on your body so that it won’t fall off. If sitting, hold the crystal in your cupped palm near your root chakra as you meditate. Take some deep breaths. Feel the vibration of the stone.
Play meditative music designed to stimulate the root chakra. I feel strongly that sound waves increase the vibration of the crystal. There are many wonderful videos on Gaiam TV about sound waves, such as Cymatics: Bringing Matter to Life with Sound and Fractal Meditation, and [Astral Traveler](/video/astral-traveler}. Like crystals, you need to choose a video that works for you.
The root chakra is connected to the sense of smell. Burning incense or essential oils is a great way to enhance your balancing and cleansing. I burn patchouli and use it solely for this purpose. Other scents you can use are nutmeg, cedar, ginger, vetiver, myrrh, and cinnamon; or, try a combination of your choice or another associated with the root chakra.
Eating root chakra foods and exercise are good tools as well. Go for a walk or sit cross-legged on the ground. If you practice yoga, you can incorporate standing forward bend into your routine.
About the Author
Balance Your Chakras with a Pendulum
Pendulums come in all shapes and sizes. They are quite simply tools that help us detect our energetic field. They are tuned to subtle vibrations and a good chakra pendulum can help us clear, balance and heal our bodies.
A pendulum is a weight hanging from a fixed point. When pulled and released, the forces of gravity and inertia create movement. However, when no force is inflicted on the weight, something begins to happen naturally; energy moves the weight with a little help from the unconscious mind. Pendulums feel magical, for even when held completely still, they begin to move in detection of the invisible energy around us.
The chakra system is the field of gentle subtle energy that animates our physical bodies. When these are out of alignment, we can be pulled in several directions and feel off center from our most natural state of well being.
When placed over the 7 chakra centers (the 7 primary centers are most used) the pendulum will move, showing us both the direction and size of the energy the chakra is emitting. The energy level will reveal balance, imbalance, or energy blocks.
The pendulum for chakra balancing is a tool of diagnosis to help us better maintain our energy, spirit and physical body.
Choose Your Pendulum
Choosing a pendulum is a very personal task and I prefer having hands on access.
Allow yourself the chance to be drawn to one. Is there one that catches your eye or calls your attention? Don’t touch at first, just observe. Look at the shapes and colors. Some are made of wood, metal or crystals. I find crystals work best for me, but the choice is solely yours and yours alone. Which one are you drawn to? When you do choose one, hold it it to feel its energy. What is the message coming from the pendulum before you do anything at all?
Hold the string between your thumb and forefinger. Extend your arm so the pendulum resides at the level of your heart for this first encounter. When holding the pendulum, ask it if it is willing to assist you. Taking a moment to link psychically with the tool is not only good manners but sets the stage for a productive working relationship. If you feel a lift in your spirit, a clear yes has been given. If you feel any pull or resistance, kindly move along and choose another.
Once you have connected with a pendulum, clear your mind and hold it still at the level of your heart. Ask it to show you your “yes” then wait for it to stop. The ask it to show you your “no”. We always want the pendulum to stop moving on its own for this indicates it has shared all it has to reveal.
When you have found a pendulum that responds, you may also ask if this pendulum is willing to work with you in an ongoing partnership. This would be a final step to honor its wisdom and cultivate respect before your purchase.
Discover the Direction of Yes and No
My yes and no tend to be the same regardless of what pendulum I use. While mine move side to side and front and back, others may see the energy move in circles or diagonally. This will be the work of partnership in creating a relationship of trust. Once your pendulum “sets” yes and no, it shouldn’t change over time. A change in directions may indicate a deeper block in your own field.
How to Cleanse Your Pendulum
As this is a tool of the sacred, please cleanse your pendulum before putting it to work. You may choose to keep it under your pillow, on a window ledge to absorb the sun and moon, or outside in the earth. As you would cleanse crystals, also cleanse your chakra pendulum to ensure it maintains a clean working field.
How to Find Answers With Your Pendulum
I have one shiva lingham stone pendulum I use exclusively on clients while others are purely for my personal work.
Pendulums will be affected by our thoughts, so it is imperative that you first be in a clear space, without attachment, so that you may rely on this tool’s unbiased response. The pendulum, as an extension of the person using it, may be influenced both consciously and subconsciously making the responses accurate, as well as inaccurate. Wishful thinking or a preconceived outcome, however slight, can be magnified, making the use of the pendulum in that instance ineffective.
Trust your pendulum and the ability to clear your mind when asking questions.
Your mind can play heavily on responses, so you must be neutral when asking and be sure not to ask questions that elevate your own energy field.
Pendulums are excellent at finding things that are lost (and therefore neutral) but can get a little muddy when relying on it to make big decisions. I once was at a workshop where a woman was using her pendulum to validate everything the teacher was offering us. This level of reliance to me feels unfair and out of balance. These are tools to assist us: they are not material things upon which we rely too heavily.
So please, don’t let your pendulum make life choices for you. While it may offer one avenue of knowingness, it is your own heart and the truth within that should direct final decisions.
How to Use the Pendulum to Balance Chakras
When you are ready to embark on your healing work, pendulums are excellent at balancing the chakras.
Place the pendulum over the chakra center (3rd eye for instance would be over the center of the forehead whereas the 2nd chakra would be at the center of the body just below the navel). Wait for the pendulum to begin moving on its own to show you the size and direction this wheel of energy is moving. Start at the root or crown and one by one, make your way through each chakra simply gathering information at first.
Ideally you should notice the direction and size of each chakra to be the same. An erratic swing of the pendulum will show you where someone is off balance. If no movement is detected, there is a block in the energy field and it will need to be addressed. Once you’ve checked all the fields, go back and invite each one to come into harmony.
Harmony is the natural frequency of the universe and needs to be restored gently.
You are not making anything happen, you are simply asking the wisdom of the body to correct itself.
If working on another person, you may ask them to invite this harmony while talking with them about the colors and functions of each center. This empowers others to know they can heal themselves and need not rely on a healer to “fix” them. The chakra pendulum is a tool for diagnosis but the healing will occur by simply asking the body to realign itself. When you have addressed all the kinks, go back and ensure the chakras are all moving in the same direction and are about the same size.
We are wise beyond our remembrance at times and come to rely on tools and others to make us better. The beauty of a pendulum for chakra balancing is that is so accessible. It is an easy tool of self care and one that requires little investment and minimal effort.
