The Sacral Chakra
Last week we started our journey through our 7 Solaris ‘Be Better’ Chakra Teas in association with wonderful yogini Kerstin Linnartz.
We discussed the wonderful grounding and stabilising effect of the Root Chakra or Muladhara. To find out more click here or watch my video including a short guided meditation.
Today we are going to explore the second chakra and the wonderful herbs in our Solaris ‘I Feel’ Sacral Chakra tea that helps to balance it.
SACRAL CHAKRA
The 2nd chakra is situated 2 finger width above the Root chakra, above the pubic bone and below the navel. A six-petaled chakra with a deep amber/ orange colour.
SWADHISTANA in Sanskrit Swa meaning ‘ME’ and dhistana ‘MY PLACE’.
Linked to the element water and to our feminine aspects as well as being aligned to the moon, planet Venus and shakti energy.
The Swadhistana is regarded a one of the most powerful of the 12 chakras. Building on the solid foundation of the Root chakra or Muladhara
It is the seat of our SELF IDENTITY, OUR SELF ESTEEM, OUR INNER VALUE.
Our identity is the one thing that stays constant. We may alter our physical bodies, our emotional responses, our knowledge base.
Who we truly are- our identity or essence as such remains unaltered in its pure state!
When balanced the Sacral chakra is the centre of our feelings, encouraging self-expression and our ability to connect to and understand ourselves and others.
From here we can express our deepest emotions, our creativity, intuition and sensuality.
Here we feel safe and secure. We are comfortable sitting with our self.
It is both the centre of our deepest PEACE and our deepest FEARS.
When imbalanced we may have difficulties in the relationship with ourselves and others.
We may feel taken advantage of or ‘taken for granted’.
We might experience a loss of confidence or self-esteem.
The Sacral Chakra also invites us to explore our inner fluidity and flexibility.
How are our waters within- are they calm or wild?
Clear or murky?
Do we need to detox or nourish and rejuvenate?
Do we need to forgive and move on before we can truly experience our full self-worth.
Have we been looking outside of ourselves for our self-esteem and how can we return our gaze gently inside.
So how do we BALANCE this chakra?
Personal Identity
Be aware of your own expectations of yourself. Remember perceived failures- e.g. not getting the job you wanted, lower marks, a relationship that did not nourish your needs, a sports event you did not win- are not a reflection of your identity. They are changeable aspects of yourself that can be trained or improved on in your body, mind and spirit.
Clear boundaries
Protect your personal space. Learn to say YES and NO very clearly.
Acceptance and forgiveness
Accept things that cannot be changed in the past. Identify what you have learned through these events. Seek support from friends, family or a professional where necessary so you can forgive. Move on- be true to your identity!
A beautiful and powerful way of doing this is using the Hawaiian Ho’oponopono practice of forgiveness and reconciliation.
‘I am sorry
Please forgive me
I love you
Thank you!’
You can say this inwardly to yourself, to your partner or in the mind's eye imagine someone who has wronged you saying it to you.
The Sacral Chakra is also our centre for transformation.
MOVING FROM FEAR TO JOY!
Recognising that the dark is necessary to see the light.
Re-activating our creativity.
Becoming strong, resilient, peaceful warriors.
Allowing yourself to be seen for who you truly are.
Inviting sweetness and joy back into our lives!
Herbs for balancing the Sacral chakra:
If very out of balance it can be useful to drink cleansing and nourishing herbs such as ‘Nettle Nourishing Infusion’ or Dandelion leaf tea.
To restore sweetness, nourish and re activate your INNER JOY our Solaris Be Better ‘I feel’ Chakra tea is a wonderful rejuvenating blend or herbs and spices.
Let me walk you through some of the gorgeous herbs used in this nourishing infusion:
Rooibos (ROY-boss) Aspalathus linearis and Honeybush
Deep amber-orange infusion. Made from the fermented twigs of the south African shrub Aspalathus linearis this tea is caffeine-free.
Rich in anti-oxidants and flavonoids rooibos helps maintain a healthy circulation.
Sweet, earthy and refreshing in taste it is a wonderfully soothing and rejuvenating ‘pick me up’.
It is also high in magnesium and calcium which aid relaxation and promote natural sleep.
Some studies show that it may also have a beneficial effect on lowering low-density lipoprotein ie ‘bad’ cholesterol and increasing high-density lipoprotein ie ‘good’ cholesterol.
Rooibos also helps to reduce sweet cravings by balancing blood sugar levels which is particularly useful in diabetes.
It contains positive amounts of leptin which helps in hunger control sending the body a signal that it has had enough food. Making it useful in weight management.
Low in tannins which optimises the absorption of its beneficial constituents.
Vanilla Vanilla planifolia
Part used: Vanilla orchid
In our ‘I feel’ Be Better Solaris chakra tea we use pure, organic, bourbon vanilla pod.
The immediately recognisable scent of this warm, sensual flower bud, has an aphrodisiac effect and helps to uplift mood and can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Is thought to contain beneficial antioxidants, as well as having an anti-inflammatory action.
Promotes clear and supple skin.
Thought to aid healthy digestion and lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Part used: Bark
Is a wonderful and warming earthy spice. It helps to warm our digestive system, releases any trapped wind and balances our blood sugar levels. It also boosts concentration and memory and helps focus on the present moment.
Oatstraw Avena sativa
Parts used: Green husks of the unripe oat.
Creamy, soothing milky taste. Rich in iron, zinc, calcium and manganese.
Helps repair the nerve shields helping in efficient nerve conduction.
Hugely restorative and nourishing. Working as a safe nerve restorative, relieving anxiety, weakness and depression. Helps recover from symptoms of exhaustion and overwork. Thought to alleviate impotence and helps increase sperm mobility.
Cacao Peels Theobroma
Parts used: husk of the Cacao bean.
Caffeine-free and high in antioxidants which can help protect the body from ‘free radical’ damage. With a pleasant Cacao flavour that is both mildly bitter, earthy and creamy in taste; Cacao peels uplifts our mood by boosting serotonin levels as well as other ‘feel good’ chemicals in our brain such as Theobromine which is a natural stimulant and Anandamine also sometimes referred to as the ‘Bliss Chemical’. It also contains valuable amounts of magnesium which is known to relieve muscle spasm and can help promote a healthy sleep pattern.
Drink ‘I Feel’ whenever you feel like you need to give yourself a good cuddle. Comforting and nourishing with an indulgent sensuous and smooth taste can be drunk at any time of the day. Lovely by itself but also gorgeous with a drop of milk of your choice.
Warm Wishes.
Karin Muller
Karin Mueller is co-owner of Solaris tea and has been working in the field of wellness and health for over 20 years now. She is a Medical Herbalist (BSc Hons), practising Midwife (BSc Hons), Massage and Spa therapist and experienced course facilitator and teacher on a wide range of topics related to mindfulness, meditation and women’s health. She is currently also studying in the ‘Medicine of Light’ school to deepen her spiritual practise.