Root Chakra

	Indicators of First Chakra Imbalances: Excessively timid Many insecurities, low self-esteem, depression Many tense, life threatening situations where a strong need for survival is called for Recipient of abuse or abuser of others Constipation/diarrhea and hemorrhoids
Responses:	Security, fear, survival, reproduction
Location:	Generally located between the anus and sex glands, however may be anywhere from the feet to the bottom of the spinal cord.
Governs:	Sex organs, elimination, the lymph system, the skeleton and bones, the lower extremities (legs, ankles, feet) and the nose.
Colors:	Red, Black and Brown
Scents:	Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedarwood
Gemstones:	Black Tourmaline, Garnet, Hematite, Obsidian, Black Onyx, Dark Ruby, Smoky Quartz, and Bloodstone Nuances: Black Tourmaline Fearful. Feel survival threatened. Negative. Exceedingly powerful for 1st Chakra work. Garnet Protective. Hematite Depression, pain. Keep people out of your space. Obsidian Extremely Protective. Release from excessive need for possessions. Ruby Protective of all around you, including family, possessions and good name. Smoky Quartz Help move energy from 1st Chakra upward to higher, more enlightened Chakras.
Petals:	Said to have four petals: Greatest joy, Natural pleasure, Controlling passion, and Concentration
Comments:	Problems with the First Chakra (Root) coincide with major traumas in the first 5 years of life, including an extremely difficult birth experience. These themes often recur around 30-34, 60-64 and 90-94. Were you severely upset during this period? Was your mother absent for a length of time due to illness? Were you abused or abandoned?  While most adults cannot remember these times, they "imprint" themselves in our psyche and are manifested as a disturbance in the First/Root Chakra which governs fear, survival and feelings of security. In your adult life, if you've been abused in any way or been an abuser of another--your First Chakra is likely out of balance. An First Chakra Imbalance may manifest as a person feeling extremely powerless, worthless, fearful, depressed and insecure. Since this Chakra rules our need to "survive", an out of balance Chakra may manifest as a desire to self-terminate. On the other hand, an imbalanced First Chakra may be expressed as over-aggression, a need to push others aside at all costs to obtain the security/self-worth necessary to feel more secure. An over-urgent need to bolster one's ego through possessions or by abusing another to feel more powerful within oneself. Physical symptoms of a First Chakra imbalance include frequent constipation/diarrhea and hemorrhoids.
Therapy:	Chakra Therapy might include laying the proper gemstone upon the First Chakra for 5-25 minutes. Some recommend placing the stones on the bottom of the feet. Black Tourmaline (Schorl) is considered one of the most potent First Chakra gems. Wearing Black Tourmaline has also proven to be quite effective, however it is highly recommended that internal work be done in conjunction with the wearing of the First Chakra gemstones. Imagine a red vortex of energy rising from the base of your feet, up your legs to pool at the base of your spinal cord, between the urethra and rectum area. At the same time, think of feeling secure, happy, powerful without being aggressive.
Mantras:	"There is nothing to fear but fear itself" "I welcome my life experience in all its ups and down, trials and triumphs"