Hello beautiful people and welcome to your weekly dose of Celestial Goodness. As always, thank you for joining me in this space, and on this journey. I hope that you had a wonderful week. Isn’t it amazing how much can happen in one week? Over the last two weeks we took a small detour in order to pay tribute to both love and to black history month. This week, we return to our conversation about the chakras. On our chakra journey we have made stops at the root and the sacral chakras. Not only did these two chakras teach us important lessons about creating a solid foundation, our role in the larger community across space and time, and about how we are in relationships with others, it also taught us the importance of finding balance, pleasure, inner and outer security, and joy. See this week’s video here: https://youtu.be/qVSQZ9J-QHQ
Now we arrive to the third chakra—the Manipura or the solar plexus chakra. You would be right to associate “solar” with the sun and with all things radiant and vibrant. When I think about the solar plexus, I imagine the sun shining its bright golden light all over the world, and reminding us of its power. This chakra has a similar vibe. It is the chakra that reminds us to take back our power, to exude that power, and to let our energy shine for all to see. We are shining our unique and individual light so that collectively we can light this whole place up! Liz Simpson says, “At a societal level, the Solar Plexus Chakra relates to our connection with others, but without the Root (First) Chakra’s reliance on the tribe, or the Sacral Chakra’s emphasis on partnerships. It is about the power to be an individual, to be unique, while celebrating our continuing connection with all humanity.”
The Sanskrit name for the Solar Plexus chakra is Manipura. It translates to “city of jewels” or “lustrous gem.” Many consider it to be the seat of the soul because it is located in the upper belly at the diaphragm (between the naval and the base of the sternum) and it serves as our center of personal power. The color associated with this chakra is yellow or gold. The element associated with the manipura is fire.
When we think of fire, we think of an element that has the power to transform. In my blog/video on the element of fire, I said, “Fire is the element that both destroys and creates. Fire needs to consume something—wood, coals, something material so that it can flourish. In the process, it creates energy for us to have light to see, to cook our foods, and to warm our homes. Fire is transformation and the determination of our will. Fire represents passion, creativity, and purification. Without the pressures of the heat from fire, a diamond remains a lump of coal. Many of us have gone through our own individual passage through fire in our lives, and we are still here to tell about it.”
This is also the lesson of the solar plexus chakra. As a place of transformation, power, personal freedom, choice, authenticity, self-will, and self-confidence, it is important that we use these things in the right way. What do I mean by that? This chakra rules over the ego, over personality, and over identity. When this chakra is healthy, opened, and aligned, you feel self-confident, you have respect yourself and others, you are spontaneous, uninhibited, you have self-acceptance, you are self-motivated and have a strong sense of purpose. You are also blessed with good health and even fame. In addition, you can easily shake off fears of rejection and criticism, and be secure in your own unique identity. When this chakra is imbalanced or blocked, you become extremely concerned with what others think, you are insecure, need constant reassurance and validation, stressed, indigestion, are a workaholic, have difficulty making decisions, controlling, judgmental, angry and controlling. Some physical symptoms could include stomach ulcers, stomach weight, diabetes, allergies, and extreme fatigue.
You can use your personal power in ways that empower yourself and others or you can use it to make life hell for others. In Psychology Today, Robert Firestone writes that, “there is a clear distinction between personal and negative power… Personal power is based on strength, confidence, and competence that individuals gradually acquire in the course of their development. It is self-assertion, and a natural, healthy striving for love, satisfaction, and meaning in one’s interpersonal world. This type of power represents a movement toward self-realization and transcendent goals in life; its primary aim is mastery of self, not others. Personal power is more of an attitude or state of mind than an attempt to maneuver or control others. It is based on competence, vision, positive personal qualities, and service. When externalized it is likely to be more generous, creative and humane than other forms of power.”
On my own journey with the solar plexus chakra, I think back to ways that I have given my power away in the past, and how I reclaimed it with the help of doing some solar plexus work. Alice Walker said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking that they don’t have any.”
· There have been times in my life when I sought external validation from others. I sought recognition and approval from others when I needed that recognition and approval from myself. Echkart Tolle said, “Stop looking outside for scraps of pleasure or fulfillment, for validation, security, or love—you have a treasure within that is infinitely greater than anything the world can offer.” Please clap for yourself.
· In other situations, I waited for someone to give me permission—permission to live, to take action, to create the life that I wanted. It was like I was waiting for the sky to open up and someone adultier than me to say, “Do this, or do that.” Part of taking back your power means that you decide when the light turns green. You decide when you put your foot on the gas. Some people in my life know that when I was in my early 30s, I reclaimed my birthday. I stopped letting others dictate what I would do to celebrate this important day in my life. I decide to do things that were meaningful to me and that I would enjoy. For one birthday, I took the train from DC to NYC. I spent a lovely day at the Met with my friends Alan and Richmond. We had lunch overlooking Central Park. I people watched that day, wrote in my journal, and then went to see the Lion King on Broadway for the first time. It was exhilarating. Also, I splurged and sat in the 1st row. I soaked in everything—the music, the costumes, the theatrics. It was incredible. No permission is needed to enjoy your life.
· Another way that I have given up my power in life has been when I have put everyone else’s needs ahead of my own. It is one thing to be a good and kind person—someone who cares about others, and is helpful and of service. But when you neglect yourself, and make others the priority—you are giving away your power. It is ok to put up healthy boundaries, and no is a complete sentence. I use to honor the needs of others before my own, and if I did something for myself, I felt extremely guilty. Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup—and yes, the world will still go on without you, if you make space for yourself to rest, recalibrate, and do what you need to do for you.
· Another example is that there are many moments in my life when I have played small. I knew that I had more talent, ability, and energy to go for something more, but I was insecure. Where in your life are you playing small? Where can you aim for more? Where can you do more? Michael Buonarroti said, “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” I have learned along the way that I am capable of some amazing things, and that I need to believe in myself. I am eternally grateful though to have some amazing people in my life who have believed in me when I struggled with this. Elizabeth Gilbert said, “Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them.” Why not argue for your gifts and talents? Why not argue for the things that are unique and beautiful to you? If you are listening to this or reading this, I hope you take this as a sign to aim high. I believe in you.
· There are many other ways in which we give our power away. Too much saying sorry when we have done nothing to apologize for, when we let others steer the ship of our lives, when we don’t listen to our intuition, when we don’t speak up about things that we should speak up about. The good thing is that life is fluid and we can always reclaim our power. Let the solar plexus light the way for you. Liz Simpson said, “Only by truly loving and honoring ourselves can we hope to act out of love and compassion towards others.” Indeed. Love and honor yourself.
So what are some ways to balance the Solar Plexus Chakra?
· Meditation to balance the Solar Plexus chakra. Many meditations out there can help you to concentrate healing energies to the Solar Plexus area. Each Chakra is also associated with a particular sound. The solar plexus is associated with the sound/mantra RAM. Meditating and chanting to RAM for even a few minutes can be beneficial to helping balance the solar plexus. Listening to 364Hz frequency or 528Hz while meditating is also great—these are the frequencies that resonates with the solar plexus chakra. It activates your imagination, intention, and intuition.
· Crystal Healing. Crystals vibrate with different energies. Helpful crystals for solar plexus healing work are crystals that are golden or yellow in color. These include: citrine, sunstone, pyrite, mookaite, tigers’ eye, yellow jasper, and golden quartz. Carrying these close to you and placing the gemstones on the area of your solar plexus chakra while lying down can be very beneficial to helping with alignment.
· Colors. Surround yourself with the color yellow or gold. This color is most strongly associated with the solar plexus chakra. Wear yellow or gold clothing. Add some yellow or gold to your décor.
· Foods. Eat things like grains, cereal, sunflower seeds, ginger, turmeric, chamomile, fennel, cumin, bananas, pineapples, corn, lemons, and curry. Foods with a yellow color resonate with this chakra.
· Get some Sunshine. The solar plexus chakra benefits from movement. It is also connected with the energy of the sun. Exercising or walking in the sun for even half an hour can be beneficial!
· Mirror activity. Look yourself in the mirror, confront your inner critic, and say some nice things to yourself to bolster your confidence!
· Seek therapy. I will always include this, but I am aware that it can be difficult for some people, whether due to financial barriers or through other forms of access. There are resources available for low cost or virtual therapy. Here is a resource from SAMSHA: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
· Connect with the fire element. I have a blog/video on this. As a fire sign, I am cognizant about my own connection with this element. A medical astrologer that I admire, told me that I have to move to active the fire element in my chart. I give you this advice for your solar plexus work. Check out my video the fire element. https://youtu.be/23kM61f6snE
· Practice your affirmations! Here are a few: I accept and value myself as I am. I treat myself with respect and honor. My personal power is becoming stronger each day. I use my power for good. I am confident in my decisions. I forgive myself for past mistakes and I grow from them.
As always, I hope that this information was informative and that you can apply these in a practical manner in your life. Please let me know if anything works well for you!! Also, please feel free to drop more tips/suggestions in the comments. May the stars shine brightly over your week, and may you keep shining as well. May you feel confident, loved, and like your authentic self. Thank you!
Celestial Goodness 