Layers of the Human Aura
authored by Diane Marcotte
The Webster's New World
Dictionary states that an aura is "an invisible emanation or vapor" or
"a particular atmosphere or quality that seems to arise from and surround a
person or thing". The word "chakra" isn't even in this
dictionary! I hope that the following information will give you a fuller
understanding of these two words. Please check the [Glossary below] for a definition of any terms or words that you may be unfamiliar with.
Although you may read
about auras and chakras and think them to be two separate objects or
manifestations, chakras are a component of an aura and each interpenetrates the
other. Chakras are the means through which a physical body communicates with its
aura and vice-versa. For you are not a physical body with an aura surrounding
you. Rather, your aura and physical body are one unit that together make up only
a small portion of the greater you.
If one thinks of the
universe as being a living, energetic and conscious realm, then auras are the
domain of this consciousness and lie in dimensions not usually accessible to us.
By being impenetrable to our normal physical senses, they cannot be
scientifically "proven" to exist. However, recent advances in science,
in medicine, and in psychology have been such that there is much more acceptance
of the mind-body relationship in disease. Perhaps the time is soon coming when
society at large can recognize the credibility, sincerity, and veracity of
clairvoyants who "see" in a different manner. In quantum physics we
have discovered that the human observer can affect the observed, and
consequently the outcome of the experiment. Is it too much of a leap to
postulate that human consciousness, or one's spiritual field or aura, can affect
matter?
To better understand
ourselves and the interactions between our mind (emotions) and our body, we need
to look at the whole person. The higher dimensions (or fields) of consciousness
must then be included. Although we speak of levels or dimensions being
"lower" or "higher", the terms are used only to
differentiate amongst them. All dimensions co-exist within the same space. They
are not separate at all and influence and interact with each other. Dora van
Gelder Kunz, in her book The Personal Aura (click here
to view this book), explains this interaction as being "achieved in
somewhat the same way that the unique sound of a musical chord is created by
combining different tones, each of which can be distinguished by a trained ear.
The experience of listening to music is the best analogy I can think of, because
the differences between the subtle fields are essentially harmonic in nature.
Each dimension of consciousness has its range of frequencies, and plays a
particular part in the total orchestration of a human being."
There are as many
explanations of the Human Aura and the Chakra System as there are books on the
subject. The following descriptions of the chakras have been taken from a
variety of sources. You may want to check out the many books and audiotapes that
we sell through our bookstore Spectrum
Books that relate to chakras and auras. As in all searches for the truth,
please make your own judgements as to the validity of the material presented.
The word chakra is a
Sanskrit word meaning wheel. It is a wheel-like spinning vortex that
interpenetrates the physical body, with the outer ends of each vortex forming a
specific layer of the auric field. The whirling circular motion forms a cavity
or vacuum in the center that draws in anything it encounters on its particular
vibrational level. It is then processed and returned to the auric field. The
major chakras of the human body are the seven chakras that are aligned along the
spinal column. Secondary chakras of importance are located in the palms of the
hands, the soles of the feet, and at major joints in the arms and legs.
For the people of
antiquity - Egyptians, Chinese, Hindus, Greeks, Romans, and aboriginals of many
lands - the chakras were an integrated part of daily lives. As these ancient
civilizations were conquered, vast libraries of knowledge were destroyed. Only a
few remnants of their information on the chakra system have survived - either
through the preservation of ancient texts by sacred priesthoods, or orally from
generation to generation, as in the traditions of many aboriginal peoples.
In any study of the
anatomy of the aura it is important to understand the significance of the chakra
system. The chakras exist on all levels of the aura and serve as linking
mechanisms between the auric field and the physical body as well as linking
mechanisms between the different levels of the auric field itself.
It is usually believed
that the three lower chakras correlate to basic primary needs - those of
survival, procreation, and will - whereas the four higher chakras are concerned
with our psychological makeup -defining love, communication, and knowledge, and
connection with the spiritual realms.
We must balance this
chakra before moving on to the others. Otherwise our growth will be without
roots, i.e., ungrounded
Other Names: Root, base, muladhara, Kundalini (Sanskrit)
Situated: base of spine and the pubic bone (but encompasses
genitals and reproductive organs)
Colour: red
Element: Earth
Area of consciousness: physical body
This includes all physical sensations, such as pain, sensuality, pleasure and
power. Also, our survival (as an individual and as a planet), our need for world
peace and environmental balance.
Key Words: stability, solidity, unity and form.
Physical organ association: gonads, also the glomus coccygeum
or coccygeal body, adrenal gland, the kindeys and the spinal column
Relationship: to the solid part of the body, especially the
bones
Importance: location of the kundalini
Attributes: athletic, cares about survival, sensuality,
pleasure and power
Governs: perception of the physical world, willpower,
motivation and intent
Here we encounter
change, for without change we cannot grow.
Other Names: Sacral, sexual, svadhisthana (Sanskrit)
Situated: behind and just below the navel
Colour: orange
Element: Water
Area of consciousness: emotional
Change in that we now moving beyond our understanding of ourselves and realize
the awareness of others - desire arises and with it our emotions and sexuality.
Key Words: difference, separation, change, duality, and
movement
Physical organ association: spleen ( Peyer's Patches) as well
as the kidneys and bladder
Relationship: corresponds to the liquid part of the body -
circulation, urinary elimination, and sexual body fluids.
Governs: feelings of sexuality, and creativity
Transformation to a
new state occurs through this chakra's basic dynamic energy and our ability to
find a balance between extremes.
Other Names: Solar Plexus, manipura (Sanskrit)
Situated:solar plexus, in the V formed by the ribcage, above
the navel
Colour: yellow
Element: Fire
Area of consciousness: mental or intellectual body
This includes thoughts, opinions and judgements.
Key Words: combustion, fire, energy, action, power, and will
Physical organ association: adrenal glands, pancreas, liver,
stomach, as well as the nervous system and the bladder.
Relationship: responsible for the regulation and distribution
of metabolic energy throughout the body, as in digestion.
Governs: emotional issues and issues of personal power
The task of this
chakra is to integrate and balance the realms of spirit and mind with our
physical body (matter).
Other Names: Heart, anahata (Sanskrit)
Situated: midway between shoulder blades (over the sternum)
Colour: Green
Element: Air
Area of Consciousness: astral body
This is the first level beyond 3-dimensional matter. Here we have the bridge
between the dimensions of matter and the dimensions of spirit. Although we may
refer to the "lower chakras" as being concerned with mankind, and the
"upper chakras" as being concerned with spirituality and God, each
chakra is no less important than the other. For instance, the first chakra has a
number of frequencies (all within the Red vibration), ranging from very low to
very high. The goal is to rise above a chakra's lower frequencies into its
higher ones.
Key Words: love, compassion, balance
Physical organ association: thymus gland (immune system), and
the heart, blood, circulatory system, immune system, and the endocrine system.
Relationship: to the heart - to love as a state of being.
Governs: love, compassion, and unconditional acceptance for
others
Here we have the
realm of consciousness where communication occurs, whether that be within
ourselves or to and from another
Other Names: Throat, visuddha (Sanskrit)
Situated: throat area
Colour: blue
Element: Sound
Area of consciousness: etheric body
This etheric body is the template for the physical body, and represents our
potential for perfection.
Key Words: sound, vibration, communication, and self-expression
Physical organ association: thyroid and parathyroid glands,
lungs, vocal cords, and bronchial apparatus.
Relationship: the throat area where sound is created
Governs: communication, expression of thoughts and feelings
The essence and
function of this chakra is to "see" in the sense that we accept that
complete vision will include both darkness and light.
Other Names: Third Eye, Brow, ajna (Sanskrit)
Situated: centre of head, behind forehead
Colour: indigo
Element: Light
Area of consciousness: celestial body
It is here that we have "sixth sight", or the ability to
"see" by way of clairvoyance. We use this chakra for visualization,
receiving insight or inspiration.
Key Words: intuition, imagination and clairvoyance
Physical organ association: pineal (although some believe it is
the pituitary gland)
Relationship: the storehouse and viewing screen of all visual
input from our two physical eyes and our "third eye" (the etheric
organ of psychic perception).
Governs: spirituality and the search for meaning in life,
intuition, visualization
This chakra
represents our belief systems, both conscious and unconscious.
Other Names: Crown, sahasrara (Sanskrit)
Situated:top of head
Colour: white (some believe violet)
Element: Thought
Area of Consciousness: ketheric body
This chakra is associated with the spiritual realm. Here is where we merge with
God, the All That Is.
Key Words: enlightenment, knowing and cosmic consciousness
Physical organ association: pituitary gland (although some
believe it is the pineal gland)
Relationship: not of the material world but as a gateway to
worlds beyond
Governs: our connection to the concept of "God" or a
higher intelligence
Rosalyn
L. Bruyere writes in her book Wheels of Light (click here
to view this book) that there are 122 smaller secondary chakras. These have the
same characteristics as the major seven chakras, although they are much smaller.
They are located primarily wherever there is a joint in the body. She further
states that it is the connective tissue [Webster's New World Dictionary
defines connective tissue as "tissue found throughout the body, serving to
bind together and support other tissues and organs; it is made up of various
kinds of fibrals (small fibers) contained in a matrix of intercellular material]
that is primarily responsible for carrying electromagnetic energy in our bodies.
Unfortunately we often tend to ignore the lower portion of our bodies, i.e., we
are not grounded. As much of our connective tissue is in our legs and buttocks,
the result is that our internal organs suffer from this lack of incoming energy.
Mystic Net strongly encourages its readers to visit Diane Marcotte's most excellent website, The Healing Spectrum