In New Age circles, many of us have an over-active 6th Chakra—also know as the Third Eye or Brow Chakra. We contemplate the mysteries of the Universe on a regular basis, engage in divinatory practices, and extrapolate the theories of quantum physics with mystical musings. We attempt to refine our intuitive skills, meditate, and manage energy. As if this isn’t enough, we consume dozens of metaphysical books and workshops in the journey to becoming more conscious.
All of these practices engage the 6th Chakra, which is the center of intellectual thought, visionary sight, discernment, and wisdom. Elementally, the Third Eye Chakra is associated with Air. (Note: author Anodea Judith associates the 6th Chakra with Light, but I’m talking about seeing the Chakras through the 4 elements of fire, air, water, or earth.) The element of Air is associated with rationality, the intellect, and planning—practices associated with the mind. In the Tarot, Swords is the Minor Arcana suit usually attributed to the element of Air. Also associated with Air is conflict and strife, which is no surprise: when we become entangled with our “stinkin’ thinkin’”, we tend to become conflicted and confused.
When the 6th Chakra is over-active or stuck open, confusion and mental fogginess often ensues. In modern times, many of us experience information overload on a continual basis. The onslaught of twenty-four hour news services, millions of websites, screaming cell phones and pagers, and the demands of job and home are enough to cause us existential headaches, never mind actual migraines!
Adding spiritual and metaphysical practices to the information overload mix and we become severely “top heavy”. In many ways, these issues are correlated to the sign of Aquarius; New Agers herald the Aquarian Age as one of brotherhood, cooperation, science/spirituality synthesis, computers, innovation, and revolution. Aquarius is an Air sign--despite its moniker of “Water Bearer”--and is ruled by Uranus. Interestingly, astrologer Stephanie Jean Clement, Ph.D. feels that the most significant quality of Uranus is equilibrium. While many astrologers correlate Uranus with sudden change and revolution, Clement considers Uranus a “point of equilibrium within all rhythmic movement”, believing that its role is to “reestablish balance”. She writes this of Uranus in her book Mapping Your Birthchart:
”We complain of sudden events in our lives sometimes, but we usually have had the opportunity to become aware of trends as they develop. In cases where we have not become aware, it is often because we have refused to see what was right before our eyes.”
This is the irony of the Third Eye Chakra, Aquarius and Uranus: the very energy that allows us to “see clearly” and to view the big picture is the same energy that can cause us to trip over the trees right in front of us. While it’s true that most people have the reverse problem—missing the forest for the trees—a type of spiritual arrogance and ignorance can creep in when we over-value and over-indulge in 6th Chakra pursuits. The result? We can become so “heavenly minded we’re no earthly good”.
Some in the New Age bemoan the short-sightedness of the prevailing consciousness, complaining that it can’t see past its nose or the five senses, but there’s something to be said for being grounded in the sensory realm of the lower chakras (Chakras 1-3). So how do we get our heads out of the clouds so we can fully enjoy the physical body we were given, as well as pragmatically apply all that we’ve learned in our spiritual and metaphysical pursuits?
Allow me to back up and outline the 12 Signs of the Zodiac and their corresponding elements:
Earth: Virgo, Capricorn, Taurus
Water: Scorpio, Pisces, Cancer
Air: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra
Fire: Leo, Sagittarius, Aries
Let me confess that I’m a major “Air head”. Although my astrological chart is comprised of mostly Water, Air comes in as a close second. I feel the influence of my Aquarius Moon quite acutely, and it tempers all that Water energy. Earth is the least represented in my chart, so I need to use the Uranian qualities of intuitive insight to get myself grounded (oh the irony!). I’ve discovered that the best way to ground the energy of an over-active 6th Chakra is sensuality, hedonism, physical pursuits, and rock n roll.
No, I’m not joking.
In her book Chakras and Their Archetypes, author Ambika Wauters makes an interesting observation: she believes that the energy of the 5th Chakra (the Throat Chakra) has a strong connection to the energy of the 2nd Chakra (the Sacral Chakra). In fact, she says that when an individual releases tension in the jaw and throat, tension is relieved in the pelvis and lower back. As I pondered her theory, it occurred to me that there’s a connection between the 6th Chakra and the 1st Chakra—known as the Root Chakra. The Root Chakra is associated with Earth energy both in a planetary aspect and in an elemental aspect. The Root Chakra grounds us to the Earth, and is our first experience with this world when we are born: the energy of the five senses, family, basic survival needs, and so on.
It stands to reason—and I’ve observed this in my own life—that balancing the energy of the 6th Chakra can be as easy as introducing the element of Earth energy to our lives. Perhaps this is why many in the New Age are re-discovering pagan and tribal wisdom and traditions, for these customs are rich with Earth and nature energy. Anytime we get in touch with our primal nature, we are re-connecting with the energy of the Root Chakra.
Some of you, however, may have an over-active 6th Chakra but lack in the elements of Water or Fire. Water is associated with the 2nd Chakra, and correlates to the suit of Cups in the Tarot. Cups/Water are the realm of emotion, desires, and fantasies. Fire is associated with the 3rd Chakra—known as the Solar Plexus Chakra—and correlates with the suit of Wands in the Tarot. Fire/Wands is the energy of active energy, personal power, and will.
Here are some practical ways to keep the 6th Chakra in check by introducing the elements of Fire, Water, and Earth, as well as the energy of Chakras 1-3:
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Listen to rock music. The thumping, driving force will energize your lower chakras and ground your energy.
Listen to rock music. The thumping, driving force will energize your lower chakras and ground your energy.•Participate in drumming, or listen to tribal, shamanic drumming CD’s. Again, this will help ground the “air headed” energy of the 6th Chakra.
Participate in drumming, or listen to tribal, shamanic drumming CD’s. Again, this will help ground the “air headed” energy of the 6th Chakra.•Eat “heavy” foods such as meat. While this is anathema to many New Agers, the energy of meat is a grounding force. (If this offends your sensibilities, of course ignore this suggestion.)
Eat “heavy” foods such as meat. While this is anathema to many New Agers, the energy of meat is a grounding force. (If this offends your sensibilities, of course ignore this suggestion.)•Invest in body creams, massage oils, shower gels, and bath products. Engaging the senses in this way helps get you out of your head.
Invest in body creams, massage oils, shower gels, and bath products. Engaging the senses in this way helps get you out of your head.•Exercise, dance, and movement helps distribute top-heavy energy to the rest of your body which helps snap you out of a 6th Chakra fog.
Exercise, dance, and movement helps distribute top-heavy energy to the rest of your body which helps snap you out of a 6th Chakra fog.•Having sex engages the energy of the 2nd Chakra, and will ground you in the experience of physicality.
Having sex engages the energy of the 2nd Chakra, and will ground you in the experience of physicality.•Decorate with Earth tones, especially those with autumn overtones, to add Earth energy. (E.g. browns, olive, mustard, taupe etc.) Collect stones and rocks for display.
Decorate with Earth tones, especially those with autumn overtones, to add Earth energy. (E.g. browns, olive, mustard, taupe etc.) Collect stones and rocks for display.•Wear grounding stones and crystals such as Tiger’s Eye, obsidian, hematite, citrine, amber, carnelian and garnet. These stones activate Chakras 1-3.
Wear grounding stones and crystals such as Tiger’s Eye, obsidian, hematite, citrine, amber, carnelian and garnet. These stones activate Chakras 1-3. •To activate Water energy, rent a sad movie or put yourself in the position to witness the suffering of others. The activation and connection to emotion will help get you out of your head.
To activate Water energy, rent a sad movie or put yourself in the position to witness the suffering of others. The activation and connection to emotion will help get you out of your head. •Decorate your home or office with sea-foam green, sea shells, fountains, pictures of waterscapes, rain sticks, etc. to add Water energy.
Decorate your home or office with sea-foam green, sea shells, fountains, pictures of waterscapes, rain sticks, etc. to add Water energy. •To add Fire energy, take personal risks and exert your will in the world. Become an active participant in your life. Self esteem, confidence, and personal power are the realm of the 3rd Chakra which is associated with Fire.
To add Fire energy, take personal risks and exert your will in the world. Become an active participant in your life. Self esteem, confidence, and personal power are the realm of the 3rd Chakra which is associated with Fire.•Decorate your home with fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and sunny yellows to introduce Fire energy. Pictures and accessories featuring the Sun add Fire energy, as does candles and lighting.
Decorate your home with fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and sunny yellows to introduce Fire energy. Pictures and accessories featuring the Sun add Fire energy, as does candles and lighting. These are but a few practical methods for grounding yourself. Rather than be at the mercy of an over-active Third Eye Chakra, you can ride the Uranian wave of balance and equilibrium by introducing the elements of Fire, Earth, and Water into your life. Instead of distancing yourself from the physical body and the 5 senses—believing these realms are “beneath” you in the process of Ascension—you will come to realize that even castles in the Air need the scaffolding of the 5 senses and your temporary Earth house.
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This article by Janet Boyer was originally featured at PlanetLightworker.com
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