The term chakra is a Sanskrit word which means 'wheel' or 'wheel of light [or force]' referring to the constant rotational spin of the chakras. It is likened in esoteric teachings to the lotus flower as it unfolds its many petals, in reference to the unfolding of the chakra's individual vortices. This 'spin' alternates direction in sequence from the base to the crown chakra, and is different for both sexes. For males, the rotation is clockwise, starting at the base chakra and anti-clockwise for females. In many teachings, the chakras are seen to be energy vortexes of the subtle bodies - the correct functioning and alignment of which is necessary for our physical, emotional and spiritual health and well being.

The main chakras are associated with glands of the endocrine system of the human body, and as already stated, lie along the spine. It is through them that a person's spirit and soul can become receptive to and communicate in a form of 'biofeedback' with cosmic energies.

Carl Gustov Jung referred to them as 'gateways of consciousness'.

Esoterically, each chakra functions at seven levels and is associated with an archetypal principle of consciousness relating closely to the psychological functions of man, and can be thus related to the seven visible planets of classical astrology.

Uranus, Neptune and Pluto also have their respective roles, but these outer, trans-personal, 'new-comers' tend to operate on a more subtle level. The higher energies of these planets touch that of Spirit and the collective consciousness of mankind as it relates to our planet and in turn our solar system, through the galactic to the Universal or Cosmic Consciousness - "As Above; So Below".

This 'divine fire' in Vedic Tradition is said to have been given to mankind with the coming of the Kumaras - energy or spirit beings of the mythologies as related in the Vedas as those who 'blended' with mankind to give him 'true consciousness', thus setting him apart, yet still within the domain of the animal kingdom. Man's potential holds much, and much may be learned through the study of the chakras - in body, mind and spirit, for even combined with the Divine Knowledge of Buddha and the Redeeming Love of Christ, man yet yearns and searches for Truth and spiritual Unity, while at the same time he strives for the base ego need of mastery of the material to his own ends and his planet's detriment.

It is significant that the 'stories' of the Kumaras correspond closely with the 'Fallen Angels' of Christian literature, and are characterised by the myths of Prometheus in Greece.

It should be noted that there is some disagreement as to what is classed as a 'Main' and 'Minor' Chakra in various schools of thought - some schools suggest that the spleen is quite active and should be included - others suggest other points in the human body should be of greater/lesser import. Nevertheless, the seven are definitely agreed upon.

When viewed symbolically, the Seven main chakras can be identified with the Seven Sacraments of Christianity - specific qualities of 'Grace' or 'Divine energy' - viz. - Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Confession, Ordination, Extreme Unction.

These seven stages of personal initiation or development represent inherent powers that man is meant to actualise - powers that we need to consciously utilise and employ in meeting the specific challenges that life presents us.

Some years ago, American astrologer Ray Grasse, proposed a model for correlation of the chakras and astrology based upon what he had learned through the teachings of such as Goswami Kriyananda and Paramahnsa Yogananda.

Grasse says he was taught that the Crown chakra is not active in most humans today and so is not generally discussed, as there is more than enough work for the ordinary man/woman to open or awaken the lower chakras let alone this ultimate connection with the Divine. So in effect, eight chakras are viewed as main chakras in this system (Traditionally there are only seven).

In the Grasse Model, the Sun and Moon, representing the conscious and unconscious (male/female; right/left) self are placed at the top - corresponding to the third eye and a 'lesser' chakra toward the rear of the head, midway between the third eye and throat chakras. The Sun and Moon of course corresponds to Leo and Cancer respectively.

The following diagram should help to clarify these correspondences:-

If you now look at the natal planets in their signs in relation to the qualities and characteristics of the chakras as described above, you can see where the emphasis of chakric activity in the life path of the individual lies thus adding a new dimension to your astrology.

As you can see, the Grasse Model corresponds astrologically through the characteristics of the Planets and Signs with what is known of the chakras in terms of their respective energies and characteristics. The only exception is that in esoteric teachings, the left side of the body corresponds to the feminine polarity and the right side to the masculine. Looking at the Signs as represented from right to left in the diagram, it is clear that this concept does not correspond with traditional astrological thought on the matter, and gives pause for further thought and discussion on the subject.

In this respect if we consider the fact that the chakra spin alternates as we rise from base to crown this reversal of spin may well be seen to correlate to astrological thought, but it must be remembered that in esoteric thought, the chakra spin also alternates between the sexes..........

Much like the practice of astrology in reading an astrological chart, it is of no avail to view the individual chakras as though they are actually separate, for they are indeed part of the whole or Unity. The chakras are connected via Sushumna - the subtle current within the spine - hence the Base and Crown chakras may be regarded as the two poles of the physical body and the specific energies that it represents. When balance exists, the way is clear, that is, the intervening chakras have been sufficiently awakened (opened - think of the blossoming lotus), spirit and matter unite in harmony. When this occurs the Kundalini energy flows along a twin serpentine pathway following the spine (think of the caduceus symbol as carried by Mercury to visualise this - the sceptre is the spine and the serpents the reciprocal flow of energy). The flowering of all seven lotuses brings about awareness of the connection to the Divine, a mystical or cosmic consciousness.

Following is an excerpt from "Letters on Occult Meditation" - Letter I - Alignment of the Ego with the Personality -
The Chord of the Ego by Alice Bailey:-

"When I use the term "reciprocal vibration," what do I mean? I mean the adaptation of the Personality or Lower Self, to the Ego, or Higher Self, the dominating of the Personality ray by the ray of the Ego and the combining of their tones. I mean the blending of the primary color of the Higher Self with the secondary hue of the Lower Self until beauty is achieved. At first, there is dissonance and discord, a clashing of the colors, and a fight between the Higher and the Lower. But as time progresses, and later with the aid of the Master, harmony of color and tone is produced (a synonymous matter), until eventually you will have the basic note of matter, the major third of the aligned Personality, the dominant fifth of the Ego, followed by the full chord of the Monad or Spirit.

It is the dominant we seek at adeptship, and earlier the perfected third of the Personality. During our various incarnations we strike and ring the changes on all the intervening notes, and sometimes our lives are major and sometimes minor, but always they tend to flexibility and greater beauty. In due time, each note fits into its chord, the chord of the Spirit; each chord forms part of a phrase, the phrase or group to which the chord belongs; and the phrase goes to the completion of one seventh of the whole. The entire seven sections, then, complete the sonata of this solar system, - a part of the threefold masterpiece of the Logos or God, the Master-Musician."

In Western medical terms, physiologically speaking, energy is produced in the body by various cellular metabolic processes (chemical interaction at the molecular level). Currently it is held that this 'mysterious energy' that esotericism speaks of is the free flow of information carried by the biochemicals of emotion - called neuropeptides and their receptors in the human body. In effect, it has been scientifically proven that emotions and memories are stored in every cell of the human body. The mind/body connection that science always questioned is just being discovered. - Shades of Pluto/Chiron in Sagittarius here do you think?

Through such practices as active and conscious visualisation, meditation and hypnotism, massage and chiropractic, aromatherapy, Back Flower Remedies and crystals and many other 'alternative' and complimentary health therapies - it is possible for the human mind to actually alter its physical state (bodily function) - with awareness of one's own body and feelings we can self-regulate the release of powerful natural chemicals in our bodies (endorphins, neuropeptides etc.), enabling us to ease pain, release past emotional trauma and rediscover who it is we really are to live in the now.

Many ancient and 'alternative' techniques refer to another 'force' which animates the entire organism.

To some it is the emanations of the original Word.

As in all things - what is currently known is not all that will ever be known, and this is an area of study which merits much more attention.

The vast potential that lies within the unification of ideas through interdisciplinary discussion is inevitable at this stage of man's unfoldment, and is now occurring globally in all fields at all levels. We are simply at that point in the cycle of the 'cosmic clock'. By remaining open to new ideas and ways of being, we are open to encounter other lines of thought, leading to further development and evolution of man's consciousness and his understanding of his ability to live in harmony with the Cosmos of which he is an intrinsic part.

"Eastern Systems for Western Astrologers" by - Robin Armstrong, James T. Braha, Hart de Fouw, Michael Erlewine, Dennis Flaherty, Ray Grasse, Richard, Houck, Thomas Moore, Bill Watson Samuel Weiser Inc., York Beach, ME. 1997

"Anatomy of the Spirit" by Caroline Myss. Transworld Publishers, Ealing, London. 1997

"Hands of Light" by Barbara Brennan. Bantam Books, New York, NY. 1988

"The Secret Doctrine" by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. Vasanta Press, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras. 5th Adyar Edition 1971

"Molecules of Emotion" by Candace B. Pert, PhD. Scribner, New York, NY. 1997

"The Psychology of Transcendence" by Andrew Neher. Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. 1980

"Chakras for Beginners" by Naomi Ozaniec. Hodder and Stoughton, London. 1994

"The Chakras" by C.W. Leadbeater. Quest Books, Wheaton, Illonois. 1927