1. Lecture 3 High Priestess Tehilah Firewind
Wicca and Witchcraft 101
Lecture 3
High Priestess Tehilah Firewind
Chakra Alignment and Bubble Casting

2. What is a Chakra? Metaphysical centers of our body
Where physical and emotional (biology) meets spiritual (divine)
Energy from different parts of our body can be utilized in different ways
Chakra in Sanskrit means “wheel” or “disk”
Each center is envisioned to be as a rotating pool of energy, which flows down into the next pool

3. … but… what is a chakra??
Chakras are believed to be parts of the central and peripheral nervous systems
Collections of cells which communicate via quantum processes
When quantum energy is received  by the body, it comes in through one of these centers
Chakras are a means of sensing energy without depending on physical senses like sight and sound

4. Root Chakra Sanskrit: Muladhara
Physical identity, stability, safety, groundedness
Unbalance causes anxiety, insecurity, shallowness, lack of physical energy, physical exhaustion, nightmares, colon, bladder, or leg/feet issues
Repaired by anaerobic exercise, self-acceptance, and affirmations of strength and confidence
Associations:
Element: Earth
Scents/Oils: Cedar, Sage, Rosemary, Patchouli, Cypress, Honeysuckle
Crystals: Black Tourmaline, Obsidian, Red Jasper, Black Jasper, Bloodstone, Onyx, Smokey Quartz, Garnet, Ruby, Hematite

5. Source: chopracentermeditation.com

6. Sacral Chakra Sanskrit: Svadhisthana
Emotional identity, creativity, desire
Unbalance causes depression, moodiness, creative blocks, intimacy issues, unreceptiveness to change, addiction
Repaired by positive sexual experiences, cooking, gardening, wholesome activities, and affirmations of self-love and positivity
Associations:
Element: Water
Scents/Oils: Gardenia, Fennel, Parsley, Chocolate, Orange, Apricot, Jasmine, Lily, Fern, Aloe, Seaweed, Lemon
Crystals: Amber, Carnelian, Wulfinite, Tiger’s Eye, Agate, Orange Calcite

7. Source: chopracentermeditation.com

8. Solar Plexus Chakra Sanskrit: Manipura
Ego, personal power, ambition, motivation, confidence
Unbalance causes low self-esteem, emotional exhaustion, impatience/frustration with others, anger, lack of willpower, fear of rejection, tummy pain/GI issues
Repaired by aerobic exercise, fasting for short durations, eating clean and nutritious foods, affirmations of accomplishment
Associations:
Element: Fire
Scents/Oils: Saffron, Musk, Sandalwood, Cinnamon, Ginger, Basil, Garlic, Pepper, Motherwort
Crystals: Citrine, Sulphur, Topaz, Calcite, Apetite

9. Source: chopracentermeditation.com

10. Heart Chakra Sanskrit: Anahata
Social identity, love, relationships, respectfulness, empathy
Unbalance causes difficulty with relationships, lack of compassion, hopelessness, paranoia, anger, grief, jealousy, heart conditions, respiratory issues, upper back pain
Repaired by spending time alone, giving to charity, and affirmations of kindness
Associations:
Element: Fire and Air
Scents/Oils: Jasmine, Rose, Lavender, Yarrow, Meadowsweet, Oris Root, Vervain, Dill, Primrose
Crystals: Aventurine, Emerald, Rhodochrosite, Peridot, Malachite, Green Tourmaline, Dioptase, Kunzite, Pink Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, Harlequin Quartz

11. Source: chopracentermeditation.com

12. Throat Chakra Sanskrit: Vishuddha
Self-expression, communication, integrity, truth
Unbalance causes difficulty communicating and expressing oneself or one’s feelings, mood swings, and indecision
Repaired by chanting, singing, writing, telling the truth, being true to yourself, and affirmations of grace
Associations:
Element: Spirit and Air
Scents/Oils: Frankincense, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Clove, Aspen
Crystals: Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Azurite, Blue Topaz, Sapphire, Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite, Amazonite, Celestite, Chrysocolla, Aquamarine

13. Source: chopracentermeditation.com

14. Third Eye Chakra Sanskrit: Ajna
Self-reflection, intuition, clarity of sight, visualization, imagination
Unbalance causes poor intuition, lack of concentration, impaired judgment, headaches, trouble sleeping, confusion, and sometimes depression (not as common as with Sacral Chakra)
Repaired by meditation, sleeping more, and affirmations of intuitive ability and wisdom
Associations:
Element: Spirit/Light
Scents/Oils: Jasmine, Mint, Mugwort, Mullein, Callea, Almond, Hibiscus, Alfalfa, Bilberry, Eleuthero Root
Crystals: Amethyst, Moonstone, Iolite, Indicolite, Indigo Kyanite, Beryl, Lepidolite, Labradorite, Sodalite, Azurite

15. Source: chopracentermeditation.com

16. Crown Chakra Sanskrit: Sahaswara
Self awareness, spirituality, connection to higher planes, enlightenment
Unbalance cases lack of inspiration, aimlessness, loneliness, materialism, lack of spirituality, difficulty meditating, loss of identity, physical or emotional exhaustion, sensitivity to light and sound, poor sleep habits, or migraines
Repaired by meditation, ritual, and affirmations of inner divinity
Associations:
Element: All Elements/No Elements
Scents/Oils: Myrrh, Dragon’s Blood, Gotu Kola, Lotus, Ginkgo, Magnolia
Crystals: Scolecite, Clear Quartz, White Jade, Diamond, Celestite, Selenite

17. Source: chopracentermeditation.com

18. Why Should I Align My Chakras?
Kundalini
Serpent Goddess rests within us all
When she rises through the pools to the Divine plane above the crown, inner power is awakened and ready for use
Inner Energy is more easily directed when the chakras are aligned
Stream Analogy
Stream Analogy – in the red framed image, the pools are clogged and cruddy, so there is less kinetic energy, less motivation to meditate, less serenity. When the clogs are cleared away, the stream is able to flow, and everything becomes clear and healthy once more (blue framed image)

19. Guided Meditation: Aligning the Chakras
Close the shades, lock the doors, dim the lights
If incense is desired, use a blend with Myrrh, Dragon’s Blood, and/or Sandalwood
Light a candle if that helps as well
Close your eyes, or if comfortable, look into a mirror
Imagine a light at the base of your spine if sitting, or your feet if standing which is red, glowing brightly. It feels warm, tingly, and sturdy, rooted to the ground.
Next imagine a light at the womb/genitals, glowing bright orange.
Next the stomach, yellow, satisfied, the source of all energy for the physical form, and via this chakra, for the magical self as well.
Next the heart, glowing green, swirls of shimmery pink, love flows in all directions within this region, a cool, pleasant breeze on a warm summer day.
Next, the throat, glowing blue. It feels relaxed and calm, no need to swallow, steady breathes… as air breathing love across a meadow
Next the third eye, the forehead, the mind, buzzes with thoughts and processes, but they must be silenced. A void of being, of sensation, of experience, where anything you can imagine can become real. Glowing bright purple
Finally, the crown, the whitest and brightest of lights. Does this light generate from you, or from the universe itself. Is this the divinity within, or deity external? With careful lack of thought, one realizes it is both at once. The body and mind should feel light here, as if one could only jump up and fly off away into space and time and reality.
Source: chopracentermeditation.com

20. Improving Metaphysical Health
Aligning is easier when chakras are healthy
Balance each chakra individually
Use crystals, meditation, yoga, and embracing different aspects of self
Good site for yoga that benefits each chakra:
Chakra magic works best when you are your truest self

21. How to Use Chakras: Bubble Casting
Align the chakras by any method, such as the guided meditation done previously
Allow the energy from one of the chakra centers to extend outside of your body, encapsulating all of the rest within it
Remember, each element contains some amount of the other elements
Each chakra is really part of one overall system, and when they are aligned, there is little difference between each
Casting is usually from one of the lower chakras
Rarely from the throat, third eye, or crown
These are higher resonance, and harder to control
Normally, the lower 4 chakras are for evocation, and the upper 3 chakras are for invocation
May be a term coined by AAW, but this way of thinking of things belongs to know one group. Could use “chakra casting” instead, if that is preferred. Note that this is the most basic form of evocation

22. How to Use Chakras: Healing
In healing spells, often the color blue is used
When healing with chakras, color candles matching either the target chakra or the chakra of the source of healing energy from the caster can be used
For instance, if one’s tummy aches, one may carve a healing rune on a yellow candle, align the chakras, and then light this candle
Candles are not necessary
Headaches can be treated this way, by allowing the mind to “phase out”

23. Lecture 3 Homework
Read chapters 1-3 of Living Wicca, by Scott Cunningham
Read chapters II-IV of Natural Magic, by Doreen Valiente
Spend 30 minutes total doing chakra meditation this week
Try this same guided meditation in the shower or bath (very relaxing!)
Try imagining your chakras aligning while you stand up straighter, and use stretching to help release tension and align the spine
Check out the chakra yoga and do some of this instead of just meditating!
Practice beginner’s bubble casting at least twice this week
Challenge: cast circle without moving!
Align the chakras, and then push the boundaries of  your energy outward from one of the lower chakra centers
Imagine the color of the chakra as a bubble of light extending out and surrounding you, filling the room. Be in control the whole time, moving the energy around, and finally pulling it back in