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What are Chakras?

Chakras are swirling centers of positive spiritual power located throughout the human body. The seven main chakras run along the spine, starting from its base, then moving upwards through the neck and head to the top of the skull. The word “chakra” comes from the Sanskrit word for “wheel” or “disk”, referring to their shape, and this system of energy points was first mentioned in the Vedas--sacred Hindu texts dating back to 1500 BCE.


Each of the seven chakras corresponds with parts of the nervous system, body parts, and organs, as well as areas of emotional and spiritual well-being. Chakras can be activated and balanced with certain crystals and yoga poses. Because your chakras are all connected to each other, it’s possible to have multiple blocked at the same time. Aligning all your chakras allows prana--pure life energy--to flow freely throughout your body.


1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)

Located at the base of the spine, the root chakra is responsible for our sense of security and grounding. When balanced, it is a solid, stable foundation for the rest of your body, creating feelings of security, energy, and resilience. The root chakra relates to physical needs like food, water and shelter, as well as to emotional needs like a sense of safety, independence, and ambition. An unbalanced root chakra leads to feelings of instability, fear, frustration, and lack of purpose.


Color: Red

Element: Earth

Crystals: Black Tourmaline, Hematite, Bloodstone, Red Jasper, Obsidian

Yoga Poses: Child’s Pose, Mountain Pose, Warrior II


2. Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)

Sitting slightly below the navel, the sacral chakra rules over sexual energy, pleasure, passion, creativity, and how we relate to others. When this chakra is aligned, you will feel creatively and emotionally fulfilled, as well as compassionate and capable of recognizing your true worth. If unbalanced, it can lead to uncomfortable emotional fluctuations, depression, and a lack of creativity.


Color: Orange

Element: Water

Crystals: Tiger’s Eye, Sunstone, Carnelian, Amber, Peach Moonstone

Yoga Poses: Hero Pose, Goddess Pose, Seated Forward Bend


3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

The solar plexus chakra is located in the upper abdominal area, between the rib cage and navel. Tied to personal power and self-esteem, a balanced solar plexus chakra allows feelings of confidence, the ability to express your true self, and radiant positive energy. Blockages in the solar plexus chakra can manifest physically as issues with eating and digestion or liver problems, and emotionally as apathy, self-doubt, and anger.


Color: Yellow

Element: Fire

Crystals: Citrine, Pyrite, Yellow Topaz, Heliodor, Golden Quartz

Yoga Poses: Boat Pose, Twists, Cobra Pose


4. Heart Chakra (Anahata)

The heart chakra in the center of the chest marks the halfway point between the lower chakras and upper chakras. As the meeting point of the physical and the spiritual, it influences our ability to give and receive love and compassion. Also associated with trust, forgiveness, and awareness, an open heart chakra allows you to feel more caring, optimistic, and helps you engage positively with the people around you. An unbalanced heart chakra can manifest as heart issues, jealousy, anxiety, and distrust.


Color: Green

Element: Air

Crystals: Rose Quartz, Jade, Malachite, Peridot, Watermelon Tourmaline

Yoga Poses: Camel Pose, Back Bends, Fish Pose


5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

Located in the throat, this chakra is associated with verbal communication, inspiration, and authentic self-expression. A well-balanced throat chakra enables you to speak your thoughts truthfully and freely, as well as listen to others with compassion. Misalignments can manifest physically as a sore throat or neck and shoulder pain, and emotionally as trouble with focus, fear of judgment, and the inability to express yourself.


Color: Blue

Element: Ether

Crystals: Aquamarine, Lapis Lazuli, Kyanite, Turquoise, Blue Lace Agate

Yoga Poses: Fish Pose, Plow Pose, Shoulder Stand


6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Set on the forehead, between the eyebrows, the third eye chakra guides intuition, imagination, intellect, and deeper wisdom. When balanced, your third eye chakra helps you feel spiritually and emotionally connected, able to confidently access and trust your intuition, and capable of seeing the big picture clearly. Blockages can show up as headaches and problems with vision and hearing, or disconnection from your intuition, a judgmental attitude, and lack of assertiveness.


Color: Indigo

Element: Light

Crystals: Amethyst, Azurite, Labradorite, Purple fluorite, Sodalite

Yoga Poses: Child’s Pose, Dolphin Pose, Eagle Pose


7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

The crown chakra sits at the very top of the skull. It is connected to the brain, nervous system, and to all the other chakras. This chakra represents the ability to be fully spiritually connected to your higher self, the universe, and to others. An open crown chakra enables the course of wisdom, the connection to cosmic consciousness, bliss, and enlightenment. Depending on where you are in your journey, your crown chakra may be underactive or not fully open--this is normal. Blockages can show up as frustration, stubbornness, exhaustion, depression, or a lack of purpose. The crown chakra can be activated through physical movement, meditation, mindfulness, and actively working on the six chakras below it.


Color: Violet and White

Element: Thought

Crystals: Clear Quartz, Selenite, Lepidolite, Sugilite, Ametrine

Yoga Poses: Headstand, Tree Pose, Corpse Pose


Ultimately, it all comes back to the idea of balance, presence, and integration--making sure that you’re taking the best care of yourself that you can and listening to what your body needs in the moment. Well-balanced chakras can be an important aspect of a healthy physical, emotional, and spiritual life.




Carnelian is a colorful quartz of the Chalcedony variety. It usually comes in red-orange, pink, and brown color, and it’s often a translucent stone.


Holding this stone in your hand or resting it on your heart chakra can transmit positive energies that begin to circulate within your aura. By using this stone regularly, you can begin to enter new phases of your life, transforming into the individual that your heart has always wanted to be and the person who you were brought to this planet to embody. For those who find themselves running colder than others, both spiritually or emotionally, Carnelian can bring some much-needed energy and revitalize the soul.


Warmth of the spirit allows us to feel at home in our bodies, surrounded by an energy of acceptance and safety. It allows us to take chances, knowing that we will have support and friends who are looking out for us.


At Aum Shanti Bookshop we have an extensive collection of Carnelian crystals, including tumbled pieces of various sizes, pendants, rings, and bracelets. Do stop by!


How do crystals work for pets?

The healing properties that crystals possess are just as beneficial to animals and pets as they are for humans. The vibrations of the crystals are sympathetic and restorative to the vibrations found in animals. All are the work of Mother Nature.

Every animal (including humans) is held by an electromagnetic field, analogous to the flowing energy field that encircles and emanates from Mother Earth. The field protects and creates an environ through which the animal interact with the world. Everything is experienced because they are both surrounded by their own personal force field, and the insides of their bodies contain electrical generators, which the body uses to send signals through the body and experiences from the environment. The focus of that field is at the animal’s core, running from below the feet through to above the head. In the Eastern tradition the focuses of that field are called chakras. They are not really points, but focuses, spinning energy points of that larger field, interconnected to the mind and body and spirit. (In the eastern and western mystic traditions these are not separate things, but one interconnected aspect of being.) Virtually every single process which is keeping an animal alive can be traced back to that field and energy focuses.


Crystals also have vibrational fields which are seen as color and felt as vibration. They can open and support the vibrations of the body, release blockages, calm, and protect. They are a tool of Mother Nature which works in sympathy to the energy of the mind, body and spirit.



How can the crystals be used?

Healing crystals have unique properties that can help animals of all shapes and sizes recover from and prevent illness. From placing crystals around your pet's bed to creating collars for them that contain healing crystals, there are many different ways in which people use crystals and stones to protect and heal their pets.

These powerful crystals and stones can help heal and protect animals from physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual illnesses. Crystals are useful to support respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems. They also calm emotions from hyper-activity, stress, anxiety and suffering. They also help pets with hormonal and compulsive behavioral issues


The healing process of using crystals on your pets is no different than the healing process of crystals on humans. All crystals intended for healing must be cleansed, programmed, and energized before use.


Hold the crystal or stone in your hand. Starting a few inches away from the affected area, rotate the crystal clock-wise. Go slowly, breathing gently and evenly. Animals express their feelings with movement, so watch to see if your pet wants more or tries to move away.

Crystals can be attached to your pet's collar. The jeweler here at Aum Shanti Bookshop can make custom collars for your pet. Be careful that the collar doesn't interfere with movement or can get caught on anything.


Place crystals under your pet's bed for up to two weeks. You could put them in a pouch or under the frame of the bed.


If you are using a bag of ice to reduce swelling or inflammation, try putting a few pieces of Smokey Quartz in the bag of ice. It will help unblock over-active or inflamed areas.

Put a piece of Rose Quartz or Amethyst in your pet's water bowl or bucket. The crystal will leave its energy imprint in the water and, when your pet drinks it, the energy will go where it is most needed. But NEVER put Malachite in your pet's drinking water.


Place crystals or stones near a photograph of your pet, pointing towards the picture. This will help send long-distance healing and protection to your pet.


Remember to seek the best available competent medical advice for your pet or animal. Using crystals for healing pets and animals is not intended nor should not replace the advice of a professionally qualified veterinarian.


What are specific healing Crystals for pets and animals?

Below is a list of crystals and stones that will benefit your pet, including:

An exceptional crystal with extraordinary powers, Black Tourmaline is a purifying stone that deflects and transforms negative energy, and is very protective. It can clear disharmony and transform and remove negativity from an animal or environment. Used as an aura cleanser, and can help one attain higher levels of awareness and support for all those animals who are often too weak to protect themselves amidst bigger animals, such as bully dogs in the park or at the neighbors.

Black Agate is a grounding and protective crystal. It gives a calming peace and confidence. Black Agate is a communication stone that deepens the bond between a parent and pet. Black Agate is excellent to restore the circadian rhythm of your pet.

Sodalite can be a life changing stone, the most powerful crystal for dissolving fear and general self-punishment. It bridges the gap between heart and mind. It calms the nerves and stress in your pet, particularly useful if you pet will be traveling. Sodalite can also emotionally connect the parent with the pet.

To train, improve or hone your dog’s behavioral attributes consider Tigers Eye. This is an ideal stone to introduce to your pet during an ailment. It aids harmony and balance, and helps to release fear and anxiety. Tigers Eye is a uniquely therapeutic stone with the power to heal organs and infections steadfast.

Green Aventurine’s winning energy makes it a great ally for boosting the outcome in any situation. It releases old patterns, habits and disappointments so new growth can take place. Best to heal physical ailments in your pet, Green Aventurine is a purification stone with ideal traits to heal the organs from within. Crystal aficionados note that green aventurine is a great crystal for senile dogs.

The powerful yet gentle energy of Agates can open the channels of communication between you and your pet, will balance your pet’s energy, assist with sleep, calm anxiety, and help your pet focus during training.

Use Amethyst for everything from pain to disorientation. This is a meditative and calming crystal which works in the emotional, spiritual, and physical planes to provide calm, balance, patience, and peace Amethyst’s energy perks up couch potato pets, clears negative energy while balancing your pet’s energy fields, calms rattled nerves, and is an all-around healer.

Tumbled Black Obsidian is a meditative and healing stone, used for grounding and centering. This is a great grounding crystal and great for reptiles as Obsidian absorbs negative energy and heat. Reptiles will love its heat-retaining qualities.

A very protective stone, Black Onyx is supportive of physical strength and stamina, and can be helpful during times of stress, such as physical illness, trauma, or even during fights with other animals.

Bloodstone supports overall health and strength, and is helpful for balancing the chakras and for grounding negative or excessive energies. Bloodstone is also commonly used to increase intuition, which can be very helpful when working with animals.

Celestite is a relaxing crystal, energy soothes nerves, relieves anxieties, helps with sleep, and to recuperate from surgery. This crystal is excellent for emotional protection and to end worry, fear, and anxiety. This is a great crystal to use with nervous, high-strung animals.

To promote emotional warmth, individuality, courage, happiness, and harmony consider Carnelian. It also helps release emotions such as anger, fear, and envy. Carnelian is also beneficial for skin problems.

A master healer is Clear Quartz, effective for all conditions, strengthening the aura and protecting against negative energies. Clear Quartz will help strengthen your pet’s immune system, which will improve his or her overall health. It can also stimulate energy levels. Dog and cat owners use it during training as quartz heightens communication between the pet and its owner. Bird owners could use it as well when taming and training new birds. Clear Quartz is great for amplifying intention, so you could program it with a specific purpose for your pet, before use.

A vital stone to remove all sources of negative energy in its wearer, Fluorite frees your dog from chronic illnesses and allergies.

Garnet revitalizes, purifies and balances energy, bringing serenity or passion as appropriate. It inspires love and devotion. Garnet regenerates the body and stimulates the metabolism. It treats disorders of the spine and spinal fluid, bone, cellular structure and composition. Garnet is useful is supportive of your pet’s life force and reproductive system.

For a wonderful source of Earth energy use Green Moss Agate. It is relaxing and grounding.

Jaspers are the supreme nurturing stones. Their grounding ability supports tranquility and inner strength during times of stress or danger. Dalmatian Jasper is especially popular for use with animals as it grounds and helps alleviate fears, supports communication between humans and animals.

Rose Quartz is the crystal to use if your dog or cat is aloof and standoffish. This will help your pet learn to accept love and companionship without fear. It is ideal to use with rescued animals, injured or sick animals, or when introducing a new pet into your household.

If you have more than one pet in the house, and the animals socialize, then you may have squabbles from time to time, Smoky Quartz works to reduce future hostilities by grounding and clearing negative energies in your household. It is also helpful for swelling and the nervous system.

Revered as the master healer stone, turquoise prevents nervous system disorders as well as depression, anxiety and stress in dogs that spend one-third of the day in a flat alone to themselves while dad or mom goes to work.

Am Shanti Tarot and Psychic Reading, NYC
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