Abundance, Stability, and Self-Awareness: Root Chakra Basics


Hi Reader,

The first full week of 2025 was a busy one. It had me thinking about foundations and strength. When life gets chaotic, leaning into your foundation helps. If it's strong, it can help calm the chaos.

Chakra work is a core practice for me. Generally, it doesn't take much time and can easily be woven into a daily routine.

The spotlight is on the root chakra this month. Checking in on and strengthening your energetic foundation is a worthwhile effort.

The Root of It All

First Chakra: Root Chakra

Traditional Name: Mudlahara

Flower: 4 petal lotus

Color: Red

Mantra: Lam

Element: Earth

Crystal: Tigers Eye or Smokey Quartz

Essential Oil: Ylang Ylang or Sandlewood

Overview:

The first chakra is the root chakra or Mudlahara. It's located at the base of the spine, specifically the perineum, the area between the genitals and the anus. The number four is associated with the root chakra because it has to do with manifestation and the energy of the material world.

This chakra is your base, the beginning of your journey, the root of creation in this physical reality; it's the foundation upon which you build. It is all about your survival and tribal needs. This is the energy for your emotional and mental well-being and the formation of your identity. The essence of this chakra is the ability to provide for life’s necessities and a sense of belonging.

Feelings and Emotions:

The root chakra is focused on your survival needs. The basics like food, shelter, and clothing, as well as your need for community, relationships, and legacy. This is where group consciousness resides, as well as the ability to be part of the group yet maintain your individual perspective.

It is with this energy that you balance your service to others, both giving and receiving, in a healthy, appropriate way. This chakra is where the abundance mentality is anchored, allowing you to have a sense of prosperity in all areas of life.

It is here we work the fine line of accepting old family and community beliefs and adopting new ones that better suit our current situations. Your journey to self-awareness begins here, starting with looking outward and ending with seeking internally.

With a well-balanced root chakra, there is a grounded, stable feeling and a solid sense of security. There is a sense of abundance, of being and having enough.


Blocks in the Root Chakra can result in:

Persistent thoughts of:

· Scarcity

· Isolation

· Struggle

· Distrust

· Emptiness

Patterns of behavior:

· Focusing on the ‘half empty’ glass

· Avoiding change or new experiences

· Tribal mentality

· Inability to be yourself

· Blaming others/playing the “victim”

In many cases, an underactive root chakra can show up as a fearful, nervous state, victim mentality, and a feeling of not belonging or fitting in.

While an overactive root chakra will show up as resistance to change, overly materialistic, collective hatred, greed, and control (in an attempt to feel secure).

Physical:

The root chakra balances the pelvis, legs, feet, skeletal system, lymphatic system, and sexual organs. Some of the physical symptoms associated with the root chakra are:

· Chronic low back pain

· Immune disorders

· Depression

· Addictions

· Sciatica

· Anemia

· Fatigue

· Varicose Veins


Activities to Activate the Root Chakra:

· Physical activity

· Yoga

· Listening to primal music (drumming, slow, steady rhythms)

· Reading ‘rags to riches’ success stories

Realigning and Cleansing:

If you are experiencing difficulty in any of these areas, focusing on the root chakra with your breath and some extra cleansing may be of value(in conjunction with your current plan) in getting the energy moving and flowing optimally.

When you breathe into the root chakra, visualize red light infusing the chakra and gently move it, either with your hand or by visualizing it, counterclockwise, then clockwise. Adding the following affirmation:

· My worries, fears, and anxiety regarding security, safety, and financial freedom are dissolving. I am releasing them now.

· My needs are met continually and abundantly. I am free, I am safe, I am secure.

· There is an abundance of time, money, and energy for me as well as everyone else.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

· Am I struggling in any area(s) of my life? What does that look like?

· Do I feel tense, moody, or ungrounded? Is there a specific area in my life that triggers it, or is it general?

· Am I able to meet personal goals and stay focused? What areas are most difficult?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, you may have a block in the root chakra. You can cleanse and realign the energy in your root chakra by doing the cleansing above or any activity that feels right to you. You may want to change the affirmations to a more personal tone using the language you used when answering the questions.

Share your thoughts by hitting reply.

See you next week!


Be Inspired,

Cathy

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Cathy Gatto-Brennan

Mind-body researcher, Energy Healer, RN & author fascinated by how thoughts, beliefs, and subtle energy influence our lives. Helping midlife women create vibrant second acts.

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