The direction that chakras spin is an important aspect of understanding chakra energy and utilizing chakras for healing purposes. Chakras are energy centers in the body that correspond to specific locations, organs, and glands. The seven main chakras run along the center line of the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each chakra vibrates at its own frequency and spins in a specific direction. Understanding the spin direction of each chakra can provide insight into how to balance and heal them.
What are chakras?
Chakras are energy centers within the subtle body that receive, assimilate and express life force energy. The word “chakra” comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “wheel” or “disk,” representing the spinning motion associated with these energy vortices. Chakras act as conduits for the flow of energy between the physical body and the ethereal body. The proper flow of energy through the chakras promotes health and vitality for the mind, body and spirit.
There are seven major chakras running along the central channel of the body, aligned with the spine. Each chakra corresponds to specific organs, glands and areas of the body and mind. As energy centers, chakras have several functions:
- Receive energetic frequencies from the universal energy field
- Assimilate and distribute energy to the etheric and physical body
- Express energy into the environment
- Serve as portals between the etheric and physical body
Keeping the chakras balanced and energy flowing smoothly promotes optimal physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Congestion or blockages in the chakras can lead to imbalances that manifest as illness in the body or mind. Therefore, understanding chakra spin direction contributes to keeping energy moving harmoniously through the chakra system.
The Seven Major Chakras
The seven main chakras run along the central channel in an ascending order from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each has its own color, vibrational frequency, associated elements, celestial body, glands, and more. The seven chakras are:
- Root Chakra – Located at the base of the spine, the root chakra represents tribasic needs and feelings of being grounded. Its color is red and it is associated with the adrenal glands.
- Sacral Chakra – Located below the navel, the sacral chakra represents emotion, sexuality, and creativity. Its color is orange and it is associated with the gonads.
- Solar Plexus Chakra – Located at the upper abdomen, the solar plexus chakra represents personal power, self-esteem, and will. Its color is yellow and it is associated with the pancreas.
- Heart Chakra – Located at the center of the chest, the heart chakra represents love, relationships, and connection. Its color is green and it is associated with the thymus gland.
- Throat Chakra – Located at the throat, the throat chakra represents communication, self-expression, and truth. Its color is blue and it is associated with the thyroid gland.
- Third Eye Chakra – Located between the eyebrows, the third eye chakra represents intuition, wisdom, and perception. Its color is indigo and it is associated with the pituitary gland.
- Crown Chakra – Located at the crown of the head, the crown chakra represents universal consciousness, spirituality, and connection to divine. Its color is violet and it is associated with the pineal gland.
Why Does Chakra Spin Direction Matter?
The direction that a chakra spins reflects and impacts the energy flow within that chakra. Like a spinning vortex, a smoothly spinning chakra draws energy in and distributes it out to the body in a healthy manner. The spin direction of a chakra can affect:
- How strongly or weakly it takes in universal energy
- How efficiently it assimilates energy for distribution
- How effectively it allocates energy to the physical organs and glands
- How well it expresses energy into the environment and higher centers
When a chakra is spinning in its natural and intended direction, energy moves through it with harmony. However, blockages, trauma, or imbalance can cause a chakra to spin in the reverse direction. This hampers the natural flow of energy, leading to physical or emotional illness. Therefore, understanding the proper spin of each chakra supports keeping their energies balanced and aligned.
Basic Chakra Spinning Directions
Generally, the lower three chakras – the root, sacral and solar plexus – spin inwards in a receptive, absorbing direction. The upper three chakras – the throat, third eye and crown – spin upwards in an expressive, releasing direction. The heart chakra acts as the balance point between the lower and upper chakras, able to spin both ways.
The basic spin directions are as follows:
- Root chakra – Spins inward/downward in a grounding direction
- Sacral chakra – Spins inward/downward in a receptive direction
- Solar plexus chakra – Spins inward/downward in an assimilating direction
- Heart chakra – Can spin both inwards and upwards
- Throat chakra – Spins upward in an expressive direction
- Third eye chakra – Spins upward in an intuitive direction
- Crown chakra – Spins upward in an enlightening direction
However, some healing modalities and spiritual traditions have additional interpretations of the spin direction of each chakra. It’s helpful to be aware of these alternate perspectives when working with chakra energy.
Root Chakra Spin Direction
The root chakra, Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine. It spins inwards and downwards in a grounding motion that absorbs earth energy. This inward spin allows it to draw in the basic life force energies needed to fuel the lower chakras. When spinning properly, the root chakra creates a sense of security and belonging. Its spin is similar to the coils of a serpent representing the Kundalini life force moving downward into manifestation.
Alternative Root Chakra Spin Theories
- Spins clockwise/outward – Absorbing earth energy but remaining open
- Spins clockwise like a funnel – Drawing in and channeling earth energy upwards
Sacral Chakra Spin Direction
The sacral chakra, Svadisthana, is located below the navel. It spins inward and downward in a receptive, absorbing motion that takes in creative life force energy. Its spin allows it to assimilate the primal energies from the root chakra and transform them into more refined emotional and sensual energies. When spinning properly, the sacral chakra distributes these to the physical body to vitalize the organs and glands.
Alternative Sacral Chakra Spin Theories
- Spins clockwise/outward – Remaining open as it receives energy
- Spins clockwise like a funnel – Channeling energy upwards after absorbing it
Solar Plexus Chakra Spin Direction
The solar plexus chakra, Manipura, is located at the upper abdomen. It spins inward and downward in an assimilating motion that absorbs and digests life force energy from the lower chakras. Its spin allows it to process this raw energy into usable heat, power, and will to empower the personality and physical body. When spinning properly, the solar plexus chakra radiates warmth and strength throughout the body.
Alternative Solar Plexus Chakra Spin Theories
- Spins clockwise/outward – Taking in energy openly
- Spins clockwise like a funnel – Channeling assimilated energy upwards
Heart Chakra Spin Direction
The heart chakra, Anahata, is located at the center of the chest. It is capable of spinning both inward and upward due to its central balancing position between the lower and upper chakras. Most commonly, it spins inward to absorb and integrate energy from the lower centers. But it can also spin upward to radiate energy outward. This flexibility allows it to balance and harmonize the energies of the whole chakra system by spinning smoothly in either direction as needed.
Alternative Heart Chakra Spin Theories
- Spins both clockwise and counter-clockwise to balance polarities
- Counter-clockwise when receiving energy, clockwise when transmitting it
Throat Chakra Spin Direction
The throat chakra, Vishuddha, is located at the hollow of the throat. It spins upward in an expressive, releasing motion that transmits energy upward from the lower chakras into the upper chakras. Its spin allows it to voice inner truths outwardly through communication and creative expression. When spinning properly, the throat chakra radiates the energies of the heart center into the world verbally, artistically, or symbolically.
Alternative Throat Chakra Spin Theories
- Spins clockwise/outward to openly express truths
- Spins clockwise like a funnel to channel energy upwards
Third Eye Chakra Spin Direction
The third eye chakra, Ajna, is located between the eyebrows at the center of the forehead. It spins upward in an intuitive, perceptive motion that receives guidance from higher sources. Its spin allows it to channel energy from the lower chakras into mystical visions, psychic abilities, and deeper wisdom. When spinning properly, the third eye chakra translates and transmits spiritual guidance through inner sight.
Alternative Third Eye Chakra Spin Theories
- Spins clockwise/outward as it channels in higher guidance
- Spins clockwise like a funnel to draw energy upward
Crown Chakra Spin Direction
The crown chakra, Sahasrara, is located at the very top of the head or slightly above it. It spins upward in an enlightening motion that releases energy and merges it with the divine source. Its spin allows it to channel lower chakra energies while transmitting spiritual wisdom. When spinning properly, the crown chakra connects our consciousness to universal consciousness for transcendence.
Alternative Crown Chakra Spin Theories
- Spins clockwise/outward while linking to divine energy
- Spins both clockwise and counter-clockwise to balance energies
Using Spin Direction for Healing
Understanding the natural spin direction of the chakras allows us to detect blockages and imbalances in the chakra system. When energy is not flowing smoothly through the chakras due to stuck emotions, trauma, or negative thought patterns, the chakras may spin sluggishly, erratically, or even in the reverse direction.
Some healing techniques that work with chakra spin direction include:
- Chakra spinning meditations – Visualizing each chakra spinning in its natural direction to clear blocks.
- Hand movements – Moving the hands in the direction a chakra should spin to redirect its energy flow.
- Sound healing – Using seed mantras and sounds tuned to each chakra to resonate its proper spin.
- Crystal healing – Placing crystals on chakras to energize and realign their spin direction.
- Color visualization – Envisioning the color of each chakra spinning smoothly to balance that energy center.
Knowing the proper spin of each chakra facilitates using these techniques to maximize energy flow. A balanced chakra system supports optimal wellbeing of body, mind and spirit.
Conclusion
Chakra spin direction matters because it impacts the flow of energy into, within, and outward from the chakras. Each of the seven main chakras spins in its own natural direction – either inward, upward, or both. The spin allows the chakra to properly absorb, assimilate, integrate, or transmit subtle energy. When the chakras spin smoothly in their intended directions, energy cascades freely for balance. Blocked or reversed spins can lead to energetic congestion and imbalance. Understanding proper chakra spin supports healing techniques that restore optimal energy flow for wellbeing of mind, body and spirit.
