Seven colors candle (II): African powers or chakras?
In the first part of the article, we discussed the origin of the seven-color candles, the African powers. Now we will talk about the most modern product, the seven-color chakra candles.
As could be seen in the article on yoga and esotericism, in Hindu philosophy the chakras are energy centers distributed vertically from the tailbone to the crown of the head, following the spine, and each of them influencing specific organs and emotions. Now, the original chakras in India were six: muladara (tailbone), suadhistana (navel), manipura (stomach), anajata (chest), vishuda (throat) and añakia (forehead). The seventh chakra, sahasra-ara (on the crown), was a discovery/invention of the British theosophists of the 19th century, who, considering that the chakras in the human body were infinite, since there were, according to their vision, infinite sources of energy, they established a new "main" chakra above añakia, which they defined as the ultimate point of spiritual ascension, given its connection with the mental aspect.
Since the objective of this article is not to question the number of chakras or the means to discover them, we will leave this question aside, and however, we cannot but refer to seven chakras to talk about their symbolism in the seven-colored candles.
Part II. The seven chakras.
The association of colors to the chakras is a purely modern product, and there are no references to it prior to the esoteric boom of recent centuries. Perhaps this is due to the exploitation of products such as candles, minerals or seven-color incense, under the pretext of tools to connect and unblock the seven chakras. This, however, does not conflict with the seven-color candles dedicated, in principle, to the seven African powers, since the colors are different, although there are those who use seven colors without clear criteria, and there are two key reasons why which confrontation is avoided: the main one, that esoteric eclecticism sees it as perfectly viable that the same magical tool, in this case the candle, can be used with the divinities, powers or purposes that each person considers. And even used at the same time, without major problems.
The secondary reasons, intended above all to alleviate possible confrontations or incompatibilities in more orthodox sectors, consist of the exchange of colors, as well as their order, attributing colors to each chakra, in the same way as is done with the orishas, but in this case, we will have the following list of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo/indigo and purple or white. Returning to the chakras, as can be seen their colors, with the exception of white, are those of the rainbow. Its philosophical-esoteric basis indicates that, since the chakras are a vibrating energy, and light changes color according to the frequencies it passes through, the colors that the human eye is capable of perceiving would be produced in the chakras, in the same spectrum that the Rainbow. Furthermore, it is considered that the color transitions of the rainbow are the same as those of the chakras, since the energy they give off occupy a certain space or radius that would be mixed with that occupied by the nearby chakras, and their fusion of colors would be similar. The interpretation and association of colors also draws on chromotherapy, and means that for the opening and management of the chakras, surrounding yourself with colors that activate them is extremely useful, in addition to helping the practitioner or yogi in meditation, by influencing and preparing him psychologically , even without your own intention.
The color red is associated with the root chakra (muladara). Red is, in anthropology and in chromotherapy, a color of activation, alertness, and danger. Its striking tone is also a symbol of aggressive or violent feelings and passions. Associating it with the root chakra, the tailbone, makes sense because it is the first and requires a state of maximum attention to begin the path of the chakras. Anthropologically, red and muladora have in common the idea of survival, with the coccyx being the area where a person sits, that is, a basic resting position; Although the situation of constant alert that existed in primitive man would not evoke complete rest, over time sitting would become a gesture of confidence in one's own safety and in the community with which one takes a seat, also to talk or eat... It is therefore a pose in which to start thinking about something more than simply surviving, it is a point of deeper reflection. And that reflection and concentration is just what is needed in the initiation of opening the chakras.
Orange is the color associated with suadhistana, the area between the sacrum and the navel. Orange is a more peaceful color than red, although it is also related to feelings, it is no longer aggressive, but calm, tranquility, sun, heat and sensuality. It is evidently associated with sexuality and passion and physical instincts, but also with imagination, changes and creativity. Orange is, therefore, a color that combines a lot with the idea of passionate but controllable and pleasant feelings.
Yellow is the color associated with the manipura (stomach) chakra. In the Western world we associate emotions and instincts a lot with the heart, but in ancient times, both Western and Eastern, intuitions and emotions were located in the guts, in the gut. We still have some memory of that when we say that we have butterflies in our stomach to identify a crush. Manipura is the chakra of instinct and energy, so yellow, a mix between alertness and joy, is a color that matches it. Yellow is also a bold and optimistic tone, and the third chakra enhances self-esteem and courage. Manipura is also the solar plexus chakra, so the color yellow is more than justified.
The next chakra is anajata, which is located at the level of the sternum, and is associated with the color green. Green is the color of nature, health, hope and well-being. All of this is related, as it could not be otherwise, to the heart and breathing. It is understood that both are greatly responsible for health and tranquility, and that they also transmit and influence good emotions and desires, so controlling them is to obtain physical and emotional balance.
The next chakra, vishuda, is located in the throat and is associated with the color blue, usually light. Blue is the color of the sea and sky, and is associated with deep knowledge and higher knowledge, as well as consciousness, meditation, repetition of cycles and knowledge. It is interpreted that the throat, through food and voice, promotes the entry and exit of energy, as well as knowledge.
The color indigo (dark blue very close to purple) is the color associated with the Ajna or añakia chakra, on the forehead. It is the last chakra according to original Hindu traditions. It is the so-called "third eye" chakra, it is full consciousness, reaching the highest level. Color is linked to the esoteric and spiritual. It is also a "darkening" of the previous blue, that is, it is the maturity phase of knowledge. Sometimes it is identified with purple, since this color is also associated with the esoteric world.
The last chakra, saharas-ara, is the one discovered/invented/added in the 19th century by Western esoteric-occultists. Located at the crown of the head, its color is purple, expressing, so to speak, the characteristics that the previous chakra already had. As already said, purple is a deeply spiritual color, so assigning this color to the crown chakra is giving it maximum value in that sense. But due to its modern and syncretic character with other esoteric traditions, such as Buddhist, the color white is also associated with it, as a symbol of everything and nothing, and also of purity.
The ritual of using these candles and incense is not different from that which we saw with the seven powers, where it was already pointed out that many practitioners consider that the candle is a tool with color correspondences with universal energies, and they did not associate it with any religion or philosophical current.
Its use, then, consists of lighting it and meditating with the candle. If there are several, they can be lit out of order to coincide with the days of the week assigned to them, although each practitioner changes these days. Most apply that the chakras go in the same order as the days of the week, that is, the root chakra is on Monday, and the last one, the crown chakra, is on Sunday. There are multiple versions of this, and perhaps that is why the candle of the seven colors associated with the chakras exists, so that they can all work at the same time without risking erroneous correspondences. In the same way, in these rituals whose purpose is purely personal, at most communal if we think that several people can perform it at the same time, the practitioner surrounds himself with associated colors, aromas or minerals, and may even dress or put on an ornament that Consider that it is linked to or enhances the chakras you are seeking to unlock. The setting at this point, along with music or silence, play a much greater role in this esoteric work than in other esoteric works, but it can also be used in combination in other rituals with different purposes, taking into account that each chakra can refer to At the same time, a wide variety of situations, which can be material or spiritual, for example sexual or luck, so in the case of looking for a complete or holistic ritual in relation to the chakras, the seven-color candle has climbed, partly due to the popularization of yoga, little by little until it is in first place.
Pietro Viktor Carracedo Ahumada - pietrocarracedo@gmail.com
Bibliography :
-Leland, K. Rainbow Body: A History of the Western Chakra System from Blavatsky to Brennn. Nicolas-Hays, Inc. 2016
- Vinardi, L. J., Anatomía Energética - Las sutiles dimensiones del cuerpo humano. Youcanprint, 2006.
- Weiss, J.M., Chavelli, M. La curación por los colores. Ediciones Robinbook, 1995
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> Seven colors candle (I): African powers or chakras?
>Mudras. Introduction. Jñana mudra and Kubera mudra.
