march: a restorative rainbow

monthly creative curations on a theme | chakra edition

mixed media intuitive painting by me

Welcome, March! Given that I’ve been a rainbow enthusiast since birth and because we tend to see lotsa rainbows in March because of St. Patty’s Day, I thought I’d use this colorful theme as a jumping off point for this month’s curated post. I’m going to take you on an experiential journey through one of my favorite rainbows of all — the chakra system.

At the start of every month, I share a vibe for the month ahead. These posts include my curations of poetry, music, art, fashion, beauty, and/or other areas of expression. The full content (including a monthly playlist!) is visible only to paid subscribers, but everyone gets a taste, so let’s get into it!

behind the rainbow

I’ve been curiously exploring the chakra system since I was 12 years old, hanging out on the carpeted floor of a new age bookshop every weekend devouring books on the topic. After reading all her books, I took an in-person course with Caroline Myss in the 90s. I began working professionally with the chakra system when I became a Reiki master about twenty years ago, and I wrote my master’s thesis on the chakras on how psychotherapists could use the chakra system as a holistic, strength-based, diagnostic and healing tool for our clients. 🌈

Don’t worry — I’m not attempting a didactic teaching on the chakra system in this post, but if you want to take a deep dive, I highly recommend the book Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith as an introduction or engage in my self-paced, creative chakra course.

The background I’ll give here is to simply tell you that chakras are spheres of energetic activity in our bodies, the seven major ones stacked along the spinal column, and the idea first began in India over 4,000 years ago through yogic traditions. Each of the major chakras is related to body parts/systems, developmental stages, as well as colors, planets, foods, animals, gemstones, etc.

Below I’ll share engaging ideas for how the chakras can serve as a guideline for the care, honoring, and celebration of the aspects of your life they govern.

*Note: None of these links are sponsored. All offerings are personal ideas and not clinical advice or recommendations.

simplified chakra diagram + associations - image from Anam Vaara

through the rainbow

1. The first chakra, or the root chakra, governs all things safety, security, family, and finances. (I wrote a bit about that on Monday.) The color is red (and sometimes black), the element is earth, and it involves your right to be here and to have. A few of my favorite ways to support my first chakra are:

   ❤️to ground myself by standing barefoot in the grass (or even feeling the gravitas of wearing chunky black boots helps me when I can’t have bare feet.)

   ❤️to eat root vegetables, nuts, and meat

   ❤️to connect with a supportive family member or create an ancestral altar or piece of art

   ❤️to wear or carry the stones of hematite or garnet (or to wear red and black clothing)

   ❤️to use essential oils of vetiver or frankincense

   ❤️to gain agency and clarity over my finances with a financial advisor or supportive books like this one written by a financial therapist colleague of mine

2. The second chakra resides in the genitals and wombspace. This chakra corresponds to the color orange, the element water, and the issues of sexuality, creativity, emotions. The right to feel and to want is expressed through the second chakra. Some ways to bring the second chakra into balance are:

   🧡to dance like no one is watching (even if they are! I like NIA and ecstatic dance.)

   🧡to study and celebrate sacred sexuality with teachers like CheChe Luna,

   Darshana Avila
   , and
   Emily Nagoski

   🧡to reclaim pleasure as your birthright, as described in Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown

   🧡to take a sensual bath with flower petals and essential oils of jasmine and wild orange

   🧡to watch my kitties play, stretch, bathe and lounge. They’re amazing 2nd chakra teachers.

   🧡to enjoy delicious, sensual treats like oranges, mango, papaya, and honey

   🧡to practice hip-opening yoga poses

   🧡to keep a giant hunk of carnelian beside my bed (or to wear this stone)

3. The third chakra is housed in the solar plexus/digestive organs. Personal power and self-esteem are the central issues held in this chakra, which is associated with the color yellow and the element fire. The basic right of the third chakra is the right to act. Inspiring ways to buoy your third chakra are: