What is the sacral chakra?
The sacral chakra is called Svadhisthana in Sanskrit, which means “self-standing.” It sits at the lower belly, a few inches below the navel and is linked with creativity, pleasure and emotion. When it's balanced, you feel creative, playful and comfortable with your feelings, and you let yourself enjoy life.
| Sacral chakra | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit name | Svadhisthana (“self-standing”) |
| Location | The lower belly, a few inches below the navel |
| Color | Orange |
| Element | Water |
| Seed sound (bija) | VAM |
| Petals | 6 |
| Frequency | 417 Hz |
| Linked with | Creativity, pleasure and emotion |
Sacral chakra color and symbol
The sacral chakra color is orange. The rainbow colors used today are a modern addition: they were first added in 1927, and the old Sanskrit texts describe the chakras differently.
The traditional sacral chakra symbol is a white crescent moon (the sign for water) inside a six-petaled lotus.
Sacral chakra frequency
Most modern chakra charts pair the sacral chakra with 417 Hz, one of the solfeggio frequencies. This pairing is modern: the solfeggio tones as we know them date from the 1970s, and pairings vary from chart to chart. Many people still find a steady tone a helpful focus for a few minutes of chakra meditation.
Signs of a blocked sacral chakra
In energy-healing traditions, a blocked or underactive sacral chakra is described as:
- Feeling numb, flat or uninspired
- Creative blocks
- Guilt around pleasure or enjoying yourself
- Emotions that feel stuck or overwhelming
How to heal and balance the sacral chakra
- Play 417 Hz for five minutes at a low volume, using the session above.
- Chant the seed sound VAM slowly on each out-breath, and feel it at the lower belly, a few inches below the navel.
- Try sacral chakra yoga poses: Goddess pose (Utkata Konasana), Bound angle (Baddha Konasana), Pigeon pose (Kapotasana), Low lunge (Anjaneyasana).
- Practice: Spend time near water, take a slow bath or dance freely to one song.
- Repeat a sacral chakra affirmation from the list below, morning and night.
Sacral chakra affirmations
- I allow myself to feel joy.
- My creativity flows freely.
- I honor my emotions.
- I deserve pleasure and rest.
- I am open to new experiences.
- I move through life with ease.
- I love and accept my body.
- I let life flow through me.
Sacral chakra crystals and stones
Stones commonly paired with the sacral chakra are carnelian, orange calcite, moonstone and sunstone, mostly because of their orange tones. Many people hold one during meditation as a reminder of their intention; there's no evidence the stones themselves have healing effects.
