Related to the earth element, the base chakra is concerned with all your earth-bound needs, such as your body, health, wealth, security and survival. This is where you get your sense of being grounded, connected to the earth and stable. When you realise you’re in danger, it’s the base chakra that kicks in with the primal “fight or flight” response and that rush of adrenalin that sometimes enables you to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. When a fireman talks about not knowing how he managed to lift a heavy object and rescue someone from a burning building, that’s the base chakra in action. Feeling tired, hungry, worn out or ready for sleep? You’ve guessed it, that’s the base chakra talking – and you need to listen!

If your base chakra is not balanced, you’ll feel rootless, insecure, panicky and “spaced out”. You may daydream and fantasise a lot but find it very hard to actually realise any of your hopes and dreams. In physical terms, you may have problems with your legs, knees and feet, struggle with your weight or suffer from constipation. These are all signs that your base chakra needs some attention.

Boosting your base chakra

As this is the earth-bound chakra, there are lots of readily available, earthy ways to give your base chakra a bit of tender loving care.

Wear something red
Red is the colour of the base chakra, so wearing it will help to put you in touch with its physical energy. If red really isn’t your colour (as a fiery Aries it’s one of my favourites), try carrying a red crystal, such as red jasper or red tourmaline instead.

Ground yourself
There are several different and enjoyable ways to do this:
• Eat something! Ever noticed how when you’re really hungry you start to feel light-headed and not quite “with it”? Eating puts you back in touch with the physical, but it’s got to be a sensible amount of nutritious food – I’m not giving you an excuse to go out and buy the biggest bar of chocolate you can find (sorry chocoholics)!
• Go for a walk in the countryside or by the sea, feel the sun on your skin, wind on your face and earth beneath your feet. If it’s warm enough, going barefoot is even better.
• Spend a few minutes on a grounding meditation to plug yourself back into earth energy and the world around you.
• Treat yourself to a foot massage.

Listen to your body
This one sounds so simple but it’s probably the hardest for most people. In a pressured, fast-moving society where there are so many constant demands, how many of us work late night after night to meet a deadline or ignore that nagging pain in our shoulder – and then wonder why our body collapses a few weeks later? Eat when you’re hungry, sleep when you’re tired and take that day off if you’re feeling worn out.

Be good to yourself
Realise that you have a right to be and a right to have – simply because you deserve it. Many people find it easy to give to others but not themselves, seeing this as selfish or extravagant. I, for one, used to be able to buy new clothes for my children without batting an eyelid, but felt guilty about buying myself a new pair of jeans. By placing limits on what you allow yourself to have, you’re subconsciously placing a limit on what you think you deserve and that’s not good for your self-worth – or your base chakra! If you recognise this trait in yourself, try a daily affirmation. Every morning, stand in front of the mirror and repeat several times, “I love myself and I deserve the best of everything.”

Try any or all of these simple tips and you’ll be well on the way to a happy, healthy base chakra.

©Semele Xerri