Planet Earth’s Chakras
I wanted to connect with something fun this week, so decided to connect two of my favorite themes – chakras and nature – and do a post on the earth’s chakras, and specifically, potential locations.
For those that resist the idea of chakras, in the human body or the earth, think of it this way: Chakras are simply energy vortexes or intersection points, which we know exist in some form in virtually every structural and energetic system. Think joints in the skeletel system, or glands in the endocrine/hormonal system. Electromagnetic research is starting to be able to detect these intersections – in both humans and the planet – something I may write a future article on (if I can sort through the research – I attempted for this article, but ended up in a white-rabbit type mental hole.)
Another model I like for thinking about chakras is as a doorway for awareness. Whether you are meditating on your own chakras, or traveling to a ‘power spot’ in nature for contemplation, chakras are a doorway. This is a common theme in both indigenous and Eastern mystic systems. You can pull a certain type of energy through each chakra into your physical body if you need to (for healing purposes, say), or you can travel through them the other direction in a Mists of Avalon type of way. For those of you that have read Mists of Avalon (and if not, it’s a great summer read!), it’s interesting how the characters that don’t know about the doorway to Avalon react when they come upon the spot where the two worlds connect. Whether or not they can sense the true power of the place, and how they respond to it, is a direct reflection of the state of awareness they bring to it.
Like human chakras, earth chakras can be damaged or blocked. Many contemporary seers and intuitives feel this is what is happening now, and that this process is ultimately more damaging than the physical harm we have done to our planet. The earth sustains us on many levels. And like the doorway to Avalon, certain doorways of awareness may close off to humans forever if we don’t work to heal the damage that has been done.
Over the years, I have read many different mappings of the earth’s chakras. Although certain places get mentioned in almost every version, the same earth location is often associated with a different chakra ‘position’ (out of the usual 7) in each system. And then some systems are entirely unique. So after contemplating all the different versions, I decided to just post the mappings that feel right to me. These do overlap with some other systems (and I link to some of these at the end of the post), but they don’t match any single one exactly. Of course every locale also has many smaller chakras, so I would love to hear your input in the comments on both world and local chakras you have found…
Ok, here’s my personal take (and be sure to click on the pictures if you have time to gaze each spot, it is worth it):
1st or Root Chakra – Grand Canyon/Sedona/Black Mesa (North America)
Grand Canyon
Many systems place the root chakra in North America, but Mount Shasta is actually a more popular choice for this chakra then the Grand Canyon area. I love Mount Shasta, but this just doesn’t feel right to me. The Grand Canyon has a rawness, a connection to the core of the earth, that I associate with the root chakra. Of course I don’t claim objectivity here, because two of my favorite places in the world, Zion and Bryce canyons, are just north of the Grand Canyon and draw on its energy. To the south are Sedona, also often mentioned as a chakra site, and the Hopi mesas.
For those who don’t know, the Hopis are a fascinating, peaceful and very secretive Native American tribe. The mesas they live on are said to be directly opposite Mt. Kailesh on the planet, a Himalayan mountain sacred to many cultures, particularly the Tibetans. The Tibetan and Hopi cultures share certain traits, and the Dalai Lama has met with Hopi elders. Some have posited that the two cultures descended from a common ancient tribe. Here’s an article reviewing all the writing on this, although the author is a bit skeptical of the idea himself. In my earth chakra system, I have placed Mt. Kailesh in the crown chakra position, but interestingly, several systems reverse these two, placing the U.S. desert southwest in the crown position (particularly Sedona) and Tibet in the root chakra position.
2nd or Sacral Chakra – Machu Pacchu/Peru/Amazon River (South America)
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, often called the ‘lost city of the Incas’ is located on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. The river that flows through the valley is a headwater of the Amazon River. This general area, or other spots along the Amazon, or often referred to as an earth chakra. For me, the sensuality, rhythym, and natural abundance of this area say ’sacral chakra’. I’m not sure exactly where the center of this chakra is, but chakras radiate outwards, so knowing the exact center isn’t really necessary. Machu Picchu made a better picture than the general shot of the Amazon River that I found, so I chose that:-)
3rd or Navel/Solar Plexus Chakra – Uluru, Australia
Uluru
Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a rock formation in central Australia, part of the Kata Tjuta National Park. It is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area, and has many legends associated with it. I am the least familiar with this location, but the idea of Australia as the home of the world’s 3rd chakra, usually associated with self-definition and personal power, rang true for me. Other power spots that came up alot for this part of the world were the Great Barrier Reef area, and Lake Rotopounamu in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.
4th or Heart Chakra – Glastonbury Tor, U.K (Europe) -or- Ganges River, India (Asia)
Glastonbury from Tor
The 4th chakra was a tough one, as there were lots of competing thoughts on this. If you subscribe to the idea that each of the 6 major continents (excluding Antarctica) have a chakra, then the Glastonbury area was the most commonly sited choice for Europe (next to Stonehenge.) It is home to the Glastonbury Tor – Tor is a celtic word for ‘conical hill’ – and celtic, Druid, and the Arthurian legends are all linked to it. It is in fact believed to be the site of Avalon by many.
Ganges River at Rishikesh
No offense to British readers, but I personally had a hard time seeing the U.K. as home of the earth’s heart chakra (please feel free to argue this one in the comments:-) Although it blows the whole each-continent-gets-a-major-chakra theory, the one I heard long ago – the Ganges River – makes a lot of sense to me, particularly sacred cities such as Rishikesh and Varanasi along the Ganges River that have been spiritual centers for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years. Many consider Hinduism to be the oldest world religion, and the roots of it sprang to being alongside this great river. Thousands venerate it daily still, and bathing it, and/or having your ashes floated there upon death, is believed to purify your karma (which has admittedly become a pretty big sanitation problem for India…)
5th or Throat Chakra – Giza/Nile River/Nile Delta (Africa)
Giza
Egypt comes up in pretty much every earth chakra mapping, and different systems emphasize different locales. Some feel that the Giza pyramids and Great Sphinx, part of the Giza Plateau on the outskirts of Cairo, were built on the center of this chakra. Others feel the actual center is a little ways off, along the Nile River delta. Either way, what we know of Ancient Egyptian culture ties in well with the throat chakra, in terms of a focus on both dreaming and expression, music and language, religion and science. The nearby Middle East is also often sited as a chakra location, usually the Mount of Olives or Mount Sinai.
Nile River
6th Chakra or Third Eye- Mt. Fuji, Japan (Asia)
Mount Fuji
I am partial to this one, as one of my most memorable life experiences was hiking to the top of Mount Fuji all night in order to see sunrise from the top – something allowed for just two months a year. Zen monks serve pancakes on top. Let me tell you, pancakes + sleep-deprivation + sunrise on a power spot = memorable shifts in awareness:-) This mountain is featured in some of the most famous Japanese art, including many paintings and haiku by Zen masters, and I think the clarity and insight associated with it, and with Zen, correspond exactly to a well-functioning third eye.
7th or Crown Chakra – Mt. Kailash, Tibet (Asia)
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a Himalayan peak held sacred by people of Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, and Bon faiths. To climb it is considered desecration, and so no one has attempted it. Pilgrims from all four religions travel there from far and wide, and some circumnambulate it in full prostration. As I mentioned, this mountain is particularly sacred to Tibetan Buddhists, and is believed to be exactly opposite the earth from the Hope mesa area, which I included in the 1st chakra.
Other Sites
Other commonly mentioned sites are:
Haleakala crater in Maui, Hawaii
Palenque – Mayan archaeological site in the Mexican state of Chiapas
Lake Titicaca, on the border of Bolivia and Peru
Table Mountain, in South Africa
Bali, Indonesian Island
Fiji, in the South Pacific
Kuh-e Malek, in Siah Iran (couldn’t learn much about this one)
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa
Easter Island, Polynesian Island
If you are interested in some other mappings, here are three:
Mapping by Robert Coon, claimed to be based on Druid teachings, and one of the more popular systems (click on the online book link towards the bottom)
Alternative mapping, by a Dowsing (water finding) organization
Compendium of many mappings, by Starstuffs
So what do you think? I’m interested to hear opinions on where the earth’s 7 major chakras are, or any other more local ones that you have found…
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I have to say your feeling about these locations is as good as anyone else’s. I could probably think of another list, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we honor such landmarks as well as countless others, and the lines of energy that connect the whole planet and all life forms living on it.
I’ve always wanted to travel around the world. Now I have an objective! This is good stuff! Thanks for the roadmap!
Pamir – I agree, the exact locations aren’t that important. Although it is fun, and great awareness training, to try and interact with the earth in this way, and sense the particular type of energy, and states of awareness, that are available at each one. This aspect of various shamanic paths, and the more occult Tibetan traditions, are favorites of mine…
Jay – Well, if you come to the Grand Canyon/Desert southwest area, you have a place to stay – we have a house there and I would love to meet you in person! (and take you to meditate in some of the power spots there, which is guaranteed to blow you wide open… in a good way…)
This is beautiful! While I am very aware of energy places around the world I don’t think I have been consciously aware of a world chakra system. You have inspired me to continue travelling to the world’s scared palces. Thank you.
As an Australian I wanted to share about Uluru. I recently went there for the first time – expecting to be disappointed as one sometimes is. However, I could feel the energy everywhere, in the red soil, in the rock, in the trees and plants. On our second morning there I was woken around 4 in the morning by Uluru calling me. I resisted for a half hour, then jumped into the car to go and spend time some alone time with this entity – I encoutered my Beloved and was in bliss.
Wow, Rita, thanks for sharing your beautiful story about Uluru, I love it!
As soon as I read the title of your post I got excited! I love this topic. It’s something I think about now and again, but locations more as energy centres or ‘portals’. So I’ve never actually conceptualised it as the earth having chakras until I read your post. And of course, it feels intuitively right. And it’s a beautiful idea.
Uluru makes sense to me. Very powerful place. And I feel certain that Glastonbury is some kind of energy centre, even if it’s not the ‘heart’. New Zealand has some incredible power places – a very dynamic energy and reminiscent of the energy around Mt Fugi.
What this post also made me think of is the Gaia concept/ earth philosophy. It speaks to this quite elegantly, I think.
How interesting. That every continent gets one seems a little too neat, but what do I know.
Here are my personal thoughts/experiences:
Rootedness, or the root chakra, is very important in my ways. That I have been drawn to the Grand Canyon for the longest time makes even more sense with this.
Machu Picchu is incredibly powerful. I had a spontaneous trance experience there. But, and this is very interesting now to me from what you’ve said, the ’source’ didn’t feel from underneath but rather from a distance. I wish now I knew which direction it was.
Glastonbury is over-hyped imho. It does have tons of energy, but no more than so many other spots in England. The Tor itself was an unti-climax for me.
I’ve only seen a tiny part of the Ganges, and at the time I didn’t think of power spot, but I remember there was an enormous energy from it.
Never made it to Giza, only Luxor. I don’t think you could go far wrong with Egyptian, Aztec or Mayan sites. They were on to something.
That’s it.
Wow, pancakes on top of Mt Fuji!? How trippy!
I am still learning about chakra in my own life. But in nature, never thought of it, although maybe subconsciously I did. There part of our surrounding world that call to us and make us feel a certain energy and that does not have to be in a far away land, although, I do love the choices you posted here. A couple of places for me were in my own home land, Dominican Republic.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/offordscott/133185849/
Water falls in Jarabacoa with its surrounding caverns just seems mysterious and refreshing and peaceful to me. There are others but my brain is a little fried right now.
I knew there was a reason why I LOVE Sedona. I used to fly there all the time from San Diego, just to be close to those amazing red hills (and have a fabulous lunch at the airport). Now I know why it beckoned me to keep coming back. Perhaps I should move there?
I haven’t had the chance to visit any of the others… although I did stay at the Luxor in Vegas! Does that count?
Human chakras can be confusing–with the colors, locations, what they do…There is a very effective, simple meditation on chakras that requires absolutely no knowledge: http://www.beyond-karma.com/how-to/how-to-light-up-chakras-instantly-release/
As far as the earth chakras…I’m not sure about that, but if there were such a thing I would think the chakras would be in the depths of oceans or in the core. There’s no reason to think that the chakras would be in places which human beings consider beautiful or fascinating.
I don’t think human beings can seriously damage or heal the earth. We should certainly stop the madness to environment, because it is not harmonious–but the disharmony is hurting us, not the earth. The earth has been around for five billion years, and will likely double that; in comparison, human beings have been around for less than a second. The earth has survived much worse; it can adjust; we cannot.
This is interesting. I can sense that different location has different, distinct energy, but never related it to chakra system. I’ve been thinking more in male – female or yin-yang energies.
For example, I live in Portland, Oregon, now, and the energy here is very feminine and nurturing. I’ve been wondering if it’s because it’s near the Pacific — the Pacific is the center of female energy, legacy of the ancient Lemuria. I grew up in Japan, and although the energy in the urban areas are pretty much messed up, the old area still harbors feminine energy there, too. And Hawaii flourishes with female energy.
The Atlantic is considered to be the center of male energy. I’m not so familiar with this area. I was in NYC for a few days, and again, the energy of cities are pretty messed up. I lived in Ohio for 10 years, and the energy there was kind of neutral, but if I must say, was more male — down to earth, solid kind of male energy.
I’ll contemplate this chakra system on earth. Thank you for an intriguing post.
Hi all, I’ll respond to all of you individually in the next comment, because I really appreciate the detailed responses. However, just a general note that this was somewhat for fun – I don’t claim to know where the earth chakras are, or even that there are any. I do think it’s an intriguing model for looking at earth’s energies, and that trying to sense these things, and human’s responses to different places, is an interesting awareness exercise. -Lisa
Docwitch – yes, I love this idea of portals, and it jibes exactly with my own experience of nature. Particular places take me to different states of awareness – it is like as I relax in a place, and absorb it, it takes me on a meditative journey specific to it. And I also love the Gaia idea – one of the Hopi-Tibet articles I found talked about the earth breathing in each morning in Tibet (since the tallest peaks in the world there feel the first rays of the sun each day) and then breathing out each night at the Hopi mesas, where there are these amazing evening winds…
Mon – thanks for your comments, you have visited far more of these than I have! I think after this research exercise and your comment, Machu Picchu has moved to my top 10 places to visit in my lifetime list. And Glastonbury too, just to see what I feel there. I couldn’t get much from the pictures, but it may be because it is so populated, i.e. full of human awareness.
Yira- beautiful pictures, thank you!
Lises – by all means, move to Sedona! I am planning to move to the Zion/Bryce area, so then we will be just across the Grand Canyon from each other:-) Also, I count the Luxor in Las Vegas, it’s the closest I’ve gotten to the inside of pyramid too…
Karmarider – This was more meant to be a fun exercise, not definitive, and of course it does make sense that some spots would be in the ocean or otherwise inaccessible to humans. As for your comment on the earth, I agree – if we blow it, the earth will just get rid of us, and it will be our loss, not hers. But the idea here is that different spots on the earth do represent different awareness portals (which has nothing to do with the aesthetics), and of course this is an idea present in many different spiritual traditions around the world, and that through human actions we can in fact pollute and block them, just like human chakras. Again, the loss is ours if we do so.
Akemi – I 100% am with you on the Pacific-yin, Atlantic-yang thing. I had not thought of it in those terms, but I have lived on both coasts, and I think this is so true. And I have also always associated most trees with a feminine/compassion type energy, so all the big trees around Portland, and the Sequoias down here in CA, also seem to be a reflection of this yin energy…
It is great to consider the energy centres around the earth. I had not thought to associate them with a chakra system. I have read that gemstones and minerals are like the Earth’s nervous system and organs. It would be interesting to know which minerals were predominant at each of these locations.
When I travelled in India to Alandi in Maharashtra I felt an energetic change that made me consider that the stories of miracles with a buffalo reciting the Vedas and walls moving were entirely possible. Although I was aware that I may have been picking up on the thoughtforms, there was something energetically underlying them that is unusual in that area, as if the whole area was open to and part of another realm entirely.
I live on a farm and I am moving to another house which is on a hill that I am sure is a power point/energy portal. How do I look after it? I feel to tidy up old machinery and the likes lying around, much like removing clutter from a home is good Feng Shui.
Thanks for a thought-provoking post!
Hmmm…looks like I really need to do more traveling round the world! I would love to have the opportunity to visit Sedona. I missed a chance for a visit when my husband (then boyfriend) was staying in Arizona for two years.
I am not sure about visiting Egypt though because I have past life memories of the place. My memories were not all that pleasant. I’d have to do a lot of energy clearing before I go there. It will be interesting to travel there with my daughter, as she definitely has a deep connection with Egypt.
Thanks for laying these places out in a post. Reading it puts me in a holiday mood!
This was fun. Thanks for taking me around the world with you. My kids and I were talking about the Grand Canyon today, about the jolt that place gives you. Mount Kailash sounds interesting. Cavities and protuberances. Our bodies have those things too. The idea of gender energy in certain places resonates with me, as well as gemstones and minerals having vital purpose. Very, very interesting stuff. Thanks, Lisa.
this is just marvelous, lisa, thank you so much for this enlightening viewpoint! I’d love to visit each of these power centers. i’ve experienced sedona, az and have to agree with you on that one. when there, i feel like i am absolutely pulled down, magnetized, stuck to the rocky earth.
i’ll suggest another. Canyon deChelly in northern az. right in the middle of the navajo reservation. i think it’s connected to the root chakra with some kind of conduits to the heart chakra. when there, i am so emotional, feel like i am in the womb of “the Mother,” safe and loved, and cry upon leaving as if I am leaving my true home. amazing.
i was happy to see mt. kailash there. i wondered where you might place it and sure enough, my hunch was right.
Wendy – thanks for mentioning gemstones, I do think this is a fascinating field too, and wonder how the energetic properties associated with each map to different center. As for your farm question, I think you’re right – tidy up and beautify. I always think intuition is the best approach on these things – walk around the land, connect with it, and let it tell you what it wants and needs. I remember reading this is how architects that use feng shui principles actually work – they walk around a location many times before designing, and even meditate there, in order to let the land guide them.
Evelyn – that’s interesting that you have a poor association with Egypt. Mine is more positive, I have such a nostalgia for it, although of course the end was tough. Although I am somewhat afraid to visit it now, because it is so different, and I am afraid I will be disappointed.
Brenda – that’s right – cavities and protuberances, and, I might add, veins, which is kind of what rivers are like. Famous rivers connect so many of these places, and are really what make life possible for humans, in terms of carrying water from place to place.
Jan – I have always wanted to visit Canyon deChelly, I will definitely have to do so now, after your description.
This is a very comprehensive list. Love the links for further reading. I agree with Pamir. To choose to value all places, including those which stand out for you at this moment, is part of the exercise of learning love strengthens the global energy grid. Concentrations of love energy shift according to consciousness. Ancient tribes or civilisations live in areas of higher awareness when they nurture certain timeless knowledge and tachings. This magnifies light energy for those who are ready and willing to feel it. You can awaken anywhere, anytime.
Hi Lisa – I read The Mists Of Avalon many years ago (at least a couple ot times) – it still sits centre-stage on my bookshelf.
I love the way you have made your own list – and I was hoping you would put Uluru for the third! I’ve been there, and what doesn’t show up in photos is how utterly beautiful it is – the colours are really soft and beautiful. Our camping tour arrived at night, in the dark, and then I emerged from my tent the next morning and looked up at it – it was so big!
Cheers – Robin
Robin – yes, it was hard to find a picture for Uluru. Some of the most beautiful ones only showed part of it, but with the light reflecting off it, which really highlighted the variations in color. I would love to visit here someday.
Interesting, and fun! I have been thinking of chakras lately because three years ago I intuitively tattooed “om” on my sacral chakra… in honor of becoming a mother and a writer.
My next tattoo, the path of continually opening my heart and connecting me to all life, is a fiddlehead fern opening, near my heart. (I used to intuitively draw a spiral with my finger in between my breasts whenever I felt drawn or connected or touched by life and death.)
Interesting to think of recognizing these universal energies, in all forms.
Stacy – love the tattoos!!! I have an Egyptian Wings of Ra on my lower back. We are cool mamas:-)
Another suggestion: Arunachala in Tamil Nadu, India.
Ramana Maharshi who was there for 50+ years said that it was the “axis of the world” — some of his devotees, figured that an axis should have a matching place on the opposite side of the Earth and Mount Pacchu has been mentioned as a candidate.
That is how I came accross your website and posting.
When I have a few moments, I think I may take a look to see if there are matching sites to the others you have mentioned.
Live pictures of Arunachala can be seen here:
http://www.arunachala-live.com/
Kindest regards
Chuck, thanks so much for visiting and mentioning Arunachala. I am very familiar with Ramana Maharshi and inquiry practice (I recently interviewed Gangaji, you might be interested in that), and Ramana’s relationship with Arunachala is a beautiful and fascinating story. My sense (and this is entirely subjective of course!) is that it definitely is a spiritual chakra, but not a ‘main vein’ in the earth – like the body I think there several ‘main spots’ and then hundreds of smaller, more specialized ones. As I wrote here, I like the Ganges river, and by extension much of India, as the seat of the heart or 4th chakra. So perhaps Arunachala is a major energy center related to that?