4.  Sanskrit. "Wheel, Vortex, or Whirlpool." Psychic centers located in the aura functioning through the etheric body that exchange particular energies between the physical body and the personality, and the higher sources of energy associated with the planets, the Solar System, and the cosmos. They are interfaces between Mind and Body.

There are seven traditional "master" chakras and dozens of minor ones located in such places as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, joints of arms and legs, and just about any place traditionally adorned with jewelry.

Chakras are "vortexes," whirling centers of energy associated with particular areas of the body. In the Hindu tradition, muladhara is located at the base of the spine and is the source of kundalini and the power used in sex magic. Svadhisthna is located at the sacrum. Muladhara and Svadhisthna are linked to the physical body. Manipura is located at the solar plexus. Muladhara, Svadhisthna, and Manipura are together associated as the Personality, and their energies can be projected through the solar plexus in such psychic phenomena as rapping, ectoplasm, and the creation of familiars. Manipura is linked to the lower astral body. Anahata is located at the heart and is associated with group consciousness. Vishuddha is located at the throat and is associated with clairvoyance.

Anahata and Ajna are linked to the higher astral body. Ajna is located at the brow and is associated with clairvoyance. Sahasrara is located at the crown and is associated with spiritual consciousness. Anahata, Vishuddha, and Sahasrara are together associated as the spiritual self.

The master, or major, chakras are as follows. While we are listing some correspondences to planets, colors, and the Kabbalistic sephiroth, there is considerable debate about these and the correlations cannot be specific because the chakras and the sephiroth involve two different systems. Likewise, although not listed, there are differences between both these systems and those of Oriental martial arts and healing systems.

Base Chakra: Muladhara, base of spine, color red, associated planet Saturn, Sephirah Malkuth, associated Tattwa Prithivi, symbol of the element of Earth.

Sacral Chakra: Svadhisthana, genital area, color orange, associated planet Jupiter or Moon, Sephirah Yesod, associated Tattva Apas, symbol of the element of Water.

Solar Plexus Chakra: Manipura, solar plexus below the navel, color yellow, associated planet Mars, sephirah: none suggested, associated Tattva Tejas, symbol of the element of Fire.

Heart Chakra: Anahata, heart, color green, associated planet Sun or Venus, sephirah Tiphareth, associated Tattva Vayu, symbol of the element of air.

Throat Chakra: Vishuddha, throat, color blue, associated planet Mercury, Sephirah Daath, associated Tattva Akasha, symbol of the element of Spirit.

Brow Chakra:Ajna (the Third Eye), brow (just above and between the eyes), color indigo, associated planet Moon, Sephiroth Chokmah & Binah.

Crown Chakra: Sahasrara, crown, color violet, associated planet none, Sephirah Kether.

The following chart is a simplification of the primary chakra system:

¹ These are the most commonly assigned colors, but authorities differ.

² These are the most commonly assigned locations, but authorities differ. Instead of the Solar Plexus, Theosophists identify it with the Spleen, others with the navel.

³ Commonly, this is given as two, but it is really two "wings" of 48 each.

⁴ Most commonly, it is identified as a thousand-petaled lotus. The crown chakra has 960 spokes plus another 12 in its center, which is gleaming white with gold at its core.

⁵ Between anus and perineum.

⁶ Again, there are disagreements among authorities. Remember that there is no direct physical connection between the etheric chakras and the physical body.

Suggested Reading:

Wheels of Life: A User'ss Guide to the Chakra System, by Anodea Judith

A Chakra & Kundalini Workbook: Psycho-Spiritual Techniques for Health, Rejuvenation, Psychic Powers & Spiritual Rejuvenation, by Dr. Jonn Mumford

5.  Disk or wheel. Chakras are energetic centers in the body that can be used as a kind of inner roadmap in Tantric practice. Dr. Mumford defines a chakra as, "a whirling vortex of energy, the meeting point between the body and the mind."