The 7th chakra, also known as the crown chakra, is the highest chakra in the body and is located at the very top of the head. It represents our connection to spirituality and is associated with wisdom, enlightenment, and bliss.
The 7 chakras are energy centers located throughout the body that help regulate physical, mental, and spiritual processes. The chakras correspond to major nerves, organs, and areas of our energetic body. The health of each chakra reflects the health of that part of our body or mind.
The 7th crown chakra is the culmination of the chakra system. When fully open and balanced, it allows us to transcend our ego and material attachments, connecting us to higher states of consciousness and spiritual awakening.
Some key things the 7th chakra governs:
- Connection to divine wisdom
- Self-realization and enlightenment
- Direct spiritual communion
- Transcending duality
- Experiencing oneness
- Pure bliss and transcendence
A balanced 7th chakra supports inner peace, acceptance, inspiration, and mystic experiences. When blocked it can lead to close-mindedness, fear or denial of spirituality, and difficulties making life’s deeper meaning.
Let’s explore the 7th chakra in more detail including its associated elements, symbols, colors, body parts, signs of balance or imbalance, and practices to heal and open this energy center.
Location and Associated Body Parts
The 7th chakra is located at the crown or top of the head. It spans from the top of the head up a few inches above.
Key body parts associated with the crown chakra include:
- The crown, top of the head
- Brain, including the cerebral cortex and pineal gland
- Nervous system
- Pituitary gland
- Central nervous system
These associations reflect the 7th chakra’s role in higher thought, consciousness, mystic experiences, and our master neurological and endocrine systems.
Color Associations
The main color associated with the crown chakra is purple, often a vibrant violet-purple. This color represents the union of red and blue, of earthly and heavenly energies, that occurs within the 7th chakra.
Other associated colors include:
- White – symbolizing purity and higher awareness
- Gold – representing spiritual awakening and divinity
Symbols
Key symbols used to represent the 7th chakra include:
- Lotus Flower – 7th chakras are depicted as a lotus with 1000 petals. This flower represents opening to enlightenment.
- Crown – Illustrates the location at the crown of the head and attainment of higher wisdom.
- Sun – The inner divine light of pure consciousness.
- Halo – A ring of light around the head, depicted in many spiritual figures to represent enlightenment.
Seed Mantra
The seed mantra or short sacred sound associated with the 7th chakra is:
Om
Chanting this mantra while focusing energy at the crown supports greater opening and activation of the 7th chakra.
Main Functions
As the highest chakra, the key functions of the 7th chakra include:
- Enlightenment – Opening us to higher states of consciousness associated with mystic experiences, self-realization, and transcending the ego and material realm.
- Divinity – Accessing our inner divinity and recognizing the Divine in all things, people, and experiences.
- Wisdom – Tapping into intuitive inner wisdom, beyond the limits of rational thought.
- Spiritual Connection – Direct communion with spiritual realms and beings (guides, angels, etc).
- Oneness – Transcending separateness and duality leading to realization of Oneness.
- Bliss – States of transcendent bliss released from pure spiritual communion.
Associated Glands
The key glands linked to the crown chakra are:
- Pineal Gland – Regulates sleep cycles and secretion of melatonin. Associated with enhanced intuition and psychic abilities when further activated.
- Pituitary Gland – Considered the “Master Gland” regulating homeostasis and hormone activity. Increased 7th chakra energy helps optimize pituitary health.
Positive and Negative Traits
When our 7th chakra is balanced and open, positive traits include:
- Feeling deeply spiritual
- Seeking higher meaning and self-realization
- Being open, intuitive, aware
- Experiencing inner peace and acceptance
- Feeling inspired and creative
- Seeing the Divine within all things/all beings
Some negative traits associated with a blocked or imbalanced 7th chakra include:
- Feeling disconnected from spirituality
- Difficulty understanding deeper meanings
- Feeling rigid in beliefs
- Being egotistical or materialistic
- Lacking inspiration and vitality
- Seeming spaced out or ungrounded
It’s common for excessive energy in the upper chakras without proper grounding below to lead to the negative qualities. Balancing the lower and upper chakras together brings optimal health and development.
Signs of a Healthy 7th Chakra
How can you tell if your 7th chakra is open and balanced? Signs include:
- Feeling a strong connection to spirituality
- Understanding life’s deeper meaning
- Feeling aligned with divine will
- Experiencing sudden insights or epiphanies
- Heightened intuition and inspiration
- Transcendent, blissful states of consciousness
- Sense of oneness with all life
| Physical Signs | Mental & Emotional Signs | Energetic & Spiritual Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Feeling energy flow at the crown | Feeling open and aware | Ability to tap into Universal energy |
| Times of “bliss” or euphoria | Inspired creativity | Psychic or subtle perception |
| Feeling aligned and at peace | Connecting to inner wisdom | Contact with spiritual realms/beings |
Signs of Imbalance
Some signs that may indicate your 7th chakra is blocked or imbalanced include:
- Lack of interest in spiritual matters
- Feeling disconnected from life’s meaning
- Difficulty learning new things or being open to new perspectives
- Frequently seeming “spacey” or ungrounded
- Depression or feelings of isolation
- Physical issues in head, brain or nervous system
| Physical Signs | Mental & Emotional Signs | Energetic & Spiritual Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Headaches or migraines | Feeling depressed | Unable to meditate deeply |
| Sleep problems | Lack of purpose | Feeling disconnected from intuition |
| Neurological problems | Learning difficulties | Loss of inspiration or creativity |
Causes of 7th Chakra Imbalances
Some common causes that can lead to blockages or lack of alignment with the crown chakra include:
- Excessive attachment to material or rational realms
- Rigid or dogmatic beliefs
- Trauma or abuse
- Exposure to toxins
- Chronic stress or fatigue
- Lack of time spent in contemplation or meditation
Our modern lifestyle and the excessive busyness of the mind can interfere with the reflection and spiritual communion needed to keep our higher chakras open and energized.
How to Balance the 7th Chakra
There are many practices that can help activate, align and balance the crown chakra. Key ways include:
- Meditation – Especially silent, mindfulness and transcendental (third eye) meditation.
- Being in nature – Connecting with the natural world helps access higher states.
- Contemplation – Reflecting on deeper spiritual questions and meanings in life.
- Chanting – Mantras like Om activate the 7th chakra.
- Yoga – Poses to open the upper chakras and energize the crown.
- Crystals – Amethyst, clear quartz, and selenite help purify and activate the crown.
Visualizations are also very helpful. We can visualize white or violet light flowing in through the top of the head and down through the spine, cleansing and energizing all the chakras. Or we can visualize a spinning flower with thousands of purple petals radiating at our crown.
7th Chakra Yoga Poses
Some beneficial yoga poses for the 7th chakra include:
- Sirsasana (Headstand) – Inverts the body to send energy to the crown.
- Balasana (Child’s Pose) – Calms the mind and relieves stress.
- Halasana (Plow Pose) – Stretches the spine and opens energy flow.
- Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) – Another inversion supplying blood and energy to the upper chakras.
Poses that incorporate backbends are also helpful to increase energy flow to the crown.
Foods for the 7th Chakra
Some foods that nourish and support the crown include:
- Water-rich fruits – Grapes, melons, cucumber
- Purple or white foods – Purple cabbage, eggplant, cauliflower, purple potatoes
- Herbs – Lavender, mugwort, gotu kola
- Nuts & seeds – Poppy seeds, pine nuts, almonds
- Oils – Flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil
Light, easy to digest foods allow for the greatest flow of energy to the upper chakras.
Lifestyle Suggestions
Some lifestyle changes that support a healthy 7th chakra include:
- Daily silent meditation or contemplation
- Spending time in nature
- Volunteer work or spiritual community
- Practicing non-attachment
- Doing creative activities
- Listening to uplifting or sacred music
Making more time for stillness, quieting the mind, and contemplating deeper aspects of self and existence all open the doorway to greater awakening through the crown chakra.
Aromatherapy
Key essential oils for the 7th chakra include:
- Sandalwood
- Jasmine
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Myrrh
Diffusing these aroma-therapeutic oils or applying diluted to the crown supports cleansing, opening, and activation.
Healing Stones
Beneficial crystals and stones for the 7th chakra include:
- Clear quartz – amplification, cleansing
- Amethyst – removes blocks, soothes
- Selenite – energy flow, meditation
- Lapis lazuli – wisdom, intuition
- Diamond – purity, illumination
Wearing these as jewelry over the crown chakra or using during meditation helps integrate their unique healing properties.
Affirmations
Some positive affirmations for enhancing the 7th chakra include:
- “I am open to higher states of being.”
- “Infinite wisdom guides me now.”
- “I awaken to my highest truth.”
- “Divine light fills me.”
- “I am one with all existence.”
Chanting these affirmations during meditation or contemplative practice helps manifest the qualities of an open, balanced crown chakra.
Conclusion
When aligned and energetically open, the 7th chakra allows access to enlightened awareness. This chakra represents our soul’s immortality and direct connection to the Divine. Keeping it balanced and nourished through spiritual practices allows for awakening inner wisdom, profound serenity, and self-realization beyond the confines of ego.
By nourishing all aspects of our being – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual – we pave the path for integration, optimal wellbeing, and ultimate fulfillment.
