Manipura: The Solar Plexus

The Solar Plexus/Manipura (lustrous gem)

Element: Fire

Color: Yellow

Identity: Ego

Archetype: The Warrior

Developmental Age: 18 months to 4 years

Right: To act and be individual

The Solar Plexus, depicted by a fiery yellow glow a few inches above the belly button, defines our sense of strength, will, and power. Through solar plexus healing work, there is opportunity for beautiful growth through developing a healthy ego, self-esteem, and power. As we come into this sacred power, healing cultural and personal wounds to the third chakra are part of the process. Power is a word that is both loved and hated by society. One challenge in healing the third chakra is figuring out how to find empowerment while avoiding the duality of powerful vs oppressed. 

A healthy third chakra should fuel us, giving us the energy to pursue our desires and awaken as an individual, by using the physicality of our lower chakras and form of our upper chakras to create will. Autonomy and trust in oneself are both blossoms of a healthy manipura. The development of one’s autonomy, a crucial part of this healing work, requires our growth as an individual, processing our desires and intentions into will. Through this will, we find our power-- that which brings transformation and the ability to define our own lives. As we find our inner power, it must come from a place of confidence. It should be strong, flexible and grow from mistakes rather than being inhibited by them. 

In a world so obsessed with dominance, wealth, and unjust power, it’s being increasingly difficult to recognize that power does not lie outside of ourselves. Power and shame are intertwined within the fabric of our society. The victim vs. oppressor dynamic makes us feel that coming into our power is shameful because it is believed that it is found at the expense of others. There are also expectations of power that go unfulfilled for those experiencing it. We cannot find power outside of ourselves. It is a process of transformation and coming into one’s light that brings us true, healthy power. Shame is the poison of our power, shifting our self esteem to a place where we no longer feel capable. It collapses our body at the mid section, making us feel vulnerable and exposed where we once felt confident with ourselves. 

Mantra: RAM

Affirmations: 

I honor the power within me.

The fire within me burns through all blocks and fears.

I can do whatever I will to do. 

I accept myself unconditionally.

I embody self acceptance and confidence. 

I act with courage and strength. 

I choose health, healing, and happiness.