Muladhara: The Root Chakra

Muladhara/root/”Foundation”

Element: Earth

Color: Red

Identity: Physical

Emotion: Fear/Faith

Archetype: Victim/Earth Mother

Development age: 0-12 months

Right: To be here and have

The first chakra, muladhara, is located at the base of the spine and has a rich, glowing red light. It develops during infancy as we are establishing our sense of trust in the world. When the baby’s needs are met, they are more willing to trust the world and want to interact with it. When the baby’s needs are neglected, they begin to dissociate, disconnecting from their body, developing both physical and emotional wounds to their muladhara. They lose their connection with the physical world and feel as if they have no home, always on alert to ensure their survival. 

Without a solid foundation, someone with a wounded root chakra may become hypervigilant and have poor boundaries. In reclamation of the root chakra, they must combat the fear that debilitates them. As they embody faith, they can heal their root wounds and return to their bodies once again, becoming in tune with their instincts, needs, and the ground below them. 

Some traumas may be abandonment, neglect, feeding difficulties, physical abuse, inherited trauma, poor boundaries, and objectifying the body. They can be inflicted by both cultural wounds and firsthand experiences. Healing the first chakra requires a process of healing the traumas that have damaged their muladhara. This could involve tuning into the sensations of the body, creating dialogue with it and closer understanding what it feels like to be. Some therapies can include drawing the body, affirming the physical state of their feelings, grounding by pushing against something solid. Hatha yoga, movement, and touch also have a significant impact on our first chakra.

When the muladhara is healthy, we are free to interact with the world, explore the effect it has on our body. We can claim our right to be here and we feel safe doing so. It’s our sacred right to unite with our body and find solidity in a changing world.

Mantra: LAM

Affirmations:

The earth supports me and meets my needs.

I love my body and trust it’s wisdom.

I am here and I am real.

I am divinely protected.

I believe in me. I love my being.

I ground down and rise up.

I accept prosperity as my divine right.