The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest, above the fifth thoracic vertebrae, at the level of the heart.

Sanskrit name: Anahata.

Associated with the color green.

The heart chakra has 12 petals or spokes.

The endocrine gland it is related to is the thymus.

The areas of the body it governs are the heart, blood, vagus nerve, and the circulatory system.

Planet: Saturn.

Astrological signs and planets for the heart chakra are: Leo/Sun (sincerity, generosity), Libra/Venus (balance, harmony), Saturn (selfless love, overcoming ego).

Associated sense: touch.

Associated element: air.

Musical note: Fa.

Hindu mantra: Yam.

The heart chakra is considered the bridge between the physical and the astral worlds and is the home point of the astral body. It is the home of compassion, intuitiveness and loving action. The heart chakra is often the place where a healer will come from when holding a healing space for another person. Powers that come with a fully awakened and functioning heart chakra are sensitivities to the states of others and empathy.

Author Comments:

Man Myth & Magic, Vol. 3 (1985) editor in chief, Richard Cavendish writes that harmony in this chakra gives "so many...spiritual benefits and supernormal powers that they cannot be listed in full... includes the ability to manipulate the sizes of objects and living beings, clairvoyance, and the art of making oneself invisible."

In The Chakra Handbook (1999), Shalila Sharamon and Bodo J. Baginski say, "The heart chakra is the center of the entire chakra system. It connects the three lower physical and emotional centers to the three higher mental and spiritual centers... Its purpose... is to achieve perfect union through love... An open heart chakra can have a spontaneous healing or transforming influence on others... It is the devotion of the heart that makes us receptive to the subtler aspects of creation. Thus, the higher capabilities of the brow chakra develop concurrently with the unfolding of the heart chakra."

In his book Chakra Breathing (1994), Helmut G. Sieczka says an open energy flow in the heart chakra brings confidence in relationships, developed sensitivity, high degree of flexibility and adaptability, compassion (as opposed to pity), and inner tranquillity. Blockages in this chakra result in loss of awareness of one's deepest and truest feelings, difficulties in relating and lack of contact, difficulties in receiving love and affection, overwhelming negative thoughts, and a distaste for life.

In Healing With The Energy Of The Chakras (1998), Ambika Wauters says, "The heart chakra is the beginning of the path to higher consciousness and light." She emphasizes that balance in the heart causes us to experience that we are lovable and worthy and that this is the energy "in which we blossom and our true gifts begin to emerge."

Shirley Maclaine writes in Going Within (1989), "Meditating on the heart chakra will help the process of learning to love oneself so that the love of others is more possible."