The root chakra is located at the bottom of the spine reaching downward, precisely at the coccyx.

Sanskrit name: Mudlahara. Associated with the color red, or a dark orange.

The root chakra has four petals or spokes. (The petals of the chakras have been determined by exploration in the meditations of sages in ancient India.)

The adrenals are the related glands.

Areas of the body governed by this chakra are the spinal column, anus, colon, prostate, blood and the kidneys.

Planet: Mars.

Astrological signs and planets for the root chakra are: Aries/Mars (new beginnings, primordial life force, aggressiveness), Taurus (stability, closeness to the Earth), Capricorn/Saturn (structure and stability), Sun (primordial source of life).

Associated sense: Smell.

Associated element: Earth.

Musical note: Do.

Hindu mantra: Lam.

The root chakra is associated with primal force, survival level issues and is the beginning point of entry into the physical world and attachment to the physical body. It is also closely associated with one's self image of oneself, be that positive or negative. It can be used to ground oneself to the earth, or physical life itself. A power that might appear when the chakra is healthy and awakened fully is entry into the world of pure and primal intelligence.

Author Comments:

Man Myth & Magic, Vol. 3 (1985) editor in chief, Richard Cavendish writes that this chakra gives one "complete self-control over the passions, envy, lust, greed and so on."

In The Chakra Handbook (1999), Shalila Sharamon and Bodo J. Baginski say, "The root chakra connects us with the physical world. It transfers cosmic energies to the physical and earthly level and let's earthly energy stream into our subtle system... building up in existence, finding material security, and securing the survival of the species by founding of family belong to the sphere of this first chakra, along with sexuality as a physical function and a means of begetting children."

In Chakra Breathing (1994), Helmut G. Sieczka says that open energy flow in the root chakra brings alertness and clarity in daily life, strong motivation and perseverance, firm rootedness in life, strong physical and mental resilience, high levels of physical confidence and self-assurance, firm connection with the earth and with nature, and love of life. He says that blocked energy flow in the root chakra results in lack of self-assertiveness and confidence in life, difficulty in finding a sense of direction, insecurity, anxiety, worry and existential fears around survival.

In Healing With The Energy Of The Chakras (1998), Ambika Wauters says, "Success and failure in our physical survival become embodied in the root chakra and are handed down from generation to generation... Depending on how past generations of your family saw life, whether as a struggle or as a worthwhile experience to be lived and enjoyed, this in turn will determine the unconscious patterns you carry in your root chakra." She also says that when the root chakra is open and functional it will "support one in manifesting all creative desires."

Shirley MacLaine writes in Going Within (1989) that the base chakra deals with issues of earth-plane grounding and understanding of the physical dimension. She uses the "spinning [of the root chakra] as a calming influence on whatever I find myself afraid of."