The throat chakra is located in the throat area above the third cervical vertebrae.

Sanskrit name: Vishuddha.

Associated with the mid to lighter shades of blue.

The throat chakra has 16 petals or spokes.

It is related to the thyroid, endocrine gland.

Governs the bronchial and vocal apparatus, lungs, and the alimentary canal.

Planet: Jupiter.

Astrological signs and planets for the throat chakra are: Gemini/Mercury (communication, sharing knowledge), Mars (self-expression), Aquarius/Uranus (inspiration, higher wisdom, independence).

Associated sense: hearing.

Associated element: ether.

Musical note: So.

Hindu mantra: Ham.

The throat chakra is associated with sound, the spoken word, self expression and communication with others. Powers that might arise from activation of the throat chakra are claraudience (ability to hear astral sounds and music) and higher communication skills.

Author Comments:

Man Myth & Magic, Vol. 3 (1985) editor in chief, Richard Cavendish writes that vivification of this chakra confers the "gift of eternal wisdom...not wisdom in the ordinary sense of that word. Rather is it some sort of divine illumination, the exact nature of which is incapable of being understood..."

In The Chakra Handbook (1999), Shalila Sharamon and Bodo J. Baginski say, "The throat chakra is the center of the human capacity of expression, communication and inspiration... Communication of our inner life primarily takes place through the spoken word, and also through gestures and creative forms of expression… Through the fifth chakra we find our own individual expression…"

In his book Chakra Breathing (1994), Helmut G. Sieczka says open energy flow in the throat chakra results in a high degree of responsibility, creativity, wealth of ideas, good communication skills and expressiveness, a sense of freedom and independence, moving with the flow of life, highly developed personality structure, a sense of being accepted, and a strong immune system. Blockages in the throat chakra cause communication problems, difficulties with vocalization, desire to maintain the role of a child, powerful yearning for safety and stability, feeling overwhelmed, stubbornness, reclusiveness, and self-hatred.

In Healing With The Energy Of The Chakras (1998), Ambika Wauters writes "The throat chakra acts as the conduit between the heart and the mind." She also writes that it is "the most immediate channel of expression for our individuality."

Shirley MacLaine says in Going Within (1989) that the fifth chakra is the "center through which we communicate and express ourselves... the center through which we formulate judgments of others." She also says that blockages in the throat center are often caused by fear of speaking your own truth.