When most people use the word “Aura”, they only have a vague, general idea of what they’re trying to describe. As we try to get an accurate picture of this whole area we first need to understand that an individual has several bodies:
The Physical Body is just that, this thing of flesh and blood and bones that lives on sex and pizza. It lives and works on the Physical Plane.
What most people understand as the “Aura” is actually the Etheric Double. This does not just begin at the skin and go outwards, it also occupies the same space as the physical body and extends some distance beyond it. It is through the Etheric Double that the Vital Energy flows that keeps the non-physical self alive.
Occupying the same space as the Etheric Double is the Astral Body. It is the body of feelings and emotions (this includes sentimentality) and contains the unconscious reservours of fear, anger and pain. The Astral Body feels the “atmosphere” of a person or place. It functions on the Astral Plane.
The Mental Body gives and receives information, deals with thought forms, is the mental vehicle for the whole self, and deals in the same sphere of thought and the intellect. It occupies the same space as the Astral Body, but extends out slightly further. It functions on the Mental Plane.
There is a layer of insulation between the Astral and Mental Bodies known as the Etheric Web. It stops the two from comingling haphazardly, and also works as a sort of wall or shield keeping unwanted forces out.
The Spiritual Body functions on a causal level. It is the divine part of a person. Through this Body, one is united to everything in the Universe. According to some sources, it operates on the Buddhic, Nirvanic, Monadic, and Divine or Adi Planes.
While the auras are energy reservoirs, the Chakras are energy transformers. They are centers that process and distribute energy. The Chakras are saucer-like, undulating, resplendent vortices or whirlpools in the aura. In Eastern literature they are actually referred to as flowers of various numbers of petals. They seem to mirror the Nervous System of the Physical Body, appearing to join the Nervous System near the spine.
The first Chakra is the Muladhara or Base Chakra. It is the first of the Physiological Chakras, and receives the Serpent Fire from the Earth. The Muladhara Chakra appears as a four-petaled flower of alternating red and orange petals. It appears to join the Nervous System at the base of the Spine. The Muladhara Chakra is attributed to the Hindu god Ganesha and the goddess Dakini (as aspect of Shakti). If this Chakra is blocked, digestive, kidney, prostate and bowel problems can arise, it then cannot handle incoming energies. It is attributed to the element Earth; but also to the physical world, and represents resistance and solidity. The Muladhara Chakra is the only Chakra that opens downward and is the seat of the Kundalini.
The second Chakra is the Svadhisthana or Generative Chakra. It is the second of the Physiological Chakras, and recieves Vitality from the Sun. The Svadhishthana Chakra appears as a six-petaled flower, with one petal each being red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. It appears to join the Nervous System in the vicinity of the First Lumbar Vertebra. The Svadhishthana Chakra astrally vitalizes the whole body, permitting astral travel and memory thereof. It is attributed to the Hindu god Brahma and the goddess Rakini (all these godesses are forms of Shakti). If this Chakra is blocked, intestinal, digestive, urinary and sexual problems can arise. The Svadhishthana Chakra is located just above the genitalia (though there are prudes who claim it is at the spleen). It controls sexual energy (both physical and emotional), creativity in all its aspects, and masculinity or femininity. The Svadhishthana Chakra is usually restricted in adults due to our sexually repressive society. It is attributed to the sense of Taste and the element of Water; and to a sense of the wonder of life and child-like innocence.
The Manipura is the Naval or Solar Plexis Chakra. It is the first of the Personal Chakras, and receives Lower Astral Forces which reach an individual through his personality. The Manipura Chakra appears as a ten-petaled flower of alternating red and green petals. It appears to join the Nervous System in the vicinity of the Eighth Thoracic Vertebra. The Manipura Chakra controls the power of sensing activity on the Astral Plane. It is attributed to the Hindu god Vishnu and the goddess Lakini. If this Chakra is blocked, stomach problems can arise. It is the seat of personality and aids the assimilation of food. The Manipura Chakra gives calmness when functioning , and aids in relationships with others. It nourishes contentment, trust and empathy. The Manipura Chakra controls the transcenddental self, and has a more consistent flow than the Heart Chakra.
The Anahata or Heart Chakra is the second of the Personal Chakras, and receives Higher Astral Forces which reach an individual through his personality. The Anahata Chakra appears as a flower with twelve golden petals. It appears to join the Nervous System in the vicinity of the Eighth Cervical Vertabra. The Anahata Chakra controls the ability to comprehend other Astral entities and achieve empathy with them. It is attributed to the Hindu god Shiva and the goddess Kakini. If this Chakra is blocked, heart palpitations can arise. It is the center of the emotions of pain, anger, fear and joy (of which all other emotions—except any previously mentioned—are formed). The Anahata Chakra is attributed to the element of Air and the sense of Touch. It controls compassion and healing and also human and divine love (the Manipura and Anahata Chakras in both persons involved must be healthy for a long-term relationship to occur). If this Chakra isn’t working well, the immunilogical system will be suppressed. It is a regulator of a person’s emotional life, which can only stay balanced if this Chakra is open. It is a gateway to the divine.
The Vishudda or Throat Chakra is the third of the Personal Chakras and receives Lower Mental Forces which reach an individual through his personality. It appears as a flower of 16 petals that are alternatingly silvery blue and silvery green. The Vishudda Chakra appears to join the Nervous System in the vicinity of the Third Cervical Vertebra. It controls clairaudience on the Etheric and Astral Planes. It is attributed to the Hindu god Jiva and the goddess Shakini. If this Chakra is blocked, throat, neck and shoulder problems can arise. It is attributed to the element of Spirit and the sense of Hearing. The Vishudda Chakra controls awareness of the Mental Body and the intellectual self; as well as understanding, awareness of the spiritual side of things, the powers of expression (especially vocal). It is attributed to personal integrity, and can transform human energy into unconditional joy, transcending fear. It is indicative of living life to its fullest.
The Ajna or Frontal Chakra is the first of the Spiritual Chakras and is connected to the Pituatary Gland. It appears as a flower of 96 petals; one side of the flower is rose-red, and the other side is blue-violet. Besides being connected to the Pituatary Gland, some sources also say that this Chakra appears to join the Nervous system in the vicinity of the First Cervical Vertebra. It controls actual Clairvoyance (Astral seeing). The Ajna Chakra is attributed to Guru and Hakini. If this Chakra is blocked, frequent headaches can occur. It aids balance and harmony of the personality (unity with the subconscious), seeing and intuition. The Ajna Chakra is the link to Divine Intelligence and controls higher Mental activities.
The Sahasrara or Crown Chakra is the second of the Spiritual Chakras, and is connected to the Pineal Gland. It appears as a flower of 1000 petals of all hues, but predominantly violet. Within this again appears a central flower of twelve petals, white-gold in color. While the Chakras are referred to as flowers, let us remember that each is a vortex that brings in energy; though with the Sahasrara Chakra, there sometimes exists an outpouring of energy like a resplendent fountain. To this Chakra is owed perfection of the complete Astral Body and all its faculties. It is attributed to the Hindu god Parabrahman. This Chakra contributes to wholeness, unity of self with the Universe, being part of Infinity and Eternity, the highest level of spiritual perfection. The Sahasrara Chakra is the only Chakra that opens directly upwards.
Some of the older Hindu texts include a number of smaller Chakras in a variety of locations. One of these may be the Spleenic Chakra of the Theosophists.
While auras are energy reservoirs, and Chakras are energy transformers, the Nadis are energy channels.
The chief Nadis is the Sushumna which occupies the same space as the Spine. Within this is the channel of Vajrini. Within this again is the super-fine channel known as the Chitribi, described as being “as fine as spiders’ thread.” Up these flow Central Energy.
There are two Nadis that weave back and forth through the Sushumna. These are Ida, which is feminine and relates to passion and emotion; and Pingala, which is masculine and relates to control of the mind. The placement of these two is reversed in men and women. In a man the Pingala begins just to the right of the Spine.
Three basic types of energy—or Prana—feed the non-physical system we have just described:
1) Primary Force which is of divine origin and is considered Male.
2) Vital Force, or Vitality, that comes from the Sun; and of which there is more floating around in the daytime and on sunny days.
3) Kundalini Force, or Serpent Fire, which rests in seven concentric spheres at the Muladhara Chrakra, and is considered Female.
What an individual should do is to clear and strengthen their Chakras through Healing, Meditation and/or Magick. This will improve the brilliance of the non-physical bodies.
The next task at hand is raising the Kundalini Serpent along the Sushumna to the Sahasrara Chrakra, but the Chakras must be in good working order first.
That is how to not only achieve health in the non-physical bodies, but also to begin on one of the many paths to accomplishing the Great Work.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Sherwood’s Chakra Therapy
Leadbeater’s The Chakras