The base chakra also known as the root chakra is located at the base of the spine at the coccyx.
It is concerned with survival, safety, security, tribe, shelter, feeling supported, financial stability, food, protection, physical health, abundance on all levels and the ability to stand up for yourself.
When out of balance you may have fears around not being able to support yourself or your family, not having enough love, money or food, change, being rejected, failing or succeeding. There can be feelings of anxiety, frustration, anger, insecurity, grief, depression and the inability to let go of people or possessions.
On a physical level you may have chronic lower back, knee or leg pain, arthritis, sciatica, varicose veins, constipation, obesity, haemorrhoids, lethargy. There may be bladder, prostrate, ovarian, uterine, bone or immune problems.
Some questions to consider and perhaps journal about
Do you feel safe at home and in the world?
Do you feel you have to always watch your back? Why?
Do you feel a sense of belonging to your family, work and culture?
Are you able to stand up for yourself?
Do you suffer from a lack of energy and constant fatigue?
Are you able to support your family and yourself or are you always worried where the money is coming from?
What are your greatest fears?
10 essential oils that can help with base chakra issues
Many authors suggest using grounding oils such as the woods, cedarwood, cypress etc. which all help but it is wise to look at the underlying issues and choose oils that also help to ease and heal those issues surrounding confidence, security and emotional stability.
The oils can be used in various ways including inhalation, bathing, anointing, massage and as perfumes.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) helps release pent up anger and frustration that can lead to depression when you feel unsupported or insecure.
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) helps unblock stagnant energy and restore a sense of direction and determination.
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) grounds and centres you giving you immovable strength and courage in times of crisis.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is useful if you have isolated yourself emotionally from others.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is useful when you want to change your circumstances but doubt your ability to do so.
Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) is very calming, centring and grounding, offering support and strength when you need to reconnect with yourself and others.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is useful if you procrastinate or lack the strength, determination or endurance to succeed.
Marjoram (Marjorama hortensis) is helpful for obsessive worry and thinking and real or imagined emotional deprivation.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) is grounding and calming instilling a deep sense of peace.
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) brings calm, reassuring strength and a sense of belonging.
Make your own base chakra anointing blend
Choose 1-3 essential oils for a total of 3 drops and add to 10 mls of cold pressed vegetable oil.
Either sit or lie down. Take a couple of deep even breaths. Anoint your lower back (and soles of your feet if you wish) with a few drops of the blend in a clockwise direction with your fingertips. Use your intention to open, balance, heal and then close the chakra. Continue your slow deep breathing allowing the oils to do their work and when you feel ready open your eyes.
10 crystals that may be used to balance the base chakra
Choose one or two to work with. These may be used directly on the base chakra, carried in the pocket, worn as jewellery or used as an essence or spray. Red and black crystals are often used to balance the base chakra.
Black obsidian helps you to recognize where you are holding negativity and cleanse it from your aura.
Bloodstone grounds you fully in your body offering support and courage in difficult times.
Clear quartz can be used to clear and balance all the chakras.
Fire agate is calming and gives a sense of safety and security giving you the ability to take risks and decisive action even when you are unsure of the outcome.
Hematite is best known for its grounding properties giving you strength and courage to move through the crises in your life.
Mahogany obsidian is useful in helping you to face your fears around scarcity issues, allowing you to move through them and into abundance.
Moss agate helps when you are feeling ungrounded and gives you the persistence and endurance to complete your goals.
Red aventurine helps you to take on, persevere during and finally overcome the challenges in your life.
Smokey quartz is a very powerful clearing and grounding stone and can provide protection from the negative energies in your environment.
Tiger iron is a stone of strength, courage and stamina helping you to remain grounded, calm and centred during challenging times.
Grounding Aromatic Affirmation: Like the cedarwood tree my roots are deep in the earth so I have the strength and balance to remain grounded.