The Throat Chakra, also called Vishuddha, is the fifth energy centre and is the voice of our bodies. Located at the centre of the neck at the level of the throat, it is the portal to communicate and express our thoughts, emotions, and feelings of the other chakras through sound in a way that is authentic and true.
The element associated with this chakra is ether, also known as akasha – the void, emptiness, nothingness - which encompasses all existence. This is the medium in which sound moves. Within the sacred container of the throat chakra, all of this energy and information is ‘metabolized’ - broken down and put back together into a form that becomes your unique expression in the world
This energy centre has a special connection to the Solar Plexus and Heart chakras since our voice allows us to make ourselves known, and to express our love for ourselves and for other beings.
If we don’t speak our truth and act authentically, we lose our power and end up judging ourselves, which can lead to imbalances in the lower chakras.
It is found in the thyroid and is associated with metabolism.
Physical imbalance in this chakra includes sore throats, thyroid issues, laryngitis, ear infections, facial problems, and neck and shoulder pain.
Emotional imbalance includes communication issues in the form of self-expression, writing or drawing, no will power or control and is attached to emotions such as fear of verbalizing your thoughts or the ability to speak your personal truth as well as a reticence to express joy.
The energy of the Throat Chakra is having an awareness of your personal power, and knowing that no one outside of yourself has power over you and the choices you make. However, this personal power of choice (often referred to as free will) is limited to the human experience.
Often we are left wondering if another force greater than us has power over us, and we ask why is this happening? and what is my purpose? This is where the Vishuddha begins to connect with the sixth chakra- the Third Eye chakra, which we will discuss in the next blog.
The Throat Chakra begins to understand the power of faith, having faith in ourselves and a higher existence, and knowing although we do have the power to make our own choices, we are also guided by an existential force that opens doors and gateways.
Free will dictates that it is up to us which door we choose to walk through. This is the power of creation itself – energy changes into matter as a result of throat chakra actions such as thinking, speaking, and visualizing.
Healing and Empowerment
In connection with the energy of the Heart Chakra, the Throat Chakra expresses love in things that you do – as well as do not –say. Sometimes withholding judgment and negative opinions of yourself or another person is one of the greatest acts of love.
Mercury is the ruler of the 5th chakra, and is also known as the messenger planet; it speaks in terms of logic and reasoning. Mercury represents how we think and how we communicate our thoughts and emotions – so it’s no surprise that Mercury rules professions dealing with writing, teaching, speaking, books and publications.
Forgiveness
Symbolically, the Throat Chakra resonates with admission and forgiveness. The act of admitting a mistake and saying out loud, “I forgive you” is often an extremely liberating and healing process. Forgiveness allows any guilt or hurt to be eliminated via the Root Chakra, and thus enables the individual to openly express, give, and receive love.
The Voice
This is the place from where we speak, sing, recite poetry or say loving gestures. Conversely, we can use our voice to project hurt, criticism or slander.
Therefore when the throat chakra is in harmony, we affirm life in the way we speak and express ourselves – we communicate honestly and from a place of truth. Opening the Throat Chakra is about finding your true inner Voice. For women in particular, finding her Voice after years of sublimating her truth can be a wholly new experience.
Signs of Imbalance in the Throat Chakra
The primary fear of the Throat Chakra is feeling as though we have no authority or power of choice within our lives. Many of us are made to believe we are not leaders of our own destinies and that we must succumb to societal pressures of what we “should and shouldn’t do.” This way of thinking leads to restricting and oppressive thought patterns, which ultimately result in Throat Chakra blockages.
Those who suffer with an imbalanced Throat Chakra struggle with dis-ease of the throat or respiratory system such as laryngitis, tonsillitis or the common cold because they are not voicing their authentic self. A deficiency of this energy can make a person become timid, afraid to speak up, and insecure about communicating their wants and needs.
An overactive Throat Chakra can bring about a dogmatic persona, arrogance, a gossiping nature, excessive talking and/or complaining, self-righteousness and even an inability to listen to others (listening is also an act of communication).
How to Heal Your Throat Chakra
Pray, talk to nature, sing like nobody is listening, meditate and commune with the divine. Learn to say “No” if something does not resonate with you. Do not be afraid to vocalize what you want, what you believe in, or who you are.
In short, opening oneself up to guidance from the Divine and keeping the Divine in mind when making decisions and taking action in life can significantly benefit the health of one’s fifth chakra. And this is a crucial step along the path of aligning oneself with the Divine.
From a psychological perspective of the Vishuddha, we begin to face our truth and see beyond maya (illusion), we vocalize our authentic self and are no longer lying to ourselves. We remain clear and direct in speaking our personal truth when we say “I'm sad” or “This is who I am!”
When we activate the Throat Chakra, we drop the façade of social conditioning and we awaken to our true human potential. Are you ready to speak out for what you truly believe?
Healing Sound and the Gongs
· Mercury Gong
· Chiron Gong
Yoga poses
· Bow Pose
· Sitting Forward Bend
· Lion Pose
Aromatherapy Oils
· Lavender
· Chamomile
· Rosemary
Animals connected with the Throat Chakra
· Blue-Throated Hummingbird
· Butterfly
· Wolf
· Birds –especially blue birds and jays
Gemstones
· Aquamarine(Stone of Courage) .
· Lapis Lazuli (Stone of Friendship, Truth and Total Awareness)
· Blue Lace Agate (Stone of Articulation)
· Turquoise(Stone of Communication)
Tarot cards that correspond with the Throat Chakra
· The Magician
· The Hierophant
· The Wheel of Fortune
What do I need to enjoy a Chakra Balancing Gong-Bath?
Sounds can be described as wave-forms that vibrate at particular frequencies. When two wave-forms of similar frequency oscillate at the same rate it is called rhythm entrainment, sympathetic vibration, or more simply, resonance. “Two oscillating vibrations, if they are near enough to each other in frequency, will eventually entrain” Our own vibrations can influence the vibration of others, just as the gongs can influence our own frequency.
Whether you listen to the gongs online, a recording or in person, using the principal of entrainment the gongs’ pure and powerful harmonics soothe and slow your busy mind into a relaxed, meditative state while their vibrations gently shake up and loosen the energy debris from around or within the chakra centres.
This vibrational detox helps to restore the natural resonance and harmony throughout your physical and non-physical body resulting in an increase of energy and a return to vitality. By focussing on one chakra at a time, each gong bath allows the energy system of each chakra to cleanse and rebalance restoring the free flow of energy and symptoms associated with previous blockages.
😍 Join me for a live online session with the gongs to cleanse and re-balance the Throat's Fifth Chakra, Thursday 29th July (8pm – 9pm BST) as part of a series of online monthly gong baths to cleanse and re-balance the chakras.
In addition, recordings of these live streamed experience are also available to purchase as well as individual chakra-cleansing gong baths in person. We're based in Dunster, West Somerset.
For more information on each chakra and what they represent you can request a chakra chart by emailing: [email protected]
Selected gongs being played at this session will specifically include the Mercury and Chiron Gong. Both are powerful generous gongs. Their energy and frequency assists with clearing and re-balancing the 5th chakra.
•All you need is to have somewhere quiet to sit or lie down, headphones/speakers, a blanket, pillow, eye-mask and anything else that will make you cosy, warm and comfortable!
To book your spot, visit: Sound-Well's Events and Booking Page Select the event of your choice and follow the booking process.
I accidentally found Sound-Well while searching for other events and thought: "Why not give it a shot?!" And I'm so happy I did. It's the most calming and relaxing experience I've had so far and Alexandra does wonderful work. I nearly join her Gong sessions weekly and can highly recommend it. Andrea