Svadhisthana (The Sacral Chakra)Location: The sacrum
Colour: Orange Associated Organ: Liver, kidneys Element: Water This chakra is said to constitute the centre of our personality, translating literatlly to "one's own residence" (Mookerjee, 40). The colour orange is associated with impulse, imagination, and ideas which stimulate the mind (Radha, 81). We see the element of water represented here by the cresent moon and the Makara (a sea monster similar to an alligator) with its open mouth symbolizing desire and gratification through pleasure (Radha, 81). Also contained within this chakra are the deities Vishnu and Rakini. Vishnu is the preserver, the eternal life-force in the universe, he is also the second of the Hindu Trinity (consisting of Brahama the creator and Siva the Destroyer) (Radha, 82; Mookerjee, 40). Thus, this chakra is the seat of life preservation. The Goddess Rakini is Vishnu's creative aspect (Radha, 83). She has a fierce appearance that symbolizes the uncontrolled uncultivated imagination (and the dangers of this). |
Jung's analysis
Svadhisthana is the baptism of the conciousness for Jung, with an added danger of the makara which is similar to the Leviathan. It is massive, powerful and terrifying to behold and can hinder our progress if we let it devour us (recall that the makra symbolises our lower desires, and as Jung adds- our unconcious) (Mookerjee, 53). We have the option here of going under the water and meeting the makara and it either becomes our source of regeneration or our source of destruction (Jung, 17).