WinterIZING the Chakras During the Cold Snap

​Winter provides us pause, yet in the darkness of the season, the chakras of survival—the void, root, sacral and solar plexus—become as little hearth fires within us. They are vessels of warmth, memory, and power. It would do us well to tend to them by acknowledging them, for when we take care of our chakras, our chakras reward us with inspiration, motivation, energy, boosted health, and clarity of mind.

Before we get started, however, remember that meditation doesn’t mean your mind has to be empty. Especially when it comes to chakra meditation. The chakras are databases of the mind and body. Encountering memories during this type of meditation is to be expected. If your mind wanders, gently call it back to the task at hand, focusing on the warming energy of your chakras. If you still can’t help being lured away by a thought from your high school band class, good or bad, step back and be the observer—heal a hurtful memory with the words I’m safe; I’m whole; I’m loved or embrace a joyful memory with gratitude to whatever made you happy in that moment.

These meditations aren’t supposed to be a task you cross off the to-do list, but rather should be a tiny vignette in your day or night to settle yourself and re-gather the energy you expended tending to the mundane.

We now begin with the void/initiation chakra at the base of your feet, the chakra through which you came into being, the darkness of your mother’s womb. For nine months, this darkness, warmth, and peace were all you knew. This is the purest place of bliss where you knew Nothingness—no pain, sorrow, or suffering. Not even a sense of self. Meditate on this chakra to return to that space of purity and emptiness by focusing on the soles of your feet while curled up tight under a comfy blanket. The color of black for this chakra's meditation can be soothing, fortifying. Wear it to remind yourself in that moment that you are unbothered and unburdened. 

Moving up to the root chakra, we encounter the spark of life. When healthy, it burns vibrantly at the base of your spine. It’s the flame of courage and strength. It’s stability and family—by birth or choice. It is the chakra that holds us. Comforts us. Wrap yourself in its warmth and security by wearing red, lighting some candles, or enjoying scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warming spices. This chakra also loves movement and being on the go, so a good workout at the gym is an additional way to put it into high gear!

The sacral chakra is the bright, warm sun on our faces on a cold day. Like the sun, it does not care how chilly it is, it can break right through winter’s frost with a warm kiss on the cheek. The sacral is a social chakra, it loves to say hello and announce its arrival. It’s friendship and social gatherings. It rules digestion and thus allows us to feel a warm hug “from the inside” when we sip on hot soups or drinks. Also the chakra of creativity, you can add fuel to the sacral by sitting down with a cup of hot chocolate and a painting canvas, knitting needles, or journal. Write, dance, sway, hum. Engage that creative energy and let it warm you from within!

At the solar plexus, the fire burns low but steady. It might sound counterintuitive when talking about our inner fires, but hydration keeps this chakra in tip-top shape. The third chakra rules the stomach, liver, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder, and spleen. That’s to say that it rules the detoxification plant of the body. It doesn’t need a juice cleanse or a tincture of apple cider every morning. While those couldn’t hurt in moderation, adequate water is all that’s necessary for a proper detox. Remember also that the solar plexus rules the intellect (decisions) and the ego (how you see yourself). It’s not a coincidence that this chakra relies on water not just for physical health but for clarity (of the mind) and keeping toxicity (of the ego and body) at bay. It’s all interconnected! Winterize this chakra with warm shades of yellow alongside a good book and hot tea.

These particularly cold, brutal winters can test our mettle and endurance. In order to keep warm, the body requires extra energy. It burns a few more calories, a bit more fat (not nearly as much as I would like) in order to keep us running optimally. So it’s natural to feel a bit drained or even a bit hungrier during these long, harsh cold snaps. Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be compassionate. It’s the little things like these chakra meditations that can help keep our inner fires burning warm and bright as we wait for the sun to return. 

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