SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA - Transformation and Manifestation

So far we have understood the first two chakras of the 7 known major chakras which are the Root and Sacral chakras, we have learnt about the orisa that have the similar eneries with these chakras and how to spot their imbalance and the medication for them. It has come to my notice that, the concept of chakra shares the same similarities with the concept of Iwaju in Ifá even though my fathers and mothers in Isese disagree on mixing the Sanskrit concept of chakras with the orisa. In my study on iwaju i have learnt that iwaju refers to the portals to which the energy of the Orisas enters the body during the possession known as Egun (If you have an alternate and more descriptive knowledge of Iwaju, please drop your thought in the comment box.) Judging by this simple definition, i have chosen to move forward into my thesis on the remaining 4 chakras.

Our focus now turns to the 3rd chakra, which is the Solar Plexus Chakra, located in the Solar plexus region of the body which is made up of the stomach, ribcage, navel, spleen, adrenals, liver, pancreas, stomach, etc. This is a source of personal power that governs self-esteem, warrior energy, dynamism, expansiom, the power of transformation, it also controls metabolism and digestion.
Its the overwhelming force of the wind and the fury of the sun. It is the magnetic core of our personality and ego and the drive for accomplishments of creative goals and ambitions. Once the creative chakra which is the sacral chakra (visit previous post) as been unblocked and you have been able to tap into its creative energy, the empowerment of the manipura chakra brings out the idea to light.

The element of this chakra is fire which is a symbol of empowerment, transformation, purification, movement, and rage. Fire is central to alchemy it gives us the capacity to refine metals, to burn away the debris and turn lead to gold. When we connect to our third chakra, the fire in the belly, we connect to our inner power to incinerate fear, jealousy, and low self-esteem. In Ifá the orisa that best relates to this energy center is the energy of Oya, the warrior goddess, she is an Orisa of winds, lightnin, violent storms, death, rebirth and the market place. She was a one time lover and wife of Ogun, later she fell in love and married the super manly and seductive Sango, with whom she often goes into battle, she is known to be indispensable to her husband in every way. She is the strong wind that precedes the thunder. She can fan any fire set by Sango’s thunderbolts into a high blaze and she also has the ability to use lightening, to assist him in his battles. It is said that without Oya, Sango cannot go into battle. She is also known for her intelligence, independence, fearlessness, gracefulness, sensuality, power, razor-sharp tongue, and deep intense passion. Her energy sits perfectly in the solar plexus center. It is she who assists us with rapid inner and outer transformation.

Oya, is about absolute change and is not a slow or very patient energy. Her role as the orisa of the market place is a subtle but pratical example of the force of change influenced by the solar plexus chakra, that is, the market is an unpredictable place where quickly money changes hands from one hand to another, good luck can produce fortunes and bad luck can dissipate them, in the market place, the poor become the rich and the rich become the power. In a more violent approach, her change is likened to the rushing wind that tears down dead trees from the top to make room for the new, she uses her matchets (she is always seen to hold two) to clear a path for new growth.

Like fire and the energy wheel of the solar plexus, Oya energy requires movement to thrive under circumstances responsible for one's success in breaking the seal and tapping into energy of the manipura chakra, it is only through the channeling of ones willpower and dynamism that we can attract a desired change, as a fire goddess, she brings rapid change and aids us in both inner and outer transformation. She uses her iruke (horse-tail whisk) to stirr the wind to sweep away that which is sullied and as a goddess of rebirth, she brings to life self-esteem that past trials and tribulation must have damaged opening the mind to recieve empathethic transformation. if the timing is right with the energy movement and one chooses to get swept up in the change, good settles after the storm. I have felt and still feel how so much turmoil is churned up for those who ask for change. Instead of moving with it, sometimes we fight it and fail to take the chance that would provide us with great reward. Much of the energy which encourages one to fight back is from false frames of thought which one holds on to. If one could just be open to whatever comes their way and ride the wave of change, growth and new beginnings success will always be on their path. The animal symbol of Oya is the buffalo, the buffalo represents strength of character as well as an independent spirir necessary to generate prosperity and abundance of resources. It is also a totem for survival, strength and stability. Those who are firm in thier will, mold the world to themselves, stability is a key to growth.

At this level of the third chakra we begin to recognize that every choice we make either drowns us more deeply in the “illusory physical world” or invests us in the power of spirit. When the Solar Plexus is out of balance one may lose confidence this might be caused by constant disappointment, and critism from other people, worry about what other thinks can rock the scale of balance of the manipura, losing self assurance which would build self doubt and depression and as a result, it becomes pretty difficult to see the "big picture" clearly which would cause a great confusion in the mind and derail one's sense of purpose affecting one's overall productivity greatly. An overactive chakra may drive one to become manipulative and controlling, always wanting to exercise dominance over others even to their detriment, an example of this is in the tale of Oya and Sango where Oya cajoled Sango to get rid of his two generals, twice sango pitted Gbonka against Timi (the generals) till Gbonka successfully killed Timi and Sango attempted to kill Gbonka, this attempt proved fatal to Sango as it caused him his throne from there things went south and caused Sango and Oya thier lives. When you work on creating a more positive self-image, on making responsible decisions and understanding what you want from life, good things follows, we ought to recognize that ysing anger to control others leads to failure.

When the navel chakra is in healthy alignment, you will be comfortable with your own inherent power and become empowered, you would have been able to create a more positve self-image capable of making responsible decisions in line with your vision and understanding of your goal and aspirations in life. You will have an heightened sense of who you are and why you are here. When you connect with your purpose you gain a deeper understanding of how you as an individual can contribute to the collective in a beneficial way. You will let go of the things whether it’s your job, education, love life and religious doctrines that you depend on to define who you are. Those things may have value but over-valuing anything that subject to change is a quick road to suffering. You have inherent value, take the time through practice to investigate it and you will be less dependent on external sources for happiness and identity. The solar plexus chakra is responsible for helping you discover your authentic self and find your true purpose in life. Getting outside of your comfort zone and experiencing new hobbies, cultures, and ideas can help open and bring balance to this energy center. What emerges through a healthy third chakra, is a sense of personal power, self-esteem, discipline, ambition, the ability to generate action, the ability to handle a crisis, the courage to take risks, generosity, and strength of character. Also, you begin to let love and compassion for oneself and others radiate through you.

Thank you for the read, the topic on chakra will continue in subsequent articles we implore you to subscribe to our page to get notification on our next post via email and we also hope to read your thoughts and suggestions in the commentary box. We wish you a strong heart, healthy body and a sound mind.