Supporting Our Voice (or Throat Chakra)

Speaking our truth, having a voice, and using it to communicate freely are very important to our well being.  Our throat is where our 5th chakra is found, although this chakra also affects our neck, thyroid, and parathyroid glands, jaw, mouth, and tongue.  A simple description of the chakra system would be a system of wheels of energy, spinning vibrantly with “Prana” or life force energy.  This system of 7 basic chakras, when functioning optimally, keeps us healthy and vital.  A weak chakra point can manifest itself in our emotional, spiritual or physical levels….or all three.

When clear and strong, our voice (ie. throat chakra) enables us to express ourselves honestly and to speak our highest truth.  Many times, we find ourselves withholding such expression, and that can happen for various reasons.

Fear is often the #1 reason.  We fear that our words may be rejected, we fear that we may be ridiculed or misunderstood.  We fear that others may judge us because of what we say.  And so, we keep these words and thoughts to ourselves, and suppress our voice.  My first awareness of the throat and communication came when our son was young and came down with a very sore throat, on the day that he was to do a presentation that he was worried about at school.  Thanks to Louise Hay’s wonderful book, “You Can Heal Your Life”, I discovered that a sore throat could indicate “feeling unable to express the self”.  Some lozenges and a pep talk helped, and it vanished quickly the next day.

Sometimes, we don’t speak our truth out of kindness.  As I wrote in a previous blog, kindness is essential, so what we need to do is find a way to voice ourselves in a kind way.  If we withhold our words because we are worried about hurting someone’s feelings, it can be hurtful to us, too. We may often assume that our words will be received poorly, but if we present them in a loving way, without aggression or judgement, we can benefit both parties.

So what can we do when we find ourselves blocked?  How do we support this chakra and our ability to speak clearly and honestly?

Fortunately, there are many ways.  As a Reiki practitioner, I will place my hand over my throat and give myself Reiki, with the focus that the energy will help unblock this area.

Each chakra has a colour associated with it, and for the 5th chakra, that colour is blue.  You can close your eyes and visualize (or meditate longer) that your throat is enveloped in beautiful, supportive blue light.  Wearing blue around the throat (as in a scarf, or tie for the gents) is another suggestion.

Beautiful Lapis Lazuli from the Rock Shop

There are crystals that help support our throat chakra and, when worn as a necklace, can give us extra help.  As well, you can hold them and meditate with them.  Lapis lazuli, blue kyanite, aquamarine and blue sodalite are all fabulous for that.  My friend, Charles Brand, has a great selection of crystals and gemstones, and I love placing a lapis palm stone over my throat when I need help there.  For more information, you can check out his website.  If requested, I also use crystals during Reiki sessions, to enhance the healing session.

And last, but not least, we can use essential oils to balance this area.  I love using a doTERRA blend called “Whisper”, which contains patchouli, bergamot, sandalwood, cinnamon, ylang ylang, among other oils.  At a Chakra Balancing course I took recently, I learned that one drop on the throat will support our ability to express our feelings and speak one’s truth, by calming the mind and allowing us to discern our emotions and find a way to express our heart’s will.

So there you have it.  I think it is very helpful to do an assessment of sorts on ourselves every once in a while.  Take some time to learn more about the chakra system and how they affect us, and this awareness may help you find strengths in all your chakras.  Awareness is the first step to getting better.

“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.”
– Spencer Johnson