Ajna "Third Eye" Chakra, Women Trusting Our Intuition
*This is the 7th blog in my chakra series related to emotional/physical/spiritual wellbeing. Here is a link to the first in the series, a brief overview of the chakra system. If you are not familiar with the chakra system I recommend reading this first: https://www.alicebluetherapy.com/blog/processing-trauma-through-the-chakra-system
Our intuition is our power, our source, the glowing river that runs from the center of our eyebrows down through our bodies, connecting us deep into the earth. Light moves around us in all of its forms, soft in the morning, peaking through the leaves, changing colors to vibrant green. The waning light of the dusk, casting golden shadows, transient ghosts from the day. Light is the element that supports our Ajna Chakra, or the “third eye chakra.” This is the place of intuition, where we have the innate knowing that guides us through tough decisions. It is located in the space between your eyebrows, the third eye. Ajna is represented by the color indigo, a deep, rich, purply blue. When this chakra is in balance, we feel rooted in our truths, and able to come to a decision that resonates in our core and our heart. When this chakra is out of balance, we can feel deep uncertainty, and a sense of being lost or stuck in our lives.
Our Relationship with Ajna as Women
Men, women, and nonbinary humans are all affected by the pressures of society related to our intuitive chakras, but let’s look at Ajna from the feminine lens. Women have been taught to ignore our intuition for much of history. Our patriarchal society has condemned the creative visionaries and the healers as “witches.” People become afraid of the unknown, and fear has influenced harmful actions, often violence, against women. Women’s justified fear of violence has created blocks and the numbing of the third eye. Now, it’s time to take the scary and difficult steps to create enough safety in our bodies to unblock this well of intuitive resource, Ajna Chakra. Honoring Ajna is about letting go and trusting that we do have the answers without looking outside of ourselves. Let’s unlock our natural abilities to feel for the answers by leaning into somatic therapy for women.
Trauma in Our Third Eye
Trauma affecting this chakra can be related to gaslighting in a relationship, someone consistently telling you that your intuition is wrong. When our instincts are dismissed, Ajna gets a little bit dimmer, as self-doubt can dull the indigo hue. Any sort of betrayal can cause energetic blocks in this chakra as well. When it comes to processing trauma, Ajna Chakra is a powerful resource for us to tap into. We tune into our senses that come to the surface by slowing down. We learn to trust our thoughts, feelings and inclinations, despite the countering messages from the outside world.
Trust Your Inner Compass
By tapping into our intuitive sense, we soothe the anxiety of doubting ourselves. Embodying the qualities of this Chakra puts us in an entirely different space than our society encourages. We must connect with our instincts and inclinations. We will feel more certain in our path, more able to empathize with others, and quicker to make tough decisions because we will just know what to do. Here are some practices to strengthen Ajna Chakra:
Journal from the perspective of your intuition: Write down a question you have been wondering about, and answer in a free flowing stream of consciousness from the perspective of the wisest version of you. You cannot do this wrong, trust the process : )
Take an “awe” walk through the woods, no phone, and notice everything that brings you a sense of awe (activity created by Katie Asmus)
When you feel uncertain in any given day-to-day decision (i.e. What to wear), pause, take a deep breath, and simply notice what happens in your body
Practice yoga: Child’s Pose, resting your third eye on the ground. Gently roll your head from side to side, massaging this center of Ajna Chakra
Chant “Om,” also pronounced “Aum,” the Sanskrit mantra to balance this chakra
Humans are wise. Women are wise. Our connection with the feminine energy of our intuitive sense is one of the keys to freedom from the oppression of our patriarchal society. Focus on this chakra to find a deeper trust in your boundless wisdom.