Guide to the 12 Chakra System of Primary and Secondary Chakras

If you thought there were only 7 chakras, you’re not alone. There are, indeed, 7 primary chakras, but that’s an old system. In the new age, we recognize many more. How many chakras are there in total? What are the 12 chakras? What do they do?

There are actually 114 chakras, including the seven primary and several secondary chakras, like Earth Star, Higher Heart, Lunar, Solar, Galactic, and Stellar Gateway. They collectively nourish your mind, body, and soul.

Join me to learn more about the meanings, colors, elements, planets, and 12 chakra symbols in detail. 

What Is the 12 Chakra System? 

According to the ancient Hindu scriptures that talk about chakras, or wheels of energy centers in the body, there are seven primary chakras. 

In the new age, we’ve realized the powers of many more minor chakras inside and around the body. 

Some say it started with Kabbalah, and others vouch for Theosophy or Rosicrucianism. But it’s mostly considered a crowdsourced system that expanded to include more minor chakras. 

Did you know even dogs and cats have chakras? They have more primary chakras than us on their tails and limbs. 

The secondary chakras needn’t be cleansed or charged like major chakras because they work symbiotically. But if you’re a chakra junkie, like I am, these 12 chakras will fascinate you. 

Knowing more about the metaphysical properties, like color, element, planet, etcetera, of secondary chakra will help you cleanse and charge them. 

Use crystals associated with the ruling elements and metaphysical properties in relevant rituals to manifest or open the 12 chakras. 

Fun Fact: Only the 7 primary or major chakras have symbols.

What Are the 13 Chakras in the 12 Chakra System?

Starting with the 0th Chakra, there are 13 chakras in the 12-chakra system, including major and minor chakras. Each has its healing benefits and traits we’ll learn ahead.

0th Chakra: The Earth Star Chakra 

Unknown to beginners and pros, the Zeroth Chakra is the foundation of all chakras, marked under the Root Chakra. It’s associated with grounding, psychic connection, safety, support, higher consciousness, and mental clarity. 

Did you know the Root Chakra actually flows into the Earth Star Chakra to tether to Mother Earth? It’s located under your foot. Popular as the Brown Chakra, it protects you from missteps, mistakes, and psychic harm.  

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Earth Star Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	0
Location	Below your Foot.
Colors	Brown and Black.
Planet	Earth
Element	Earth
Frequency	194.18 Hz
Crystals	Bronzite, Chiastolite, Sardonyx, Smoky Quartz, and Mookaite Jasper.
How to activate this chakra?	Bury crystals under three inches of soil overnight.

1st Chakra: The Root Chakra

In all systems, the first chakra remains the Root Chakra. It’s how the physical body connects to Mother Earth and draws metaphysical benefits, like stability, relief, health, comfort, support, courage, confidence, and harmony. 

The first chakra clears toxins and chakra blockages to strengthen and empower your personal powers. It’s also good for stress, obsession, anxiety, overthinking, insecurity, and phobias.

Here are the metaphysical traits of the Root Chakra: 

The Root Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	1
Location	The Base of your Spine.
Colors	Red, Black, and Brown.
Planet	Mars
Element	Earth
Frequency	432 Hz
Associated Symbol	Lotus Flower with 4 Petals.
Crystals	Red Jasper, Smoky Quartz, Bloodstone, and Black Tourmaline.
How to activate this chakra?	Place the crystal on top of the soil overnight.

2nd Chakra: The Sacral Chakra 

Known as the Naval or Wari Chakra, this energy center in the body is located on the same level as your reproductive organs. It’s associated with the healing benefits of power, strength, confidence, self-esteem, emotional balance, manifestation, and vitality. 

Did you know the Sacral Chakra is responsible for kundalini awakening? The Sacral Chakra awakens the life force energy in the body and increases users’ passion, wisdom, creativity, success, courage, patience, and fertility. 

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Sacral Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	2
Location	Perineum
Colors	Orange
Planet	Venus
Element	Water
Frequency	480 Hz
Associated Symbol	Lotus with 6 Petals.
Crystals	Carnelian, Orange Calcite, Coral, Amber, and Aragonite.
How to activate this chakra?	Lie down and place charged crystals on your body.

3rd Chakra: The Solar Plexus Chakra 

Did you know the Vedas say the Solar Plexus Chakra is located at the junction of 72,000 nadis? Aptly called Celiac Plexus Chakra, the third chakra is the seat of your inner sun, which means power, luck, and destiny. 

The third primary chakra is responsible for your physical health, energy, balance, willpower, financial luck, self-respect, manifestation, and creativity. Activating this chakra helps you get ahead in your studies or career by staying motivated.

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Solar Plexus Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	3
Location	6 inches Below the Belly Button.
Colors	Yellow
Planet	Sun
Element	Fire
Frequency	528 Hz
Associated Symbol	Lotus Flower with 10 Petals.
Crystals	Citrine, Honey Calcite, Tiger’s Eye, and Yellow Jade.
How to activate this chakra?	Watch the sunrise with joined hands for a minute.

4th Chakra: The Heart Chakra 

The seat of love in the chakra system, the fourth chakra is called Anahata, or unbeaten and unhurt in ancient Sanskrit scriptures. It connects your physical body to your spirit, others around you, nature, the subtle body, and the cosmos.

The Heart Chakra is not located over your physical heart but in the middle of your chest. It means unconditional love and brings love, heals deep emotional scars, and sets your spirit free.  

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Heart Chakra or Anahata
Position in the Chakra System	4
Location	Center of the Chest.
Colors	Green and Pink.
Planet	Venus
Element	Air
Frequency	639 Hz
Associated Symbol	Lotus Flower with 12 Petals.
Crystals	Emerald, Rose Quartz, Prehnite, and Morganite.
How to activate this chakra?	Smudge yourself in sacred scents of sage.

5th Chakra: The Throat Chakra 

Did you know the Vedas consider this the sacred-most chakra? It’s where truth resides. Clearing the Throat Chakra makes you confident, expressive, creative, quick-witted, decisive, and rational. 

The fifth chakra is called the Vishuddha, or the holiest of the holy. Psychics and spiritual scholars say opening the Throat Chakra liberates your inner voice and reveals your most authentic self. 

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Throat Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	5
Location	Over the Voice Box or Thyroid.
Colors	Sky Blue, Cyan, Turquoise, and Aqua.
Planet	Mercury
Element	Air and Ether.
Frequency	672 Hz
Associated Symbol	Lotus Flower with 16 Petals.
Crystals to Use	Aquamarine, Turquoise, and Blue Lace Agate.
How to activate this chakra?	Chant mantras, prayers, or positive affirmations.

6th Chakra: The Third Eye Chakra 

Between your eyes is the Brow or Third Eye Chakra. It opens the mind’s eye and is associated with mental clarity, intuition, wisdom, and psychic vision. This primary chakra doesn’t naturally develop unless your mind is spiritually active. 

The sixth chakra activates psychic abilities by cleansing and charging the dormant areas of your spirit, mind, and body. 

Pro Tip: Opening the Third Eye Chakra isn’t an easy task and may drain you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Don’t forget to keep grounding stones.

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Third Eye Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	6
Location	Pineal Gland.
Colors	Indigo
Planet	Saturn
Element	Light
Frequency	720 Hz
Crystals	Blue Sapphire, Celestite, Tanzanite, and Chalcanthite.
Associated Symbol	Lotus Flower with 2 Petals.
How to activate this chakra?	Meditate facing the morning sun for a few minutes.

7th Chakra: The Crown Chakra 

The highest of the primary chakras is the Thousand-Petaled Chakra, which activates your higher powers. The seventh chakra also brings wisdom, enlightenment, mental clarity, decisiveness, and focus. 

When the Crown Chakra is open, you’ll feel all-aware or drained from accessing the cosmic secrets. The Crown Chakra eases shifting realities, communicating with astral beings, and finding spiritual guidance for your karmic debts. 

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Crown Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	7
Location	Forehead
Colors	Purple, Violet, and White.
Planet	Saturn
Element	Thought
Frequency	768 Hz
Crystals	Amethyst, Selenite, Lepidolite, Clear Quartz, and Lolite.
Associated Symbol	Lotus Flower with 1000 Petals.
How to activate this chakra?	Visualize and meditate under the moonlight.

8th Chakra: The Higher Heart Chakra 

Located between the Throat and the Heart Chakras, the Higher Heart Chakra is located at the thymus gland between your breastbone and sternum. Activating your Thymus Chakra brings prosperity, immunity, love, compassion, and fortune. 

The Higher Heart is activated when all the lower or higher chakras are clear. If your 8th chakra is open, you’ll find cosmic support to move on, self-love, forgiveness, nurture, and harmony. 

It appears with a pink aura when balanced and means spiritual awareness. 

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Higher Heart Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	8
Location	Thymus Gland
Colors	Pink, Rose, Magenta, and Fuchsia.
Planet	Venus
Element	Fire and Air.
Frequency	341 Hz
Crystals	Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite, Fuchsite, Watermelon Tourmaline, and Pink Kunzite.
How to activate this chakra?	Waft incense smoke over your chakras and the corners of your home.

9th Chakra: The Lunar Chakra 

Sometimes called the 10th chakra, this chakra has many names. It’s called the Bindu Chakra in the Vedas and Lunar Plexus Chakra in the new age. It’s located between the Sacral and the Root Chakras and represents the divine feminine. 

The meaning of the Lunar Chakra is wisdom. 

Associated with silver crystals, this is the chakra that fills you with the power of Moon Goddess’s energies. It’s good for finding balance, knowledge, emotional intelligence, intuition, awareness, and higher consciousness. 

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Lunar Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	9
Location	Below the Navel.
Colors	Silver
Planet	Moon
Element	Water and Ether.
Frequency	420
Crystals	Moonstone, Hematite, Obsidian, and Satin Spar.
How to activate this chakra?	Gaze at the Full Moon or New Moon for a few minutes.

10th Chakra: The Solar Chakra 

This is not the same as the Solar Plexus Chakra, although it’s called the Solar Star Chakra. Every gold or metallic yellow is linked to this minor chakra and is located between the Solar Plexus and Sacral Chakras. 

The Solar Chakra means luck, courage, and health.

The seat of the divine masculine, the 10th chakra is linked to Sun Gods and deities in different cultures. It empowers your skills, willpower, and intentions to bring transformation, vitality, and creativity. If your aura is golden, your Solar Star Chakra is active. 

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Solar Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	10
Location	Above the Navel.
Colors	Gold
Planet	Sun
Element	Fire and Ether.
Frequency	470
Crystals	Goldstone, Sunstone, Bronzite, Pyrite, and Golden Healer Quartz.
How to activate this chakra?	Switch off the lights, light a candle, and gaze into the fire energy for a few moments.

11th Chakra: The Galactic Chakra

Sometimes called the Soul Star Chakra, the Galactic Chakra is situated outside your body and a few inches above your hair. It’s where your subtle body is and connects to different realities, dimensions, realms, and consciousness.

The Soul Star Chakra means cosmic elevation because it gives you access to the Akashic Records. The 11th chakra opens when all the chakras align together. It’s great for transcendence, Merkaba meditation, reality-shifting, and astral travel. 

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Soul Star Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	11
Location	6 to 8 Inches Above the Head.
Colors	Gold and Clear.
Planet	Sun
Element	Light and Spirit.
Frequency	819 Hz
Crystals	Pyrite, Hematite, Optical Calcite, and Clear Quartz.
How to activate this chakra?	Play a Tibetan singing bowl on moonlit nights for a month.

12th Chakra: The Stellar Gateway Chakra 

The highest chakra in this system, this minor chakra is located well above your head, outside the body. It’s a transpersonal chakra associated with enlightenment, cosmic energy, and spiritual consciousness. 

When you have an epiphany, you open the Stellar Gateway Chakra. It puts you in the Zen Mode Chakra with transcendence, compassion, love, empathy, telepathy, divination, and cosmic consciousness.

Here are the metaphysical traits of this chakra:

The Stellar Gateway Chakra
Position in the Chakra System	12
Location	12 Inches Above the Head,
Colors	White and Silver,
Planet	Moon
Element	Air, Water, and Ether,
Frequency	864 Hz
Crystals	Mystic Topaz, Rainbow Moonstone, Labradorite, Fire Opal, and Aura Quartz.
How to activate this chakra?	Take a hot water bath and sleep longer than usual.

FAQ

• Is the 12 chakra system recognized worldwide or in Vedas?

No, the 12 Chakra System is not traditionally associated with Vedas in Hinduism and Buddhism. It’s a concept of the new age. 

• What are the 12 chakra colors?

The 12 chakra colors are Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Pink, Blue, Indigo, Purple, Gold, Silver, and White, or Clear.

• Do you need to cleanse minor chakras?

Yes, you need to cleanse minor chakras, but you automatically cleanse them while balancing or healing the primary chakras. But targeting your minor chakras is better, especially if you regularly work with people, animals, plants, EMF, radiation, or energies.

• How to activate secondary chakras?

The best way to activate secondary chakras is by their ruling element or metaphysical properties, like Earth, Water, Fire, thoughts, meditation, positive affirmations, seed mantras, healing sounds, or natural light.

What Is the 12 Chakra System?

We learned about the 12 Chakra System. It includes seven major and six minor chakras with diverse metaphysical properties and benefits. 

I hope this inspires you to start healing, opening, balancing, and charging your chakras. 

Here’s a Pro Tip: Use crystals associated with the 12 chakra frequencies, colors, planets, elements, and other metaphysical properties to open them. 

Here’s the 12-chakra chart we learned to help you on the go:

Chakra	Color	Effect	Crystal
Earth Star	Brown	Psychic Protection	Smoky Quartz
Root	Red	Grounding	Red Jasper
Sacral	Orange	Kundalini	Aragonite
Solar Plexus	Yellow	Health	Citrine
Heart	Green and Pink	Love	Jade
Throat	Blue	Communication	Turquoise
Third Eye	Indigo	Intuition	Tanzanite
Crown	Purple and White	Higher Powers	Amethyst
Higher Heart	Pink and Majenta	Self-Love	Rhodonite
Lunar	Silver	Wisdom	Moonstone
Solar	Gold	Luck	Sunstone
Galactic	Gold and Clear	Cosmic Travel	Clear Quartz
Stellar Gateway	White and Silver	Enlightenment	Labradorite

Do you know the 13th chakra? It’s the Universal Chakra. It regulates the flow of universal life force energy, prana, or chi. 

Where is it? It’s above the Stellar Gateway, stretching as far as your aura!

There are many more minor chakras, like Universal, Hand, Ear, Mouth, Foot, Past Life, Cosmic Gateway, Zeal Point, and Subpersonal in the expanded Chakra System today. We’ll soon talk about them in detail.