As we find ourselves in times of fear and uncertainty, we may be feeling low in mood and energy. It is during such times that we must endeavor to let go of what we cannot control, and focus on what we can rely upon. Mother Nature is one of life’s certainties, and by providing our daily light with the sun, we are constantly reminded and encouraged to learn how to rise up and shine every day, too.
When we begin to embrace the practice of sun worship and all things solar, we ignite a spark within us — within our soul — which connects us deeper to ourselves, as well as the Divine. When we do reconnect, we are reminded that we are not so separated after all. We all hold a strong presence within us that has the power to light up our own inner world, as well as the world around us.
Our solar plexus chakra, with the sanskrit name manipura — meaning “shining gem” — is associated with the element of fire, and is our personal source of inner power, self-worth, self-esteem, self-belief, warrior energy, and the power of transformation.
When we are balanced, we can expect joy, laughter, self awareness, optimism, stability, clarity, and an intuition we can rely upon. However, when our solar plexus energy is out of balance, we express frustration, fear, anger, victim mentality, lack of life purpose, poor focus, and loss of control.
How can we use the sun to power up our solar plexus and connect more authentically to ourselves and the world around us?
Shake Your Chakras
Our body is where we reside within our earthly incarnation, so we must endeavor to look after our permanent shelter. To help realign your chakra system, you can try many forms of movement. Yoga poses that work particularly well are sun salutation, mountain pose, plank pose, chaturanga dandasana, cobra, and downward facing dog.
However, if you just want to grab the nearest hairbrush and dance around your bedroom singing ’80s ballads, that is as equally as effective at shaking your chakras, and will certainly bring you joy.
Eat Your Sunshine
Yellow foods can help rebalance you, which include bananas, brown rice, corn, lemons, live yogurt, millet, oats, pineapple, rye, spelt, squash, sunflower seeds, or yellow peppers. Try some soul-warming turmeric, ginger or fennel to spice up your life, or wash your sunny snacks down with a herbal tea — ginger or peppermint work well.
Crystals
Crystals are great for emitting their energy just from their presence, so try carrying them around in your pocket, place them around the home, or holding them during a meditation.
Great choices for personal power are: Amber, citrine, lemon quartz, tiger’s eye, topaz, rutilated quartz, yellow calcite or yellow tourmaline.
Walking Meditation
Discover a beautiful spot in your garden or nearby open area where you feel a connection. If you are able, stand barefooted on the nurturing grass, and visualize roots forming from the soles of your feet, down to the very center of Mother Earth. Once you feel connected, strong and stable, allow yourself to intuitively walk around mindfully.
The Ayurvedic Way
One of the most beautifully nurturing Ayurvedic ways is to live our days in synchronicity with the Earth’s circadian rhythms — rising up and winding down with the sun.
Start your day with a practice of mediation, yoga, journaling, or positive affirmation.
Create Your Own Light
Sometimes in life, or simply as the sun sets, we need to create our own light. By simply lighting a candle, we can invoke a sense of well-being.
Set the candle flame safely somewhere at eye level or lower, where you can look at the flame without slumping. Try focusing purely on the flame. Your mind may wander at first, but just keep bringing your attention back to the flame. When you feel you have completed this calming meditation, you can blow out the flame while making a wish.
