adventures in love

---

Igniting the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura in Sanskrit)

Today’s chakra balancing is all about reconnecting with the vibrant energy of the Solar Plexus Chakra—Manipura. It’s like the midday sun, radiating warmth and vitality, but I’ll admit, my inner sun has been feeling a little clouded today. Manipura, located just above the navel, is the chakra of personal power, confidence, and inner strength—qualities I’ve been craving as I work through a sense of heaviness this afternoon.

Sometimes, life’s challenges have a way of dimming that fiery yellow glow. But the beauty of the Solar Plexus Chakra lies in its resilience. Even when the clouds gather, it holds the potential to reignite, reminding us that power and strength aren’t lost; they’re simply waiting to be nurtured back to life.

Late Morning Rituals: A Dose of Determination

“I open myself to divine grace and wisdom. May I walk in alignment with my highest truth, embracing courage, compassion, and clarity. I release fear and trust in the unfolding of my sacred path. May I be a vessel of love and light in this world.”

Caroline Myss; for more of her prayers and teachings, you can explore her website here.

The Artist archetype stepped forward—what a powerful choice for today! This archetype celebrates seeing life through a unique lens and expressing creativity unapologetically. Why the artist? Perhaps it’s a call to lean into my individuality, view challenges as creative opportunities, and embrace my inner muse. The cards delivered a clear message: It’s time to own my power unapologetically. Show up with confidence, unafraid of judgment. My Solar Plexus Chakra quivers with wobbly fear at that thought—clearly, I’m still a work in progress.

As my coffee brewed (because let’s face it, caffeine is still my love language, even if moderation keeps nudging me in the ribs), I sat with these messages and let them settle in my soul. The Solar Plexus Chakra—the vibrant hub of action and determination—seemed to glow brighter with each thought. It’s a radiant reminder to channel my energy into purposeful, confident action, even when the path feels uncertain.

Solar Plexus Chakra 101

Did you know that Manipura is associated with the color yellow and the element of fire? It’s no wonder this chakra radiates warmth, vitality, and self-assurance. When balanced, it becomes the source of your “I can do this” energy—a wellspring of confidence and motivation. But when blocked, self-doubt and procrastination creep in… and let’s just say, no one has time for that.

The symbol for Manipura is a lotus flower with ten petals, each representing specific energies: joy, peace, harmony, patience, clarity, self-confidence, determination, self-discipline, generosity, and wisdom. These qualities fuel our inner fire and serve as a powerful foundation for resilience and personal empowerment. Could I have named them all from memory? Definitely not. Thankfully, Rachel’s guide breaks it down so beautifully—what would we do without her?

As a Leo, I feel naturally drawn to this chakra. The fiery energy of Manipura resonates deeply with qualities I value: drive, resilience, and the courage to shine unapologetically. It’s a chakra that embodies the journey of discovering a unique identity and living out your purpose. But this empowerment doesn’t magically appear overnight. For the lotus to fully bloom, it requires the foundational balance of the lower chakras—the grounding stability of the Root Chakra and the flowing joy and creativity of the Sacral Chakra. Together, these energies build a strong and stable base, allowing the vibrant Manipura lotus to flourish.

Manipura reminds me that while it’s the seat of personal power, that power must be nurtured. It calls for consistency, intention, and the courage to embrace growth—not just on good days, but especially through challenges. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want their inner sun to burn brighter?

Self-Assessment for Manipura

Flipping through Rachel’s detailed guide, I reflected on the areas where my Solar Plexus Chakra might need a little TLC:

• Spiritual Blockages: Poor boundaries? Circle that one big time—it’s shouting for attention.
• Physical Blockages: A bit of fatigue, but nothing too concerning.
• Emotional Blockages: Fear of rejection and indecisiveness. Yep, those hit home.
• Behavioral Blockages: Hesitating to take bold action – guilty as charged.

Identifying these blockages felt like uncovering hidden weights I’ve been carrying, and honestly, it was a mix of relief and discomfort. But hey, awareness is the first step toward healing, right? Time to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

This morning, I shared my story with a wonderful group of ladies—or who am I kidding? I spilled raw, unfiltered emotions like a shaken soda can spewing everywhere. Words came tumbling out, fiery with anger, grief, and overwhelming sadness. Now that I’m home, sitting here writing about the Solar Plexus Chakra, regret has crept in. Why? Because beneath the anger is fear—always fear. Did you know fear often hides beneath anger’s fiery surface? It’s how we protect ourselves. And on the flip side, emotions like joy and happiness are expressions of love.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t a space for shiny, surface-level joy that glitters but doesn’t hold weight. This is a space for authenticity, even when it’s uncomfortable. I want to share my truth, even though I know I could have softened my language and expression. Mercury in Retrograde—the cosmic trickster—is having its fun, tripping me up and leaving me asking: What’s the lesson here?

How does this connect to the Solar Plexus Chakra? Maybe it’s all about revisiting the reason I committed to this month-long challenge in the first place—to work through each chakra and build on their strengths, layer by layer. Manipura reminds me to step into my power, even when fear feels like an unwelcome guest at the table.

There’s work to do, no doubt about it. But progress doesn’t demand perfection. It asks for courage, reflection, and small steps toward healing.

---

Solar Plexus Recipe Chakra-Inspired Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

With the heaviness of the morning weighing on me, I knew I needed a big dose of joy. And what better way to lift the mood than cake!

My daughter discovered The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy—a beautifully illustrated book (and video) that explores friendship, kindness, vulnerability, and hope. She told me I’m just like the mole who loves cake! Honestly, I’ll take that as the highest compliment, because let’s be real: life truly is sweeter with cake.

Now, a word of caution about this recipe: it’s dangerously good. So good, in fact, you might find yourself inhaling it straight out of the oven. (I know I did!)

Ingredients:

Topping:

• 1/4 cup butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices, drained (reserve juice)
• Maraschino cherries (optional, for added flair)

Cake Batter:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice (add water if needed to make 1/2 cup)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or small individual ramekins.
2. Prepare the topping: Pour melted butter into the bottom of the pan and sprinkle evenly with brown sugar. Arrange pineapple slices in a single layer on top. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple ring, if desired.
3. Make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract. *yellow cake mix works too!
4. Alternate adding the flour mixture and pineapple juice to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. *I add a can of crushed pineapple and it’s delicious!
5. Pour the batter evenly over the pineapple slices in the pan.
6. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges, place a plate over the pan, and flip the cake over. Gently lift the pan to reveal the caramelized pineapple topping.
8. Cool for another 10 minutes (if you can resist!) before slicing and serving. *I inhaled the cake as soon as it came out of the oven! Yummmmm!

This golden delight is bursting with sunny Solar Plexus energy—perfect for igniting confidence, warmth, and a little extra joy. Let me know if you give it a try! 🌞🍍✨

Affirmations for Manipura

Affirmations to ignite inner strength:

• “I am confident, courageous, and capable of achieving my goals.”
• “My inner fire burns brightly, lighting the path to my true potential.”
• “I release self-doubt and embrace the power within me.”
• “I act with purpose and trust in my decisions.”

Solar Plexus Chakra Yoga

After indulging in cake (because joy is essential, right?) and soaking up some puppy love, I rolled out my mat for a much-needed yoga session. Today’s focus was all about harnessing core strength—twists, boat poses, and those fiery movements that make you question all your life choices mid-pose. Not going to lie, my joints were giving me a piece of their mind by the end, but there’s something oddly satisfying about pushing past those limits. It felt less like a workout and more like a metaphor—showing up for myself even when it’s tough, even when the weight of the world feels overwhelming.

Manipura, the Solar Plexus Chakra, isn’t just about physical strength. It’s the heartbeat of resilience, determination, and the courage to rise. It’s where the spark ignites, reminding you that every twist and turn—both in yoga and life—helps you grow stronger. And while my abs may be screaming, they’ve joined the conversation with a loud, “You’ve got this!”

Wrapping Up Day 4

As I close the day, I find myself holding onto a renewed sense of purpose. Manipura has a way of quietly whispering truths we need to hear: Your power isn’t something to search for. It’s always been within you. Today, it felt like a reminder to trust in that power—through the grief, the sadness, the messiness of growth. Because even in hard moments, my inner sun continues to burn, waiting patiently for me to nurture it with love and kindness.

So, here’s to the lessons learned, the strength tapped into, and moving forward one bold, baby step at a time. Day 5, I’m coming for you – spirit shining!

---

️