Opening the Heart Chakra (Anahata)
Today, we enter the radiant, green energy of the Heart Chakra—Anahata. Located at the center of the chest, this Chakra bridges the physical and spiritual realms, connecting the foundational energy of the lower chakras with the expansive wisdom of the upper ones. It’s the seat of love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional balance—the core of what makes life feel meaningful. Sign me up…wait, that’s why I’m here!
Morning Reflections: Tuning In to Love
This morning, two cards revealed themselves: The Keeper of the Scales and The High Lady of Love and Compassion from Colette Baron-Reid’s Wisdom of the Hidden Realms. A third card, Ambition, from Tosha Silver’s Wild Offering, reminded me to offer all my deepest longings to Love itself, inviting a divine plan beyond the mind’s imagining. A gentle whisper to release control, let my defenses soften, and allow love to flow freely—because let’s face it, gripping the reins too tightly isn’t doing my knuckles (or my heart) any favors.
Since yesterday’s archetype, The Artist, accompanied me for the Solar Plexus balancing challenge, I checked in to see who might join me today. Out popped The Storyteller—a perfect companion as I share my reflections with you.
Skipping my usual morning coffee (look at me, diving into today’s heart-opening chakra!), I sipped a cup of Love tea by Pukka. As I savored its warmth, I reflected on the Heart Chakra. Often, it doesn’t get overlooked out of neglect, but rather because its openness can be overwhelming. Vulnerability requires courage, but isn’t that what love is all about? The gentle message of the cards reminds me to embrace this vulnerability with faith, trusting that surrendering to Love will guide me toward a path more profound than I could imagine.
Heart Chakra 101
Anahata, the Heart Chakra, resonates with the color green and the element of air, representing freedom, movement, and breath. It’s the rhythm of life itself—a gentle reminder that with each inhale, we can welcome love and healing into our being.
When in balance, the Heart Chakra radiates harmony—a sense of connection with yourself, others, and the world around you. When blocked, however, it can feel like isolation, difficulty trusting, or a scarcity of meaningful relationships. Ring any bells? Because before diving into Heart Chakra wisdom, I thought mine was spinning along just fine – steady as a top. But after working through the worksheet, I realized it’s wobbling like a bicycle with a flat tire trying to navigate a bumpy dirt road.
Self-Assessment for Anahata
Breathe in, breathe out… here we go!
- Spiritual Blockages: Fear of intimacy? Oh, absolutely. Bold, double-underlined, and probably flashing like a Vegas neon sign.
- Physical Blockages: None standing out today—guess my body decided to take the day off.
- Emotional Blockages: Unresolved grief and fear of rejection? Check. Check. Triple-check for good measure.
- Behavioral Blockages: Avoids intimacy? Circle that one twice… I’m sensing a theme here, aren’t you?
Identifying these blockages made me pause. The Heart Chakra isn’t just about love for others. It’s about self-love, too. Thanks to Rachel’s Living Life the Happy Way February self-love challenge, I actually feel pretty solid in that department. Her tools and exercises bringing together a community is very well done. And if you ever get a chance to join one of her classes, do it! You won’t regret it.
Back to the assessment… seriously, why does this Chakra feel as sluggish as a hair-clogged shower drain? Let’s break it down: it’s not a ton of little blocks; it’s one huge, stubborn roadblock – intimacy. Relationships have always been a bit of a cosmic joke for me. Maybe it’s because I’m not likable or attractive enough (I’ll go back and revisit self-love!)? Or maybe it’s because I’m too old, work too much, was busy raising kids, then traveled too much for work, and now I’m raising a kid again and I still work full time. And yes, I know—that’s a long list of excuses, but hey, they’re my excuses.
Recognition
And before anyone gives me the side-eye, trust me—I know. It’s not healthy, it’s not balanced—it’s not much of anything. Honestly? Even the thought of adding more to what already feels like a full plate exhausts me.
And yet, here’s the twist: I’m happy. My granddaughter and I have created a joyful little bubble in our cozy bungalow—a world that feels complete. Adding a partner to this equation seems about as practical as trying to squeeze one more pair of shoes into an overstuffed closet. But deep down, I know the truth: relationships help the heart grow. Like the lotus flower with its twelve petals slowly unfolding, fostering an open heart means balancing mind, body, and spirit—a delicate dance, not always easy but undeniably worthwhile.
My Heart Chakra isn’t fully blocked—it’s just wobbling a bit, like a spinning top struggling to regain its balance. Why? Because joy is a natural part of life, and I’ve been blessed with so much of it. God has graced me with love, happiness, a beautiful family, a snug little home, and a job that keeps us enjoying the island life. Sure, I might need extra sunshine to fully pass as a laid-back islander, but it’s a sweet life nonetheless.
For now, I choose to honor where I am. My heart isn’t perfect, but it’s not stagnant either – it’s evolving. And as the petals of the lotus remind me, growth takes time. We’ll revisit this dance in the next go-around.
Pesto Pasta with Roasted Broccoli: Nourishing Anahata
When we think of nurturing the Heart Chakra, we often forget the role that wholesome food can play in this journey. The vibrant green of this Pesto Pasta with Roasted Broccoli not only resonates with Anahata’s signature color but also symbolizes the nourishment and love we give to ourselves. Think of it as a heartfelt hug in a bowl!
Ingredients
- For the pasta:
- 12 oz pasta of choice (penne or fusilli work beautifully)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- For the pesto (jar works great too!)
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves (a green powerhouse for the heart)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or a vegan substitute for balance)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (or walnuts for an earthy twist)
- 2-3 garlic cloves (to spice things up, just like life!)
- 1/3 cup olive oil (to keep things smooth and flowing)
- Juice of half a lemon (a zingy touch for vibrance)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Roast the broccoli:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet, and roast for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway, until they’re tender and charred – a reminder of balance, with just the right mix of softness and edge. - Cook the pasta:
Boil your pasta according to the package directions. Before draining, set aside 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water to bring everything together later. - Blend the pesto:
In a food processor, combine basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend until smooth, adding a splash of pasta water for a creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper. - Bring it together:
Toss the pasta with pesto, roasted broccoli, and a bit of reserved pasta water if needed. Mix until everything is coated in that vibrant green goodness.
Savor the love!
Serve the pasta topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan or fresh basil. Enjoy each bite, reflecting on the nourishing qualities of the Heart Chakra – the love, harmony, and connection that bring life its meaning.
Heart Chakra Soul prayer
Divine Source of Love,
Open my heart to your infinite light.
Help me release fear, embrace vulnerability,
And bloom with compassion and forgiveness.
May I love myself unconditionally,
Foster harmony in my relationships,
And walk through life with an open, grateful heart,
Aligned with your divine truth.
Amen
💚
Crsytals and Essential Oils Opening the Heart Chakra
Wearing my trusty rose quartz bracelet, I’m reminded of how crystals and essential oils make the perfect tag team for supporting and balancing our Chakras’ energy. It’s like having a wellness squad on standby! Crystals like rose quartz and green aventurine are Heart Chakra superstars, each doing their part to amplify love, compassion, and emotional balance. Rose quartz, aka the “stone of unconditional love,” is my go-to for nurturing an open heart and healing, while green aventurine whispers, “Grow, thrive, and embrace harmony.”
And then we have essential oils—those tiny bottles of aromatic magic. Oils like rose, geranium, and bergamot sync perfectly with the Heart Chakra’s tender vibes. The sweet, floral notes of rose and geranium bring emotional balance and openness, while bergamot’s bright, citrusy aroma feels like a warm hug for the soul. Together, these tools create a little sensory sanctuary, gently nudging my Heart Chakra into the flow of love, connection, and gratitude. Because who doesn’t need a little extra love and sparkle in their day?
Wrapping Up Day 5
As I close the day, I’m reminded that the Heart Chakra, Anahata, is more than just a center for love. It’s a space of balance. It is also a space of compassion and connection. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a practice of forgiving the past, nurturing self-compassion, and extending kindness to others. This journey isn’t without its challenges, but the Heart Chakra teaches me that every effort to keep my heart open is a step toward growth and alignment.
Today, my reflections have shown me where my heart is strong and where it wobbles, like a top finding its balance. And that’s okay because this work isn’t about perfection. It’s about staying curious and coming back to this space, again and again, with courage and grace and who knows maybe I will conquer that intimacy block.
Here’s to embracing the fullness of love, honoring the wisdom of Anahata. I’m looking forward to continuing this challenge tomorrow… on to the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)!