Art and photos by Magenta School of Magick
In the realm of Western magick, the use of chakras has long been a subject of both fascination and controversy. While these energy centres have deep roots in Eastern philosophies, their adoption and interpretation in the Western world have sparked spirited debates among practitioners and scholars alike. In this article, we delve into the topic, aiming to unravel the problem behind the use of chakras in Western magick and what (if anything) we can do to facilitate their respectful application.
The Origin of Chakras
Chakras, originating from ancient Indian spiritual traditions, are believed to be energy centres within the human body. These energy points are said to correspond to different aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The concept of chakras is deeply ingrained in Eastern philosophies, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, where they are seen as vital components of spiritual growth and enlightenment.
The earliest mention of chakras can be traced back to ancient texts dating back thousands of years. These texts describe the existence of energy centres along the spine, referred to as “chakras,” which are interconnected and form a pathway for the flow of vital life force energy, known as “prana” or “chi.”
In Eastern philosophies and spiritual practises, the understanding and utilisation of chakras play a significant role. Each chakra is believed to govern different aspects of the self from physical health to emotional states and spiritual awareness.
The Integration of Chakras into Western Magick
The use of correspondences such as colours and symbols to focus and direct energy is a common foundation of many spiritual belief systems. Western scholars from the middle ages onwards would often scour ancient texts, looking for these secrets of the Universe. By the time the Golden Dawn wrote the Liber 777, cultivation of elemental forces and other metaphysical constructs from all over the world were commonplace, whether the original ideas were openly shared to begin with or not. So over time, utilising deities, practises and beliefs including the concept of chakras drew from a combination of Eastern and Western esoteric traditions, that were adapted and evolved to suit the individual practitioner’s needs and beliefs.
The Rainbow Body: A History of the Western Chakra System from Blavatsky to Brennan author Kurt Leyland explains that the integration of chakras into Western magick can be traced back to the 20th century, with the rise of the New Age movement and the influx of Eastern spiritual practises into Western culture. Influential figures like Helena Blavatsky, the founder of Theosophy, and Alice Bailey, a prominent esotericist, played key roles in popularising the concept of chakras in Western occult traditions.
In the 1920s C.W Leadbeater’s book on the subject attributed seven colours of the light spectrum, as well as the human endocrine system, to seven of the chakras. So that by the 1970s and 1980s, Westerners had started to use these “chakra colours” for meditation and aura work, right through to the 21st century.
It is clear that all these individuals drew inspiration from Eastern philosophies and sought to incorporate the concept of chakras into Western magickal and esoteric systems and boom, chakras became a tool for personal growth and spiritual exploration within the Western magickal context.
This means chakras were more than likely appropriated by the West because of colonisation. There’s no soft way to describe it.
The Problem of Using Chakras in Western Magick
So the integration of chakras into Western magick has not been without controversy when viewed as cultural appropriation.
Regardless of the controversial start point surrounding the use of chakras in the West, magickal practitioners here continue to explore and develop chakras for energy manipulation, spiritual growth, healing, and personal development. This is a continuation of the problem. Up and down the United Kingdom, there are statues of Buddha and posters of chakras inside very white, middle class looking yoga studios leading to distorting or misinterpreting the true essence of chakras, and ultimately a dilution of their significance. For over a century now chakras have been used by the West, so has the horse bolted? Is it all too little, too late?
Ultimately, the use of chakras in Western magickal practises will always be a personal choice and should be guided by an individual’s own beliefs, experiences, and cultural understanding. However, we would argue that it is essential to approach the topic with an open mind, engaging in respectful dialogue and critical analysis to navigate the complexities of this controversial subject. However for us, it was a spiritual system we were not keen on continuing to appropriate.
The Future for Western Magick
In response to this our magickal practise is focused on Humanistic counselling techniques, personal growth and change. So, for example, we might align with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, not chakras, as a basis for working on all aspects of the self. Whilst we fully accept that a new approach may lack the deep imprint onto the human psyche that long established magickal beliefs have had, we feel that practising magick that is in alignment with our philosophy (rather than appropriated) helps break the cycle of using practises that were unlikely openly shared when they were first adopted.
We would prefer to think that the future of chakras in Western magick is uncertain. As the magickal community continues to evolve and diversify, different perspectives and approaches to energy work will emerge. We’ve created something new and we hope that others will also explore alternative magickal systems or develop their own unique approaches in order to call time on historical wrongs.
Whether one chooses to incorporate chakras into magickal practise or explore alternative energy systems, we suggest it is essential to approach the topic with respect, open-mindedness, and a commitment to personal growth and understanding.
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