Throat Chakra Blockages: What to do.

As I have been speaking to several members of my online magical community, I have noticed an issue that seems to be widespread. Many witches and sensitives are noticing a very apparent throat chakra blockage, and are unsure what to do about it. So, at the request of some of these dear souls, I have decided to address this topic, what are signs of this kind of blockage, why I believe this is becoming a widespread issue, and what can you do to clear this blockage and get your throat chakra to work as designed in conjunction with the rest of your chakra systems. ** I am assuming a cursory knowledge of the chakra system- This is a very large topic to cover and today I specifically wish to talk about the Throat Chakra for anyone that is interested in learning more about the Chakra System I highly recommend the book “Wheels of Light by Anodea Judith Ph. D”

First, let’s talk about the throat chakra it self. The Throat Chakra (Vishuda), is the energy center that is located within your throat, it is generally visualized as being blue. This chakra rules the realms of self expression, and sound. When the Throat Chakra is blocked you may experience a sore throat, colds, a stiff neck, stuttering, hearing issues or an inability to put words together. Personally, the last symptom is the one I notice most when I have a blockage. When my Throat Chakra is not functioning properly, I may confuse words, mishear most conversation; I may find myself unable to find the correct word in the moment. (now I have found this is solely when speaking, somehow the words still flow when I am writing) but when trying to hold conversations it is extremely difficult. These may be some of the symptoms you are experiencing currently. These are the symptoms that I have seen mentioned within my magical community.

I have mulled and contemplated this topic for a couple days before writing this article. I tend to look for the why behind something, whether it is on an individual basis or widespread across a section of a community. I have found in my personal practice and in my healing working that it is easier to address and adjust an issue when I understand the reason behind it, and so before writing this post I took the steps I normally do, I took a step back and a couple of deep breaths, contemplated the issue at hand and looked at the bigger picture. What follows is my own personal opinion and assessment of why a blocked Throat Chakra is becoming common at this point in time.

Right now we are facing a time when there are many different issues being brought to light. Large sections of the population are speaking out for those who haven’t felt like they have a voice before. There are many loud and differing opinions being broadcast about race relations, economic health and policy, physical health, healthcare and public policy. There are so many voices, some dissenting and others in somewhat agreement but still differing opinions. Society as a whole is experiencing a shift in perspective and focus, we are questioning the status quo and trying to bring about change in many different areas of life. This cacophony has been deafening; everyone is speaking instead of listening. This is the energy that has effected sensitives and others alike. Beyond this, there is an unspoken question that is facing every individual and every group at every level of society as we question the way things have always been: “If not this; then what?”

All of the upheaval, calls for reform and changes that have rapidly occurred since the beginning of the year has caused us to look at whether we were happy with the way life was, most have answered negatively to this, and now we are trying to figure out what is the next indicated right action. If we are unhappy with the way the world was before, what do we want to build now and as we move forward. As I have said before I think one of the biggest issues is that so many are talking, screaming, yelling and not listening. All this excess energy is being picked up by sensitives and causing a malfunction. Having the time to contemplate (given to us by the pandemic; a paradoxical situation to be sure) has challenged our personal views, goals and dreams and now we are trying to describe what we see in our minds eye and in our dreams; what we want to build. There is a need for clarity, for the give and take in conversation and for listening.

While I realize that I may have lost a few readers in the quagmire that is me trying to explain the intricacies of this energy shift I know some of you are still hanging on wondering: How can we deal with our blocked throat chakras on an individual basis. So let’s dig into that:

I have listed my first suggestion in previous posts, and trust me, I am aware of the extreme irony of this suggestion. Take a Media Fast– take some time away from social media, take a day away from the news. Give yourself space to hear your own voice, your own thoughts, and express your own emotions. Give yourself some space in which you are not bombarded by the voices of the rest of the world. Now I know many (and oddly, after years of not paying attention to the news, I count myself in that many) feel that things are changing so fast right now that missing a day of news could leave you lost or you may miss out on vital information. If this is a concern, then try this strategy: Limit your media consumption to one half hour time period within your day; then abstain from it the rest of the day. This way you can stay up to date on the most recent newsworthy events, communicate with friends, family and loved ones, without becoming overwhelmed by everyone else. (this is a really good suggestion for self care as well)

Suggestion number two, you will learn, is my favorite suggestion for a myriad different situations (and as a writer it really isn’t that strange that this is one of my go-to suggestions) Journal– If you are having issues getting something out verbally, try writing it. In my life writing has always been easier than speaking, though I have worked on verbal communication and it is becoming easier for me. Journaling can help you to process all of the discombobulated information, thoughts, opinions. It can help you distill your voice from all others and figure out where you truly stand and what you want or how you feel in a safe non judgmental space.

Express yourself creatively- Take some time to explore any avenue of creative expression. If you are feeling like you are in a rut with your go- to form of creative expression, then try something different. Step outside your comfort zone and try a different form of creative expression. I normally write, a few weeks ago I was feeling blocked, painting my bathroom was on my to-do list and so I let my creativity loose and painted my bathroom. I am not normally a painter but I have to say I adore the creative expression that I was able to let out over my bathroom walls. When I gave myself permission to try something else, instead of pigeon holing myself as solely a writer I found that while they may be a little abstract, they aren’t perfect but I created a beautiful homage to nature and plant life in my bathroom which makes me smile every morning.

The Throat Chakra is associated with sound as well and so the next suggestions revolve around this area of influence.

Sing, Hum, Whistle; Make some kind of music- It doesn’t matter if you are good or not but using your physical vocal muscles can help you to energize and unblock your throat chakra ( if you feel the need to scream into a pillow- do it!) express yourself vocally (even if it is only to yourself.)

Make or listen to music- If you play an instrument, practice it, get lost in the sound. Let the tone, timbre, and rhythm carry you away and be in the moment with this sound.

Chants/ prayers/ affirmations- Using vocal forms of communicating with the Divine, or even just your higher self can be incredibly clearing to the Throat Chakra. Again this is about sound and expressing yourself.

Use Chimes, Bells or Drums to clear your chakras and your space- Clearing and cleansing energy centers and space can be done with sound. What occurs when you use a bell, a chime or a drum is similar to what occurs when you smudge with sage, other herbs or incense. The overall vibration of the space and objects in it are changed by their interaction with the vibrations of sound. You can ring a bell, or chime or beat a drum while focusing your attention on your throat chakra and using directed intention you can clear a blockage.

You may try a meditation technique that I usually use in order to energize myself: Chakra Breathing– this is a very simple technique and is an adaptation of the Prayer for Alignment taught in the Feri Tradition. Using a four count breath I “breathe” into each chakra in turn (FYI: this can be used as a method of aligning your chakras on a daily basis, or to energize a specific chakra, however, I suggest breathing into each chakra when you do this in order to maintain balance within all your chakras) This is a simple technique that can take as long as you like. I start at the Root Chakra, but I suppose you could start at the Crown Chakra (experiment and find what works best for you.) As I breathe in I think ” Breathing in life force for Root Chakra”. Then I hold this breath for four counts while thinking “Storing life force for Root Chakra”. Exhale while thinking “Circulating life force from Root Chakra”, then hold no breath while thinking “Opening to life force for Root Chakra”. Once I have completed one four count breath for a chakra I move on to the next chakra. Generally, when I work with this technique I consider them as circuits (1 circuit is completing a four count breath for each of the 7 chakras- Root, Splenic, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Third Eye and Crown) I generally complete a minimum of 3 circuits and have went up to 10 circuits, the important thing is for you to feel comfortable with the amount of energy you are taking into yourself. As you work with this technique you do expand your capacity to hold energy, which is a wonderful skill to have for magical and transformational work

Still Space Meditation – This is the easiest meditation out there, it is also the one I struggle the most with. If you want to light a candle or incense do so. Then get comfortable. Sit for at least five minutes, quietly, (for this meditation I suggest foregoing music). That’s it. Sit and listen. This lets a still space open within yourself- it gives the divine space to move you, and deepens your ability to listen in all areas, including listening to your own inner guidance. ( I try to do this daily- though I am willing to admit, meditation is the hardest practice for me to stick to)

Shankh Mudra– Mudras are a great way to focus and direct energy in your body, as well as help your hands to maintain dexterity. There are many different mudras for different purposes and if this is a subject you are interested in I would suggest the book: “Mudras: Yoga in your hands” by Gertrud Hirschi, I bought it a few years ago and it has become a treasured resource in my library. Shankh Mudra is the exercise that Ms. Hirschi suggests in conjunction with the Throat Chakra. As opposed to clumsily attempting to explain how to perform this Mudra and it’s benefits, I will leave you with this link to an article that explains this mudra beautifully and includes a picture of the hand posture. https://liferetailers.com/shankh-mudra/

Finally, the last suggestion I will make is simple and something I think more people need to practice in their daily life: Actively Listen. To listen actively means actually paying attention to what someone else is saying, allowing yourself to process it and understand it. Disengage the part of yourself that is formulating a response. Honor those outside of yourself and their self expression. Listen to understand, not to respond.

I hope that this has helped to give everyone some insight on blockages in the Throat Chakra. I encourage readers to do further reading on the Chakra system and to experiment with different actions and techniques until they are able to tailor a routine to their own spiritual truth, life and schedule. As always if you have a question about any of the techniques mentioned here please drop a comment! Even if you don’t have a question I love to interact with my readers and love reading your comments, please say hi!