Four Rituals for Self-Soothing with Chakrubs

It can often feel frivolous to do small, joyful things when dealing with anxiety or crisis. We tend to think that devoting all of our energy to our problems will help us solve them. In reality, being purposeful about our pleasure, seeking it out and cultivating it rather than waiting for it to spontaneously arrive, can be an empowering and grounding practice during moments of insecurity. It’s also an opportunity to remind ourselves that we are worthy of feeling good.

Below is detailed information on how different Chakrubs can act as coping companions during this time of uncertainty, along with short sensual rituals to help you draw upon each crystal’s unique properties.

Note: We encourage you to always use your Chakrub in an intuitive way that feels good to you. Please do not be limited by these suggestions. Any Chakrub has the potential to assist you in any way, these rituals are only meant to utilize the energies that the crystals are most known for.

The Xaga

The Xaga is made from obsidian, a stone that ancient cultures once used as a mystical mirror, believing it would reveal secrets that lie beneath the surface. The Xaga has protective qualities, absorbing and shielding one from negativity. It assists in helping one establish and honor boundaries.

Black obsidian connects most strongly with our root chakra, which governs our basic sense of safety, security, and stability. Our root chakra is located at the base of our spine and blocks around these subjects are often stored in the genital area and bottom of the spine.

One area that could probably use a little TLC is our buttocks. Quarantine has us sitting and laying down a lot more, and a butt massage with your Chakrub can help relieve some pressure.

You can do this exercise in a few different positions. The ultimate relaxation pose would be to lie down on your stomach or on one side and then reach behind you to administer the self-massage. If you want a slight hip flexor stretch, you can assume a half-kneeling position where the ankle of the foot in front is at a 90-degree angle from the knee. Then give attention to the buttcheek of the leg behind you and repeat on the other side. For a deep hip and thigh stretch, you could take a pigeon posture and work on the buttcheek of the leg that’s behind you. Give each buttocks 3-5 minutes of attention.

Begin by rolling the Chakrub lengthwise, experimenting with different pressures. Imagine that the Chakrub is clearing away any unnecessary anxieties. Lovingly release anything that does not serve you and call yourself back into your body, reassuring yourself that it is a safe space to be fully present in. For a more focused massage, use either end of the Chakrub and apply pressure.

You might also try doing this to your upper thighs, lying with your legs in a diamond position with your feet touching.

The Heart

The Heart is made from pink-hued rose quartz, which aligns with our heart chakra, helping strengthen our self-worth, call in all types of love, grieve, and process emotions. The lungs fall under the heart chakra’s associated body parts and are also one of the primary organs affected by COVID-19. We can use the Heart Chakrub to bring balance to this chakra and bolster compassion for ourselves and others.

You can do this ritual lying on your bed or a yoga mat, your Heart Chakrub held at the center of your chest. Take a moment to breathe into the space and tune into the energy of your Chakrub. At first you might just feel it’s physical weight, smoothness, and cool temperature. Then try to discern the more subtle energy that’s being emitted from your Chakrub. If you do not feel sensitive to this energy, you can imagine what you would like it to help you with and how. Take a few minutes until you feel that you have a strong intention, one small thing you can do that will help keep you healthy and safe moving forward.

Begin a breath pattern where you breathe in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds. Hold your intention close as you repeat this breath, perhaps even exhaling it aloud every round. Allow yourself to drift off into a meditation if it feels good (you can set your Chakrub aside so that it doesn’t roll off your chest).

One sensual way to continue this ritual would be to use your Chakrub to massage and open up the heart center. You can roll it lengthwise up, down, and across your chest to bring more blood flow into the area. Then you can caress, fondle, and play with your chest and nipples in whatever way feels good.

Whenever you are ready to finish, make sure that you give gratitude to yourself for taking this time, your heart and lungs for supporting you, and your Chakrub for helping to hold the space. Write your intention down if you feel that it will help you remain committed.

The Amethyst

The Amethyst is a violet stone that is linked to the crown chakra, which rules over our consciousness and awareness. Located at the crown of our head, this chakra helps regulate our nervous system, and pituitary and pineal glands. Keeping this chakra functioning well means that our body, mind, and spirit are in flowing communication. With so much information being thrown at us, it’s easy to feel like these aspects of ourselves are in conflict.

The Amethyst Chakrub can remind us of our interconnectedness and that supporting ourselves is another way of supporting the whole. When we are fully embodied and at peace with ourselves, we are in the best position to help others.

The Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh has a hugging meditation that can be adapted to do with your Chakrub. In this exercise, you can imagine that The Amethyst represents aspects of yourself that need to be reconciled with, or a close friend or family member. You can even think more generally, having it represent the people in your community, your region, or everyone in the world.

“According to the practice, you have to really hug the person you are holding. You have to make him or her very real in your arms, not just for the sake of appearances, patting him on the back to pretend you are there, but breathing consciously and hugging with all your body, spirit, and heart. Hugging meditation is a practice of mindfulness. “Breathing in, I know my dear one is in my arms, alive. Breathing out, she is so precious to me.” If you breathe deeply like that, holding the person you love, the energy of your care and appreciation will penetrate into that person and she will be nourished and bloom like a flower.”

Hold your Chakrub in a tender embrace, perhaps in a cradled position, with both hands gripping it, pressing it to your chest, or whatever feels right for you. You can also place it under a pillow and then do the meditation lying down while holding yourself. As Nhat Hanh says in his book:

This ritual can also be done with a person you might be quarantined with. Click here for a more detailed guide on how to do the hugging meditation with another person.

The Indian Jade

Green aventurine, the crystal that the Indian Jade Chakrub is made from, connects with the green of the heart chakra, encouraging optimism and emotional calm. It can help us look on the bright side (or at least the neutral side) when we’re feeling hopeless or give us the courage to face the unknown. The Indian Jade quiets the anxious mind to get in touch with deeper inner wisdom.

An armpit massage might not sound sexy at first, but it can be a great way to stimulate your lymph system and drain impurities. Self-massage in this area can reduce inflammation, enhance your immune system, and boost your skin’s appearance.

Do this ritual lying down, perhaps after a shower when your skin is freshly moisturized. Raise one arm over your head and begin by massaging that armpit with the opposite hand. Start with slow, small circles, applying a light pressure with the palm. Take your Chakrub and roll it lengthwise from your neck to your shoulders down to your armpits. You can try using either end for a deeper massage. Spend 5-10 minutes on each side.

As you do the massage, breathe deeply into your chest and belly, allowing your diaphragm to expand your stomach into your chest. Let yourself relax a little more deeply as you fully exhale. Aside from the natural toxins, you might envision what mental, emotional, or spiritual tension you would like to drain during this ritual. Affirm the type of energy you would like to bring in with this ritual.

Feature image by Camille Mariet