Today we’re learning how about opening the heart chakra! What better way to celebrate Valentines Day and share the love than with some beautiful and nurturing self-care. Our busy lives often take over and we run away with ourselves, busy doing, planning, rushing onto the next thing. It’s important to take some time, especially within the theme of love, to do some self-loving! We’re going to talk through some beautiful activities you can do alone or with a partner or friends, to open up your heart chakra and spend some quality time with yourself.
What is the heart chakra?
The heart chakra is the fourth of seven chakra points in the body, with the heart chakra positioned at the middle of the spine in line with where your heart is. In itself, the heart chakra is the chakra responsible for unconditional love, for both oneself, for others and the world around you. It’s also the centre of empathy, care and loving compassion, so it’s a very beautiful chakra with a very emotional role in every day. It is a huge part of what makes us human. Sometimes it can be easy to forget that we need to pour love back into ourselves sometimes – that’s why we’re going to look at ways for opening the heart chakra. Perfect for Valentines Day
Now we’ve learned what the heart chakra is, let’s find out how we can unblock and open it!
Self love activities you can try:
- Show gratitude for loved ones and strangers alike
Gratitude is such as beautiful emotion that is very powerful in itself. Take some time to express thanks, whether verbally and in person, or through a meditation or journaling session, to your loved ones. We are all capable of boundless love; appreciate those warm feelings and extend your gratitude to those around, be thankful for strangers and the beauty of individuality. Spend time alone and send love to those who bring you joy and comfort.
- Prepare a cacao ceremony
Valentines Day is notorious for chocolate, but did you know that raw cacao has been believed for centuries by the ancient Mayans to open the heart? Cacao ceremonies are important rituals that focus on the process of preparing, enjoying, and being thankful for the cacao. This is not to be confused with the chocolates that you’ll find in the supermarket, high grade cacao is much more potent than regular chocolate, but it is excellent for you and will provide a beautiful experience. Grab some friends and a slab of cacao and have a beautiful evening of gratitude, contemplation and discovery!
- Eat and drink heart-opening foods
Other things known to open the heart chakra include rosewater, leafy greens, red fruits such as strawberries and raspberries. The colours to eat for the heart chakra is predominantly pink and green; green vegetables are excellent at healing. Our Welsh Witch Beltane Edition Gin was formulated with high quality rosewater, in order to help open the heart chakra when drinking. Pour a glass to enjoy with your partner, friends, or to enjoy for yourself at the end of the day.
- Practice yoga or simple stretching
Yoga and chakras go hand in hand, don’t they? You very often hear of people chatting about chakras when complicated yoga moves are involved. But, it doesn’t have to be difficult, and you don’t need to be a contortionist to get the heart-opening benefits of yoga. Just sitting cross-legged, breathing, and focusing on your breath is a form of pranayama yoga. It’s all about being mindful. If you are able, try out some simple poses if you like; but remember that it doesn’t need to be perfect. Take some time to feel your body moving and notice how it empowers you, focus on your breath and this will cultivate self-love and self-care, just by simply stretching and breathing.
- Meditate with light, crystals, or gentle music
If you know anything about crystals, you’ll know that rose quartz is the stone of unconditional love. It comes as no surprise then, that rose quartz is an excellent crystal for opening the heart chakra. Combine some crystal work, with candles or gentle music and there’s a self-care evening worth staying in for! Lighting your space with candles or incense is a great way to make things cosier, more comfortable and invoke feelings of peace, calm and love. Maybe grab a journal or list out all the things in your head that you love about yourself; remember how magical it is to be unique and what it means to be you. Find out Welsh Witch candles on the shop, if you’re in the market for a divine smelling new addition!
Our Welsh Witch candles ready to add some magic to any evening!
However you choose to spend Valentine’s Day, whether you’re spending it with just your beautiful self, perhaps a fur baby, a partner, or with friends, it’s important to remember how loved you are. We all have a special place in this world, and having an open and flowing heart chakra makes that unconditional love pour out even easier. With an open heart chakra, you’ll find yourself filled with compassion and adoration for even simple things, something which we need now more than ever. Make sure you take some time for yourself this Valentine’s with some self-care; no matter how small – because you are worth it too!
Welsh Witch HQ x