Different Chakra Systems Explained: 7 vs 9 vs 11 (& More)
Chakras are often described as energy centers within the energy body, but not everyone agrees on exactly how many there are or how they work. While the 7 chakra system is the most widely recognized in modern spirituality, other traditions and texts mention a variety of different chakras.
In this post, we’ll explore the 7, 9, and 11 Chakra Systems plus the 3 Cauldron system from 8th century Ireland to understand their origins, meanings, and how they relate to one another without deciding which is “right” or “wrong.” To the 5 and 8 chakra systems… sorry, I ran out of space. But I see you!
If you prefer audio, here is a recording to help guide you through this post:
Why different Chakra Systems work
While studying the chakra system we need to keep in mind that it is not the number of chakras that is important. Different modalities work with different chakras. No matter what system you believe in, they all work and they all serve their purposes.
Because the entire energy body is interconnected, even if someone is working with the 7 major chakra system, the other major chakras that are not part of that system are still clearing, healing, developing and evolving, even if the practitioner is aware of it or not.
You don’t have to work with your chakras directly to help them develop. When I say “work directly”, I am talking about healing, meditation, working with specific tones, sounds, crystals, etc. You can, but it’s not necessary.
The chakras are heavily influenced by the things we find ourselves doing, saying, thinking and being around during the day:
People
Entertainment
Books
Activities
News and more
Our job is a good example of this, since most people spend a good chunk of their day working. Depending on what skill set you need at work will determine what chakras are getting exercised and therefore developed.
For example, if you are an event planner you likely have a strong or developed:
Ajna Chakra (re: 11 major chakra system)
Throat Chakra
Root or Basic Chakra
There is also a good chance your Heart is open and you are good with people. Just by being in this line of work these chakras are getting a workout day in and day out.
Another way to develop the chakras in our day to day life is simply taking care of ourselves.
Things like:
Taking time for our mental health
Working through and processing our emotions
Having healthy boundaries
Being able to say “no”
These are all great ways to help develop the Solar Plexus Chakra. Which in return will help the Heart Chakra open and then help a person have more inner peace, greater happiness and better health.
It’s all interconnected and we do not need to “om” our way through the day to get there, (although you can if you want!)
7 Major Chakra System
The 7 chakra system is the most common chakra system.
Originally brought to the West by the Theosophical Society, the 7 chakra system was organized by the colours of the rainbow and most importantly is safe for people to work with.
Teachings were simplified. We have 7 days a week, 7 colours in the rainbow and so forth. The number 7 is easy to remember and understand.
This system came from Hindu and Buddhist traditions and was then adapted by theosophical writers; C.W. Leadbeater, H.P. Blavatsky and A.E. Powell (1800’s - early mid 1900’s).
This chakra system includes these major chakras:
Root
Sacral
Solar Plexus
Heart
Throat
Third Eye
Crown
9 Major Chakra System
The 9 chakra system involves the 7 major chakras just mentioned, with the addition of the Earth Star Chakra below the feet and the Soul Star Chakra above the head. The Earth Star and Soul Star chakras do develop and evolve whether you are aware of it or not.
A good example of how the Earth Star Chakra can develop is when people are successful business persons. When a person is a good business person there are a handful of chakras that develop and gain strength, which lends to further success. The lower chakras are just one of those areas. As these chakras develop the Earth Star Chakra below the feet also strengthens and evolves. The word “good” also means someone who is not profiting off or harming the Earth or people.
Regarding the Soul Star, this chakra evolves with any kind of spiritual and or religious practice. Again, assuming these practices are not harming others, this chakra can develop in this way. The Soul Star also develops in relation to the type of life we’re living.
These are just a few examples of how what we do and how we live can develop the major chakras.
11 Major Chakra System
Most commonly used by Pranic Healers, the 11 major chakras are all major acupuncture points. The corresponding acupuncture points can be found in the book The Chakras and Their Functions by MCKS.
In this system, each chakra is a multitude of colours and each chakra spins in both directions simultaneously, inhaling prana (life force) and exhaling used up or dirty energy from the energy body.
The 11 major chakra system also includes chakras that were known by other systems but not included, because if worked with incorrectly can cause problems for the person receiving healing. For example, raising blood pressure or affecting pregnant women.
The 11 major chakra system includes:
Basic
Sex
Navel
Front Solar Plexus
Back Solar Plexus
Front Heart Chakra
Back Heart Chakra
Throat
Ajna
Forehead (Third-Eye)
Crown
This modality includes other major chakras for spiritual development but not specifically for healing.
Just as it was known there were more major chakras in the energy body, it was also known that each chakra had more than one colour. Again, it is not that any system is better than the other, it is simply layers of truth. Some of this information is just not important for effective healing, but if you like this kind of thing it can be interesting.
The next layer is that there are more than 11 major chakras, but it is nothing to get stuck on. As mentioned, our energy body and chakras are also developing and some chakras that are developing are not in a place for us to be working with yet. When that information is ready to come to light, it will.
How our energy body looks today is not how it looked 30 years ago, let alone hundreds or thousands of years ago. The chakras develop on their own and they have gotten bigger.
The 3 Cauldron System
One system that I have come upon in recent years has been the ancient Irish Poet Seer teachings of the Three Cauldrons. The teachings come from The Cauldron of Poesy manuscript in the 16th century but are believed to be originally composed in 8th century Ireland.
Each cauldron is a series of chakras. Inspiration was thought to descend from above, Divine Energy, and meet with Fire, which relates to Kundalini energy. It was said that cauldrons must be able to hold this energy and that our pathways must be clear for Divine Inspiration and Transformation.
The 3 Cauldron System includes the traditional Irish names and what chakras they relate to:
Belly – Coire Goiriath - Cauldron of Warming; Includes the Root, Navel and Solar Plexus Chakras
Heart – Coire Ermae - Cauldron of Motion/Vocation; includes the Heart Chakra
Head – Coire Sois - Cauldron of Wisdom/Knowledge; Includes the Throat, Third Eye and Crown Chakras
Choosing What Resonates With You
Ultimately, no matter which system you resonate with, what matters most is how we live. Our chakras are not separate from our daily lives. They are shaped by our choices, our relationships, our work and how we care for ourselves, and in return they shape our personalities, health and lives. It is a cyclical relationship. Whether we are consciously working with them or not, they are always developing alongside us and helping us develop as well.
For anyone who wants guidance or support with this process, I offer remote energy healing sessions that can be done from anywhere in the world, helping your energy system move, clear and evolve with greater ease. You can learn more about my energy healing work here.
