The Heart Chakra (Anahata)

We arrive today at the heart of the matter — quite literally. The Heart Chakra, Anahata (meaning 'unstruck sound'), sits at the centre of the chest and is the energetic bridge between the lower three chakras of earth and body, and the upper three chakras of mind and spirit. It governs our capacity to love and be loved, to grieve and to forgive, to experience genuine compassion for ourselves and others. It is, in many traditions, the most important centre of all.

When the Heart Chakra is blocked

A blocked heart often comes from love that has been hurt. Grief that was never fully honoured. Betrayal that was absorbed rather than processed. Over time, the natural protective response becomes a permanent structure — the heart learns to close before it can be wounded again.

Physically, this can manifest as heart and lung conditions, upper back and shoulder tension, shallow breathing, and poor circulation. Emotionally, there is often a quiet loneliness — a longing for connection alongside a deep reluctance to reach for it. There may be bitterness, an inability to forgive, or a coldness that the person themselves may not fully understand. Spiritually, the soul cannot open to grace, beauty or divine love while the heart is armoured.

My approach as a Reiki Master

A blocked heart is one of the most tender places to work. I approach with particular gentleness.

I visualise Reiki symbols, working at the level of emotional healing before introducing power to the Chakra. I visualise soft green light — not rushing in, but gently expanding like dawn light, finding the gaps in the armour. I hold the intention of safety and permission: 'It is safe to open. You will not be hurt here.' I may spend the longest time of any session working at the heart, because this centre will not be rushed.

When the Heart Chakra is balanced

A balanced heart is one of the most beautiful energies to work with. The person radiates warmth without neediness, offers love without agenda, and receives it without suspicion. They have known both joy and sorrow, and both have opened them further rather than closing them down.

Physically, the cardiovascular system is strong, breathing is deep and full, and the chest and shoulders carry ease rather than tension. Emotionally, grief moves through rather than accumulates. Forgiveness is genuine rather than performed. Compassion includes the self as well as others. Spiritually, this person lives from a centre of love — not as an achievement, but as a natural orientation.

My approach as a Reiki Master

When the heart chakra is balanced, placing my hands at the chest is like resting them in a field of warm green light. The energy is expansive, inclusive and deeply peaceful. Here I visualise the energy from the Heart Chakra radiating outward beautifully in all directions.

I often pause here simply to be present with this energy — to appreciate it, and to let it inform the rest of the session. A balanced heart tends to support and harmonise all the other centres.

When the Heart Chakra is too open

An overactive heart is a rarely discussed but real imbalance — and it is often mistaken for virtue. The person gives endlessly, feels everyone's pain as their own, and has lost the thread of where they end and another person begins. Empathy is powerful but we must have and maintain healthy boundaries.

Physically, the exhaustion of chronic over-giving can be profound — adrenal fatigue, immune depletion, and a body that simply cannot keep pace with the emotional output. Emotionally, there is martyrdom, enmeshment, and a love that has become self-erasure. Spiritually, compassion without discernment is not yet wisdom — even the most generous heart needs a centre to give from.

My approach as a Reiki Master

With an overactive heart, my work is to gently restore the boundary and the centre. I place hands at the heart and work to gather the energy inward — not to close it, but to give it form and container.

I visualise Reiki symbols to strengthen and consolidate, then work deliberately at the solar plexus below, helping to reinstate a healthy sense of self from which the heart's love can flow. The intention: 'Your love is most powerful when you are also included in it.'

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Today's affirmation: I give and receive love freely. My heart is safe.

A practice for this week

This week, I offer you one small practice: place your hand on your own heart once a day — upon waking, before sleep, or whenever you feel overwhelmed — and simply feel it beating. Let that be enough. The heart that is willing to acknowledge its own presence is already beginning to open.

Previous Casework

A different perspective this time, one from my own personal experience. I tend to be a private person and what some may class as old school - l was brought up in an era where a man doesn't acknowledge some emotions, let alone show them. Sadly, my elder brother passed in Decemeber of last year - just over a year since my younger brother passed back to those who had gone before us. I held onto these losses, never really addressing them, which led me to becoming a little withdrawn. I knew that this should not be the case. By working upon my own Heart chakra, I realised all life should be acknowledged, enjoyed and memories should be embraced - no matter how painful this could be. Lifting the heaviness from one's own heart can be very difficult but so rewarding. I am fortunate in the fact that I can sense those that have passed around me and often find myself smiling and acknowleding them - knowing that the signs they show me are sent with love.