You function perfectly well without ever awakening the Kundalini, but you limit your consciousness and experience. Kundalini supports life and consciousness while remaining coiled, but once awakened can lead to superconsciousness and divine wisdom. This comes about because the sense-mind is transformed into pure mind, which is absorbed by the stream of consciousness flowing in the form of Kundalini Shakti. The mind moves beyond all the contraries and polarities while realizing pure being.

Focus on your chakras, one at a time, starting at the first foundation chakra and moving upwards toward your crown. Open up each of the chakra centers, sensing the area as a clockwise spinning wheel of energy growing stronger and brighter. Visualize the following vibrant colors filling your chakras: root-red, navel-orange, solar plexus-gold, heart-green, throat-blue, third eye-violet, crown-white. Join the wheels and colors together into one large swirling rainbow. Do this for five minutes every day and notice the change in your personal energy.

This method can be done solo or as a couple, standing, sitting, and/or reclining and takes about two hours. You will want to discard any clothing for this experience. Read over the guidelines and then gather together everything you will need, and don't forget the matches.

Each of your first five chakras correspond to elemental energies as follows:

Root chakra - Earth Element

Second chakra - Water Element

Third chakra - Fire Element

Fourth chakra - Air Element

Fifth Chakra - Ether (Akasha), Spirit

This awakening process applies these five elemental correspondences, using physical representations; a bowl of earth, a cup or chalice of water, a candle holder with candle, incense or smudge, and sacred object or personal symbol. Gather these items together before you begin and place them in front of you on a table, counter, the floor, or ground. Position the physical items you will use around you, within easy reach, and hopefully in the appropriate North (earth), East (air), South (fire), and West (water) directional corners. I strongly recommend purchasing a small compass to determine the four corners. Place the representation of Spirit in front of you or between you when working with your lover. Spend fifteen minutes on each chakra.

1. Begin by focusing on your first (root) chakra. Also called the Muladhara, this is the point where earth energy enters your body, and is the seat of passion located at the base of your spine. Some say the root chakra at located at the center of the pubic bone. Concentrate your attention on your root chakra as you visualize and sense things that are related to the earth. Your bones, flesh, skin, and hair consist of the earth element. Now take a pinch of clean earth from the bowl and rub it on your lower stomach. When working with your lover, take another bit and rub the earth on your lover's lower stomach. Allow them to reciprocate. Slowly let the earth run through your fingers as you feel its fine grainy, yet smooth texture.

2. Move upward to your second (navel) chakra. Also called the Svadistthana, this is the chakra of identity, personality, and emotions. Focus on the water element and sense your feelings, emotions, moods, and the blood that courses through your body.

Hold the cup of water, take a sip, and then have your beloved take a sip. Next dip your fingers into the cup of water, applying the drops to your navel area and rubbing the moisture into your skin. When working with your lover, rub droplets of water on their navel area. Allow your lover to reciprocate. Set the cup back down.

3. Move onward to your third (solar plexus) chakra and the fire element. Also called the Manipura, this chakra influences will power, expression, and adaptability to change. See and sense things related to fire and light, such as the sun, and gaze into the light in your lover's eyes. Light the candle and hold the candle holder firmly, waving it back and forth in front of your solar plexus area, about nine inches away from your skin. Feel the warmth of the flame, but be careful not to burn yourself. When working with your lover, wave the flame close to your partner's solar plexus and then allow time for them to reciprocate. Set the candle down in a safe place.

4. Move to the fourth (heart) chakra, reflecting upon the element of air. Also called the Anahata, your heart chakra is the point where energies twine, where passion and unconditional love meet.

Focus on the rhythm of your breathing, the breeze as it touches your face, and the heat of your lover's breath. Light the incense or smudge and use the smoke to cleanse and soothe you. Bathe in the pungent smoke, while noticing the way the smoke moves and the patterns it takes.

5. Move your awareness to your fifth (throat) chakra and the element of Spirit. Also called the Vishuddhi, this is the chakra of psychic power and spiritual communication. Visualizing and sensing the divinity of all things, make an effort to connect with the spirit within and without. Take your sacred object or symbol and place it on or near your throat chakra. Breathe in the spiritual essence and light you feel is reflected in the object or symbol. When working with your lover, place the sacred object or symbol on their body and allow them to reciprocate.

6. Take a minute or two to connect your chakras and the elements together in a harmonious way by weaving them together with a golden thread of light. See and sense everything inside and outside of you as being part of an infinite fabric of rainbow light. Breathe in this light until you feel completely energized. Apply this energy to love making, a creative project, or something else you take pleasure in doing.

The above techniques are an excerpt from Sirona Knight's new book Love, Sex, and Magick. Click on the title for more information.