The third eye chakra is located between the eyebrows. It is connected to the pineal gland, which controls the production of melatonin to balance out serotonin levels. Melatonin is the hormone that impacts sleep quality. It is needed to synthesize serotonin so that we can get REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Too much artificial light throughout the day suppresses melatonin production and REM sleep. REM cycles are when our dreams are most vivid and lucid.

The third eye chakra is governed by the element of light. The eyes bend light so that we can project a hologram of reality around us. In dream state, the electrical light from brain waves project our innermost desires, our greatest fears and the divine wisdom that cannot be accessed while awake. The light of faith gives us the ability to see possibilities without sight. Light brings clarity (“guiding light”), truth (“what happens in the dark comes to the light”) and understanding (“light bulb moments”). It is how we know when we are in a state of darkness or despair, and how we navigate through those periods.

Our intuition is strengthened at the third eye chakra. We hear and speak a lot about “trusting our gut;” however intuition actually travels along the brain-gut axis. The brain and gut communicate bidirectionally and work together to intuitively make decisions. So that feeling you have in the pit of your stomach and that sense of knowing something without logical reasoning are both manifestations of your intuition at work.

The Sanskrit word for the third eye chakra is Ajna (Ahj-nah), which means to perceive beyond wisdom. Wisdom comes from experience and patterns that have been seen and observed over a period of time. The third eye chakra awakens our spiritual wisdom – that which is unseen, yet known. It is the seat of our faith and optimism and where we learn to trust our inner light over everything else.

Overactive:

• Delusional thinking
• Escapism in the form of heavy or recreational drug use
• Avoiding deep seated personal issues
• Know it all

Under Active:

• Playing small
• Confusion
• Not remembering dreams
• Inability to trust one’s self
• Fear of spirituality
• Spiritual cynicism

Conditions:

• Headaches
• Eye pain, vision problems or sensitivity to light
• Insomnia or sleep disturbances
• Depression
• Nightmares
• Sleep paralysis
• Chronic post nasal drip

Astrology
Jupiter governs the third eye chakra. It is the largest planet in our solar system and represents growth, expansion, dreams, imagination, aspirations and knowledge. For better or worse, Jupiter makes anything that it touches bigger and brings it into greater focus. Jupiter is called the “Bringer of Blessings,” and is considered to be the great benefic (“good planet”). The main challenge with Jupiter is knowing when enough is enough. As astrologer Sam Reynolds says “Jupiter can amplify our excellence (light) or our excesses (shadow).” Too much Jupitarian energy makes one overindulgent, reckless, self-righteous, brash, restless and dogmatic. Too little Jupitarian energy makes one self-conscious, self-effacing, overly cautious, conformist and tentative.