The fourth chakra is the center of compassion.  When the heart is open, you transcend the limits of your physical identity:  You identify with people, animals, all of life.

Phrase:  Love Is Divine Power Location:  Center of chest, heart area.  Some traditions place it slightly to the left of the spine, over the heart.  Others keep it in line with the spine. Color::  Emerald Green (Eastern) or Rose (Native American) Perception/Sense:  Love, empathy  Pitch:  F Endocrine Gland:  Thymus Metal:  Pewter  Period of Development:  7-9 years Gemstone:  Emerald, Rose quartz  Primary Function:  Love Element:  Air Mental and Emotional Issues: Love and hatred, resentment and bitterness, grief, self-centeredness, loneliness and commitment, forgiveness and compassion, hope and trust, strong emotions.  Divine/unconditional love, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, balance, courage, group consciousness, oneness with life.  Consciousness of self-acceptance and love.  This is the empathetic center. Traits When Overactive: Demanding, overly critical, possessive, moody, melodramatic, manic-depressive, being a martyr. Traits When Under-functioning or Off-balance: Acting loving, but really feeling resentful, giving out of obligation rather than genuine goodwill, hard time accepting from others, feeling isolated. Organs: Heart and circulatory system, lungs, shoulders and arms, ribs/breasts, diaphragm, thymus gland. Physical Dysfunctions: Congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction (heart attack), mitral valve prolapse, cardiomegaly, asthma/allergy, lung cancer, bronchial pneumonia, upper back, shoulder, breast cancer, blood disorders. Foods: Plums, cherries, strawberries, whole-grain brown rice, couscous and other grains, miso, soy, and bean proteins, greens (except spinach) Activities to Balance This Chakra: Give your service freely to others, listen to soft or romantic music, spend time with animals or children, express caring for friends and family.  Give someone a Reiki treatment.  Most importantly, love and forgive yourself.