Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Complete Guide to Personal Power & Confidence
The solar plexus chakra is your internal furnace - the center of willpower, self-esteem, and personal identity. It is the energy that answers: who am I when no one is watching? Do I trust myself? And do I believe I am worth what I want? When this fire burns steadily, you move through life with quiet confidence. When it gutters, everything feels like a test you are failing.
Luna
love & relationships specialist
In This Guide
What Is the Solar Plexus Chakra?
The solar plexus chakra - Manipura in Sanskrit, meaning "city of jewels" - is the third energy center in the seven-chakra system. Located in the upper abdomen at the stomach area, between the navel and the base of the sternum, it sits at the seat of your personal power, self-worth, and will to act.
Where the root chakra asks "Am I safe?" and the sacral chakra asks "What do I feel?", the solar plexus asks a more confrontational question: "Who am I? And do I have the power to become that person?" It governs confidence, identity, willpower, self-discipline, personal responsibility, and the ability to transform intention into action.
Solar Plexus Chakra at a Glance
Sanskrit
Manipura
Meaning
City of jewels
Location
Upper abdomen, solar plexus area
Element
Fire
Color
Yellow
Mantra
RAM
Nerve Plexus
Celiac (Solar) Plexus
Endocrine Gland
Pancreas
Governs
Personal power, self-esteem, confidence, willpower, transformation, identity, metabolism
Body Areas
Pancreas, digestive system, liver, gallbladder, stomach, middle spine
The solar plexus symbol is a ten-petaled yellow lotus with a downward-pointing (inverted) triangle at its center. The ten petals represent ten pranas - vital energy vibrations - and also correspond to ten obstacles that must be overcome for this chakra to function freely: shame, fear, jealousy, disgust, foolishness, sadness, delusion, ignorance, treachery, and cruelty. The inverted triangle represents the fire element directed downward, transforming raw energy into usable power.
In the traditional system, Vishnu - the preserver god - presides over Manipura. This connection is significant: the solar plexus is not about creation (sacral) or survival (root), but about sustaining - maintaining your sense of self, preserving your identity, and upholding your will through the challenges and pressures of life.
The element is fire. This is the chakra of transformation - just as fire converts matter into energy, the solar plexus converts intention into action, food into fuel, and experience into personal growth. When the solar plexus is healthy, you have a strong digestive fire (both physical and metaphorical), clear willpower, and the internal heat needed to burn through obstacles.
There is also a profound connection between the solar plexus and the enteric nervous system - the "second brain" in your gut. This network of over 100 million neurons produces 95% of your body's serotonin and is the biological basis for "gut feelings." When someone says "trust your gut," they are talking about solar plexus intelligence - a form of knowing that operates faster than conscious thought.
What Balanced Solar Plexus Energy Looks Like
When your solar plexus chakra is open and balanced, you carry a quiet, steady sense of self that does not depend on external validation. Here is what healthy solar plexus energy looks like in practice:
Signs of a Balanced Solar Plexus Chakra
- Clear sense of self and purpose. You know who you are independently of roles, relationships, or other people's expectations. Your identity is internally sourced, not externally assembled.
- Confident decision-making. You make choices without agonizing, trust your judgment, and do not spiral into regret. When you are wrong, you adjust without interpreting it as proof of fundamental inadequacy.
- Assertive boundaries without aggression. You can say no, express disagreement, and hold your ground without becoming hostile or apologetic. Your boundaries are clear, calm, and non-negotiable.
- Healthy risk-taking. You pursue goals that matter to you even when success is not guaranteed. Failure is information, not identity. You recover from setbacks without collapsing or abandoning the mission.
- Strong, reliable gut feeling. You trust your instincts and they consistently prove accurate. You feel sensations in your solar plexus that guide you - warmth for yes, contraction for no - and you honor them.
- Internal motivation. You act from your own values and desires, not from the need to please others, avoid criticism, or prove your worth. Your drive comes from within, and it is sustainable because it is genuine.
Not sure where your solar plexus energy stands? Our Chakra Quiz can help you identify whether this center is balanced, blocked, or overactive.
Signs Your Solar Plexus Chakra Is Blocked
A blocked solar plexus chakra creates a characteristic pattern: you feel small, powerless, and unable to advocate for yourself. Decision-making feels paralyzing. Other people's opinions carry more weight than your own. You know what you want but cannot seem to act on it. Below is a detailed breakdown of how solar plexus blockage manifests.
Emotional Signs
- Low self-esteem and chronic self-doubt that undermines every decision
- Imposter syndrome - feeling like a fraud despite evidence of competence
- People-pleasing as a default response, even at cost to yourself
- Persistent sense of powerlessness or helplessness
- Shame that feels woven into your identity rather than tied to specific events
- Victim mentality - feeling like life happens to you, never through you
- Indecisiveness that paralyzes action, even on small choices
Physical Signs
- Digestive issues: IBS, acid reflux, chronic bloating, stomach ulcers
- Blood sugar imbalances, insulin resistance, or diabetes
- Chronic fatigue and low energy despite adequate rest
- Eating disorders - using food control as a proxy for life control
- Liver and gallbladder problems
- Stomach tension or nausea in stressful situations
- Middle back pain or tension around the diaphragm
Behavioral Signs
- Inability to say no - agreeing to things that drain you
- Procrastination driven by fear of failure or judgment
- Avoiding conflict at all costs, even when your needs go unmet
- Seeking constant approval or validation before acting
- Giving away power in relationships - letting others decide for you
- Undercharging for work or undervaluing your contributions
- Staying in situations long past their expiration because leaving feels impossible
Life Situations That Block the Solar Plexus Chakra
- Bullying in childhood or adolescence that was never resolved
- Authoritarian parents who punished autonomy and independent thinking
- Public humiliation - experiences that taught you visibility is dangerous
- Repeated failure without emotional support or encouragement
- Toxic workplaces with micromanagement, gaslighting, or constant criticism
- Controlling relationships that systematically dismantled your confidence
- Cultural or family systems that rewarded obedience over self-expression
Important: Physical symptoms listed above are energetic correspondences, not medical diagnoses. If you experience persistent digestive issues, blood sugar problems, or chronic fatigue, consult a healthcare professional. Chakra work is a complementary practice that supports - but does not replace - medical care.
Overactive Solar Plexus Chakra
An overactive solar plexus is not health - it is the fire burning out of control. Instead of steady personal power, there is compulsive control. Instead of confidence, there is arrogance masking insecurity. The solar plexus dominates the energy system, turning every interaction into a power dynamic and every setback into a personal affront.
Overactive Signs
- Perfectionism that makes everything a test of your worth
- Control issues - needing to manage every detail, person, and outcome
- Aggressive dominance in conversations, relationships, and groups
- Inflated ego that masks deep insecurity underneath
- Micromanaging others because you cannot trust anyone to do it right
- Chronic anger, irritability, or explosive temper
- Workaholism - compulsively proving your worth through productivity
- Narcissistic tendencies - inability to consider perspectives other than your own
- Bullying behavior - using power over others to feel powerful within yourself
- Inability to delegate, collaborate, or share credit
An overactive solar plexus often compensates for a blocked sacral or root chakra. When you do not feel emotionally safe (root) or emotionally connected (sacral), you may unconsciously use control, dominance, and relentless productivity to create a false sense of stability. The complete chakra guide explains how the lower three chakras interact and influence each other.
The remedy for an overactive solar plexus is not suppression but redirection. Heart-opening practices (compassion, vulnerability, trust) and grounding root chakra work help channel excess fire constructively. Bergamot essential oil, moonstone, and restorative yoga can cool overactive solar plexus energy without extinguishing it.
Solar Plexus Chakra Self-Assessment
Answer these questions honestly. If you respond "yes" to three or more, your solar plexus chakra may benefit from focused attention and healing work.
Do you frequently second-guess your decisions, even after making them?
Do you struggle to say no or set boundaries with others?
Do you feel like an imposter in your professional life?
Do you have chronic digestive issues or stomach tension?
Do you seek approval or validation from others before acting?
Do you avoid conflict even at the cost of your own needs?
Do you feel powerless to change your circumstances?
3+ yes answers: Your solar plexus chakra likely needs attention. Read the healing practices below, and consider taking our full Chakra Quiz for a complete energy center assessment.
Solar Plexus Chakra Healing Practices
Healing the solar plexus chakra means rebuilding your relationship with personal power - learning to trust yourself, assert your will, and act from inner authority rather than external permission. The practices below work with the fire element and the body's core to open and balance Manipura.
Yoga for the Solar Plexus Chakra
Solar plexus yoga focuses on the core, upper abdomen, and standing poses that build strength and stability. Unlike sacral yoga which emphasizes flow and openness, solar plexus yoga emphasizes holding - building the willpower to stay when it is difficult, which directly translates to life.
Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)
Stand with one foot forward, back foot angled. Bend the front knee, raise arms overhead. This pose builds inner strength and determination. Hold for 5 breaths per side, feeling fire build in the core.
Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)
From standing, hinge forward on one leg, extending arms and the other leg parallel to the floor. This balance pose demands core engagement and focus - it teaches you to trust yourself in instability. Hold 3-5 breaths per side.
Boat Pose (Navasana)
Sit with knees bent, lean back slightly, lift feet off the floor. Extend legs if possible. Arms reach forward. This is the quintessential solar plexus pose - it directly activates the core and builds willpower through discomfort. Hold for 30-60 seconds.
Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar)
The full Sun Salutation sequence energizes the entire solar plexus through rhythmic movement and breath. Practice 5-10 rounds each morning to ignite your inner fire and set a tone of power for the day.
Revolved Triangle (Parivrtta Trikonasana)
From a wide stance, twist the torso, reaching the opposite hand to the forward foot. Twists wring out stagnant energy from the digestive organs and stimulate the solar plexus fire. Hold 5 breaths per side.
Plank Pose (Phalakasana)
Hold a straight-arm push-up position with core engaged. Plank builds core strength, endurance, and the willpower to hold steady when things feel difficult. Build from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Meditation Practices
Fire Visualization
Sit comfortably and visualize a bright golden flame at your solar plexus - just above the navel. With each inhale, the flame grows stronger and taller. With each exhale, it radiates warmth and light outward through your entire body. See it burning away doubt, shame, and fear. Practice for 10-15 minutes.
Golden Light Expansion
Close your eyes and imagine a sphere of brilliant yellow-gold light at your solar plexus. With each breath, it expands - first filling your torso, then your limbs, then extending beyond your body. Feel it as your personal power field. Let it be warm, steady, and unshakable. This meditation rebuilds the energetic boundary that weak solar plexus energy erodes.
Power Reclamation Meditation
Think of a situation where you gave your power away - a time you stayed silent, agreed when you meant no, or let someone else define your worth. Visualize yourself in that moment, but this time, see your solar plexus blazing gold. Replay the scene with your power intact. Speak what you needed to say. This rewires the neural pattern.
Inner Warrior Meditation
Visualize meeting your inner warrior - the part of you that is courageous, decisive, and unafraid. Notice what they look like, how they stand, what they carry. Ask them what you need to know. This meditation reconnects you with the part of yourself that trauma, criticism, or toxic environments may have buried.
Breathwork
Breath of Fire (Kapalabhati)
The most powerful breathwork for the solar plexus. Sit comfortably, take a deep inhale, then exhale sharply through the nose while pulling the navel toward the spine. The inhale happens passively. Build a rapid rhythm - 1-2 breaths per second. Start with 30 seconds and build to 3 minutes. This practice literally stokes the internal fire, stimulates digestion, clears mental fog, and generates enormous energy. Avoid during pregnancy or if you have high blood pressure.
Lion's Breath (Simhasana)
Inhale deeply through the nose. On the exhale, open your mouth wide, extend your tongue toward your chin, and exhale forcefully with a "HAAAA" sound. Widen your eyes. This breath releases tension stored in the jaw, throat, and solar plexus - all places where suppressed power lodges. It is deliberately undignified, which is the point: solar plexus healing requires the willingness to be seen, even imperfectly. Repeat 5-10 times.
Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations
Speak these aloud with conviction - solar plexus affirmations are not whispered, they are declared. Stand while you say them. The one that feels hardest to believe is the one you need most.
"I am powerful"
"I trust myself"
"I am worthy of respect"
"My will is strong"
"I act with courage"
"I release the need for approval"
"I honor my boundaries"
"I am confident in my decisions"
"I transform challenges into growth"
"My personal power grows daily"
Foods for Solar Plexus Healing
The solar plexus responds to yellow foods and warming, fire-element ingredients that stimulate digestive fire (agni). Because this chakra governs the entire digestive system, how you eat matters as much as what you eat: eating mindfully, chewing thoroughly, and avoiding eating under stress all support solar plexus health.
Yellow fruits
Bananas, pineapple, lemons, yellow apples, starfruit, golden kiwi
Yellow vegetables
Corn, yellow peppers, yellow squash, golden beets
Warming spices
Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, cayenne
Whole grains
Oats, brown rice, millet, quinoa, amaranth
Digestive support
Chamomile tea, peppermint tea, fennel, lemon water, apple cider vinegar
Essential Oils
Lemon
Clears mental fog, boosts confidence, energizes the will - sharp, clarifying solar energy
Ginger
Warms the digestive fire, ignites motivation, cuts through lethargy and stagnation
Peppermint
Sharpens focus, stimulates digestion, clears energy blocks in the solar plexus
Bergamot
Eases anxiety around self-worth, builds quiet confidence, balances overactive ego
Rosemary
Strengthens memory and mental clarity, supports courageous action, protective energy
Sound Healing
RAM Chanting
The seed mantra of the solar plexus chakra. Chant 'RAAAMMM' on a deep exhale, directing the vibration to your upper abdomen. Start with 3 minutes, building to 10. You should feel a physical vibration and warmth in the solar plexus area.
528 Hz Frequency
Known as the 'Love/Miracle' frequency, 528 Hz is associated with transformation and DNA repair. Listen during meditation, journaling, or as background while working. This frequency supports the solar plexus theme of personal transformation.
E Note Singing Bowls
The solar plexus chakra resonates with the musical note E. Crystal or Tibetan singing bowls tuned to E directly stimulate this energy center. Even listening to recordings can activate the solar plexus.
Drumming
Rhythmic drumming connects to the fire element and the primal power of the solar plexus. Drum along to music, attend a drum circle, or listen to shamanic drumming tracks. The steady rhythm builds a sense of inner strength and momentum.
Surya Mudra
The Surya (Sun) Mudra is the hand gesture associated with the solar plexus chakra. To form it: bend the ring finger down and press the tip with the thumb, keeping the other three fingers extended. This mudra activates fire energy and is traditionally believed to increase metabolic rate, stimulate digestion, and boost personal power.
Hold this mudra during meditation, breathwork, or affirmation practice to concentrate energy at the solar plexus. It is particularly effective combined with Breath of Fire or RAM chanting. Practice for 5-15 minutes. Because this mudra generates heat, balance it with adequate water intake and avoid excessive practice in hot conditions.
Crystals & Stones for the Solar Plexus Chakra
Solar plexus crystals work by matching and amplifying the frequency of personal power, confidence, and transformation. Place them on your upper abdomen during meditation, carry them in your pocket during challenging situations, or keep them on your desk for workplace confidence. Cleanse these crystals with sunlight - befitting their fire element - or sound.
Citrine
The 'success stone' and the most powerful solar plexus crystal. Citrine attracts abundance, boosts confidence, and amplifies personal power. Uniquely, it does not hold or accumulate negative energy - it transmutes it. Keep citrine on your desk, in your wallet, or at your solar plexus during meditation.
Yellow Jasper
A stone of sustained energy and emotional stamina. Yellow Jasper provides steady, grounding power rather than the quick burst of Citrine. It protects during travel and astral work, and supports you through long-term challenges that require endurance and persistence.
Pyrite
'Fool's gold' that is anything but foolish. Pyrite shields against negativity, boosts willpower, enhances memory and mental clarity. Its metallic, reflective surface symbolizes the solar plexus mirror - reflecting back the power others try to take from you. Excellent for workplace confidence.
Amber
Ancient tree resin that has hardened over millions of years. Amber absorbs pain and stress, stimulates the body's healing mechanisms, and connects you to ancestral wisdom and strength. It carries the warmth of ancient sunlight - literal solar energy crystallized in form.
Tiger's Eye
The courage stone. Tiger's Eye builds self-confidence, sharpens focus, and balances yin-yang energy within the solar plexus. Its chatoyant shimmer represents the ability to see clearly through complexity. Particularly powerful for people who need to make bold decisions.
Solar Plexus Chakra & Tarot Correspondences
The solar plexus chakra connects powerfully to the tarot through the suit of Wands and several Major Arcana cards that embody willpower, courage, and personal authority. Understanding these correspondences deepens both your chakra work and your tarot practice.
Strength (VIII)
The primary Major Arcana of the solar plexus chakra. Strength is not brute force - it is courage, self-mastery, and the quiet fire of inner power. The figure gently closing the lion's mouth represents the solar plexus at its best: power through composure, not aggression. When Strength appears, your solar plexus is being activated or tested.
The Sun (XIX)
Pure solar plexus energy: vitality, joy, success, confidence, and radiant self-expression. The Sun card represents what happens when the solar plexus is fully open - you shine without apology. Life feels vivid, purposeful, and warm. This card often appears when solar plexus healing is bearing fruit.
The Chariot (VII)
Willpower, determination, and victory through disciplined action. The Chariot represents the solar plexus in motion - not just feeling powerful but directing that power toward a goal. The sphinxes pulling in opposite directions symbolize conflicting forces mastered by a strong will.
Eight of Wands
Swift action, momentum, and energy in motion. The Eight of Wands reflects the solar plexus firing on all cylinders - decisions made quickly, actions taken without overthinking, and forward movement that feels unstoppable. It signals a period of solar plexus activation and confidence.
The Suit of Wands: Solar Plexus Energy in Every Reading
The entire suit of Wands corresponds to the fire element and the solar plexus chakra's domain: willpower, ambition, action, passion, and enterprise. When your readings are dominated by Wands, your solar plexus is active and speaking through the cards.
- Heavy Wands in a spread suggest solar plexus activation - themes of ambition, willpower, and personal drive are front and center
- Reversed Wands may indicate power blockage, burnout, or solar plexus energy that is being suppressed, misdirected, or overwhelmed by self-doubt
- No Wands at all in a reading can signal disconnection from personal will - a possible solar plexus blockage that deserves exploration
For deeper exploration, learn about reversed card meanings or explore career tarot readings - a natural extension of solar plexus energy in professional life. You can also pull a card right now with our daily card pull.
Solar Plexus Chakra & Astrology
The solar plexus chakra connects to the planets and signs that govern action, identity, vitality, and personal authority. Understanding your birth chart through the lens of the solar plexus reveals where your personal power naturally flows - and where it may be compromised.
Ruling Planets
Mars
Action, drive, assertiveness, and the will to fight for what matters. Mars placement shows how you assert power, defend boundaries, and take initiative. A strong Mars supports solar plexus confidence.
Sun
Identity, vitality, ego, and life force. Your Sun sign is your core solar plexus energy - it represents who you are at the most fundamental level, your creative self-expression, and your will to shine.
Associated Signs
Aries
Courage, initiative, and pioneering spirit. Aries energy is solar plexus energy at its most primal - the impulse to act, to lead, to be first. Raw, unfiltered personal power.
Leo
Confidence, creativity, and leadership. Leo embodies the solar plexus at its most radiant - self-expression without apology, the courage to be seen, and the warmth that inspires others.
Reading Your Chart Through the Solar Plexus Lens
- Your Sun sign is your core solar plexus energy. It reveals your fundamental identity, what makes you feel alive, and how you naturally express personal power in the world.
- Mars placement shows how you assert your will - the sign reveals your style (direct, strategic, passive), and the house shows the life area where you most actively exercise power.
- Fire sign dominance (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) in your chart indicates a naturally strong solar plexus. Multiple fire placements suggest abundant personal power that may need channeling rather than building.
- Challenging aspects to the Sun or Mars (squares, oppositions) may indicate solar plexus struggles - difficulty asserting yourself, conflict between identity and expectation, or power dynamics that repeat across relationships.
Check your daily horoscope for current planetary influences on your solar plexus energy, or explore how Mars and Sun aspects shape your relationships in our synastry guide.
The Solar Plexus Chakra & Adolescent Development
In the seven-year cycle model, the solar plexus chakra corresponds to ages 15-21 - the period Erik Erikson described as "Initiative vs. Guilt" transitioning into "Identity vs. Role Confusion." This is when a young person begins testing their will against the world, forming an independent identity, and developing the internal authority to make choices that define their life.
Late adolescence and early adulthood are prime solar plexus territory: choosing a career path, leaving home, standing up to peer pressure, developing personal values distinct from parents', and discovering what you are willing to fight for. The power struggles of this age - with parents, institutions, and yourself - are solar plexus development in action.
If your autonomy was crushed during this period - if independent thinking was punished, if your choices were overridden, if you were shamed for asserting yourself, or if a toxic environment (bullying, controlling family, academic pressure) taught you that power was something other people had and you did not - those experiences likely created solar plexus blockages that persist today. The Power Reclamation Meditation and Inner Warrior Meditation described above are specifically designed to reach and heal these formative wounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a blocked solar plexus chakra feel like?
A blocked solar plexus typically manifests as chronic self-doubt, indecisiveness, and a pervasive sense of powerlessness. You may feel like you have no control over your life, struggle to assert yourself, or constantly seek permission from others. Physically, digestive issues are the hallmark - IBS, acid reflux, bloating, nausea, and stomach tension under stress. There is often a deep feeling of shame that seems to exist independently of any specific cause, as if unworthiness is baked into who you are rather than being a temporary state.
How is the solar plexus connected to gut feelings?
The solar plexus sits directly over the celiac (solar) plexus - the largest autonomic nerve center in the abdomen. This area contains the enteric nervous system, sometimes called the 'second brain,' which has over 100 million neurons and produces 95% of the body's serotonin. When you feel a 'gut feeling,' that is your enteric nervous system processing information faster than your conscious mind. A healthy solar plexus chakra means a strong, reliable gut instinct. A blocked one means you have lost touch with this internal guidance system and rely on external validation instead.
Can the solar plexus chakra affect career success?
Directly and profoundly. The solar plexus governs confidence, willpower, self-worth, and the ability to take decisive action - all of which are foundational to career success. People with blocked solar plexus energy undercharge for their work, fail to negotiate, avoid leadership roles, tolerate toxic bosses, and stay in jobs they hate because leaving feels too risky. A balanced solar plexus lets you advocate for yourself, take strategic risks, handle criticism without crumbling, and trust your professional instincts. Many people find that solar plexus work directly precedes career breakthroughs.
What foods strengthen the solar plexus?
Yellow foods carry the vibrational frequency of the solar plexus: bananas, corn, pineapple, yellow peppers, and lemons. Warming spices are particularly powerful - ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin all stimulate digestive fire (agni) and activate solar plexus energy. Whole grains like oats and brown rice provide sustained energy that supports willpower. Chamomile tea soothes the digestive system while supporting the solar plexus energetically. Avoid excessive sugar and processed foods, which destabilize blood sugar and weaken this center.
How do I heal solar plexus damage from toxic workplaces?
Toxic workplaces systematically dismantle solar plexus energy through micromanagement, gaslighting, public criticism, and the removal of autonomy. Healing starts with recognizing the damage - naming what happened and understanding it was not a reflection of your worth. Practice the Power Reclamation Meditation: revisit specific workplace moments where your power was taken and reimagine yourself responding from a place of strength. Rebuild confidence through small acts of autonomy - making decisions without consulting anyone, setting one boundary per week, and using solar plexus affirmations daily. Working with citrine and practicing Warrior poses can accelerate recovery.
What crystals are best for confidence and personal power?
Citrine is the primary crystal for solar plexus confidence - it amplifies personal power and transmutes negativity without needing cleansing. Pyrite is excellent for workplace confidence and shielding against others' negativity. Tiger's Eye builds courage for bold decisions and enhances focus under pressure. Amber carries ancient solar energy and absorbs stress and pain. Yellow Jasper provides sustained stamina for long-term challenges. For the strongest effect, place crystals directly on the solar plexus during meditation, or carry them in your pocket during situations that challenge your confidence.
What's the difference between solar plexus and root chakra issues?
Root chakra issues center on survival, safety, and stability - 'Am I safe? Will I be okay? Do I have enough?' Solar plexus issues center on power, worth, and identity - 'Am I capable? Am I worthy? Do I matter?' Root blockages create anxiety and fear; solar plexus blockages create shame and self-doubt. A person with root issues fears losing their home; a person with solar plexus issues fears speaking up in a meeting. Both can co-exist, and a weak root often destabilizes the solar plexus above it - you cannot feel powerful when you do not feel safe.
Can an overactive solar plexus make you controlling?
Yes, this is one of the most common overactive solar plexus patterns. When the solar plexus is overactive, the drive for personal power becomes compulsive - you need to control outcomes, people, and environments to feel secure. This manifests as micromanaging, perfectionism, inability to delegate, aggressive dominance, and anger when things do not go your way. Underneath the control is usually deep insecurity - the overactive solar plexus is compensating for a fear that without total control, everything will fall apart. Healing involves strengthening the root chakra (safety) and opening the heart chakra (trust).
How does the solar plexus relate to the Strength tarot card?
The Strength card is the primary tarot expression of balanced solar plexus energy. Unlike The Emperor (external authority) or The Tower (forced change), Strength represents inner power - the courage to face your fears, the self-mastery to channel intensity rather than be consumed by it, and the gentle confidence that does not need to prove itself. The lion in the card represents raw solar plexus fire; the figure calming it represents the wisdom to direct that fire purposefully. When Strength appears in a reading, it often signals that solar plexus healing is underway or that you need to trust your inner power.
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