The Earth has been honored as a divine force and revered by many cultures throughout history. It is a reminder of our connection to nature and the importance of maintaining balance between material and spiritual life. It is the third planet from our sun and is symbolic of grounding, our relationship with the physical world, and practicality.
Humanity has connected with Earth's energy through goddesses and gods. Some commonly known goddesses of Mother Earth are Gaia (The primordial Earth Mother, the personification of Earth itself representing creation, fertility, and nurturing.), the Roman goddess Terra, the Andean goddess Pachamama , and the Celtic goddess Cerridwen. Gods that were revered for their connection to Earth were the Egyptian god Geb and the Celtic god Dagda. Aligning with their energies can help to deepen your connection to nature and foster a greater sense of harmony within your lives. Native Americans have long held a loving, respectful relationship with Mother Earth. They share beautiful creation stories of the Spider Grandmother and White Buffalo Woman.
Elementals
Earth elementals represent the spirit of the land, forests, and mountains. Many cultures formed a working relationship with these guardian elementals. For example, Gnomes, Dryads, Faeries, and Dwarves are beings that work the Earth's minerals, guardian spirits of the land, and are associated with ancient wisdom and protection.
Grounding
We recently sat down with Kelly Johnson, Reiki Master Teacher, to learn more about the benefits and importance of grounding as way to connect with Earth's energy.
"Grounding is an activity that reconnects you to the Earth, restoring the electrical balance within your body. It can be done directly by spending time in nature, by being in touch with the elements. Or it can be done indirectly through meditation and other activities. By being grounded we experience greater balance, calm, clarity and insight.
Grounding is an important practice because of the many benefits it can have immediately and over time.. If you are feeling depleted, sluggish, empty or just indifferent, grounding allows you to draw a quick energetic boost from the Earth. Energy can also flow the other way. Grounding also allows us to release energy down into the Earth if we are in a state of excess energy such as anger, frustration, worry or feelings of overwhelm."
How to Honor Earth
This Earth Day, we can take time to reflect on our relationship with our planet, not just a resource but as a sacred and living entity. By recognizing the spiritual forces that govern the Earth, we can deepen our connection to the land and take responsibility for its well-being!
The Earth element, one of the four elements, is the foundation of stability, strength, and grounding in many spiritual traditions. It embodies nourishment, abundance, and our connection to nature and all living things. It is also associated with growth, fertility, and endurance, offering a sense of security and balance to those who embrace its energy.
In astrology the Earth signs, (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are known for their reliable, practical nature and down-to-earth approach. People born under this sign provide others with a stable foundation and a sense of security.
The Earth element is connected with the Root Chakra. This energy center located at the base of the spine, is responsible for grounding our energy and keeping us secure. When our Root Chakra is aligned and balanced, we have clarity of mind, maintain emotional composure through difficult feelings, and our life force energy remains intact.
Archangel Uriel, known as the "Bringer of Light", is closely associated with the Earth element. He can be called upon for those seeking guidance and in need of clarity during challenging situations.
All crystals resonate with the Earth element but these are our favorites for working with the specific grounding and nurturing energy of the Earth: Hematite, Moss Agate, Obsidian, Smoky Quartz, Tourmaline, and Petrified Wood. Hematite in particular is especially powerful for connecting to the Earth's core.
To connect with the Earth element, there are a variety of ways to engage in activities that will offer you stability and ground your energy. Aromatherapy can offer benefits such as a relaxation and restore balance to your body, mind, and spirit. Our favorite oils to diffuse for their ability to connect with Earth's natural rhythms are Cedarwood, Vetiver, Frankincense, and Patchouli. Yoga poses such as Mountain Pose, Child's Pose, Warrior Pose, and Tree Pose, "earthing", guided meditations, building a crystal grid, and herbalism are all ways to connect with the grounding and nurturing Earth element.
The Earth element offers a strong foundation for spiritual growth, healing, and manifestation. By incorporating Earth element crystals, aromatherapy, and grounding practices, you can cultivate stability, prosperity, and a deep connection with nature. Embrace the wisdom of the Earth, and let it guide you toward a more balance and abundant life!
If you're experiencing feelings of hopelessness, nervousness, fear, anger, or insecurity, grounding or earthing may help balance and center your emotions. Intentionally moving your energetic field into a state of stability and strength can improve sleep quality, increase feelings of happiness, contentment, and optimism, and reduce stress. Grounding can also decrease cortisol levels which can positively affect your overall physical and emotional health. Here are some of our favorite ways to ground and center.
Meditation and Breathwork
Meditating even a short time each day (15 minutes or less) can cultivate an inner peace and a sense of awareness. Our favorite tool for guided meditations is the Insight Timer app. It's free, easy to use, and has a diverse variety of options. Breathwork is consciously altering your breathing pattern in a state of meditation to produce a positive physical, emotional, and energetic state.
Spending Time in Nature
The closest way to commune with Mother Earth and her natural rhythms is to spend time outside immersed in forests, trees, parks, or prairies. Activities such as hiking, swimming, gardening, and connecting to the ground in bare feet, can help you sync up with the Earth's heartbeat. Perform these activities with intentions for grounding and releasing of unwanted energy and give gratitude to Mother Earth for her unwavering support!
Essential Oils
We love to incorporate essential oils into our daily lives for grounding and centering. You can diffuse them in your space or apply them to pulse points or to the bottom of your feet. The most effective grounding oils are those derived from roots, rhizome or trees. For example Vetiver, Spikenard, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and our own blend, Rooted.
Work with Crystals
Crystals can support and align you through the day. Our favorite grounding crystals are Black Tourmaline, Obsidian, Tiger Eye, Smoky Quartz, and Jasper. They will help to keep you protected and secure. Carry them in your pockets, wear as jewelry, or place in strategic spots in your space to balance and center their energy. Because of their protective nature, they will need to be cleansed often by smudging, Selenite, or sound vibrational instruments.
Root Chakra
Sometimes we're not grounded because our Root Chakra is out of balance. When it is out of alignment, too open or blocked, you may feel unmotivated, anxious, fearful, angry, insecure, stuck, or exhausted. When the energy isn't flowing properly, you'll likely feel disconnected from the earth or emotions of stubbornness and greed may creep in. Feelings of insecurity and shame often stem from childhood or ancestral trauma and these manifest in blockages at the Root Chakra. There are tools to remove these blockages. See our blog post on the Root Chakra for more information.
Sound Healing
Sound vibrational instruments such as Tibetan singing bowls and drums can help move blockages and unwanted energy. To amplify the experience, try placing your feet in a large singing bowl while it's being played. You can also use these instruments in your daily meditation practice.
Reiki and Biomat
Reiki energy healing sessions improve the flow of energy through our chakras and can improve our over health. As stagnant energy is released and a health flow of energy returns to your body, you become grounded and centered. The biomat uses a combination of infra-red rays and Amethyst to soothe all body systems and leave you feeling refreshed and at peace.
Learning how to ground can be the key to finding balance and peace in your life. It can restore your energy levels, improve your focus and clarity of thought, and reduce inflammation. You may find yourself feeling more connected to the world around you, more in tune with your body's natural rhythms, and more at peace with the challenges life may bring!
April 22 is Earth Day, a day to honor and show respect to the planet we call home. Beyond environmental activism and outreach for the support of sustainability and protective efforts of our planet, there is a deeper, spiritual significance to this day. Many cultures and belief systems around the world view the Earth as a sacred being, often referred to as Mother Earth, Gaia, or Pachamama.
The spiritual significance of Mother Earth
For many, Mother Earth represents a nurturing and life-giving force that sustains all living beings. She is seen as a source of wisdom, healing, and abundance. By celebrating her, we acknowledge our interconnectedness within the natural world and express gratitude for the gifts that Mother Earth provides us. She grounds us energetically so we can move through the day with grace and ease. We can call on her when we need to transmute low lying energies in our space and in our auric field. She is symbolic of the Divine Feminine in all of us-our ability to give life, nurture, and connect with universal wisdom. Mother Earth also provides us with her minerals and crystals that are very dear to our hearts. These crystals supply us with knowledge, uplift our body, mind, and spirit, and heal us in many ways. Some of our favorite crystals to work with Mother Earth's energy are Moss Agate, all of the Jaspers (particularly Polychrome Jasper and Maligano Jasper), Garden Quartz, and Fossilized Coral.
It is important to show gratitude for Mother Earth every day, but in honor of Earth Day you can give an extra honor through a Gifting Ceremony! Choose a crystal you are ready to release back to the Earth. Holding the crystal in your hands, set an intention for the Earth. Consider how Mother Earth provides us with an abundance of beauty, sustenance, and healing. Then bury your crystal as an offering of gratitude
Some believe Mother Earth has seven chakras just as humans do. These earth chakras are powerful energy vortexes connected by ley lines, channels of information that is charged with Divine wisdom and codes. People who visit these vortexes and sacred sites in person (such as Mount Shasta and Glastonbury) can experience profound shifts of energy within their body.
Connecting with Mother Earth
You can spend time in nature, such as going for a hike, or simply sitting outside and soaking in the beauty around you. Include a guided meditation that will deepen your connection with the Earth and reflect on the importance of caring for our planet. "Grounding" or "Earthing" is a great way to connect to the vibration of Mother Earth. Standing directly on the Earth, preferably in bare feet, allows for the flow of the Earth's natural energy to absorb into your body, mind, and spirit. Some believe that regular grounding can boost your immune system, improve sleep, and reduce stress. When you are connected in this way, your soul is filled with confidence and strength.
When we honor Mother Earth, we cultivate a deeper connection to the world at large and foster a sense of reverence and respect for all living beings. Take a moment to reflect on the spiritual significance Mother Earth holds in your life and find a way to express your gratitude for the abundance and beauty that surrounds you.
If you're looking to deepen your gratitude for Mother Earth, check out our Earth Day Gong Bath & Gaia Meditation.
