Earth Element
Let's get grounded in the qualities of Earth Element!
Earth is stable, steady, solid, heavy, dense, nurturing, nourishing, compassionate, slow, unhurried, and peaceful. Earth is grounded!
The Earth personality loves to comfort others, often with food, hugs, and handmade gifts. Their homes are warm, inviting, and comfortable. They are dependable and stable; remaining calm and unhurried during times of transition. They have the ability to hold center. They are often teachers, nurses, or caregivers. They are "down to earth"!
The season of Earth element is the hottest time of summer (Indian summer) and the transition between seasons, as well as the fall equinox and summer solstice. This makes sense to me because Earth element is slow and steady… and sometimes it seems like the season is just not changing as quickly as we'd like.
In the body, Earth element relates to the physical form itself, as well as the skin surface: the boundary between what is outside and what is inside – the means by which we perceive touch and nurturing. The body shape is often strong and sturdy with a tendency toward a rounded physique.
Earth element can also be seen in stomach and spleen function. The stomach is responsible for receiving and digesting nutrients (and thoughts!). The spleen is a vital organ that helps maintain the body's immune system, regulate blood cell production, and PROTECT us against infections. JSJ views Spleen as our "solar energy” – light from the sun shining over (and nourishing) us at all times.
The first chakra, the root chakra, is Earth element. It is located at the base of the spine and represents themes of survival, the body, food, matter, our roots, and groundedness.
Astrologically, Earth relates to the planet Saturn. Think of Saturn's rings as representing boundaries. The signs of Cancer ("I Feel") and Gemini ("I think") also have Earth element themes.
“Unbalanced Earth’s can have a very strong need to be needed and can feel resentment when their help is not accepted or appreciated.”
Returning to the personality of someone with a lot of Earth:
They are empathetic and thoughtful of others, but out of balance in their need to help others. They can lose track of their own needs and desires.
Setting emotional boundaries is a challenge for them and they can over apologize and feel guilty about their perceived failures (things that really aren't their fault).
Unbalanced Earth's can have a very strong need to be needed and can feel resentment when their help is not accepted or appreciated.
Earth personalities are prone to worry and rumination. Any thoughts that are not peaceful and harmonious sit heavy and undigested in their stomachs. We ALL WORRY from time to time, and if you find yourself in a worry loop, that's Earth element telling you there's something you are not digesting.
The question Earth element asks is "Am I OK?" A simple thing you can do to help is hold your thumb! A baby sucks their thumb to harmonize and soothe themselves; we can do the same by simply holding our thumb.
When I am feeling ungrounded, I find that the simple act of Slowing Down helps to calm me. Daily walks in nature, gardening, standing in the grass, or sitting beneath a tree all help keep our Earth element healthy and balanced.
Read the Entire 5-Part Series on the Elements:
