Grounding is the process in which you can release negative or excess energies or borrow and gain energy. It’s a good way to “dust out” and renew the energies you have within you. A bit of a disclaimer before we get into this: this is how I, personally, ground with each of the natural elements. If you haven’t noticed I don’t include “spirit” but that’s personally because I don’t use spirit to ground.
With Earth:
This is done by imaging roots going from the bottom of your feet, the end of your spine, the palm of your hand; whatever feels appropriate to you at the time. Perhaps you’re sitting in a grassy field, perhaps you have your hands submerged in a pot of dirt, perhaps you’re sitting and leaning against a tree; do whatever you can or want to feel connected to earth.
Imagine a dim light flowing through your roots as a visual representation for the energy going from you to the earth or vice versa. Envision yourself like a tree, rooted into the ground for the strength and stability the earth has to offer. Take deep, even breaths; feeling the energy flow from the ground, through your roots and into your body. As you breathe out, imagine the old energy flowing down your roots and mingling with the solid energy the earth has to offer. Do this as many times as is necessary to get rid of any negative or stagnant energy you have. When you’ve finished, imagine your roots pulling out of the earth as gently as possible and curling back and settling into your body. Blow a kiss to the tree, potting soil, field; whatever you grounded with, as thanks for it’s aid.
With Water:
Fill up a tub, lay in a pool, lake, the ocean (make sure it’s safe and you have people you trust nearby if you’re worried). Lay down so you’re floating and close your eyes. Feel the water lap at your body and imagine it wiping off negative and stagnant energy, letting it roll off you and mingle with the ever-moving ebb and flow of the water. Feel the energy of it mingle with the water flowing through your body and emanating from the top of your head and the soles of your feet.
Take deep, even breathes (try to time it with the “heartbeat” of the water, or when it ripples against you), do this as many times as you feel is necessary. When you’re done rise out of the water, feeling it drip off your body, taking away any and all negativity and having it purified as it leaves your body and mixes with the water. Blow the water a kiss as a show of gratitude for it’s aid.
With Air:
Go to a windy spot; a clifftop if you can, a windy field, even a fan in front of you works. Imagine that breeze brushing over every part of your body; blowing your hair back, ruffling your clothes, chilling your skin. Imagine every breeze sweeping away any unwanted energy and sending it off to mingle with the air.
Take deep, even breathes and feel the air filling your lungs, spreading out through your body and as you breathe out see any leftover pent up energy ride away with the wind. Do this as many times as feels necessary and with your final breath blow a kiss to the wind as thanks.
With Fire:
Start a bonfire, light a candle; start a safe, controlled flame of some sort. Stare at the flame, feel the way it flickers and feel the stagnant and excess energies in you flicker along with it. Feel the flame’s light and warmth envelope and surround you. Feel that light circle and flow around you, going back into the fire to be cleansed and invigorated before the fire gives you new energy.
Take a deep breath and feel the fire warm your fingers and toes, travel up your arms, to your chest and out with your breath. Do this as long as you feel is necessary. As you see the smoke rise envision all the negative energy the fire took from you flying away with it. Blow the fire a kiss as a thanks for it’s aid.
When should I ground with a certain element?
If you feel like you can’t focus, like you’re flying away, ground with Earth.
If you’re feeling really heated and angry, ground with water.
If you’re feeling used and frustrated, like you’re taken for granted, ground with fire.
If everything starts feeling too real, stressful, and overwhelming; ground with air.
i like to think of grounding as the magical equivalent of a jogger stretching their legs before and after a run. it focuses you and gets you ready to get stuff done. grounding is the process of ridding yourself of negative/stale/stagnant energies, and pulling in new, fresh, powerful energies, and connecting with the energies around us.
here is a short list of ways/options of how to do it.
physically
literally shake it out. stretch, crack your knuckles, etc. breathe, roll your neck around, clench your fists and then stretch them wide open.
visualization / the tree method
imagine tree roots growing out of your feet and into the ground, and branches growing out of your arms/head into the sky. pull energy into yourself through the roots/branches
others
you can invent your own ways to ground. as long as it involves pulling energy into you (from whatever source, it doesn’t just have to be the earth) and connecting with the sources around you.
a quick guide on grounding with the sea or ocean for you beach bums
sea grounding:
🌊 prepare yourself with appropriate sunblock measures!
🌊 (to the best of your ability) stand barefooted on the beach where the waves can reach and recede from you
🌊 visualize:
every wave over your feet pulls you closer to the center of the earth, burying you.
you are becoming part of the earth.
push your old energies out, let the sand exfoliate them from you
the water that washes over you brings new, fresh energy. it soaks into you with the cold and the wet
🌊 when you are ready, step away from the water gently. you are not severing the ties harshly, only letting them fall away, the way the tide releases you