Earth is the element of stability, structure and growth. It provides the foundation for nourishment of all beings and containment for all 5 elements.
The Earth is our home. Often referred to as Mother Earth or Gaia, She is a living organism, and the mother of us all. As most indigenous traditions teach, the Earth is our larger body. It holds our Spirit and is the embodiment of our Divinity. The Earth is not separate from us, and we are not separate from it. Earth is our first ancestor and the spirit of regeneration. She is the giver and garden of Life, sometimes called Eden and Pacha Mama. We come from and will return to the earth when we die, our bones or ashes breaking down and nourishing the soil with their minerals for life to spring forth again.
In Ayurveda, the earth element, Prithvi, evolves out of ether, air, fire and water, and provides structure through which all the other elements may flow. The sense organ that smell flows through is the nose. When we take in information through our noses, it connects us to memory and influences the state of our consciousness and our mood.
The organ of action is the rectum, which sits near the root of the body, our first chakra, muladhara. Through defecation and elimination, we regulate the earth element, keeping our structures strong and releasing toxicity from the body. It is here that energetically we are “grounded” and “rooted” in our being.
On an emotional level, the earth element gives us both stability and the capacity for surrender. Getting in touch with our “earthiness”, we may surrender layer after layer of armor and adornment until we are bare, our body meeting the body of the earth to be held in the simplicity of our being. There are times that we may let go and let ourselves be held in embodied strength - this is some of the medicine of earth.
We can connect to Earth by receiving the gifts of gravity and allowing the force field of our bodies to be drawn into the body of the earth. Ida Rolf, an amazing healer and founder of the bodywork called Rolfing saw that gravity is unconditional love. When we align with the forces of gravity and receive the downward flow of energy, we are graced with levity, or lightness and support in our physical and energetic being.
Earth also represents the deep, intricate relationship of interdependence and interconnectivity that exists between humans, animals and all the elements, and the essential nature of karma. Karma – to do or to act towards oneself – is the effect of our actions and choices. Every choice we make in our daily living and consumption patterns directly impacts the health of the Earth. With climate change ever so present in our lives, humans are realizing the crucial importance of restoring our relationship with the Earth, our Mother.
Efforts towards regenerative agriculture, sustainable business models, and conservation of Nature are all ways that we can redefine how we will choose to walk on this planet to protect generations to come. We can begin to make decisions with the Earth.
It is important we begin to feel the Earth’s presence and for Her to feel ours, with a shared awareness and exchange of information and ability to respond and connect. Through our rituals, self-care practices and eco-actions, we may allow our hearts to merge with the heart of the earth, recognizing that we are but one heartbeat.
—How does connecting with the earth feel like for you in this time of your life?—
“The exchange of love between Earth and people calls forth the creative gifts of both calling for our gifts in return for hers - the reciprocal nature of life and creativity.”
Training Call
In this call Tawny will introduce Earth with poetry, education, journal prompts and musings. Tawny will explain how to create ritual around the element Earth.
Select the Rituals button to download or view the simple rituals we can do to honor the Earth element this month. Choose one or more, and feel free to add your own.
Meditation
Eco-Activism Challenge
Shop for a better planet.
Take the first step towards restoring our Earth and make a Regenerative grocery list before going to your local grocer or farmers market!
•kisstheground.com
•patagoniaprovisions.com
•regenerationinternational.org
•nytimes.com
2. How Trees Communicate Video
Take time this month to learn about the language of trees, and practice communicating with the trees near your home and wherever you go.
Watch This!
4. Connect with the trees on this earth use these links to explore:
•brainpickings.org
•brainpickings.org
5. Reduce, Re-use, Re-purpose, Recycle and Upcycle!
This month, take a look at your consumption patterns and make a conscious effort toward green living for a green planet.
greenamerica.org
6. Learn about Soil
The health of soil directly impacts our microbiome, our health, and ultimately, our immunity to disease. The following movies are educational and inspiring – challenging us all to learn about how to protect soil diversity and all Life on this planet.
• www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com
For land stewards:
soilhealthacademy.org
Ayurveda
july 8
In this month’s Ayurveda session we explore the earth element and kapha dosha by nourishing our sense of smell and protecting the sense organ, our nose. We’ll also learn how to support our patterns of elimination for optimal health.
Qoya
July 15
In Qoya this month we’ll explore moving with the Earth as our dance partner, our home, our eldest ancestor. The theme we’ll dance with is 'Letting the Earth Hold you Now’
Card Pull
Yoga
July 22
Emphasizing longer-held poses, stability and groundedness, we’ll pay homage to earth by exploring our connection to gravity in this month’s yoga practice.
Circle
july 29
We will gather in circle to celebrate and acknowledge all that we are grateful for with a despacho gratitude ceremony. We’ll sing, pray, connect and appreciate the Earth that has held us through these 5 months and thank each element for contributing to our lives.
