Nourishing The Earth Element

In this episode of Aligned Energetics, we dive deep into the nurturing essence of the Earth element. We'll explore how this energy supports us in caring for ourselves and others, and how it thrives in warmth, stability, and nourishment. When out of balance, the Earth element can manifest as a lack of boundaries, excessive worry, and living in the past. I’ll share practical tips to reconnect with the Earth element, from surrounding yourself with the color yellow to grounding activities like gardening and mindful eating. Tune in to learn how you can cultivate healthy boundaries and nurture yourself and your loved ones from a place of abundance!

In this episode:

• I mention my Naturopath Lisa Hayne from Herb + Spice
• A lot of what I have learnt about this topic came from Denise Robinson's course 'Mastery of the Five Elements' - thank you, Denise x

Thanks for listening!

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Transcript

Hello, my friends! Welcome to another episode of Aligned Energetics.

Today, as promised, we are going to be talking about the Earth element. If you missed last week’s episode, we covered the Fire element. Today, we’re focusing on Earth.

The essence of the Earth element is all about nurturing—nurturing ourselves, nurturing others, and understanding how this can look when it’s out of balance.

When the Earth Element is Out of Balance

If your Earth element is out of balance, you might notice:

• A lack of boundaries
• Difficulty setting boundaries, especially with those you love

People often associate boundaries with being harsh or cruel, but they are essential for self-care. When we honor our boundaries, we take care of ourselves first. This helps us show up as our best selves, fill our own cups, and nurture others from a place of abundance, not from lack.

When we don’t set proper boundaries, we can get stuck in murky emotions like:

• Over-sympathy – Empathy is great, but over-sympathy can drain you.
• Worrying – Constantly worrying about others and not focusing on the present.
• Nostalgia – Living too much in the past, rather than accepting the present.

Balancing Your Earth Energy

One of the easiest ways to balance your Earth element is by surrounding yourself with the color yellow, as it’s associated with Earth energy. Earth also connects with the late summer season, which feels like a big warm hug from nature—the long, warm days just before summer ends. It’s the energy of sowing, growth, and harvest.

Earth people are those who keep everyone together and thriving. They’re grounded, kind, and nurturing. If you’ve ever known someone who loves to ask, “Can I get you anything?” and has a homey atmosphere, they probably have strong Earth energy.

Energetic Surrogacy

A big issue with Earth energy, especially when it’s out of balance, is energetic surrogacy. This happens when someone (often a parent) taps into the energy of a loved one, especially a child, and begins to worry deeply about them. In doing so, they take on the emotions of the child, preventing both themselves and the child from experiencing and releasing those emotions fully.

This often shows up in mother-child dynamics, where a mother feels everything the child is going through. For example, if the child is being bullied at school, the mother may feel as though she’s being bullied too. This blocks growth for both the child and the parent.

How to Stop Energetic Surrogacy

The first thing I often do in a session with an Earth element person is help them stop this energetic surrogacy. Everyone needs to be in their own energy, feeling their emotions fully, to release and process them. You can’t heal if someone else is holding on to your emotions.

One simple way to stop this surrogacy is through a quick energy clearing exercise:

1. Place a hand on your forehead.
2. Take deep breaths and say, “I call my energy back to me, and I release any energy that isn’t mine.”
3. Hold the gall bladder and stomach meridian points on your forehead to clear the energy and bring yourself back into alignment.

How the Earth Element Feels in Your Body

If you’re an Earth element type, you might not love exercise unless it’s fun and social. You might enjoy activities like gardening, walking, or other gentle movements. Earth types often prefer slow, grounding movement rather than high-intensity workouts.

It’s important to listen to what feels good in your body. Don’t push yourself into something that doesn’t align with your energy.

Filling Your Own Cup First

It’s crucial for Earth people to fill their own cup first. Go back to basics—take care of your everyday needs so you have the energy to support others from a place of joy, not expectation or lack. It’s like they say on airplanes: put your oxygen mask on first so you can help others.

Earth Element Emotions and Meridians

The two main meridians in the Earth element are the stomach and spleen meridians. Some of the key emotions tied to the Earth element include confidence, self-worth, and worry. When out of balance, you may experience constant overthinking, worrying, and over-sympathy.

• Stomach issues often relate to the Earth element. For example, feeling “sick to your stomach” or having digestive issues can be a sign that your Earth energy is out of balance.
• Sugar cravings are often tied to the spleen meridian, as your body is trying to find sweetness in life through food rather than emotional nourishment.

Physical Signs of Earth Element Imbalance

If your Earth energy is out of balance, you might experience:

• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight, especially if exercise isn’t enjoyable for you.
• Emotional eating or reaching for food as comfort.
• A rounder face or body, thicker legs or ankles.
• A yellowish facial complexion.

Beware of Quick Fixes

Many Earth types may be tempted to turn to drastic measures like weight loss drugs or surgery. However, these options can lead to further imbalance in your energy. The underlying emotional issues will still be there, even if you temporarily change your physical body.

Instead of seeking a quick fix, focus on addressing the emotional and mental blocks first. There are often deeper reasons why you’re struggling with weight or health, and healing those root causes will have longer-lasting benefits.

Emotional and Mental Balance

When your Earth element is out of balance, you may also notice:

• Over-clinging or living vicariously through others.
• A cluttered home or workspace.
• Difficulty making decisions or constantly seeking others' opinions.

On the flip side, when your Earth element is balanced, you’ll be able to:

• Balance your own needs with the needs of others.
• Feel grounded, content, and confident.
• Enjoy a warm, nurturing home environment.
• Take care of your body by eating well and feeling nourished.

Simple Ways to Rebalance Your Earth Element

Here are some simple ways to reconnect with and nourish your Earth energy:

• Eat grounding foods – Try a simple recipe with apples, almonds, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, and mint to bring yourself back into balance.
• Use essential oils – Patchouli, cypress, and cinnamon oils are great for Earth energy. They can bring peace, support, and a sense of grounding.
• Gardening – Get your hands in the soil and connect with nature.
• Walk barefoot – Walking on the Earth with bare feet is a powerful way to ground yourself.
• Mindful eating – Slow down and savor your meals, focusing on nourishing your body.
• Singing – Expressing yourself through song is a great way to bring your Earth energy back into balance.

Final Thoughts

The Earth element is all about nurturing, both yourself and others. When it’s balanced, you’ll feel confident, grounded, and content. When it’s out of balance, you may find yourself worrying, overthinking, or lacking boundaries. By practicing grounding techniques, setting healthy boundaries, and nurturing your own needs, you can bring your Earth energy back into alignment.

Next week, we’ll be talking about the Metal element. I’m a Metal element person myself, so I’m excited to dive into that with you. Until then, take care of yourselves and I’ll see you next time!