The season associated with the Earth Element is late Summer/early Autumn. The time of year when the harvest is collected from the fields. Everything we need to know about the Earth Element can be observed in nature during this time of year. After the joy and excitement of Summer, the season of Earth brings us back around to the fundamentals of caring for the needs of our community as well as tending to our own basic needs.
We all have needs. How we go about satisfying our needs and the needs of others depends largely on our Earth Element.
Are we able to acknowledge our needs? Are we able to ask for help without feeling guilty? Can we take our place in community knowing that “community” means shared responsibilities, shared burdens and shared accomplishments? Can we see that when one hand feeds the other, then we all get fed? For such a community there needs to be an equal and free flowing exchange of giving and receiving.
The whole movement of the Earth Element is a never ending cycle of receiving, digesting and offering back. In order to “receive” we must first acknowledge that “I have needs!” On a physical level it is about how we meet our basic needs of home and hearth, ecology. On a mental level it is about thoughtfulness, the ability to perceive and respond to our communities needs. On a spirit level it is about our ability to receive nourishment from, and be in communion with the whole of existence. If we are able to feel satisfied on all three levels then most likely owe it to our well functioning Earth Element.
When our Earth Element gets out of balance, our minds can get stuck in obsessive worrying. The famous teacher of Chinese medicine, Elizabeth Rochat, once said “Any thinking which does not lead to constructive resolution, is pathological.” Obsessive worry damages the Spleen causing fatigue and digestive issues.
The theme of Earth is “don’t worry, be satisfied”. Take in the free teachings being offered by nature during this time of year. Take some time to evaluate your relationship to needs and neediness. Acknowledge your own needs and practice asking and receiving? Acknowledge the needs of others and practice offering and giving. A healthy life consists of equal amounts of both giving and receiving.
May you all find peace and satisfaction in all your Earthly endeavors. May your harvest be bountiful and all your needs be met. May your Hearts be open to receive the ocean of Love from the Divine. May you be deeply fed and nourished by this Love and further share this Love with all beings.