Stability
Nourishment
Harmony
Care

Our reality is shaped by the firm en fertile ground beneath our feet. The Earth is our home, our base; it’s where we come from and will return to when we die. Earth nurtures us, takes care of us, provides us with balance and stability.

The middle

In the cycle of life Earth represents the energetic state of the middle, of stability and nourishment. When the Qi has risen to its peak (during the Fire element), it dies down and settles and condenses into the ground. Earth energy restores and rejuvenates. In nature we see Earth reflected in the last 18 days of each season: it is in this transition time that the energy regenerates and finds a new balance.

Balance

Your Earth element is balanced when you feel ‘grounded’ and firmly at home in yourself and your body. Your belly and brain feel aligned. You feel calm and satisfied and take good care of yourself. You have clear values, but also are open to new ideas. You are practical and can adjust to changes quite easily. You are generous in helping and supporting others, but not at the cost of your own energy.

Body &
Mind

Do you trust your gut feeling? Or are you troubled with stomach issues? The middle of our body - the stomach, spleen & pancreas - like Mother Earth herself, nurtures & supports us. According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) any disease can be cured when the earth-organs are functioning. From here all energy - from food & drink, but also from breath - is gathered and transformed into essential Qi, which nurtures our organs and our muscles in particular. This also allows for the strength and firmness of our legs; it makes sure we are firmly rooted and can stand our ground.

The stomach is called the Chinese the Palace of the Middle. Today the importance of our gut’s microbiome is recognized more and more, and even called our ’second brain’. This connection between the gut and the brain has long been known in TCM, which learns that the earth-organs are also responsible for our mental nourishment. Here all our mental input (and clutter!) Will be digested and distributed.

Imbalance

These signals could be signs of imbalance in your Earth-Element.

• Feeling like you don’t belong, feeling lost

• Feeling restless, uneasy or insecure

• Dreaming, fantasizing - losing touch with reality

• Excessive thinking and worrying

• Concentration issues

• Seeking for approval and security in people, substances or things

• Clinging to security and possessions

• Choosing comfort over change

• Aversion to mental exertion, lack of curiosity

• Excessively taking care of others (or not at all)

To strengthen
Earth

You can strengthen your earth-element by simple, grounding activities that nurture you, like:

• taking a walk in nature

• cooking a delicious and nutritious meal

• taking a massage

• make time to breath slowly (into your belly) or meditate

• spending time with loved ones

• doing QiGong or Yoga for the Earth Element. Especially soft twists with your upper body, or exercise where you practice standing on your toes in order to support your balance and strength.