Grounding does not have to be long drawn-out process.
Let's face it, we all have days when we are not at our best, when we feel off balance and untethered. With the swirling energies around us, losing our footing and feeling ungrounded can be a daily occurrence. Oftentimes, feeling ungrounded coincides with a number of symptoms. Take a few moments to mentally ask yourself the following questions to see if you need grounding:
Do you start your days energized but by the time you come home from work or by evening time, you feel depleted and exhausted and all you want to do is watch TV until you go to bed?
Do you feel scattered and can’t seem to focus on any task long enough to get things accomplished as you should?
Do you get headaches and body aches for no apparent reason?
Is your short-term memory lapsing? [1]
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be needing some grounding in your life. Grounding does not have to be a long drawn-out process. You can choose to make the grounding exercises as simple or as elaborate as you would like, but the most important thing is to make it work for you.
Some Visual Links for Differentiated Learning
If you are new grounding, then you’ve arrived at the right place. The techniques that I present here are simple to do. And because some of us may have ADHD and/or dyslexia, or just don’t have time to sit and read through a long blog post, I have also added various YouTube videos that can guide you through the process. Furthermore, I have highlighted certain words that will also open up various YouTube videos, though most linked words will take you to other text. I will also be talking about these techniques based on my own spiritual practice as a shamanic witch. My perspective is only one of many perspectives out there in the area of grounding. My advice is to always make the techniques work for you—it’s a lot like cooking. Adjust the recipe according to your tastebuds. So, without further ado, let’s get to it.
What is Grounding?
Grounding means many things to many people, but for me it is a way to get reconnected with my own body, to be present in the moment now, to have clarity of mind, and to not be distracted by the past and future. It is also about connecting to the earth and to nature. As someone who regularly communicates and works with spirits, the act of grounding is crucial.
If you have recently started down this witchy path—still developing your practice and perhaps also connecting (or interested in connecting) with spirits, my immediate advice is to set up your grounding techniques sooner than later and keep doing them until they become second nature.
Not grounding during spellcrafting, rituals, energy healing, shamanic journeying, etc., can easily deplete your energy. In fact, I would argue that those of us walking between worlds need a lot more grounding than most since we are drawing all kinds of energies into our auric field.
When you ground you are essentially discharging unwanted energies back into the ground. Aside from the illustrated image below that I created there are other ways to ground. For instance, immersing yourself in a sound bath, or an actual bath. Smudging/cleansing yourself, especially if you feel that some kind of negative energy has attached itself to you. Chanting, singing, getting a massage, anything form of activity that will bring you back to your body or help you to connect with the earthly energies can help you to ground.
Using Grounding Crystals
By this I mean any crystal with a darkish or black hue such as hematite, obsidian, black tourmaline, onyx, lava, smoky quartz (which is a dual-purpose stone to help with grounding and with psychic activation), etc. You need to first set intentions on how you want to work with the crystal(s) of choice. Placing these crystals near the root (Muladhara) chakra, or near your feet, can help to energize and activate these areas for your intended purpose. Creating a crystal grid is also a wonderful option for adding a little surge of grounding to a space. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Be intuitive and make it work for you.
Move the Body
And by this, I mean move your body in whatever way feels good to you. Introducing movement to the body—be it through yoga, Qigong, high impact cardio, walking, simple stretching—you are essentially reestablishing your connection to the ground while shaking up any stagnated energy. Reenergizing yourself through movement is a wonderful way to ground.
Start a Hobby
Hobbies are an excellent way to refocus your energy. By doing something that gives you pleasure and satisfaction you are once again connecting to the body which is a form of grounding. New hobbies are particularly grounding because they take a lot of focus and practice to get comfortable in the new endeavor. Be sure to take something up that you will enjoy doing, Extra bonus points if the hobby challenges your body, mind and/or spirit. As an artist, I can attest to the healing benefits of creative activities, one of them being an outlet to express emotions, shadows, the unconscious.
Meditation and Breathwork
This section deserves its own blog post. If you haven’t seen the research on one these activities, let me just say that peer reviewed journals are replete with evidence-based articles on the benefits of meditation and even breathwork. There are a lot of great apps on the market that can guide you through either process. There are all kinds of ways to do both of these techniques and my recommendation is to find a few short, guided options and see which call to you.
Having a dedicated space like an altar or sacred space is also a nice way to establish grounding energy in a particular location of your home. Overtime this space will accumulate the loving, grounding, spiritual and magickal energies that you’ve accessed in that space. One way to establish these kinds of energy is by simply sitting in that space and breathing.
Create a Routine
I can’t say enough about this one and it also deserves its own blog post. When first I created my “morning routine” years ago, I was amazed that how grounded, energized, optimistic and happy I felt in starting my day on the right foot. These feelings actually carry over into the rest of my day. In fact, when I skip my morning routine for whatever reason, it now throws me off my game. I feel scattered and distracted.
Routines have a way of grounding us back to our intention for that moment, that hour, that day. For other creative types/psychic/empaths out there, you understand how easy it can be to be swept away by energy. It’s true, sometimes, it can’t be helped, but make sure it is important enough to respond to the diversion instead of using it as an excuse to procrastinate on grounding.
Believe it or not, making your bed first thing in the morning can set a positive tone for the day, making you feel like you are ready to take on the world. If you work from home like I do, GET DRESSED as if going to work. I don’t mean get all corporate in your fashion unless that is your cup of tea, but try to save your jammies for the evening or the weekends---underdressing can unconsciously create a feeling of unimportance or slack. I would also recommend applying a little make up if that is your thing and wearing jewelry.
To keep your circadian rhythm in tiptop shape, start your day at the same time every day (including the weekends). Finally (can you tell I like routines?), create a routine that works best for you. Word of caution: Don’t be a hero. Over doing a routine with too many demands and checklists (guilty!) will cause you to get overwhelmed and consequently lose interest. Start slow and add more as you form good habits. Always keep it realistic.
Commune with Nature
Even five minutes of green therapy will make a difference in your energy level. Walk barefoot on the grass or lie on the ground enjoying the earthing process that happens when you are in direct contact with the earth. Being out in nature also resets your energy by simultaneously anchoring and energizing the body. Like exercise, being outdoors can help to elevate mood.
What are your favorite ways to ground?
[1] The above questions may indicate more serious physical and psychological issues. Please see a health care provider to be properly evaluated. Although as a shamanic witch, I believe that every disease begins in the subtle body, once they translate into the physical, it is important to seek appropriate care and evaluation from allopathic and/or naturopathic practitioners.
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