The element of EARTH

The four basic elements are Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. They are the energetic building blocks of everything in nature, including humans. Before going into details about Earth, I highly recommend that you first read about The Elements in general so that you get a better idea about different correspondences and learn about elemental hierarchies.

The energy of Earth

Earth is the element of materialism, wealth, and abundance. It is a feminine element that represents stability, strength, wisdom, security, patience, responsibility, and our ancestors. Its symbols include soil, salt, rocks, mountains, caves, roots, and trees.  When used for cleansing, it often goes in combination with Water, the other female element. Together they are represented in cleansing with the mix of salt and water. Work associated with Earth includes grounding, working with crystals, knots, ancestors, herbalism, and Runes. Drums and any kind of percussion instruments are connected with this element.

Earth is the most material of all elements. It connects us with our ancestors and reminds us that solid matter has its value just as the spiritual. By living in this human form, we are surrounded by the abundance of gifts that the element of Earth provides.

There are plenty of spiritual paths that will tell you how the material form is less important than the spirit and how you need to strive to abandon material possessions or suffer in this physical life to achieve some sort of reward when you are 100% spirit. Paganism (old and new) never believed that. How would you know what chocolate tastes like if you were not physical? Through the element of Earth we are connected to the physical world around us and with ourselves, our bodies. Manifestation of material things, abundance, is not and never will be a bad thing. Do not be ashamed of your body, for it is magnificent. Do not be ashamed for wanting nice things or enjoying the beauty of nature, art, or technology. That is Earth. All of that is Earth. The best way to honor the Earth element is to rejoice in nature and visit it often. Honor your ancestors and make them proud. Aim for wisdom, true wisdom, and accept that you are a physical being just as you are a spiritual one. It is a union of energies, and you cannot divide those two aspects of yourselves because the spirit is in everything. Your body is not merely a vessel over which you have no control. Your body is a part of you. Treat it with respect. Love it.

How to work with Earth?

The Earth element is great for any kind of manifestation work when it comes to material things. From money to the health of your physical body, Earth is the way to go. The energy of this element connects us with our ancestors and everyone that walked this planet before us. That connection to everything that exists and ever existed can best be felt in the forest. Hug a tree and feel your roots go deep into soil, to physical and spiritual present and past. To Earth, past and present are the same, for time is not linear. Earth is stable, comforting, and always there for you.

If you want to plan your ritual or magical work according to Earth, work in the nights, during the waxing moon, in the winter, on Samhain and Yule, and in the north corner of the room.

Use salt, gemstones, Runes, and plants when working with this element and the actual soil. Use your body in every way you can. Run, swim, walk, do yoga, climb the mountains, and be grateful for your every muscle no matter how big or small it is. Touch stuff. Feel the texture beneath your fingertips. Take care of animals and enjoy planting herbs and playing around with herbalism. Smile at the marvels of human creation and get physical with your hands. Create something and be crafty in your daily life.

Earth correspondences

There are things associated with Earth in everything you can imagine. Below is a detailed table of correspondences that you can use when planning your ritual or magic work. You will see lists of herbs, crystals, deities, colors, and much more.

Cardinal direction	North
Energy	Feminine, receptive
Properties and basic nature	Grounding, nurturing, stabilizing, burying, planting, soil, prosperity, fertility, money, abundance, material world, ancestors, employment, physical body, stability, peace
Colors	Green, brown
Time of day	Night
Time of year	Winter
Sabbats	Samhain and Yule
Moon phase	Waxing
Qualities	Cold, dry
Elementals	Gnomes
Astrological signs	Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Planets	Earth
Place on pentagram	Lower left
Symbol	Triangle pointing down with a line across
Altar symbols and tools	Pentacle, broom, salt, soil
Chakras	Root
Human body	Sense of touch, intestines
Instruments	Drums and percussion instruments
Animals	Cattle, dog, ant, bear, deer, wolf
Plants	Ivy, oats, grains, patchouli, moss, oak, fern, grass, mugwort, pine tree
Crystals	Granit, jasper, jade, malachite, halite, hematite, emerald, black onyx, obsidian
Tarot	Pentacles
Gods	Pan, Cernunnos, Dionysus, Veles, Tammuz, Freyr
Goddesses	Gaia, Demeter, Freya, Persephone, Mah, Prithivi, Nephthys, Rhea, Ceres, Mokosh
Places	Forest, caves, canyons, fields, gardens, farms, farmer’s markets, basements, parks, mines, graveyards

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Characteristics of Earth in humans

Your goal should always be to equally cherish and take care of the energies of all elements in your body, mind, and soul. However, it is not rare that some people exhibit more from one element than another. Those who are particularly skillful with Earth and who carry its energy are those who are very good at sticking to their plans and goals. They are peaceful, loving, connected with nature, and you will recognize them by always carrying crystals around and playing with their Runes. They understand how the material world is a blessing and will not shy away from enjoying good food, drink, sex, and material things. Of course, people not skilled in this element are overly material and can easily get stuck. They can be lazy and hard to approach or get to move. Farmers, veterinarians, designers, creators of any kind such as developers, sculptors, writers, and innovators carry the energy of this element especially well.

You are the extension of Earth beneath your feet. Your body is the glorious manifestation of everything that ever was. Treat it with respect and enjoy the many things you can experience with it.

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Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again my dear pagan soul. Rejoice in life, and life will rejoice in you. May God and Goddess bless you in everything you do and spirit guides follow you wherever you go.

In love and light,
Towint

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