Dear all,
Once again, the wheel of the year brings us to Late Summer. Earth time*. We think about Fire element giving birth to Earth giving birth to Metal. Heart generating Center, Belly generating Breath. Time to return to Earth, return to Center, feel the ground beneath us, feel the embrace of Earth; remember we are part of Earth.
Earth element belongs to the Spleen and Stomach, which relate to aspects of digestion, immunity, pancreatic function, muscles, hormones, and clarity of thought, among many other things!
Earth element and Spleen, when out of balance, can also be prone to worry and rumination, heaviness and dampness, and becoming so concerned and caretaking for others that we forget to take care of ourselves as well.
And with all the literal and metaphorical fires and floods and fears, it can feel like too much to digest and assimilate... It can be easy to become consumed with overthinking, overwhelmed, stuck in inertia or brain-fog or overdoing. This song by MaMuse really resonated for me recently; I'll include it below in case it does for any of you.
But Earth element, this time of Late Summer, and the organ systems of Spleen and Stomach, are also home to so much beauty and resilience and steadiness; generosity and nourishment and creativity. They belong to, remind us, and return us to:
Intention, Purpose, Clarity of Thought,
Creativity, Manifestation, Transformation.
Gratitude and Care.
Generosity, Integrity, Devotion.
Embodiment of Spirit.
Nourishing, Nurturing.
Savoring and Sweetness.
Food as sacred, sacrament.
Staying on Path. Your unique gift.
Singing the music of our spirit.
Tending the garden of life.
Reciprocal relationship. Resilience.
Earth energy revitalizing and healing, Earth holding us steady, kissing our feet as we walk, loving us, embracing us, grounding us, co-creating our path.
So that we are centered to our true purpose, and can better nourish the Earth and each other from a place of strength, repletion, and resource.
*There are various perspectives on the timing of Earth's season in Chinese Medicine-- I like this one best, that Earth is both this Late Summer season (August-ish), as well as the transition times at the beginning and end of each season. You can also read more about Earth and Late Summer in the old blog archives here.
Song: APOCALYPSE (can listen here)
By Karisha Longaker (MaMuse)
Good God if it’s the end of the world, tell me it is also a beginning
Oh and let love reveal, what is at the heart here for learning..
Wind and rain, hurricanes
While wild fires are burning
With these hands, and with heart
Let us serve this artful uprising
Broken systems, massive machines
Dirty water, we’re coming clean
What was hidden now be seen
Here to grow us, set us free
Good God if it’s the end of the world, tell me it is also a beginning
Oh and let love reveal, what is at the heart here for learning..
To lay bare, to uncover
To disclose, to discover
Let’s take time with one another
Find what’s real, beneath this armor
Good God if it’s the end of the world, tell me it is also a beginning
Oh and let love reveal, what is at the heart here for learning.
Sending you Late Summer blessings of feeling nourished, grounded, and savoring sweetness!
And with prayers for peace, justice, democracy, and healing for our planet and all beings,
Much love,
Shoshana