This post will be one in a five part series on the Elements.

The Elements are a concept to describe reality with. They aren’t the same as the elements of the scientific table about the basic atoms which combine to construct all matter in this solar system. In this conversation, we are describing some basic actions of our natural world: Earth, water, fire, air and ether. These basic actions of nature seem to resonate with the basic nature of our personalities. As these posts unfold, I’ll explain this further, but for now, let’s start with the Earth Element. This element is dense, slow to move or change, has weighty substance, often magnetized to repel or attract. In short it is form, just the way the land is, the way our bodies are. The earth element is frequently one which people associate with early childhood because that is a stage of life that is all about body discovery and development.

People with an earthy personality have no need to make changes unless there’s an outside influence of some sort. If they meet anything but air or water, its likely there will never be any changes at all, because that’s these are the only elements which can effect their heavy nature enough to make a change without actually changing the nature of the rock at its most basic nature, which would be the effect of very intense fire. You can make a rock change, but only if you melt it. Otherwise it will stay as it is…just become willing to change its position. *smiles*

It is very important to note that if you have a rock in your life. They are reliable touch stones in life. They can provide a grounding rod for all sorts of stuff and be the eye in a storm or a boulder in a flood as a result….but they will never change quickly and they will not budge on something unless motivated by their own emotions or yearning of soul. Its that simple. Their will is frequently implacable. Once they make it up, there’s no getting them to budge on something.

As I said earlier, this is an element that is all about the body…its density and sensuality. It is also about the land…its textures and beauty. Its fierceness and irrepressible ability to generate life.

Therefore the study of the earth element is all about focusing on these experiences of solidity, sensuality, acceptance, magnetism, changelessness, texture, beauty, tenacity to live…

Earth Meditations:

Create a spa meditation using bath salts and aromatherapy. Scrub yourself, wash the scrub away with a lovely scented soap and then massage in a scented oil. Luxuriate in the sensations of touching yourself. You could also share this with your romantic partner.

Walking meditations are also a good example of an earth meditation. Mindful motion and observation of the natural environment is very important to the study of the earth element.

I would also suggest that you study rocks with no goals for outcome. Just sit and be with them. Find a boulder or a stone you like and contemplate its colors, shapes and textures. Just enjoy it for what it is. Do not seek to change it or move it or understand it.

You can also take rocks and pile them into balanced stacks as a daily meditation. This is a very powerful sort of earth meditation. I have friends who highly recommend it.

Besides reveling in sensual experiences, you can study the absence of them. Taking a sensual experience away for a time can teach a great deal. That is the reason people fast, or experience silence or do not look others directly in the eyes (called chastity of the eyes) or other things of this nature.

Related Posts not in the series:

The Elements Breaths

The Needs of the Elemental Bodies

Windhorse