The term “grounding” refers to bringing one’s self into a state of feeling physically present, balanced and connected to the Earth. In itself, it can be a state of rest or readiness depending on what work you are about to do. When you bring in the purpose of protection, grounding becomes a state of stopping, bracing, closing down vulnerabilities and drawing up energy.Grounding is the foundation upon which everything else is built. It is very simple and very powerful... Rituals use this technique in some form. Since there are various ways to ground.
Grounding is the act of consciously creating an energy connection as spirit (sometimes visualized as a cord) from your body into physical reality/Mother Earth. You are a spiritual being, and by your nature have a great deal of power and energy. Your vibration is rapid and can be intense. You have a body (yippee!!) which is an expression of you that exists in mundane reality (hopefully), but since it is made of matter the energy moves at a slower vibratory rate. (Hmmm, this sounds like a public television physics program!!) In any case when you bring your spiritual energy into the physical body more fully it can be quite a shock to the system.
Grounding helps keep the body (your sacred temple) a safe place for you to inhabit and experience life through, prevents it from becoming overly stressed. It helps to keep your energy system safe when you are doing magic or other spiritual work. It acts kind of like an "electrical ground" ( keeps you from getting "zapped" by an overload of energy). The act of grounding also brings power to your work because it aligns you as spirit with your physical body, so that you can be present and attend to what needs to be done. In addition to all of this it increases spiritual and energetic awareness.
It is good to ground before doing a ritual, if you don’t your energies may not flow the way they should. Also your energy could be unpredictable and the majick you wish to perform might not do what you want it to. Have you ever been at a ritual and felt slightly nauseous afterward or had a headache? Many times this is a reaction of the body to the more intense energy moving through it and not having quite enough grounding to shunt off the excess flow.
This brings us to the next aspect of grounding that is important. Grounding is a technique that assists you to release energy! This is a wonderful thing. When you ground you release unwanted or excess energy, and it gets transformed within this amazing living planet, our Mother Earth, and it returns to you renewed. It reminds us of recycling in a way; you let go of what you are done with and you get it back transformed. Also, if you are releasing someone else's energy that you took on for some reason, that energy gets returned to them as well. It works out well all around.
It can be seen as a connecting web of moving and shifting energy, of which we are meant to be a balanced part. The more people who remember and use their grounding, it will begin to revitalize the whole system as the energy begins to flow again.
You can ground anytime. You can ground while playing, eating, making love, shopping, working, driving, etc., as well as during ritual, or while meditating. Grounding brings you more fully present and conscious in your life, so that you can respond to situations rather than reacting from past experiences (many of which might be unpleasant). It will enhance whatever you are experiencing, assist you to be aware of your path, and also assist you to move through uncomfortable times more rapidly.
Something that people sometimes notice when they ground for the first time, is that they become aware of aches or pains that they could swear weren't there moments before. The reason for this is simple, if you think about it. If you come into the body more fully, you are going to start to become aware of what your body is actually feeling. If you spend most of your time with your mind in fantasy or off in the future somewhere you aren't going to be very present to what your body is going through. The minute you ground, though, you align with the body and begin to tune in to what's actually going on.
You might ask why anyone would want to feel tightness in their shoulders if they didn't have to? If you know what is happening and know how you feel, you can begin to take steps to release and heal whatever is causing the problem. The body has much wisdom to teach us if we will but listen. If you ignore the body it will get louder and louder in an effort to get your attention. Many people have begun their spiritual work because some physical ailment caused them to stop and pay attention. You do not have to wait, you can begin the process before you are "forced" to by circumstance.
The good news is: when you are grounded things that are pleasurable are even more pleasurable. You also begin to raise the vibration in the body by grounding it and being more consciously present in it; this will allow an even greater capacity for experiencing the wonders of this planet. It will in turn increase your power and awareness, making you more effective in where you choose to direct your energy.
One of the example is this: "Think of all the different books and techniques out there, all the things you can do as being like a great wall of expensive stereo equipment. It has all the bells and whistles, the CD player and the VCR and the cool speakers. It looks great there on the wall but none of it will do you a bit of good if you don't plug it in!! It really doesn't matter how much you acquire, how many components you buy, if you can't access it. It will just collect dust. Grounding is analogous to taking the power cord and plugging it into the outlet. Then you can use the system. Grounding gives you a way to access your power, because it brings you as spirit (which is the power source) into the picture. None of the techniques will do you much good if you aren't grounded."
There are many good ways to ground. One was is grounding from the first chakra because that is the energy center that relates to physical reality. The first chakra contains information on how to survive and thrive in this reality, and since this is where we have our physical experience and where we want our healing and magic to manifest. Enjoy your exploration with connecting into this planet by grounding. Remember, as with anything, that the experience will change with time. Bring your willingness to explore and allow yourself to be open to your own deepening awareness.
The easiest and most helpful thing to imagine when you are trying to ground yourself is tree roots! Just imagine you have great long sturdy roots coming from the base of your feet (which should remain flat on the floor during the visualization), or, from the base of your spine if you are sitting directly on the floor. Just let these roots go right down in to the earth below and let them anchor you onto the earth
So why is it so important that we ground/earth ourselves?
• Brings life in to matter and to be able to bring our healing abilities into the physical.
• Increases balance and stability in our physical and our emotional state.
• Helps bring acceptance that we are here to fulfill a purpose.
• Brings strength.
• Helps in creating a bridge between Spirit and matter.
• Provides an outlet making the release (of energy) easier.
• Allows the attainment of higher Spiritual levels
• Brings strength.
• Helps in creating a bridge between Spirit and matter.
• Provides an outlet making the release (of energy) easier.
• Allows the attainment of higher Spiritual levels.
How will you know if you are grounded or ungrounded?
Some of the more common symptoms of being ungrounded. Usually each person will come across the same one or two symptoms each time they are ungrounded.
1. Dizziness
2. Daydreaming
3. A feeling of being 'Spaced Out'
4. Feeling sick
5. Heart palpitations
6. Eyes flickering
7. Weight gain
8. Clumsiness
9. Static shocks
10. Falling asleep when meditating
11. Noise and light sensitive
12. Having brilliant ideas that never happen
13. Arguing and unable to get your point across
14. Feeling “beside yourself”
15. Feeling racy, restless, anxious, or unfocused.
16. Confusion/lack of focus.
17. Grouchy/irritable/volatile temper.
18. Insomnia and lethargy.
19. Forgetfulness
Different Techniques for grounding:
(1) Sit comfortably in a straight back chair or on the couch (as long as you don't tend to nod off to sleep) have your hands and feet apart and feet flat on the floor. Close your eyes (this helps you to focus inward).
Take three nice deep breaths, breathe down into your belly and soften your belly as you breathe. It can be helpful (although not essential) to breathe through the nose, while keeping your tongue resting lightly on the roof of your mouth. This is from certain Yoga traditions and is said to help encourage the flow of energy through your system.
Relax as you breathe, noticing how you feel, how your body feels.
Be aware of your first chakra. This is simply an energy center (vortex) that is located in the general area near the base of the spine. For women the center is usually near the area between the ovaries (note: the chakra positioning doesn't change if you have had your ovaries removed for any reason). For men the location is slightly lower in the body because the chakra placement is associated with the testicles.
Be aware of this area, and allow a cord of energy to flow downward from your body: Through the chair you are sitting in. Through the floor and down through the building you are in. Through the foundation and into the deep earth beneath. Allow your grounding to flow down into the earth past all the rocks and layers of the planet, past the water, deep deep into the earth, into the heart of the Mother. Until it reaches the center of the earth.
Allow your grounding cord to connect securely into the center of the planet. Be aware of your grounding cord being securely connected also to your first chakra. Breathe and relax and experience your grounding, your spiritual connection to this beautiful planet.
Notice how your body responds to you grounding and becoming more present in it. Release tension and discomfort down your grounding, allow it to simply drain away.
Your grounding belongs to you and you can create it in any form you like.
(2) Change your grounding into a waterfall, flowing and cascading from your first chakra down through all of physical reality to the center of the earth.
Experience this, release and relax, breathe. Take your time.
(3) Try to shift your grounding so that it is now a laser beam of light, shining though everything straight down to the center of the earth.
How does this feel? Be with this for a moment or two. (Remember you can use any of these groundings at any time, they are simply different ways to experience this connection.)
(4) Create you own grounding flowing from your first chakra to the center of the earth. It can be any one of the three you used before, or something completely unique, it's up to you. This is your very own grounding. Breathe, relax, and experience.
(5) Use your breath and release down your grounding cord, any tension, distractions, or discomfort. Notice how you feel as you do this. Be still, as you ground and relax. If you have questions this is the time to ask and listen for the answers. Or simply allow yourself to be.
When you are done, open your eyes, bend forward and touch your hands to the floor, as you relax your neck, and release any built up energy around the head and shoulders into the earth. Slowly sit back up.
Tree Visualization
This visualization tends to suit people who view their lives primarily in an emotional manner. Those who tend to learn through kinesthetic experience and those who find it easy to focus their thoughts and to visualize.
Breath in through the nose and out through the nose; gently and evenly. Mentally travel inward and toward the base of your spine or the soles of your feet. Imagine that the energy or light inside your body extends from there and down into the ground. Push down into the ground toward the center of the earth, where there is liquid life. Stick your “roots” into the flowing life of the earth and begin to drink the fluid in, drawing it up your roots into your feet. Continue to pull the energy up through your legs, torso and arms, using your breath to do so. Fill your neck and head with the energy of the Earth, using the breath to direct it, breathing in and out the nose. When you feel full, allow the energy to flow out the top of your head and back to the Earth. Inhale through your roots the living, fluid breath of the Earth and exhale what you no longer need, allowing it flow down the outside of your body and back to the land. Breathe steady and gently for a time. When you feel ready, stop the breath practice and let yourself relax with the sensations of being connected to the land.
Two-Breath Grounding Technique
As you exhale, send your awareness deep into the Earth, right to the molten core of the Mother.
In the moment where you pause between exhalation and inhalation, open yourself to Her.
As you inhale, allow that Earth energy to flow in and up, filling you, and continuing up through the top of your head high into the Sky, as energetic branches.
In the pause, notice the Star light gathering on your "leaves."
As you exhale, allow the Star light to flow down through the top of your head, filling you as it goes, and continuing on deep into the heart of the Earth.
In the pause, be aware that you are a conduit for the two-way flow of energy between the Earth and Sky.
As you inhale, allow the mingled energies of Earth and Sky to rise from the core of the Mother, flow upward into your heart centre, filling it and warming it.
And you are grounded.
Quick Grounding
If you do not feel like you particularly in need a full grounding exercise, but feel like you have unspent energy built up there is a simple exercise. Simlply clap your hands a few times, quite hard. Then stomp your feet on the ground firmly.
Some aids for grounding
Crystals/Stones:
Crystals can be very helpful in the grounding process. It is best to carry them in a trouser or skirt pocket (or sock if you can make it comfortable!).You must remember to cleanse and dedicate your chosen crystal for this purpose before using it. A small piece of tumbled stone will be sufficient to carry with you. There are grounding crystals that have eight edges surrounding the largest sloping face. They are quite rare and not always easily available. Grounding crystals help you deal with practical matters in a realistic way. They connect you with the earth and keep your energies from being scattered. A few easy to obtain crystals that could be used for this purpose: Red jasper (most jaspers are good as grounders) Smoky Quartz, Bloodstone, Hematite, Gold tigers eye, Carnelian, Garnet, Pyrite, Copper, Amber, Unakite, Tigers Eye (representing the grounding energies of the earth).
Colors
They can also be quite helpful, deep earthy colors such as red, brown, green, black and terracotta are always good. You need imagine whatever color you choose surrounds you. You can imagine it as light or a bathrobe or a blanket, whatever is easier for you.
Aromatherapy
Will help Stabilize and Ground you so you may deal with reality in a logical and peaceful manner. To help with grounding using aromatheraphy you can use: Chamomile Blue, Hyacinth Absolute, Lavender, Marjoram, Sweet Myrrh, Oakmoss Resinoid, Spruce Needle and Patchouli.
