Earth Element-Late Summer

"To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.-Mahatma Gandhi

Earth is a stabilizing force during the times of transition. After all the activity of spring and summer, nature's time to grow and bloom, Earth can help us get centered and balanced in late summer as we organize ourselves for the autumn harvest and begin to prepare ourselves for winter, the season of rest. The Earth Element is about this perfectly balanced time in between.

Earth allows us to nurture ourselves and others and to feel sympathy and consideration. It provides our core and a centered place to return to.
When Earth is Out of balance, there will worry, over-concern, circular thinking, wanting sympathy, feeling unable to cope.

Late Summer, the time of the Earth Element is about nourishment. How do we allow ourselves to be physically and emotionally nourished?? Many changes in nature occur during this time of year and thus, within this centered stillness, we too are on the cusp of many changes. This is the time to celebrate the Late Summer energy by connecting with ourselves, getting Grounded in who we truly are.
The organs Stomach and Spleen/Pancreas rule the Late Summer. The Earth element is all about nourishing ourselves.  We can nourish with the most basic element of all: supporting the digestive organs with good, grounding food!
This Earth Season embodies Balance, Stability, Nourishment, and being Grounded. The Late Summer is a time of integration with ourselves, and with the world around us. It is a time to get rooted in the world, ready for the bountiful harvests to come.

"Connect with the soft breath of late summer's gracious breeze. Allow it to touch your heart and soul today; allow it to ground and uplift you as it swirls the simplicity of understanding through every cell in your body and thought in your mind."   -Brenda Christina

SYMPATHY, EMPATHY, COMPASSION, REFLECTION, FAIRNESS, BALANCE.
These are all gifts of Earth in balance.


SEASON: Late Summer 
ORGAN: Spleen/Pancreas (yin) Stomach(yang)
DIRECTION: Center
COLOUR: Yellow
SOUND: Singing
EMOTION: Sympathy, Compassion
ODOUR: Fragrant
TASTE: Sweet
ORIFICE: Nose
SENSE ORGAN: Lips/Mouth
FLUID: Saliva
CLIMATE: Humid/Damp
PLANET: Saturn
QUALITY: Transition
GOVERNING BODY PART: Flesh/Muscles
INDICATING BODY PART: Lips/skin
HIGHEST EXPRESSION: Nourishment
SPIRIT: I' Corporeal Soul


LATE SUMMER FOODS
Millet, apricots, scallions, squash, adzuki beans, yellow peppers, yellow zucchinis, pears, apples, watermelons, turnip, onion, cabbage, peas, pumpkin, parsley, fennel, horseradish, vanilla, walnuts, arame, chicken. Round, yellow/orange, naturally sweet veggies are optimal Earth phase foods. Enjoy naturally sweet foods which support healthy Spleen/Pancreas energy, and avoid refined sweets which disrupt Stomach and Spleen/Pancreas balance.


LATE SUMMER HERBS
Licorice root–naturally sweet digestive, mild laxative
Catnip – nerve tonic, calms nervous stomach
Parsley –diuretic, female reproductive tonic
Chamomile –digestive tonic, nerve tonic, stimulates appetite
Lemon Balm –nourishes nervous system, boosts self-esteem

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Earth, thou great footstool of our God, who reigns on high;
thou fruitful source of all our raiment, life, and food;
our house, our parent, and our nurse.
-  Isaac Watts."

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