The Pattern of Earth

I'm a little behind in getting this newsletter out, but that would be very fitting to talk about this newsletter's pattern - earth. The hallmark of the pattern of earth is to take time.  Whether we are referring to the Earth itself, or the element, we can think about how creation, evolution, change, or recovery takes time.  And even with our demand and impatience that those things happen faster, earth teaches us to stay firm and stay the course.                             

But we don't often want to hear that do we? We look at something like these rocks and think, "it's just sitting there, doing nothing." But that would not be true. Despite the almost imperceptible changes, they are there. It is only when we take the time (there's that word again) to tune into the stillness, the quiet, and the reservation of earth that we notice what it's doing, and how very very powerful it is.

Don't mistake that quiet and slow movement for weakness. Because when earth wants to make a big statement - it does - like in an earthquake. Or when we view the ruins of former great cities and civilizations, or even old houses - the earth reclaims everything it has given. And eventually even our own bodies will return to the same elemental process as everything else. Just because you don't see it happen in an instant, doesn't mean there isn't movement.

Often the stillness and quiet of the earth element is what is needed in our fast-paced world. Winter is the season that reflects this pattern. It suggests to us that every season has importance and has a purpose. There is a time to go within, get quiet, and restore and rebuild. When the plants die back for the winter, on the surface it appears as if they are dead. But down inside the soil, in the roots a lot is happening. The roots are growing, gathering nutrition, and even communicating through the mycelium about the conditions of the soil. These processes are necessary if the blooms and leaf production is to occur! You can't have fruit without this process - and we cannot be productive and create in our own lives if this process is left out. Inward reflection and restoration of our mind, body, and spirit are essential to a balanced and whole experience.

A lot of plants that support our earth element are ones that support and move our digestive tract. Our digestion is a combination of breaking down, and building up as we take in the world, use what we need and then expel the rest. It is the perfect reflection of what earth does for us. Our bodies are perfect in this process. Anybody who's ever swallowed a piece of gum, or a marble as a kid knows that. But most of us could use a lot more higher vibration input and a lot more letting crap go! Literally. The building up and breaking down processes of earth are essential in our lives, and can be subtle or a big challenge. Is it any wonder then, that plants are the first ones to show up when something needs broken down and surrendered to earth?

An imbalance of the earth pattern shows up in our bodies in a couple of ways. It can either be sluggish, toxic, or chronic conditions, or it can be body parts that function at a diminished or nonexistent rate. Often the body will increase the movement in another element (say fire) to try to alleviate the imbalance. Most of the time this is what we focus on, and never get to the real problem. For instance, in the case of chronic inflammation or chronic pain. The fire reflection of inflammation and pain gets our attention because by nature, fire gets our attention! We take some anti-inflammatory and tell our body to be quiet again - which furthers the quiet and stillness the body is trying to re-balance. But the quiet and still quality that is the underlying problem is what actually needs the support. If you think this might be the case, go down and in, and get deep. There's that darn introspection again!

What do you need to make time for?