We are entering the period of the longest nights, the phase in the rhythmic cycle of the year that encourages us to slow down, reflect, tune inward, and restore our bodies, spirits, and relationships.

The dark offers up its gifts if we are aware and ready to accept them into our lives.

Grounding is a simple energy skill to practice now and throughout the year to center yourself in the here-and-now, and to support deep listening to the quiet voice of the darkness. Grounding is fundamental to energetic integration and coherence, and offers a quite literal way to “re-member” ourselves any time we are feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or out of touch with our core.

To Ground:

With your intention and attention, locate your first chakra (between the ovaries in women, at the base of the spine in men). Imagine a bright green ball of Earth energy centered in your first chakra—think of the brilliant green shoots of springtime, and new leaves unfolding on the trees. Allow this ball to expand out from your first chakra to the width of your hips. Now drop the ball and feel how gravity takes it down your legs and out through the bottom of your feet right down to the center of the Earth. The path that the ball has traveled is your Grounding Cord—and you have just activated it! Energy can run up and down your Grounding Cord—breathe deeply a few times as you grow and strengthen the sense of the Cord and your own deep centeredness and connection to the “ground of being.”

This simple practice, which takes only a few seconds, honors our physical and spiritual connection to Earth, and requires no special setting or props. As you develop and refine your own practice, consider Grounding for bringing you into the here-and-now, and reminding you of the abundant and life-giving energy of the Earth.

What practice(s) do you use to center yourself?

Note: Grounding is part one of the three-part course, “Re-member, Plug In, Shine,” I will offer in early 2022. The course will be offered virtually, and, hopefully, in person, in Montpelier, VT. Sign up for my newsletter to receive course announcements and other communications to support your energy balancing and healing!

PHOTO CREDIT: Robert A. Hathaway