Raggydoll Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 I was inspired to adress this topic after seeing a video by Avalon Cameron on her patreon page that discussed the concept of Sacred Balance. She spoke about the importance of figuring out exactly what you yourself are made of so that you can understand what imbalances you and how to correct it to be fully grounded. So not everyone will find that going barefoot or spending time in nature will make them grounded. There are many different sorts of imbalances - plus there are also some people that suffer from being too grounded. Being too grounded can manifest itself in ways where you carry excess weight, feel stuck and don't like to leave home. Perhaps you overindulge in food. And you dislike changes to your routines, you can't motivate yourself to exercise, and so on. In that case you might benefit from having less of the earth element and more of the others and that will make you feel more in balance. But lets get back to the case where you are not grounded enough. Then you might be like me - I am a very airy person (double gemini ::) ) and I can easily get unbalanced. When that happens I tend to get cold and my mind won't stop spinning. I get trouble sleeping and I talk a lot. I also have issues focusing in on one project and it gets really hard to get it finished without being distracted by a million other things (or starting 5 more projects while I am at it). If it becomes really bad then I start experiencing too much of water and get emotional, insecure and overwhelmed. So I am not the type of person that gets grounded by walking in the woods on a windy day or taking a bath if its not very hot. Hugging trees or walking barefoot on cold ground or cold sand is also very bad for me. So I have had to find other sources for effective grounding. The thing that works for me: Getting warm and dry. A blanket and a hot cup of tea. Sitting by a fireplace (lighting a woodwick candle is a really nice compromise for me, especially combined with a blanket and a cup of tea!). Eating a warm meal is another really good way. Salads or coffee sends me the other way. But if you are more of a fiery person then you might benefit more from adding water to cool you off. The reason I am bringing this up here in the Talking Tarot section is because I have found that being grounded is extremely important when I do readings. Not only to ground before - but even more importantly, to ground afterwards! When I am done with a session I usually feel super light and energized and really hungry! (If I have channeled messages or done an intuitive tarot reading then I am almost always craving something sweet afterwards - Am I the only one that is like that?!!) Previously I used to let myself be really ramped up and not do anything special about it. Sometimes I (unintentionally) even made it worse by eating something sugary and drinking coffee, which then resulted in me not sleeping very well. So its clearly not something I recommend ;D If you are also an empat (like I am) then you probably know that you will be much more vulnerable and susceptible if you are not grounded. And doing readings un-grounded as an empat can be really damaging in the long run, at least that is what I believe. I also think that it can effect your readings in a negative way so that you pick up on things that seep into your readings and make them less clear. Plus you might also be walking away with other peoples energies and emotions still clinging to you after the reading :-\ So, enough taking on my behalf. Now I want to hear from you guys! What type of elements do you feel that you are made up of and what type of imbalances do you have? Also, what type of things have you found that helps you ground effectively? Wait, I almost forgot! Avalon also mentioned in her video (sorry that I cant link it but its premium content on Patreon so its only for subscribers) that you can use tarot to explore what type of elemental structure you have. She suggests that you only use the minors and that you lay out 10 cards that represent your elemental construction. The four suits/elements are the most important thing to pay attention to and how they are distributed, but she says that you can also analyze the numbers of the cards. You can decide if you want the higher numbers to mean that this particular element is extra strong, or if you prefer it the other way around (some people like the aces to represent the strongest and purest for om each element, but it can also be seen as the least complicated form and then getting a Ten would equal to a more complex and potent source of that particular element. If you get what I mean!).
Raggydoll Posted January 11, 2019 Author Posted January 11, 2019 Oh, and I am sure you could also use a tarot or oracle deck to explore what things that might help you ground yourself better. Just a thought!
Anouk Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 This is really interesting and I'm not sure how to process the information. I didn't really understand what you meant by laying out 10 cards, did you mean you consciously choose the 10 cards, or you do a 10 card tarot spread? I think you meant the latter, but I want to clarify. I am often too grounded. I am a total introvert and don't enjoy leaving the house. But outside I am rejuvenated by cool forests, running streams and barefoot walks on the beach in the late afternoon. As long as there aren't many (any) people around. So I am interested in this idea. I think it's fascinating and I'd like to try the spread. But then I'm not too sure what to do with the information.
Raggydoll Posted January 11, 2019 Author Posted January 11, 2019 Yup, she meant that you shuffle your deck and then pull 10 cards that you lay out in a row. You could always try doing this exercise and then see where it takes you? Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Saturn Celeste Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 Yup, she meant that you shuffle your deck and then pull 10 cards that you lay out in a row. You could always try doing this exercise and then see where it takes you? Thanks for sharing your experiences! I don't read for myself but something like this would be really interesting and worth trying! Thank you for posting this great idea, Raggydoll!
Guest Night Shade Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 Being too grounded can manifest itself in ways where you carry excess weight, feel stuck and don't like to leave home. Perhaps you overindulge in food. And you dislike changes to your routines, you can't motivate yourself to exercise, and so on. In that case you might benefit from having less of the earth element and more of the others and that will make you feel more in balance. This describes me perfectly, Raggydoll[/member] . I'm a Pisces, but that's the only water I have in my chart. I have both Mars and Venus in Taurus, and Jupiter in Capricorn, so it's hard to get me motivated to do anything! :)). I have a lot of fire as well - Sagittarius ascendant, Sagittarius moon, Sagittarius Neptune, and Aries Mercury, but the earth and water in my chart seems to drown it all out. I'm definitely going to try this exercise to help figure out how to unground myself a bit. Oh, and just to complete my make-up, I have Saturn in Gemini and Uranus and Pluto in Libra.
KatieKeene Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 I have trouble grounding myself too because HOLY CRAP do I ever get distracted. I'm a Leo with Sagittarius ascendant (I'm not sure if that affects anything, I'm sure it does but I don't know enough about how to say that it does) and it's like if I hear any little noise I get distracted. I, of course (being that way), turn off the TV and all noise, turn off the lights and light a candle. I go for scented candles. I know that may sound weird, but I find that a scent that's particularly soothing to me helps me calm down enough to get into the zone. Some slow breathing and trying super hard (as hard as I need to, darn it) to clear my mind, combined with all that, usually works.
Grandma Posted January 11, 2019 Posted January 11, 2019 This is fascinating, Raggydoll. The idea of grounding myself before reading is a curious one because I read almost exclusively for myself and one of the benefits is that it grounds me! It's a paradox! But I do center myself after shuffling and before dealing with deep cleansing breaths and by focusing mindfully on the question that I always ask the cards, which is to tell me something important and true. After some experimentation I've found that letting my mind wander while shuffling - even while I'm watching a movie or talking with Grandpa if he's here - seems to corral my conscious mind in a safe place while freeing up my unconscious and subconscious to imbue the cards with my spiritual energy. It sounds odd as I read it back, but it works for me. Your examples of being grounded and ungrounded remind me of the difference - for me, I'm not diagnosing anyone - of depression and anxiety. Quite thought provoking, and think about it I will.
Flaxen Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 This is very interesting. My astrological chart is quite balanced in terms of elements but: Sun Sign - Earth Ascendant - Water Moon - Water Reading your description, I’ve just realised how much I’m drawn to Fire when I feel out of balance. I want to light candles, sit by an open fire, go somewhere hot and sunny... I’d never made that connection before so thank you for sparking that in me. :)
Anouk Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 I did the spread and got the King, Queen and Ace of cups (and 2 more cups). Suffice to say, I'm a slimy fishy. Also got 3 pentacles. So I guess I'm water and Earth. So how do I balance this? Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Raggydoll Posted January 12, 2019 Author Posted January 12, 2019 I did the spread and got the King, Queen and Ace of cups (and 2 more cups). Suffice to say, I'm a slimy fishy. Also got 3 pentacles. So I guess I'm water and Earth. So how do I balance this? Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk How interesting! This means that you are dominated by passive female elements. Adding air - fresh breezes and intellectual stimulation (conversations, taking courses or reading books), plus fire - sitting by a fireplace, lighting candles or visiting a place that’s warm and dry. Perhaps spicy but not oily foods would also work. This conversation reminds me a lot of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic diets/lifestyles by the way :)
Anouk Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 I did the spread and got the King, Queen and Ace of cups (and 2 more cups). Suffice to say, I'm a slimy fishy. Also got 3 pentacles. So I guess I'm water and Earth. So how do I balance this? Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk How interesting! This means that you are dominated by passive female elements. Adding air - fresh breezes and intellectual stimulation (conversations, taking courses or reading books), plus fire - sitting by a fireplace, lighting candles or visiting a place that’s warm and dry. Perhaps spicy but not oily foods would also work. This conversation reminds me a lot of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic diets/lifestyles by the way :) Living in the subtropics, fires are out! Getting hot is not an issue. In fact, a swim today really helped pep me up. But it's so humid here. I used to love summer before I lived here, now I can't wait for it to end. I love spicy for but I also love oily food. Indian curries yuuuuuum. I do love fresh air. I love to drink my coffee outside on the porch every day. Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Luna Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 Very interesting, Raggydoll. I am a Libra and very airy really, though I do have a LOT of water in my chart. However, I do strongly agree that grounding yourself is very important before doing any readings and I also re-ground myself again afterwards too. I was in the practice of grounding myself daily as soon as I got out of bed, because I tend to be very airy naturally, even with all that water in my chart. I am also an empath, and so yes, I tend to absorb things from other people near me. Your description of yourself sounded much like me. I'm very comfortable with a cup of tea in my hand and my heated throw on my lap on high heat. My husband fortunately, is a Taurus, (actually born on a cusp and is really Airies/Taurus, but seems more like the Taurus) and he does help to ground me. I am very drawn to water (due to so much water in my chart?) but also to nature in general and enjoy getting out of the house to walk or hike in the woods or mountains. However, I can find myself attached to my computer or my cards too much and its my husband who generally pushes me out the door. I am scattered brained a lot I think. I identified with much you said of yourself, so it was funny to read. Yes, I would strongly urge everyone to ground themselves and if they are an empath to boot, to also protect themselves as well as ground themselves. Both can be very simple tasks and as I mentioned, I use to do both grounding and a protection as soon as I woke up in the morning and planted both feet on the floor! Lately its been busy and I've been forgetting to do so, but I will get back into the habit again. I did a lot of "Earthing" for awhile, which was actually recommended to me by my Doctor for other issues I had. I had never walked barefoot outside before really--even at the beach, always had flip flops, or something on my feet. I was only barefoot in a pool or the water--and depending on the water I may still have had water shoes on. My parents raised us like this and so walking barefoot on the ground was very odd for me at first--I was in my 40s. :o However, when I got use to doing so, I loved it! I felt very grounded. Walking in the grass in my bare feet was heavenly, but its still also odd to me as I revert back to my growing up and needing shoes on my feet. I don't even walk barefoot inside my home! But when I do walk barefoot outside, I admit, it does feel lovely for me! I still have a hard time walking barefoot on pavement, just cannot do it--so I do so in the grass and sand/soft dirt now and again. Very grounding as well.
Thoughtful Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 l am a reader, intuitive and empath and l always make sure before l do a reading that l am grounded and ready. l visualise a shower of white light coming down upon my head and going through every part of my body right down to my feet, and l see the light going into the ground. Next l see this cleansed white light travelling back up through my body and into the heavens. l will then breathe in through my nose slowly and let the breathe out slowly through my nose, l do this several times until the feelings of relaxation and peace come into me. When a reading is completed l repeat the process, have a hot drink and something light to nibble i.e biscuit. The breathing is also very good if you feel nervous or anxious at any time. Being an Aries l can see how the white light shower can work for me.
ali3n Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 But lets get back to the case where you are not grounded enough. Then you might be like me - I am a very airy person (double gemini ::) ) and I can easily get unbalanced. When that happens I tend to get cold and my mind won't stop spinning. I get trouble sleeping and I talk a lot. I also have issues focusing in on one project and it gets really hard to get it finished without being distracted by a million other things (or starting 5 more projects while I am at it). If it becomes really bad then I start experiencing too much of water and get emotional, insecure and overwhelmed. So I am not the type of person that gets grounded by walking in the woods on a windy day or taking a bath if its not very hot. Hugging trees or walking barefoot on cold ground or cold sand is also very bad for me. So I have had to find other sources for effective grounding. The thing that works for me: Getting warm and dry. A blanket and a hot cup of tea. Sitting by a fireplace (lighting a woodwick candle is a really nice compromise for me, especially combined with a blanket and a cup of tea!). Eating a warm meal is another really good way. Salads or coffee sends me the other way. i can relate! (i'm a gemini as well ^_^ ). and lighting some incense before a reading definitely helps to ground myself. i'll also try the 10 card exercise :) thank you very much for sharing this info! :love:
Petra Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 Thanks for sharing this! My spread corresponded with my chart—I’m in need of more fire and air to “unground” me or get me moving. (I have a lot of water and earth in my chart.) I suppose I’ll need to light more candles when I read and perhaps go outside more (?) for the air. Also maybe drinking something hot and/or spicy would help. I do love spicy foods!
Wanderer Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 Thought I might as well try this as well... but I'm not sure what to make of the results. I had four bows (=wands), four vessels (=cups, including K, A), one arrow and one stone. Interestingly, I didn't remove the majors first... but none of them turned up. They know, you know... I guess this fits with being an Aries (Dragon in Chinese zodiac); at least the bows do, but do the vessels as well? (I know virtually nothing about astrology!) I am an initiator rather than a careful planner, but I thought I was more grounded than this suggests, and more rational. I can't help feeling uneasy treating the cards so simplistically, though, and just counting the number of each suit. If one looks at the cards themselves, then the lonely stone (=pentacle) is the 10, representing the stability of home. This is true; if I have a place to call my own, that's what matters (riches are irrelevant). Similarly, the sole arrow (=sword) is the 6, representing transition: the search for new beginnings, always looking around the corners. This is also fair; I'm always driven to stretch my field of experience. The other suits are also pretty revealing... wands are represented by the 2, 3, 8 and 10: decision, fulfilment, hearthfire (community) and responsibility. This seems to mirror how my life has developed, in terms of my activity: starting in exploring and reaching for whatever excited me, through to mature acceptance of my role and responsibilities. Vessels are the most intriguing one... Ace, 5 (ecstasy), 7 (mourning) and King: the meeting of opposites. I suspect this means I'm either emotionally balanced, or bipolar! :o Any suggestions in what I'm missing here are welcome - it's a totally new exercise for me! Thanks for the suggestion, Raggydoll[/member] - very interesting. ---------------------------- To answer the actual question, though, I just make as if beginning meditation: breath deeply, clear my mind, and focus on what I'm hoping to unlock. A scented candle helps me as well, but then I find the flame to be hypnotic (in a good way).
Raggydoll Posted January 12, 2019 Author Posted January 12, 2019 It has been so interesting hearing everyone’s stories! Thank you all for sharing :love: There is so much that we can learn from each other!
Saturn Celeste Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 My grounding before a reading is to turn off the TV. Have either a cup of coffee or Earl Grey tea. I light incense and/or turn on the hot wax heater. And write out everything then shuffle and read. When I have really big readings like the past life combo, I might draw the cards, lay the reading out, take a picture and then think about it. I might even take a nap and sleep on it. But after much thought then I'm ready to return to my table and do the reading. While I'm shuffling intention into my deck it must be silent. My son has to turn off YouTube if he's in my hearing range and no TV. Rarely I will listen to quiet trance music but that is rare, I like it totally silent.
Eric13 Posted January 12, 2019 Posted January 12, 2019 This is increadibly informative. Lately I've been feeling exhausted after doing a reading, which never used to happen that I can recall. Now I see why. Absorbing other people's energies has a lot to do with this as well.
Raggydoll Posted January 12, 2019 Author Posted January 12, 2019 I also want to mention that as an empat you will need some sort of coping strategies and a lot of those will be things that could worsen your sense of being ‘too grounded’. What I mean is that it’s natural for empats to want to shield themselves from the world with some sort of padding. This can present itself as carrying excess weight, always having plenty of food stored at home or even having a lot of stuff (clutter). All of these types of ‘coping mechanisms’ can make you feel weighed down and stagnant. But it’s important to not beat yourself up if you struggle with things such as being overweight or an emotional eater, or if your home is cluttered. You are really only trying to find ways to cope under tough circumstances. Just wanted to put that out there! <3
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