Skill set 1, Part 1: Grounding

So focusing on Skill set 1, which was Energy work. Grounding, centering and shielding. First part, grounding. Which is pretty easy but necessary.  Grounding is for clearing away excess energy and emotions. You would use it most commonly before/after a spell/ritual. Grounding can also be helpful for anxiety, or empaths.


Most common grounding technique is the Tree method. However it can be physical too. When you are stressed out or feeling down what do people most commonly do? Walk or eat right? People exercise to rid ourselves of excess energy and/or emotions. I know in times of stress or depression, taking a nice walk helps me feel grounded. Eating foods rich in carbohydrates after a ritual is another grounding method. So when should you ground yourself?

• Before meditation
• When you are angry, upset, or sick
• After any spell casting or ritual (when you have that energy high) 
• When you have excess energy or emotions. i.e having an anxiety attack or after being in a room full of people (empath) 

Grounding Techniques

Most common is the tree method. What is that all about? I will explain the process I do for the tree method. Most say imagine a tendril of energy but I usually visualize a tree root. There are many different ways to do this. 

1. For indoors you can stand or sit in a chair. As long as your feet are touching the ground. For outside you can sit on the ground with your knees up, so your feet are touching the ground.  Consciously slow your breathing down.
2. Then visualize tree roots coming out of your feet. If you are indoors imagine them like vines. Running down the sides of the building until they reach under the concrete. 
3. Once you feel your "roots" are sturdy, begin to visual that excess energy or emotion run down your roots into the ground. 
4. Do this for as long as you need to. Only YOU will know when it is enough. This is one of those things that yes it really is up to you. I cannot tell you how you will know. Sometimes it can just be feeling like you have emptied yourself out. Like after a good cry. 
5. When you feel it is time, become aware of any physical sensations. Like breezes or your cat rubbing on you. Or your dog bugging you to play, like mine currently is! 
6. Return your breathing to normal. Sit for a few seconds and just enjoy what is around you. 

I mentioned also physical grounding. Here are some ideas:

• Taking a shower: A good way to be physically and mentally clean. A common idea is when taking a shower imagine the mental "dirt" (stress, excess energy) running down the drain when washing yourself. 
• Eating: Carbohydrates or veggies preferred but if you are like me, you want the sweet stuff too. Balance it out! Have some bread with honey! Or some dark chocolate with strawberries. Celery and peanut butter. 
• Exercise: Simply walking the dog will do. Jogging, yoga, moving the furniture around, the possibilities for this one are endless. 

A nice walk in nature with your dog! 

The basic goal of grounding is to make sure that you are calm, focused and stable so that you feel more in control (particularly for stress-related problems) and that you are not carrying around excess energy from ritual which can be problematic! Ground before and after ritual, when you're stressed out, after visualisation, and whenever you feel it's necessary! You can do the physical exercises whenever you want to, and if you try and do them once a day you will notice a difference in your general well-being. (check footnotes)

Footnotes:

Here are my sources on grounding and I would suggest to check them out. They have some great information and different techniques. This blog was based on personal experience/opinion and sources.

Seeking First Pagan Steps and Tools: Grounding

Wildspeak: The basics of Grounding 

(on this I will make a note. I did completely copy the last paragraph. I felt they explained it best)

Where did I get my pictures?? Click on words for a link. Picture One Picture Two