Late Summer: Living in reciprocity with the Earth
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Earth element represents grounding, nourishment, and balance. It corresponds to the spleen and stomach, which are responsible for digestion and transformation, turning food and experiences into energy that sustains us. This season, and the Earth element, is linked to nurturing and care, embodying selfless giving and living in reciprocity with everything around us. However, when out of balance, it can lead to excessive worry or overthinking, leaving us feeling depleted and ungrounded. This blog post will outline the direct impact this element has on women’s health in particular, and ways you can bring harmony and balance.
The Earth Element's Role in Women's Health
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Earth element corresponds to the spleen and stomach, organs responsible for digestion, assimilation, and the transformation of food into Qi (vital energy) and blood (body fluids). This transformative process mirrors the first part of the luteal phase in the menstrual cycle, a time when the body prepares for potential new life. Just as the Earth nurtures all living things, our bodies rely on the Earth element to sustain the Blood and Qi necessary for vitality and reproductive health.
When the Earth element becomes depleted, through overwork, stress, or neglect, its ability to nourish us diminishes. This can manifest as fatigue, digestive discomfort, irregular periods, or emotional exhaustion and excessive worry. Conversely, when we support the Earth element, we cultivate a deep well of nourishment to sustain us.
The impact of women living out of alignment
Modern life often forces women to live out of sync with their natural cycles, denying the rhythms of rest, renewal, and emotional expression that are essential for balance. Society’s conditioning to view menstrual blood as shameful or repulsive alienates women from their cyclical nature and impacts both men, and women’s connection to the essence of the Earth itself.
This disconnection not only depletes physical and emotional reserves but also disrupts our ability to process and appreciate life fully. The Earth element governs more than just the digestion of food; it also influences how we digest emotions and experiences. When women are conditioned to prioritize others’ needs over their own, they often suppress their emotional processing, leading to imbalance. Excessive worry, sympathy and emotional focus on the other can further drain vital Earth energy.
However, by honoring our cycles and our blood we can start to rebuild this relationship with who we are. Menstrual blood is the only blood that doesn’t come from injury or harm and it is, in its very nature life giving.
Ways to Nourish the Earth Element
Supporting the Earth element involves nourishing both body and spirit. Here are some practical ways to cultivate balance:
Food: Prioritize warm, cooked meals that are easy to digest. Think soups, stews, roasted vegetables, and cooked grains. Foods like sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, and millet are particularly grounding and supportive of the spleen and stomach. Avoid cold or raw foods, as they can strain digestion.
Acupressure Points: Stimulate points like Spleen 6 (San Yin Jiao) and Stomach 36 (Zu San Li) to strengthen the Earth element and support digestion and energy.
Offerings to the Earth: Create a practice of gratitude and reciprocity. Plant a tree, tend to a garden, or offer flowers and prayers to the Earth. Reflect on all that the Earth provides and express your gratitude.
By nourishing the Earth element, we honor our connection to the cycles of life and the nurturing energy that sustains us. This reciprocity, giving back to the Earth, is not only essential for our health but also a profound act of self-care and alignment with the natural world.
Coming Back to Basics
The Earth element invites us to simplify and return to the basics of nourishment. Beyond food, consider how you digest emotions, experiences, and relationships. Are you giving yourself the space to process and transform what you take in? By supporting the Earth element within, we can move out of an individualistic mindset and society, and create a foundation for balance, vitality, and deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us.