Lesson 3 - Grounding

[~Elise~]

all right--here it is--Grounding.

Alright then...grounding...what does it mean? Getting grounded? Ground=Earth. Duh, you say?

Well, getting grounded by defination means connecting with the Earth's energy. But is is difficult to talk about grounding without centering, they are very connected.

Grounding helps us to detach from upsetting emotional reactions. by shifting our focus away from ourselves, grounding helps us to control the feelings associated with threat. Thus we can take measured action rather than react impulsively. To ground yourself, pay attention to some aspect of your physical environment: picture the shape, size, and color of near by objects; focus on the smells and the sounds you perceive; or describe what your body touches.

Attend to your breathing: When stressed, our breathing is usually flat, short, and labored. Our breath goes into our upper chests or shoulders. This type of breathing increases tension. Instead, breathe into your stomach at a natural pace. This is diaphragmatic breathing. In this type of breathing, the stomach pushes out as the breath goes in, creating a calming effect. This is the way babies breathe and how we ourselves breathe when asleep!

Attend to your posture: Crooked, stiff, or off-balance describes the body under stress. When sitting, our legs may be stiff and both legs and arms may be crossed in a defensive posture. When standing, we lock our knees. Our body is tense. Instead, uncross your legs and arms, sit or stand up straight using your backbone to support your body, and place your feet firmly on the floor. Relax your legs. These grounding actions support balance and strength.

I was talking to Nepharia this morning on IM--here is what she shared with me:

Sometimes, the Earth opens up to our energy like a woman waiting for her lover. We can push our negative energy into the earth, especially if that energy is just your all around natural greyness, because the earth can recycle that energy and easily turn it into something positive better than we can.
Blood helps the crops to grow. Just because you don't think it's pleasant, doesn't mean it's bad or not beneficial.
Hell, even trees steal their energy from the earth, and then sun's light.

I was searching for different ways to ground without using Earth--Here are some I ran across. These are written from the perspective of helping someone ground after a ritual:

Summoning Breath- Ask the person to become aware of their breath. Ask them to slow down their breathing. When they have controlled their breathing ask them to exhale all the air from their bodies that they can and to hold on empty for a count of three. Continue slow breathing with holding on empty, increasing the hold on empty to a count of five. This pattern of breathing summons the subtle bodies, drawing them closer to the physical body. Holding on empty helps to synchronize the rhythm of the blood, prana, and cerebrospinal fluid. If the person will not listen and is diving in and out of their body, you may need to hold their nose with your fingers.

Name Chant- This is a two part chant that helps to reaffirm the person’s place in the here and now. The name Judy is used in this example.
You chant: “Judy, You Are Here. Judy, We Are With You.” They chant: “I Am Here. I Am Here. I Am Here”. You repeat “Judy, You Are Here. Judy, We Are With You.”
Chant until the person brings it to a close.

Food & Drink- Often people in the throes of a reaction will not have any desire for food and drink. Coax the person into eating or drinking something that is sweet, unless diabetes or other conditions make this inadvisable. As soon as possible after the sweet treat, get the person to eat a small quantity of something rich in protein. High protein food is harder to digest which redirects the person’s energy into their body. Moreover, high protein food will help adjust brain chemistry in the direction of normal beta wave consciousness. Less commonly, some people will crave large quantities of sweets (including fruit and other natural sources of fast burning sugars. A small quantity of sugar may be useful, large doses will generate further problems. Chocolate is a good choice for many people— in a small dose

Recharging The Etheric Body- Most commonly, the subtle body that receives the greatest stress in adverse reactions to ritual is the Etheric. This is the energy body that lies just above the physical and closely mirrors the physical form. It is this body that is caught in energy clashes and dissonances of the lower and the higher forces during an imbalance. If the person reports that they feel cold, or are still trembling, or lack fine muscle coordination, use this technique. Place a blue or purple fluorite crystal in their dominant hand and an amethyst in their non-dominant hand. Ask them to intone “Oooo, Ohhh, Oooo” in a low rumbling pitch. Check in with them and repeat until they feel better. If you don’t have crystals available, have them make these tones while you make the tone “Awww” at as low a pitch as you can.


Now--when I conduct a ritual here IRL. I watch each and every person of mine...make sure that they eat and drink something. If that still doesn't work...we go hug a tree or I make them go out barefoot and touch the Earth with feet and hands...sending all that excess energy to Mama Earth. We don't have to do it often, but I especially watch my newcomers.

any of these techniques above can be adapted for solitary use. Here are some others that you can do, as well:

*ground deep in the mother earth's core...sending cords down to her
*M&M's (most kinds of chocolate will work)
*meat ( it's not the quantity that so much counts)
*showers
*sex
*dancing
*jumping up and down on the ground
*laying on the grass
*touching trees
*asking the stone people to help you
*drink lots of good water
*actually anything that makes the body feel it's physicality is good
*having someone push and pat down on your shoulders with the intention of you returning into your body

Centering Techniques stop the excessive mental and physical activity to which we are so addicted and instead focus the mind to quiet our constant mind chatter. This enables you to listen to the mind, body, and emotional talk to quickly receive the messages that signal stress overload. Most of us spend our lives ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. Centering, also called Mindfulness, is a way of focusing on the here-and-now, of truly living in the present.

Cultivate mindfulness: This centering technique focuses our attention on what is happening to us in the immediate moment, rather than attending to other people, the past, or the future. Close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing and your body. Becoming gently aware of what you see, hear, or feel in a deliberate way will, after a few moments, slow your reaction. You can also do this while taking a walk or sitting quietly by yourself by focusing on your physical sensations and breathing.
The following instructions elicit the relaxation response for many people:
•Choose a mental image (a word, number, phrase, or visual picture) or your own breathing on which to focus;
•Find a safe place where you won’t be interrupted and position yourself comfortably;
•Close you eyes when you are ready;
•Taking slow and natural breaths, focusing on your image in time with the breaths;
•Acknowledge distracting thoughts (which are normal) and go back to your focus; and
•Work up to repeating this procedure 10 to 20 minutes, once or twice a day.

Here are some other techniques that you can use for centering yourself--

Breath Awareness #1
While involved in whatever you are doing, bring some attention to your breathing... not your full attention... just enough to bring you back to your calm center. Breathe a little more slowly and deeply.
Breath Awareness #2
When feeling stressed, take several slow, deep breaths. With each in-breath, imagine you are pulling all of your scattered energy and attention back to your Self... your calm inner center. As you exhale, let go of all stress and negativity.
Inner Sun
Visualize a bright sun filling your heart chakra... the quiet, subtle energy field that permeates your chest area. Imagine the rest of your energy field as clear blue sky. When stressed thoughts or emotions arise, view them as clouds floating in that sky.


I am also going to post a couple of meditations. I want you to pick a couple of meditations/techniques--give them a try and report your results.

Elise

[~Elise~]

Grounding Visualization:
opening to universal energy.
Sit comfortably, cross legged or in a chair in a balanced position, hands apart, feet flat on the floor. Take a few deep breaths, relax your body, focus your attention.

You are sitting somewhere warm and comfortable, out of doors on a sunny day. It is high noon, and the sun is directly overhead.
Visualize a sunbeam coming straight down from waaaay up above, shining directly on the top of your head.
Relax into this imagining till you can feel the sunbeam warming the top of your head,
physically or in your imagination.

Imagination is power!

When you have the warmth, imagine that the top of your head is a flower.

The crown chakra is called the thousand petaled lotus.

It is classically visualized as infinite petaled lotus that is eternally opening and opening.

You can imagine any kind of flower.

The flower opens to the warmth

and draws the sunlight down it's stem,

into your head,

sparkling, tingling,

into the third eye and throat,

flowing down inside you to fill a reservoir space in your torso,
an oval going from your pelvis to your collarbone.

Filling with light.

Make it as bright as you can imagine.

When the space is filled
with bright sparkling radiant light,
brilliant as the sunrise reflecting off the ocean,
bright like an arc welders torch

we notice the inner container has a hole in the bottom,
and a stream of light leaks from the bottom of the reservoir,

down through your feet, down

down

down

down

down

like a laser beam drilling

down

Waaaaay down

All the way down

to the very center of the Earth.

which looks like a brilliant, fiery crystal. Gaia's heart, Her Kundalini.

When the beam hits the centre,

it seems to spark some kind of explosion down there

it sparks a volcano of light from the firey crystal

A volcano that comes rushing

up

up

up

up through the earth

roaring back up

like "Old Faithful",

back into your feet

(feel them start to tingle?)

exploding the reservoir of light in your center

into star bright radiance, glowing, growing

Brighter, larger

into an oval bigger than you.

shooting out the top of your head

like an umbrella shaped fountain,

sun drops rolling down to describe the oval

that is the perimeter of your aura, two feet above your head

and three feet below your feet

making it an eggshell

complete and sealed against all harm.

A force field bubble defining your personal boundary.

Some of the light keeps going up

keeps going back up

waaaay up

up to where it came from

up there.

The Light above responds with more light, like soft warm rain on your shoulders.

Your center, fed and charged

by the light flowing through you down and up

up and down

increases in brilliance

bigger and brighter

to fill the whole oval of your aura completely.

Feel yourself

as an egg of light

on a thread of light

with the Earth and the Sun connecting to each other through your body.

Energy flowing both ways.

Fire rises, water flows down.

through you

and around you.

When you can hold this mental image clearly,
(as bright and clear as you can make it)
make an internal request for it to stay that way.

Snap your fingers,

"Circuit is Locked in".

Your unconscious will now maintain the light circuit,
while you do other things.

You are now grounded.

How do you feel?

Do you notice:
the complete absence of negative, limiting, or fearful thoughts?
the relaxation and sense of well being?
the tingling of the soles of the feet and fingertips, like they have had a massage?
the sensation of lightness of being?
The sense of being fully present in the Now?
These are the signs of being grounded into Universal Source.
If you try to find an emotion that describes the feeling of this energy,
you will discover that the only word that fits is

Love.

absolute, unconditional love and acceptance.

The shock of this realization sometimes completely un-grounds very insecure people.

Are your feet still tingling?

If this idea makes your feet stop tingling, you need to take a few minutes to slide on past the feelings of being unworthy, you know Source loves you... unconditionally.

Limitlessly.

Regardless of how you feel about you.

If you have become ungrounded,
Go back to the top and start over again.
Take your time, focus on your breathing in the light..
Go ahead! It is very worth doing. You are worth it!

Think of how good that feels... love is supposed to feel good, right?

Think of how good it feels to be in love,
and imagine what it is like to feel that good all of the time,

but

without needing to be fixated on another person as the source of the feeling?

Enlightenment is constantly feeling madly in love with everything and everyone in All of Creation.

[~Elise~]

Opening the Heart Chakra--

Opening the Heart chakra.
while you are grounded, bring your attention back to your center.

Imagine that there is a ball of light,
a star of light,
in the center of your chest,
next to your heart. (the Heart Chakra)

It is very beautiful.
See how it is fed by the light flowing through you... notice what color it is?
Imagine it brighter and brighter, see how that feels.

Contemplate it for a few moments.

Say Hello to it.
Breathe, and focus on your breathing as you listen for a response.

Ask It if It loves you.

You will hear and feel it's answer.

Listen carefully.

Breathe.

Feel your feet tingle.

Ask again.

Listen carefully for an answer,
there will be one: that is a cosmic promise.

It may come in words, a quiet, genderless voice of love.
It may be a feeling, a warmth in your heart or joy and love.
It may even be a painful feeling, if your heart is trying to open and there is a blockage.
It may be a rush of tingles, energy or goosebumps.

Ask the light if it will always love you, unconditionally,
no matter where you go or what you do?
If it's love is limitless?

Stay Grounded, feel your feet tingling,

breathe,

and listen for the answer. It will come, as words or a feeling.

The answer will fill you with joy and awe.
It is very beautiful to know.

If you are really reaching the heart voice, the answer to all of these questions will be yes. The Heart will tell you that you are infinitely, unconditionally loved and that you are and have always been perfect. Ask It questions, to make sure you are in contact with the genuine heart voice, and not the voice of your ego or an entity. It takes practice and mindfulness to build your trust and faith in this inner voice, ... that it has always and will always will be there for you, anytime you take a moment to do this grounding visualization.

Some people refer to the Heart Voice as the Inner Guru.
Ask it for insight into some minor difficulty you have been having.
Choose a small problem to start with, a minor nuisance.

I want you to get better experienced at maintaining the state, while asking questions. It takes practice to stay grounded when contemplating big emotional issues.

Fear interferes with grounding... most negative emotions do... get grounded, first, so fear is absent before questioning the Heart light.

Then learn to do the visualization in two breaths, twenty times a day.

No, really, it is easy, with practice..
Take a deep breath in, while focusing on relaxing your body and straightening your spine.
Breathe out long and slow, imagining the light coming down from above,
feeling your breath as the laser beam drilling deep into the earth..
in the pause between breaths, you touch the firey crystalline core.. feel the explosion of love in response...

then a deep breath to inhale the energy coming back up from the Earth into your being, out and around around the edges of your aura
and out the top of your head up up up..
in the pause, feel the energy touch the heavens..
breath out slowly, basking in the Grace flowing down, focusing on the heart, giving thanks for your tingly feet.

[~Elise~]

Clear your mind, and concentrate, on the earth.

Visualize energy coming up through the earth as a green or bronze colored ball.

Bring the energy up through you to your stomach then visualize it dispersing throughout you body and mixing with your own personal energy then draining back into the earth anchoring you to it like roots anchor a tree into the ground.

Feel the earth's energy pulsing strong and steady into your "roots" then up through you, making you feel stable and strong and sturdy.

This Grounds you and helps you attune to the earth. If you start to feel light headed or shaky when doing any techniques etc.

Ground yourself. This is caused by your body not being used to raising energy and containing it.

Take your time and spend however long you need to fully visualize everything as clearly as possible.

Practice as often as needed, however, since you are just learning this exercise try not to practice more than twice a day for now.

[~Elise~]

Here is one from Starhawk:

Grounding and Centering For Activists
By Starhawk
(10-15 minutes)
In an action, in any potentially tense of dangerous situation, we need to be able to stay calm, to feel our fear without letting it overrun us or turn into panic. Grounding is a technique that can help us stay both alert and relaxed when all hell is breaking loose around us.

Grounding begins with the breath. Try this: clench your stomach, tighten your muscles, breath up high in your chest. How do you begin to feel? (People often say, "anxious," "Tense," "Panicky.")

Now relax your stomach, let your breath drop down into your belly, into your toes as your belly expands. Do you start to feel different? For some of you, this might be hard to do. At first it might seem unnatural. Put your hand on your belly, breathe so that your belly pushes your hand out. Practice this, sometimes you need time before you can do it easily and naturally.

Now close your eyes for a moment. Imagine that breath pushing down through your feet, through the base of your spine, as if you were a tree pushing down roots. Let those roots go down through the floor, through the soil below us. Imagine they can feel something of the quality of that earth, what it likes to grow, how healthy it is. Push down through the waters under the earth, down through the bedrock, down into the fire below us. If there's still any tension or fear, let that go into the fire and just burn away into pure energy.

Now imagine you can draw some of that fire up. Feel it as the earth's living, creative energy, and bring it up through the rock and the water and the soil. Bring it up into your legs and feet and the base of your spine. Bring it up your spine and let your spine grow like a flexible tree trunk, reaching up to the sky. Bring some fire into your heart, into any place inside you that needs healing or extra energy.

Bring that energy up through your arms and out your hands, and up through your neck and throat and out the top of your head like branches that reach up to the sky and then spread around you and reach back down to touch the earth. They create a protective filter around you. Take a moment, look at that energy web, notice if there's any places that need to be repaired or strengthened. And notice how the energy in this room feels when we all do this.

Now feel the energy of the sun, shining down on your leaves and branches. Breathe deep, draw that energy in. Breathe it down through your leaves and branches, down through your heart and your belly and your hands. Take it in, feed on it like a tree feeds on sunlight.

Now open your eyes. Look around you, notice how other people look to you when you're grounded. Notice what's changed.

When you're grounded, when your energy is linked to the earth energy, you can still move. Imagine your feet have sticky roots, that can sink into the earth and then release when you move. Walk around a little, really feeling your contact with the earth, feeling those roots grip and release.

Now as you move, stretch your arms out to your sides, as far as they'll go, until you can't see your hands if you look straight ahead. Now wiggle your thumbs, and slowly bring your arms in until your thumbs are just visible on the edge of your peripheral vision. Notice how wide your field of vision can be. As you walk, breathing deep, grounded, activate that peripheral vision. Know that you can be aware of what's going on around you.

And now notice whether you are making eye contact with the people you pass. Keep breathing, stay grounded, keep your awareness wide, but now also make eye contact with each person you pass. How does it feel to be this present in a situation?

Now come back to stillness. As you breathe, feel where it is in your body this grounded place seems to live, and touch that place. Can you find an image for this grounded state? A word or phrase you can say? When you use these three together, touch, image, and phrase, you create an anchor to help you ground quickly in any situation. Try it -- use it.

Now relax. How did that go for you all? What did you notice?

Remember, the more you practice grounding, the more automatic it becomes. If you take even a few mintes a day to practice, you¹ll not only have better energy in your daily life, you'll be able to ground quickly and instantly when you're in a tense situation.

[~Elise~]

Sit peacefully and relax. Let the ground or chair support you. Let your muscles go. You don't have to exert any effort to sit there. Take in an easy, deep breath...and let it out your mouth, parting your lips slightly as you exhale. Let your arms feel heavy, pulling down your shoulders. Breathe... Let that heavy feeling flow down your torso and legs, so you feel heavy and relaxed all the way down to your feet on the ground.

Now picture and feel roots growing from your feet down into the ground. Just like a tree's roots...going down into the layers of cool dirt...growing around rocks...traveling further and further down into the earth. Let the roots grow as deeply as you wish.

Now feel the healing, rhythmic energy of the earth itself flowing up through your roots...slowly traveling up...through your roots, up to your feet and quickly filling your entire body. Feel this positive, grounded, earth energy throughout your being. Take in a deep, cleansing breath... and release.

When you are ready, open your eyes and know that this grounded energy will remain with you throughout your day.

[~Elise~]

http://www.mastersinthemaking.com/articles/empathicgrounding.shtml

For those who are empaths, (and there seem to be quite a few in this class)--there is some AWESOME information here

Elise

[~Elise~]

Close your eyes and sit in a comfortable upright position...

Begin to breathe deeply and comfortably.

Breathe easily and deeply.

Concentrate on your breathing.

Nothing else attracts your attention.

Take several deep breaths and feel the air flow into your body as it "lightens" your being with air.

Now, imagine that the earth's energy is rising up through your feet to join with your breath.

As it works upwards, rejuvinating each muscle it touches .

The energy rises slowly up your calves,

up your thighs through your hips

and upward through your torso, into your shoulders.

Let it flow across your shoulders and down your arms, and

through your hands.

Let it relax and energize your back and your shoulders.

Allow it move up into your neck and flow out the top of your head

and back into the universe from whence it came.

Continue absorbing the calm energy into every atom of your body,

Rejuvinating your entire being with pure universal energy.

Allow you body to feel recharged and grounded.

Feeling the beautiful connection to mother earth, the source, and your inner spirit.

[~Elise~]

All right -- you should have PLENTY of options here.

Pick a couple of the techniques/meditations and do them for the next couple of days to a week and POST the results.

Elise

[Hazel BlueMoon]

http://www.mastersinthemaking.com/articles/empathicgrounding.shtml

For those who are empaths, (and there seem to be quite a few in this class)--there is some AWESOME information here

Elise

This might sound crazy, but what does "empath" mean? Did I miss it somewhere?

[~Elise~]

An emapth is one who takes on the feelings of others or is very sensitive to them. They can feel them as if they were their own emotions, in some cases. In strong empath healers, they can end up taking on the illness.

Elise

[Hazel BlueMoon]

All right -- you should have PLENTY of options here.

Pick a couple of the techniques/meditations and do them for the next couple of days to a week and POST the results.

Elise

I've read somewhere that gardening is a form of grounding. Does a Witch really have to do all of these 'excersizes', don't get me wrong, I don't mind doing them, and I will try some of them out, but, I realized that I'm the type of learner and 'doer' if I actually just do something like.....what are the words.....well, not so.....'ritual', it's hard for me to get into that zone, ya' know? I get better there when I'm just doing everyday things, like for another example, I meditate better when I'm falling asleep, I imagine things, my mind plays games and such. It's weird....I just wanted to know, am I going to become a successful Witch, if I don't 'ritual' myself?
And if gardening is a good way of grounding, then do you have any ideas to go with it? Thank you so much for this class! ; )
Blessed Be.

[Hazel BlueMoon]

An emapth is one who takes on the feelings of others or is very sensitive to them. They can feel them as if they were their own emotions, in some cases. In strong empath healers, they can end up taking on the illness.

Elise

That's kinda cool, that sounds ALOT like my mother in law. She's a pet psychic and a raki shaman. I guess that makes sense. That's very cool. Thanks.
Blessed Be.

[Teresa]

http://www.mastersinthemaking.com/articles/empathicgrounding.shtml

For those who are empaths, (and there seem to be quite a few in this class)--there is some AWESOME information here

Elise
Thanks for the info!

[~Elise~]

I've read somewhere that gardening is a form of grounding. Does a Witch really have to do all of these 'excersizes', don't get me wrong, I don't mind doing them, and I will try some of them out, but, I realized that I'm the type of learner and 'doer' if I actually just do something like.....what are the words.....well, not so.....'ritual', it's hard for me to get into that zone, ya' know? I get better there when I'm just doing everyday things, like for another example, I meditate better when I'm falling asleep, I imagine things, my mind plays games and such. It's weird....I just wanted to know, am I going to become a successful Witch, if I don't 'ritual' myself?
And if gardening is a good way of grounding, then do you have any ideas to go with it? Thank you so much for this class! ; )
Blessed Be.

Yes...you need to do these exercises if you are going to become adept at defending yourself.

IDEALLY--grounding and centering---as well as the next lesson, shielding will be DAILY exercises for everyone in the class.

Take heart...it'll become a habit and you'll find within a month or so, you won't have to do it so often. It'll drop to just a couple of times a week, then weekly, then...you get the idea.
Ideal will be monthly once you get there. You can do it on the new or full moon each time to renew everything.

By then....it'll be a habit and if your shielding is needed for an emergency--they'll be up without you hardly even having to think about it.

Elise

[Devi]

THESE exercises sound really interesting. My only concern is remembering the directions. I don't want to have to keep checking with my notes because I get easily distracted. I know I have some guided exercises like these somewhere as mp3 files if I can find them and if they are similiar would it be okay to use these?

If not maybe I can make a tape of these meditations but it would take longer because I will have to find a cassete recorder and get tapes. :lol:

[~Elise~]

yes--I think using the other meditations would be fine.


ALSO -- I forgot to put this in the lesson...certain stones can help you ground, as well.

Hematite is one MOST people can use

Apache Tear is another one.

Elise

[Devi]

Okay great!

Also thanks for the empath link! Good information there. :thumbsup:

[RavensEye]

What an awesome lesson. The Starhwak groudning I was already accustomed with but there is some really neat types of groundign here.

I am constantly developing what I call my Eagle Grounding and it is very easy for me to ground using it.

So is it ok to Print this lesson out so i can try theese?

Hematite is one MOST people can use

I have Hematite rings and a necklace and I noticed it was a lot easier to eb more patient and grounded in my workings and just life in general.

[~Elise~]

Yes, you may print it out.

Elise

[RavensEye]

Thanks !

[AstralMagick]

Man, third lesson and I'm kind of late. I've read the first post (maybe second) and what everyone's typed back, but I've got to read all of the other things Pearl's typed. I must get going now though.

[AstralMagick]

I've now read the 'grounding' and 'heat voice' posts. They really made a difference at how I felt even though I was at a comp. My hands don't feel the tingling when I'm touching it though. Very nice.

[enchancea]

Is there a way to sort of shield yourself while doing this? I have some unfriendly spirits in my home and am very uncomfortable lately with doing any type of meditation/magickal work.

[~Elise~]

You can cast a circle ... using that to keep out the things that make you uncomfortable.

PS... have you told them to leave? Not ask, told.

Elise

[Sage Rainsong]

I liked the name chant. it really helped me. I also enjoyed the connecting to universal energy. I have been in a better mood sinse I have been doing that, much less of a b*tch.. trust me thats a miracle. lol

[~Elise~]

I liked the name chant. it really helped me. I also enjoyed the connecting to universal energy. I have been in a better mood sinse I have been doing that, much less of a b*tch.. trust me thats a miracle. lol

Can you expand on your experiences while doing the name chant and connecting to the energy? HOw do you feel when you start? How does it feel while you're doing it? Do you see or feel anything new and different? Why do you think that you are less of a b*tch?

Elise

[Sage Rainsong]

With the name chant. I felt as though I was becoming more aware of my surroundings. I tend to space out a lot. Many people say that I am ungrounded. But I feel that I am very practical. Maybe the two do not always go hand in hand. The name chant helped me focus on this reality. I felt as if I was slipping back into my body With the universal energy technique I felt a lot more calm and less scattered. Before this I was in a bad mood. I have been having a lot of bad moods lately. While I was doing it as corny as it sounds I felt as though sunlight was going through me. I tend to feel psychic energy as heat.

[~Elise~]

Staying grounded in this reality is a good thing. And I love the description of the feeling sunlight going through you.

Keep doing this everyday for about a month...it will become a habit.

Also for those who are a bit scattered--being grounded helps to not have every little thing set you off.

Elise

[~Macha~]

I have been attempting at grounding and such... but i am getting distracted from missing Vivi since she is with her dad... however, i found that this evening when i was sitting by the fire by myself, i could ground a little easier... still working on it though... when i get my thoughs together regarding how i felt sitting by the fire made this easier, i will post it.
btw- about "grounded" ppl. i was reading a book "summon the keeper" and a chatacter (sorry for the bad spelling, it's 1:45 am) is so grounded, that the "quasi-mystical" characters (the books term, not mine) feel the need to check and see if he has roots growing into the ground. thought it was funny and wanted to share!

[AstralMagick]

btw- about "grounded" ppl. i was reading a book "summon the keeper" and a chatacter (sorry for the bad spelling, it's 1:45 am) is so grounded, that the "quasi-mystical" characters (the books term, not mine) feel the need to check and see if he has roots growing into the ground. thought it was funny and wanted to share!
I really like that.:)
One of my friends is kind of like that.

[~Elise~]

Okay--I've only had a couple of people reply so far. Who else has done this week's homework and can report on it?

Elise

[RavensEye]

I am hoping to be able to report something to you tonight I have just have been sick these past few days.

[~Elise~]

k--hope you feel better. Will add you to the healing candle.

Elise

[RavensEye]

Oh that would be so nice thanks.

[eric2001]

I've tried the technique listed in the 6th post (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showpost.php?p=1828622&postcount=6) a few times over the past couple of days. I noticed I felt a lot more awake of my surroundings, especially with hearing sounds that I would normally have ignored. I also felt a lot more calm and focused then usual for a few hours afterwards.

[~Elise~]

Be sure and do this every day for at least a month, so it will become a habit. Great work!

Elise

[PeleRising]

I have read through all the grounding exercises, and tried 3 of them. My favorite is quite close to a method I have used in the past. I work quite well with visualizing roots burrowing into the earth *smiles*

While doing the exercise I feel calm... its the feeling you get on a lazy, hot day in the mid summer when you are sitting on a swing... you are completely relaxed and you are just barely moving and the suns warmth you can feel right to the center of your bones... As the energy comes into me I still feel very relaxed but more aware. When I am done with the exercise I continue to feel comfortable and relaxed for some time.

[~Elise~]

Very good...keep doing it so it becomes a habit for you. Nice description...I love swings!

Elise

[Devi]

The meditation I've been doing so far is a guided visualization that helps you focus on your goals and helps you connect to your inner voice. I notice that the visualization process is very relaxing to me and once those scattered thoughts melt away the relaxation and focus become even more intense.

I notice that after this meditation I feel more calm and clearheaded. I just found out that a project that I need to finish (it determines if I will be accepted into a college program this fall) is due in 2 weeks. I had thought I had to the middle of July!!! Talk about stress! These visualizations have really help me not freak out as much as I normally would of and I've been able to focus easier on the project. I am definitely keeping this exercise as a my daily or weekly meditation session.

The session is called Guided Imagery and it first leads you through your breathing and then it guides you to a beach where you walk along the sand visualizing the texture and feel as you walk to the water following the instructions and eventually the guide leads you to your visualized future and later helps you to connect to your inner voice. The images became stronger each meditation so I hope eventually things will be visualized very clearly.

[KissMeImIrish!]

Just started a new job (yay for me!) that ive been chasing for a few months now so ive been super busy. I'm hoping to get my experiences posted by tommorow. Just thought Id let you know :)

[RavensEye]

I started with doing the ground visualization and it was interesting I did not feel any tingling sensations but I did feel the removal off all the negativity this past week has brought. I felt really light, light as a feather I would say in comparison. Unfortunately I was so relaxed I wound up falling asleep and woke up just about an hour ago. I also felt I could breath easier to which was nice for a change. With being sick it is really hard for me to take decnt sized breaths.

[AstralMagick]

http://www.mastersinthemaking.com/articles/empathicgrounding.shtml

For those who are empaths, (and there seem to be quite a few in this class)--there is some AWESOME information here

Elise
Over the weekend, I tried the grounding in the post 'Clear your mind, and concentrate, on the earth.' I didn't like it as much as the walk-through, though I'm sure with practice it will get better. In the heart chakra post, I really liked the thought of my head being an opening flower. I could really feel the power in that.

[AstralMagick]

Oh yes, and of course, I forgot to mention (even though I had the quote there) I liked that site.;)

[~Elise~]

Great work guys...keep posting results.

I don't know how much I'm going to be able to be over the weekend starting tomorrow. We start moving into our new home. So online time will be very limited.

PM me if there is a problem. I will be checking email more frequently.

Elise

[RavensEye]

Pearls we know you will be busy you just do what you have to do and we will be here waiting don't you worry.

Now as for my other grounding I changed to the tree root one in post #6.
I felt like I was being stretched being pulled down toward the earth it was a nice stretch and I feel really calm and happy right now to.

[AstralMagick]

I like the method where you squeeze out all of the air and count to five as a quick grounding. It's not as effective as one where I'm really imagining the power from Earth and Space, but still good.

[enchancea]

You can cast a circle ... using that to keep out the things that make you uncomfortable.

PS... have you told them to leave? Not ask, told.

Elise
Yes I told them many times but they arent going anywhere

[~Elise~]

Thanks for all those who have reported in on their homework. There are still quite a few who haven't reported in yet. I don't want to continue until we have more reports in.

GET CRACKING, guys.

Elise

[Teresa]

I have been doing the grounding execise from tne link about empaths.I have also been working with my root chakra and doing some techniques from Shatril's class.I feel more peaceful and energized and much less stressed able to remain calm in the mist of crisises since doing these.During the grounding, I imagine roots coming down from my feet and going into the ground.Pushing out the bad energy and feeling a warmth and tingly surge of good energy returning and flowing up thur me.I can feel a warmth that is different than just being hot or cold type.Its a warmth with a sense of peace that nothing can shake me type feeling.I am not very eloquent so it is hard to describe but a golden revitalizing experience.

[~Elise~]

You described it pretty well...glad it is working!

Elise

[~Macha~]

Well... I think I may have figured out why I was so comfortable letting myself go in front of the fire. I focused my energy in the flickering of the flames, and my feet were planted on the cold dewy ground. I guess I just connected with two of the elements, and just grounded on reflex. Could I ever repeat the expereince, I think I might have the other nite... but at least now I know the feeling and "thing" I am looking for.

[wooleybob]

Tonight as I casted my circle,I sat and meditated,relaxing and invisioned myself as the roots of the tree I was by.I focused myself as the deepest roots,letting my body feel as I was the tree,as I sat there with my eyes closed,I took deep breaths,and would raise my hands in a upward motion,when I exhaled I used my hands in a downward motion pushing all my tension and stress from my body into the ground.I did this for about a half hour.This was The first time that I have ever felt so relaxed,and kind of a floating feeling,was I guess you can say a refreshing kind of high.If that makes any sence.As I finished thanking the Goddess/Gods and closed my circle,I felt like I had this bonding with the tree,felt at ease and peace,as though the tree has accepted me as its friend,and in a way I could feel as I was welcomed to come back,almost like it was speaking to me in a way..I have never done nor felt something like this before..I truly feel like I have made a new friend?..Or am I just slipping a cog here in my mind?

[AstralMagick]

I don't think there's anything loose in your brain. :smile:
I often feel very relaxed when I'm touching, or doing Work with a tree. They are very accepting and treat me as one of its children. :ringaroun

[wooleybob]

Thanks..was starting to wonder..But had the most peaceful sleep lastnight in years..

[~Elise~]

Tonight as I casted my circle,I sat and meditated,relaxing and invisioned myself as the roots of the tree I was by.I focused myself as the deepest roots,letting my body feel as I was the tree,as I sat there with my eyes closed,I took deep breaths,and would raise my hands in a upward motion,when I exhaled I used my hands in a downward motion pushing all my tension and stress from my body into the ground.I did this for about a half hour.This was The first time that I have ever felt so relaxed,and kind of a floating feeling,was I guess you can say a refreshing kind of high.If that makes any sence.As I finished thanking the Goddess/Gods and closed my circle,I felt like I had this bonding with the tree,felt at ease and peace,as though the tree has accepted me as its friend,and in a way I could feel as I was welcomed to come back,almost like it was speaking to me in a way..I have never done nor felt something like this before..I truly feel like I have made a new friend?..Or am I just slipping a cog here in my mind?

When doing something like this it is VERY normal to make a bond with the tree. If you will keep up the practice...it will start speaking to you more. Trees have an amazing wisdom.

Elise

[AstralMagick]

It's not that I don't like open areas, but I absolutely LOVE being in a forest/extremely treed area, as I grew up in one (still am) and I'm not exactly a SUN kind of person.

[wooleybob]

Well yesterday was a very hot and nice day.I went back to the place with the Maple tree.
Done everything again the sameway,I felt great..I heard from other friends that the tree's talk,I've always had strong connections with them,and had thought I experinced them talking,but not as I felt the last couple times now.The more I meditate the deeper I feel like in a trance like state,and really feel the tree's wisdom,it is so soothing,and peaceful.
I am not used to this,but now I feel close to the tree,like i've known it all my life?.Can this be normal? Or could this be a bad sign of something Evil.?...I just know its weird and I feel so relaxed at peace afterwards..It might sound weird,but I took some Mirical grow with me and poured some around the tree.I did this as I guess a sign of thanks and kindness to the tree,its old but in full bloom and looks very healthy,was this wrong to do.??

[~Elise~]

putting Miracle Grow around the tree is awesome. And no, it is NOT evil to feel close to the tree. In fact, it gives me an idea of a possible path for you. Have you looked into Druid? They honor trees and their wisdom among other things.

Elise

[~Macha~]

Well... I think I may have figured out why I was so comfortable letting myself go in front of the fire. I focused my energy in the flickering of the flames, and my feet were planted on the cold dewy ground. I guess I just connected with two of the elements, and just grounded on reflex. Could I ever repeat the expereince, I think I might have the other nite... but at least now I know the feeling and "thing" I am looking for.

I am even going in the right direction?

[~Elise~]

Yes, of course you are. It sounds like you've found two elements you really connect with and that is a very good thing. You'll be able to call on them in times of distress and get comfort and protection immediately.

Elise

[Briana]

Hi...sorry for the delay...things have been a bit hectic...and I wanted to give the grounding a good go. I went with Thread 2...amasing...I felt the most intense tingling throughout my entire body. More so than when I pull energy from the sun or moon. It definitely has a different feel to it than the way I used to ground (thru my chakras). Maybe because with the chakras I was just grounding were w/ this one I am grounding and centering? I do have a little bit of a problem envisioning the the last part (the sun coming back down again as rain on my shoulders)...and actually heading back up to the sun is rather difficult too. It may be my 'analytical' mind getting in the way of things...but maybe I just need to continue until my mind 'believes it can happen'.

I also want to try Starhawk's grounding...but wanted to give this one a good chance first.

Blessings,
Briana

[~Elise~]

good work

We still have a few out there who need to get their posts on their homework done.

Elise

[RavensEye]

I had an interesting experince I wanted to share the other night I was sitting on my bed and before I realized it I was doing the grounding exercise i think it was in Post #6 with the roots, and i had the weirdest feeling the roots had pulled me back and then under as I looked up at the tree I was going further into the earth.

On any case I felt so relaxed and it was visually a wonderful experince and sensation, and not to mention i had a really good sleep.

[AstralMagick]

putting Miracle Grow around the tree is awesome. And no, it is NOT evil to feel close to the tree. In fact, it gives me an idea of a possible path for you. Have you looked into Druid? They honor trees and their wisdom among other things.

Elise
I know this was for...Bob? Yes, Wolly Bob (something like that), but I've actually taken a liking for the Druidic path. I've studied only a couple hours on it (I'd say 10), but it's like it was waiting for me.;) Awesome.:)

[~Elise~]

There is a whole forum here for Druid...and some very smart people over there. From what I've seen you can't go wrong listening to anything Twig has to say...he seems to be da man when it comes to Druidry.

JMO and YMMV,

Elise

[wicked_craft]

ok well it has been a while and i havent posted on my homework im sorry, things have been busy and i didnt want to try anythign untill most of it was delt with. i havent sone anythign yet on it but i am going ot do it right now, im not really sure what one im going to do. i have a problem with just keeping my mind on it i know you haveto clear your mind but for me i just cant i do then all of a sudden i think of something i dont mean too but i think i just need to practice more. im going to go now and try my best. ill tell you how it goes.

[wooleybob]

putting Miracle Grow around the tree is awesome. And no, it is NOT evil to feel close to the tree. In fact, it gives me an idea of a possible path for you. Have you looked into Druid? They honor trees and their wisdom among other things.

Elise
But can I be both?..Wiccan and Druid???..Because I have been Wiccan for quite awhile?

[wicked_craft]

well i think that my medictaion turned out great, you know how i said i can never focus, well this time i did. i first started out doing the meditation when you imagine roots going from your feet into the ground feeling the dirt etc...well i did that and i went slowly up fromthe ground to every part of my body i could feel it going to my feet up tot he knees to my stomach to my back to my shoulders and all the way to my fingers. it was amzing, i could feel a tingle in my feet instantly. i felt a tingling sensation/ a painful feeling all the way to my body.

then i felt i should try another meditation since i was so focused, so i tryed the one where you could imagine a ball of lightin your chest by your heart. i could feel the warmth. i didnt do this one to long though, but before i finished i thanked nature all around me, i imagined myself hugging trees and laying onthe ground in the grass, i could feel the grass and the trees. and right before i opened my eys i saw the balll of light, it got smaller and smaller untill i couldnt see it anymore then i opened my eyes, now i feel so energized.

thanks so much for the meditation ideas, these ones really helped for me. i plan on doing these ones alot. and practiceing t do the more extreme ones. THANKS AGIAN!!!!! -kt- :bouncysmi

[~Elise~]

You could be Wiccan with Druid tendancies, I guess. I think you'll find the two mesh well. BUT you also may just find that Druid fits you even better. You won't know until you look into it.

Elise

[~Elise~]

well i think that my medictaion turned out great, you know how i said i can never focus, well this time i did. i first started out doing the meditation when you imagine roots going from your feet into the ground feeling the dirt etc...well i did that and i went slowly up fromthe ground to every part of my body i could feel it going to my feet up tot he knees to my stomach to my back to my shoulders and all the way to my fingers. it was amzing, i could feel a tingle in my feet instantly. i felt a tingling sensation/ a painful feeling all the way to my body.

then i felt i should try another meditation since i was so focused, so i tryed the one where you could imagine a ball of lightin your chest by your heart. i could feel the warmth. i didnt do this one to long though, but before i finished i thanked nature all around me, i imagined myself hugging trees and laying onthe ground in the grass, i could feel the grass and the trees. and right before i opened my eys i saw the balll of light, it got smaller and smaller untill i couldnt see it anymore then i opened my eyes, now i feel so energized.

thanks so much for the meditation ideas, these ones really helped for me. i plan on doing these ones alot. and practiceing t do the more extreme ones. THANKS AGIAN!!!!! -kt- :bouncysmi

K--sounds like a new convert to grounding and centering. You need to do this on a daily basis to make it become habit. It will get easier and easier for you and it will become a habit.

[~Elise~]

I'll try to post the shielding exercises next week before the handfasting--so you will have next week and the week after for the homework. Please get this lesson's homework posted.

For those who have posted their homework...please keep doing at least one of these every day. We'll add the shielding into your daily routine, as well.

Elise

[wicked_craft]

ok, i will. im so excitedthat it worked hahahah thanks

[wooleybob]

You could be Wiccan with Druid tendancies, I guess. I think you'll find the two mesh well. BUT you also may just find that Druid fits you even better. You won't know until you look into it.

Elise
Are there any site's with the combo of both?..I been looking and havent found much?

[~Elise~]

go look in the Druid forum here on MW...see what is there. Send Twig a PM if you don't find anything and ask his advice.

Elise

[AstralMagick]

But can I be both?..Wiccan and Druid???..Because I have been Wiccan for quite awhile?
Wiccans have quite a different belief system, though you could combine your knowledge of both and make out of it what is best for you.

[wooleybob]

Thanks..I'll go snoop around in the druid thread and see what I can find out..

[wooleybob]

well I spoke with Phi on the Druid site...aaahh I think I'll stay on the Wiccan side,I guess its kinda outta control over there and complicated with discussions getting heated from what I hear?..

[Sage Rainsong]

Hey Pearls59,

I just got this idea from a book. Have you heard of anyone using a grounding bag? Basically you just one of thoes pouches that is green brown or black and fill it with stones and roots associated with grounding ,like hematie. Do you think that it is a good idea? Im thinking about making one.

[~Elise~]

Anything that will help you either stay grounded or ground quicker is a great idea. I say go for it!

Elise