Fall into fall (is your earth element balanced)?

Sundays was the Fall Equinox and the first day of fall.

Have you been feeling the buzz of summer’s fire energy wearing down?

I know I have!  The past few days I have been feeling tired and craving extra rest. 

Just as farmers harvest their crops we are guided to harvest the things that we have experienced during the summer.  In today's blog I will give you specific ways to help you harvest what you cultivated (grew) this summer and I will help you identify if your earth element is balanced!

In Chinese Medicine Fall is associated with the earth element.  As summer’s fire energy wears down we are being called to come back to our centers, nourish ourselves, and find our balance.   Mother Earth is a perfect example of the earth element.  She teaches us how to give unconditionally, support and nourish others, and also to give to ourselves.  
 
Last week I found myself wanting to spend a lot of extra time outside.  I actually found myself extra anxious when I was indoors.  I have been thinking a lot about my summer revaluating friendships and business opportunities.  As I reflect, I notice which ones bring/ brought me nourishment and which ones left me feeling unbalanced.  When relationships aren’t balanced and we begin to give away our energy it shows up in the body as not absorbing nutrients, cravings, constant hunger, or blood sugar imbalance.  

The past month, my stomach has been a little more bloated and hurting a little more frequently.  This is my signal that my earth energy is out of balance.  The
organs associated with the earth element are the stomach, spleen, and pancreas. They help us digest and process the nutrients we eat. 

Your earth element may be out of balance if you:

• Find yourself overthinking things. 
• Find yourself feeling anxious, worried, or thinking about the past/ future.
• Experience physical symptoms of acid reflux, indigestion, or mucus in the upper digestive system.
• Feel bloated or like you are retaining fluids.
• Crave comfort foods or feels excessively hungry.  
• Feel emotional or wanting support from others

Some questions to reflect on this fall and to help you balance your earth energy:
What have I learned that I want to bring with me to winter?
Are there areas in life or relationships where I have over given?
Are there any areas where I need to receive more from others or myself?
What can I do to come back to center, find balance, and rebuild for the winter?

I have been reflecting on ways I can give more to myself.  And today, I was at the store and as I walked past the vegetable aisle the fresh flowers popped out at me and said “buy me”!  I have never bought myself flowers but there was a bunch of pink roses that felt like they were meant for me…so I bought them!  As I walked through the store with the roses in my buggy I almost felt like a giddy little girl.  I felt like people where looking at me (even though they weren’t).  I felt proud and I felt myself sparkling.  As I look at these roses sitting on my desk the message that comes to me is “why do we treat ourselves with food or material things, when it leaves us feeling more shame, guilt, and unworthy”?   

Over the next few weeks make some extra time to sit with yourself and practice self-care.  So often we are fixated on giving and doing for others and we forget to give to ourselves.   If you feel an inspired do something special for yourself to celebrate your growth or simply to say I love you! :0)

As always thank you for being part of my community! 
Much Love! Lyns