Summer Begins
RITUAL: Grounding | SOLAR TERM: Li Xia | SEASON: Spring-Summer
May 6 - May 20
The seventh solar term of the Chinese calendar is called Li Xia. Li Xia means, the “Beginning of Summer”. It’s the time of year when we begin the transition out of Spring and move into Summer.
As with all seasonal transitions, there is an intermediate period of energy stabilizing Earth energy. The Wood element of Spring fuels the Fire element of Summer. But first, there is a respite in which the ascending yang energy is balanced by the yin energy of Mother Earth.
Li Xia is the perfect time to establish a grounding practice. Grounding, or “earthing” is the direct physical contact with the surface of the Earth that creates an exchange of energy. This therapeutic technique involves activities that “ground”, or electrically connect your body with the Earth.
The human body carries a positive charge and if not released periodically it can build up. Earth has a negative charge. When we make contact with the Earth, our bodies are able to discharge the accumulation of that excess energy, resulting in a healing effect at the cellular level.
Grounding is beneficial not just for our physical health, but also our mental and emotional wellbeing. Performing grounding techniques can reduce stress, facilitate better sleep and improve overall health and wellbeing. Grounding can pull us back from our past memories and future planning to the present moment. Connecting with the Earth in this way allows us to release stored energy and emotions.
We can absorb a flow of electrons from the Earth’s surface through the soles of our feet, the palms of our hands and any direct contact with the surface of the Earth. The earth can be covered by the grass in your backyard or a park. If you don’t live near the ocean, you can create a sand box or Zen garden to use for daily grounding practices.
Following are 6 simple ways to practice grounding.
Grounding Methods
Go Barefoot - Take off your socks and shoes and stand or walk barefoot.
Lie Down on the Ground - Lie down with your back directly on the ground in savasana or when sun bathing.
Mediate Outside - Sit with your root chakra directly on the ground to mediate.
Exercise on the Grass - Do your daily qigong, tai chi, yin yoga or Vinyasa flow directly on the grass.
Walk on the Beach - Walk barefoot in the sand on the beach.
Ground Indoors - Use grounding equipment and devices like mats under your office chair, sheets or blankets on your bed, and for your person - socks, bands and patches.
Share in the comments your favorite ways to ground and how you like to connect with the Earth. Do you have a field of flowers to lie down in, or a beach to walk barefoot on, a grassy backyard to practice 108 sun salutations or some earthing sheets to sleep on?
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Dara Eden is the author of HER Rituals for the Divine Feminine, a periodical guide created in December of 2021. The 8 Elements, her life’s work, provides guidance about how to honor the essential needs and highest values of your personal feng shui element. Inspired by an Internet challenge designed for men, she created 365WISE, a daily self-care practice that supports women in honoring their needs and listening to their inner wisdom.
In HER Rituals, she offers insights, ideas and intuitive guidance about ways to honor your needs, values and unique expression of the divine feminine.
HER Rituals is a Womb Wisdom KeepHER’s guide to cyclical rituals for sovereign women. It provides insightful information, inspirational ideas and intuitive guidance on daily and seasonal rituals you can practice as a form of self-care. Read about ancient wisdom and philosophical principles, holistic approaches and traditional skills, slow work and intentional living, embodiment practices and immersive experiences.
