Elements are part of our daily lives. We walk amongst them as they are responsible for the great balance of our planet.
Every day, we get a chance to connect with them and yet, they have become invisible to our eyes. We have become insensitive to their presence. Or worse, we get upset when they get in the way. Too much rain, not enough water, too much wind, destructive fires, earthquakes, and what is even aether anyway?
Each of the 5 element holds life, spirit, symbolism, and unique healing attributes.
Through the lens of different cultures, principles, and ancient beliefs, we invite you to reconnect with their sacredness in your everyday life.
Symbolism of the 5 elements
For thousands of years, ancient civilizations have used the symbolism of elements to illustrate different principles, often related to health or spirituality. Some of them are common to all cultures and some are sometimes traded. In this first part of the article, we will introduce you to the 5 elements as described by the Ancient Greeks, and most commonly used in the Western World.
Water as a symbol of intuition
Let’s start with water! Since life on Earth started with water, since we are made of water, and since it is the chosen element of Raindrop Movement. Water is often considered the most feminine of all elements for she connects us to our womb, to our sacred space. Just like a river flows, our emotions constantly move through us. Our feminine is our ability to feel more than to think. Science has shown that water has memory. She is a symbol of intuition, of deep, inner understanding, of the body’s wisdom we hold at a cellular level.
Earth as a symbol of regeneration
Earth is the closest element to our human condition. She keeps us grounded every step of the journey. She is a symbol of fertility, but also, of death and rebirth. She reminds us of the eternal cycles of nature through which she inspires us to honor our own rhythm. Just like Mother Earth, we have the power to regenerate ourselves in rest and stillness.
Air as a symbol of creativity
Air is the element of creativity. He brings a wind of change, a new perspective. He offers new pieces of information every time we breath him in. Air can’t be seen or grasped and yet, he shapes all that he touches, putting the landscape in motion. Air is an invitation to explore, to be bold, and move through life in a non-linear way.
Fire as a symbol of transformation
Fire has the power to transform almost anything he comes in contact with, but careful not to get burned. Fire is not to be played with. Did you know that fire has no shadow? He is the source of light himself. He is that passion that inhabits us relentlessly. He is a symbol of strength, resilience, and vitality.
Aether as a symbol of spirit
Aether is the 5th element and the most mysterious one. Also called ether, void, space, or quintessence, it takes us beyond the visible world. Aether is what fills the places in between and connects us all through a subtle energy field. Aether is the liminal space between us and the spirit world.
How to connect with the elements?
As we enter the second part of this article, we invite you to put on new glasses and keep reading with a curious mind. What if the elements not only played an ecological role on the planet, but what if they were alive in some way? What if they had a spirit? What if they carried messages? How would you approach them then?
Slow down
Slowing down is the first principle of the Raindrop Movement arc as it allows us to drop out of our thinking mind and into our sensing body. Next time you step out of your home, don’t rush anywhere. Walk slower than you ever did and feel your feet on the ground, feel the sun on your face — or maybe the gentle rain — and receive the caress of the wind on your skin. How does that feel now? Let this be a playful walk and simply observe how your body reacts to this experiment.
If slowing down is still a challenge for you, join our next free, monthly session on September 4th to reconnect to your body’s wisdom.
Give and receive
Connecting with any element is like starting a relationship. You want to be supported, but how can you offer support in return?
In many indigenous traditions, and still today, people always ask for permission before taking anything from the earth. They would make a prayer before entering water, before talking to the fire. But most importantly, they would never take more than they need, and always give something back. Offerings are a common way of showing reciprocity.
This follows the universal law of giving and receiving. Deepak Chopra defined it in the most beautiful words: “And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.”
Create an altar
An altar is any collection of objects and symbols that are sacred to you. Creating a physical representation of that sacredness helps the embodiment of that energy and it creates a portal for you to connect to your Sacred Feminine.
If you already have an altar, you can simply add the following items if they resonate with you. If you don’t have one yet, consider this your invitation to start one!
To connect with water, simply place a small glass of water at the center of your altar and renew it every day.
To connect with the earth element, you can use stones, leaves, flowers, or seeds — any beautiful gift you received from Mama Gaïa.
A bird’s feather can represent the element of air.
Light up a candle to connect with fire.
Finally, burn something that smells delicious to connect with aether and send your prayers to the spirit world.
Create mindful rituals to connect with the elements
You might already be connecting with the elements on a regular basis without even noticing. Think about it, when you burn a piece of palo santo, white sage, or copal, you are calling in all the elements. The trees or plants come from the earth. Water helped them grow. You light them with fire. The smoke connects you with the air and aether.
And if you would like to connect with each element individually, we have some suggestions for you.
Take an herbal bath to connect with water
From the Ayurvedic baths of India to the mandi bunga — flower baths — of Indonesia, these ancient rituals are known to provide many health benefits:
- Physical benefits: release muscle pain, improve blood circulation, and ease congestion
- Emotional benefits: stress relief
- Spiritual benefits: since ancient Egypt, herbal baths are believed to purify and cleanse energy
If you don’t have a bathtub, simply make a bouquet of your favorite medicinal herbs such as eucalyptus, rue, or rosemary. Spray them with flower water and swipe yourself with it — this is the Mayan way.
Spend some time on your womb connecting with your own waters. Let it wash away all that you’ve been holding and no longer serves you.
Ground to connect with earth
Grounding or earthing involves going out in nature, a park, or your garden, and anchoring your bare feet to the ground. This mindful practice allows you to receive electrons from the earth which are believed to reduce inflammation in your body.
Many variables are considered in this ritual, and the benefits could also partly come from secondary elements. For a complete experience, give yourself a full nature bath. Stand in the sunlight if available, notice the sounds of birds, observe the wildlife. They will all contribute to your overall wellbeing.
Following this principle, every Raindrop Movement session begins lying down on the ground to find safety and feel the support of Mother Earth.
Sing to connect with air
Singing is not just a fun thing to do, it allows air to travel through you, deepening your connection with this element. The Singing for Health Network gathered several scientific studies and listed the numerous health benefits of using your voice. Among them we can name:
- Improvement of respiratory system
- Reduction of pain by the production of endorphins
- Reduction of cortisol — the stress hormone
- Memory stimulation
And if you’re open to practicing with others, or maybe even joining a choir, you might also produce oxytocin — the love hormone — and enhance your overall well-being.
Pray to connect with fire
Across time and cultures, the fire is a place of sacred gatherings. He is a portal to the spiritual world. Maya people say that the fire is the ear of God. The fire is where you pray. He is your confident, he knows all your secrets.
Every time you light up a candle on your altar, take a moment to connect with the flame. Observe her dance, her colors, and feel her warmth. Use this time to set your intention for the ritual you are about to perform. What is it you desire the most? What are you seeking? What do you need to let go of?
And when you’re complete, if you need to turn the candle of, don’t forget to thank the fire for his support, and the possible answers you might have received.
Be inspired by aether
Have you ever wondered where your ideas came from? How do you get inspired? It looks different for everyone. Maybe you receive messages in your dreams, maybe reading, painting, writing, meditating, or walking in nature. Whatever your form is, this is your connection to the divine!
Make it a sacred practice and cultivate this relationship. If your dreams speak to you, write them in a journal and start putting the pieces together. If you like to create, devote yourself to your art and allow the expansion. If meditation is a powerful tool for you, then pick your time and make it a daily habit.
If you wish to connect with, heal, and rebalance the elements within you, meet us at the Wild Woman’s Altar on August 2nd! In the safety of our Zoom container, and in sacred sisterhood, you will receive an energy healing from Nada Mesqui, Founder of Raindrop Movement.
Sources:
- The Northwest School of Aromatic Medicine. The Art of Herbal Bath. Accessed July 8th, 2024.
- National Library of Medicine. The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Accessed July 8th.
- Andrew Huberman. AMA #10: Benefits of Nature & “Grounding," Hearing Loss Research & Avoiding Altitude Sickness. Accessed July 8th.
- Singing for Health Network. An overview of Singing for Health Research. Accessed July 8Th.
