Guest Author - Fiona Blackwolf

Grounding is one of the most important skills that any Wiccan should have. When you are grounded you are better able to focus on everything from the smallest mundane task, to the most important ritual work. Grounding can help to alleviate stress and put you in a proper state of mind for anything you want to do. Below I am going to share with you one of my favorite techniques for grounding. Often however, before you begin to ground, it helps to center your self. For more information on centering yourself, check out the link to Centering here

When you are ready, the following exercise can help you ground.

Sit on the floor in a comfortable position. If you need to sit in a chair make sure that your feet are flat on the ground and that you are relaxed. Take three deep breaths. Visualize that there is a root which grows from the base of your spine or the soles of your feet. This root begins to work its way down through the floor… through the foundation of the building…Into the dirt. It works its way down deep into the Earth. Down through the layers of and, rock and soil. …Deep into the Earth where you see a large pool of brilliant energy. Here your root splits into two. On a nearby boulder, tie one end of the root to anchor you. Let the other end of the root slip into the energy pool.

Release all of the negativity, tension and stress of the day. All of the heavy energy you called back, into the pool so that it can be transformed. Feel it flow away from you making you feel more relaxed. When all of that energy is gone, begin to allow the root to drink in fresh, clean, new energy from the pool. Only take what you need. When you are finished, pull the root back and untie your anchor. Feel the root slowly work its way back up through the sand, rock and soil… Up through the dirt and into the foundation. Back through the floor and return to your body. Take three deep breaths and return to the room you are in.

After completing any type of grounding exercise, it is important to take a moment to assess how you are feeling. Are you feeling lightheaded? Are you feeling solid and complete? If you are feeling off in any way take a moment to lie on the floor and let some of the excess energy return to the earth. Also, eating a little bit of protein or chocolate is a good way to end an exercise like the one above. Food is an excellent way to ground excess energy.

Grounding is an important skill to have and many Wiccans make it a part of their daily routine. It can help to bring balance and focus in a world which often seems to move too fast. Similar exercises to the one above can be found in numerous books on Wicca, such as, Spiral Dance by Starhawk and Witchcrafting by Phyllis Currott. It is important to note that not everyone will find the same exercises helpful. Keep reading and researching until you find the ones that work for you.