Grounding
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
Grounding is a technique of energy linkage, the human energy alone or with any combination of increased spiritual, or magickal energies, communicated into the physical Earth. The unique energies of the Earth as a dynamic being are also communicable from the Earth into the witch. Central to the practice of grounding is the theory of holistic interconnectedness, whereby humanity is energetically identical with all surrounding matter, with distinctions in form being the expressions of arrangement, not separation. In grounding, the witch communes with the Earth and that wholeness, which is described as deep, old, wise, stable, patient, providing, nurturing, etc. The benefits of this interaction are calming, balancing, focusing, renewing, and healing to the practitioner.
Grounding is one activity that is always appropriate regardless of the circumstance during magick work. If one feels the need to direct energy out of the self into the Earth, follow that intuition. Grounding is a safety valve against blown circuits in the body caused by overloads of spiritual energy.
Grounding is also one of the few unique gifts that humans can give to the Mother Earth. Our love and gratitude imbued energies are singularly gifted by us as a form of nurturing for the planet. One trusts that the planetary wisdom will utilize the energy influx in the most appropriate way.
Grounding is also how witches decompress and return to a normal vibrational level after a magickal working. It is not considered healthy to carry a highly increased vibrational field when not directing it consciously with focus and will. Ending a ritual or magickal working with grounding can return one to a healthful vibration.
To
do grounding, kneel or sit on the ground and place your hands on the floor
or Earth, palms down. Envision a flow of energy filled with gratitude and
healing, while remembering your absolute dependency how everything you have
ever had or experienced was of the Earth. On this flow, return some human
energy to the planet, see specific areas needing help and healing if it
helps you focus. Breath deeply, and especially emphasize the out breath.
You may ask for the aspect of graceful reception to be brought up as a lesson,
as you seek to be like the Earth, able to endure patiently and adapt constantly.
Because the energy of a magickal working provides excesses of life force
energy, you can retain all that you need for personal needs and healing
while returning that which is beyond your needs into the Earth. Continue
this until a shift occurs in your field, and a sense of calm and completion
fills you. * For a grounding meditation, refer to the Meditations and
Exercises section of this course.