Finding flow with the water element in summer.
rituals for the senses and the soul.
“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”
— Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad.
Hi all
I hope you have all had a good week or so?
It was wonderful to be back under expansive skies as we were bathed in the crystal clear sunshine of the South of France. The light revealing a soothing palette of linen-like stone crumpled with age, accents of soft chalky blue and fresh herb green shutters, alongside the underlying robust terracotta and turmeric tones.
However, it wasn’t a straight-forward trip due to a very unfortunate sickness bug that struck my daughter on the way to the airport (can you believe?!); it lasted well into the week (and beyond actually…). We had some lovely times in-between the sickness but it was tricky to get into that glorious, languid holiday rhythm but perhaps that was ambitious with two toddlers anyway…!
Seasonal living and elemental wisdom.
I have been exploring the seasons from an elemental living perspective which means noticing the dominant element present within the season looking to bring it into balance using the contrasting, complementary elements.
Summer is governed predominantly by the fire element and to a lesser extent, water — creating a sense of sultry steaminess. I started the season by noting fire as the dominant element and water as the balancing element, but I think it is safe to say that we have seen both this year, with June being the warmest on record for the UK, and July one of the wettest…!
As a result, there is possibly less need to find sources of water to quench the dryness and heat of summer but instead, I have put together some practical rituals for working with the energetic aspects of water, which should help us to find flow in the rest of summer, and for our approaching transition into autumn.
But first, I thought it would be helpful to explain what I mean by elemental living…
What is elemental living?
The elements of earth, air, fire, water (and ether) exist everywhere and underpin all of our lives whether we realise it or not. By becoming aware of their physical and energetic qualities we can observe where we may be out of balance and help to bring ourselves into equilibrium, a good foundation to live from.
The intelligence and influence of the elements can be found everywhere, in the characteristics of the astrological signs, within the seasons around us and even in our daily lives — down to the food we eat, the way we spend our time and how we arrange the space in our homes.
The ancient Indian health system of Ayurveda maintains that our individual physical and psychological constitution is made up of the elements, often with one or two in dominance but we should aim to bring all into balance in order to live with most ease, contentment and abundance.
For example, if you are feeling overstimulated and overwhelmed, it is thought that there is an imbalance of the air element and it is necessary to call on the other elements for support — i.e. the grounding properties of earth to bring the energy down from your mind into your body creating a sense of safety; the fire element to transform scattered thoughts into action and the water element to create flow and ease in moving forward. Does this make sense to you…?
Softening summer.
Summer can feel intense due to the increased length and potency of light and heat. Although we can thrive under the brighter, warmer conditions; summer days can require additional outgoing energy to sustain extra activities and travel.
Again, we can draw on the other elements to soften the strength of summer — earth to bring stillness, rest and a pause; air to clear and purify and water for its easeful coolness.
Yet summer 2023 has been filled to the brim with the water element at times; from welcome warm summer rain and its refreshing petrichor, to periods of unabating rainfall with a cool edge and overtones of autumn.
For some reason the rain hasn’t bothered me in quite the same way as it would have done in the past, possibly due to the abundance it has created in the garden, without needing to rely on watering — a different story to the blistering heat and drought conditions of last year.
So whilst the water element has manifested itself through plentiful puddles rather than the wild swimming I had in mind; I am thinking of the energetic qualities of the water element to create ease and flow in the pressure cooker of summer, trickling into the new season beyond…
Water rituals for the senses and the soul.
touch | infused water.
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