Emma cannon our columnist shares two ancient practices for traditional chinese medicine’s earth element phase

Embrace earth

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the five elements are known as wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each of them is associated with a certain body organ, a colour, a taste, an emotion and a season of the year – among other things. As we enter the time of year associated with the earth phase, here are my favourite rituals for you to try relating to this element.

Build your boundaries

Needing to please other people can overwhelm the earth type who does not have good boundaries. One of the central themes of earth is: how do we realise our connectedness and our oneness without losing who we are? The answer is through good boundaries.

Ritual: Think about who allows you to feel safe

Imagine now, being with someone for whom you feel safe and think about their characteristics. I expect you know where you stand with that person. They are not afraid to call you out kindly, or themselves. They know who they are and there is a safety in that knowing. They are true to themselves and do not betray themselves. They don’t say one thing and do another. They are clear and you understand where they are coming from, even if it isn’t your truth or even if it causes you some discomfort. They do not take responsibility for your responses, only their own. There is emotional clarity.

Consider your sacrifices

In sacrifice there is an energetic movement away from the reciprocal nature of earth; there is a giving without receiving. The energy of sacrifice is often started within the family dynamic and carries within it the martyr archetype. There is an underlying belief that you can be sacrificed for the greater good, or you will sacrifice yourself to keep the peace. In this dynamic no one wins.

I have also frequ