The Earth element is associated with times of change throughout the year, which happen between each of the seasons around the two solstices and the two equinoxes. 

Solstices and equinoxes are astronomical event of the Sun reaching its highest position in the sky as viewed from the North or South Pole, one day to mark the onset of the winter season and one day to mark the onset of the summer season of 72 days each . On these days the tilt of the axis of the Earth (with respect to the Sun) is the maximum at 23° 26′. A transition phases begin about 7 days before each solstice and equinox and continue for about 7 days after, which constitute an approximate three-week period of adjustment between the seasons. Totaling 72 days, the Doyo, or Earth, is its own “mini-season”. It is a time of transformation and balancing, as well as a time of fluctuating temperature and weather before completely transitioning to the next season. It is common for people to get sick or have health complications during these transitional periods. It presents an opportunity for us to fortify our own internal Earth, to claim or reclaim our central and rightful position between heaven and Earth, and to allow the proper flow of energy (qi) and healing light through us.

This mini-season invites us to center before adjusting to the change of season. Every season has an organ system that peaks, a balancing taste, sound, color, direction. Learning and developing habits that optimize our mind, body, spirit each season, trains us in the ever changing nature of life. When we seek stability in external forces like jobs or relationships, we may not cope well when they change.  However when we embrace dynamic lifestyle habits of each season, we learn to relax and even rejoice in the ever changing nature of reality.

During this transition season, literally practice balancing exercise. 

Tree pose

1. From standing, shift your weight onto your right foot.
2. Position your left foot to the side with your heel lifted, or place the sole of your foot against your ankle, shin, or thigh.
3. Place your hands in any comfortable position.
4. Hold for up to 1 minute.
5. Then do the opposite side.

*During this exercise, avoid placing your foot on your knee.*

Heel-to-toe walk

1. Stand with your heels pressing into a wall.
2. Place your left foot in front of your right foot.
3. Touch your left heel to your right toes.
4. Then place your right foot in front of your right foot.
5. Touch your right heel to your left toes.
6. Continue for 20 steps.

Mind-Body Balance Exercise

After a series of at least 8 physical balance postures, sit quietly and notice your next 8 breaths.

Now reflect on any upcoming changes that you are facing for a minimum of 8 minutes.

Decisions made from a centered and quiet place, can be trusted.

Decisions made from anxiety, worry, reaction and stress, are to be avoided.

On my first clinic of the season, I opened a deck Water/Winter element wisdom cards and choose this card to start off our season.  I chose the card – You are resilient.  After a year like 2020, I happily receive this affirmation. Last year, I completed the Element Wisdom Card Decks in real time. Each deck of 73 cards (Water, Earth, Wood, Fire, Metal) guides us through one of the four seasons or through the 18 days around each Transitional time of the two solstices and equinoxes.  This year, I will be taking us deeper by diving into the cards, offering practical and simple seasonal support, and delivering via our blog subscribers with inspirations on SM.  If you want to stay up to date sign up here or click the grey envelope on our website: http://drsaritaelizabeth.com/ You can now also search the blog by keyword or card title.  And follow us on IG while your at it!

I always feel more resilient when I eat vital, simply prepared foods.  This week, I will guide you through a gentle holiday reset to help you feel better too! Spoiler alert:  the winter is NOT the best time to detox – save that for spring and fall.  I will guide you in seasonal harmony throughout 2021 as I am developing on-line and in-person group experiences.  I want to witness your health transformation this year.  xoxoxo Sarita

Learn more about how to use your Element Wisdom Card decks on our Ways to Play tab.  And if you haven’t yet discovered our cards – learn more & purchase here.

May your solstice be magical.
Center: pink rose quartz star @sierra.earthworks in lichen nest
Sego palm seeds
Resurrection fern fronds
Camellia flowers
Sea shells from the gulf coast
Nandia seeds
Stump and slab compliments of Hurricane Sally

If you grew up in the south it is likely you have heard the old adage “God made dirt, and dirt don’t hurt,” but is there something really to that?  You many have seen a tv show about individuals with a drive to eat non-food items also known as pica, but when it comes to eating dirt, this phenomenon is often referred to by a more specific term “geophagia.”  When someone is exhibiting geophagia they are most likely struggling with a deficiency.  In some parts of Africa eating the soil is considered a telltale sign of a pregnancy.  One of the most interesting examples of geophagia is the kaolin ingestion common in the Georgia Piedmont region that appears to me mostly generationaly driven.  If you visit many small stores in this region you will come across “novelty” dirt, but the locals all know the dirt isn’t likely to be just a novelty.  If you grew up in this area you may have developed an affinity for the taste of this dirt and crave it like others crave various treats from their childhood.  With all this draw to eat dirt, is there any health benefit to eating dirt?  Let’s dig a little deeper.

In recent years microbiologists and immunologists have been working hard to discover what is causing the great shifts in allergies and inflammatory diseases which have been witnessing an upturn since as early as the 1980’s. A new study from Russia and Finland has found that children who were growing up in the country as opposed to more urban areas experienced fewer allergies and had more Acinetobacter naturally occurring on their skin.  Acinetobacter is one of the good bacteria that you were warned about killing if you kept using so much hand sanitizer.  To test their theories scientists brought out the mice. They took one group of mice kept in clean litter in a laboratory setting and a second set of mice in soil saturated litter and stored in a barn. After 6 weeks the mice in the “dirty” cage were less susceptible to allergens and asthma and had a greater presence of “good bacteria” in their guts. The mice in the “dirty” cage also had higher levels of anti-inflammatory proteins that are known to ward off asthma.  

Perhaps a more familiar form of soil used for health purposes is clay.  Bentonite clay is used internally to bind toxins as part of some detoxification routines.  One of our most popular chinese herbal supplements ~ Classical Pearl, created by my teacher in Portland, Oregon, has a small amount of mineral rich clay that is used synergistically to detoxify while balancing organ systems.  During the recent months we have made several changes to our practice.  One of these is moving all of our product sales to e-pharmacy providers or special orders when the product is not available.  Our patients receive a three month prescription that can be directly ordered and delivered to their home.  This is made possible by Crane Herb Company, whose mission follows:  We are dedicated to empowering Chinese herb practitioners in their lives as healers. To this end, we offer you and your patients the finest herb products, prescriptions, books, and medical supplies that we can find. And boy are we grateful for them during these changing times.

In short, a little dirt probably won’t hurt.  You definitely should keep washing your hands, especially when you have been out in public, but some bacteria is ok.  The bacteria on your garden fresh vegetables might even help you be healthier.

https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/the-influence-of-soil-on-human-health-66885

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/would-you-like-side-dirt-eating-soil/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10071665

Today we invite you to embrace your Earth Element via self-care.  Take this quiz and download a tip sheet full of balancing superfoods, lifestyle suggestions and even an affirmation to start or refine the dynamic journey to the healthiest version of you as you discover your Elemental Constitution and begin your journey of re-wilding yourself back to source.

Click here for Elemental Wisdom Quiz

Clicking the grey ‘follow’ envelope above will deliver weekly health and wellness tips to your inbox via our weekly cultivating wellness blog.

We are dynamic beings.  We change.  We change under influences such as the seasons, life situation, and our current physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states and even the aging process.  Typically we have main constitution element and a secondary constitutional  (which may be the same or different as the main element). As we become more and more self aware and heal our imbalances, we will manifest and move more freely from one elemental state to the next during the natural generative cycle represented by the seasons.  Come back and take our quiz again in another iteration of yourself!

The 12/12 full moon illuminated our final earth transition phase for the year.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine the transitional time between the changing of the seasons, is referred to as the ‘Doyo’. Each season corresponds to a specific element and the seasonal transition periods relate to Earth element(click to read Return to the Earth post). As we approach the Winter Solstice (December 21), we are currently in the transitional period between Autumn to Winter from the end of Metal to the start of Water.

Earth element is the transitional time between the seasons.

The Earth element is associated with times of change throughout the year, which happen between each of the seasons around the two solstices and the two equinoxes.  Solstices and equinoxes are astronomical event of the Sun reaching its highest position in the sky as viewed from the North or South Pole, one day to mark the onset of the winter season and one day to mark the onset of the summer season of 72 days each . On these days the tilt of the axis of the Earth (with respect to the Sun) is the maximum at 23° 26′. A transition phases begin about 7 days before each solstice and equinox and continue for about 7 days after, which constitute an approximate three-week period of adjustment between the seasons. Totaling 72 days, the Doyo, or Earth, is its own “mini-season”. It is a time of transformation and balancing, as well as a time of fluctuating temperature and weather before completely transitioning to the next season. It is common for people to get sick or have health complications during these transitional periods. It presents an opportunity for us to fortify our own internal Earth, to claim or reclaim our central and rightful position between heaven and Earth, and to allow the proper flow of energy (qi) and healing light through us.

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