Earth Element

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The Earth element represents the ground beneath our feet. It is the connection we have with the world in which we live and the universe. Earth is where we get nourishment, support, and life.

Corresponding attributes:
  • Organs: Spleen and Stomach
  • Function: Digestion
  • Emotion: Worry (negative) and Thoughtful (positive)
  • Energy:  Downward

Personality: This Element is associated with the archetype of the Mother, whose great strength is her tremendously caring, giving nature. These people are the best friends in the world because they truly care about you and want to be there for you in every way. If you're Earth, your first thought is How can I help? Your sympathetic, affectionate nature makes you reach out in friendship to whoever comes into your life. The power of this element is in the home, family, comfort, and security.

This element is about nurturing and taking care of others. Relationships are very important to you, and family and friends are a big part of your life. Faithful, sympathetic, and sentimental in relationships, you need people in your life who are emotionally open and available because a full connection is the only one that will satisfy you. You'd rather be with others than alone; and when you're by yourself, you're probably planning the next time you'll see a friend.

Your challenge is your tendency to worry. It's the energy of the caretaker to have her mind busy with how she's going to fill the needs of those who depend on her. This element can be needy or even become resentful over time, which is the negative archetype of Mother: over-involved, obsessing about details, nagging, or intrusive. Because you care so much about the people you love, you can become too caught up in their lives. If a relationship ends, you may have a hard time letting go.

As a member of this Element, change isn't your favorite thing; instead, you enjoy predictability. Because of your tendency to avoid change, you can get stuck in life more easily than any other Element. It's the nature of Earth to be unmoving, and once you settle in, it can be hard to get going again.
Because you love to be surrounded by your favorite things, you can have a problem with clutter. This can create cluttered thoughts, which can lead to inefficient work - that is, not being able to be concise and efficient. You can worry so much that your mind becomes muddled.

Clothing: Comfort is a top priority, and you'll always choose that over style. For this reason, loose-fitting clothing is a favorite. You'll also avoid tight waistbands in clothes because this element tends to give you more of a tummy. Your colors are warm Earth tones such as yellow, gold, pink, and beige. You'll love to wear a sweater that was a gift from a friend or a T-shirt that holds good memories for you. You'll probably prefer flatter shoes with rounded toes and will avoid pointy heels at all costs.

Home: Because your favorite position is sitting, we'll find at least one big overstuffed chair or couch in your home. You won't mind smaller rooms since they feel homey and warm. You enjoy anything that creates the sense of the family home - personal mementos, collections, family pictures, seasonal decorations, crafts and handmade gifts will embellish your home.

Movement: Well, if you're purely Earth, you'd be perfectly content not having to exercise at all! You probably won't stay with a regimen that requires a lot of exertion or requires you to wear skimpy clothing. Having to learn how to use specialized equipment isn't at all supportive of Earth energy. An exercise class with friends is great, and walking with a companion is a wonderful way to fulfill your need for connection while still getting a healthy workout.

Profession: You're a good collaborator and excel in partnerships, and you're much happier working this way than alone. Skilled at supporting projects or individuals, you're thoughtful and good with details; you can sit still to finish what others have started. Teaching, customer relations, sales, management, administration, teamwork, and diplomacy are all things you do brilliantly. People naturally trust you more than any other Element.

Earth Imbalances: The Earth Element is responsible for the assimilation and transportation of nutrients throughout the body. Therefore, a weakness in the Earth Element will often cause digestive issues, malnutrition, a thin body, and/or obesity. It governs the muscles, the extremities, and the flesh (either too much as in obesity or not enough as in thinness). Other symptoms may also include a feeling of heaviness in the limbs or excess phlegm "damp" conditions.  The Earth element is also responsible for maintaining the health of the blood vessels. Weakness in this Element often manifests as anemic conditions or weakness in blood vessels causing bleeding and bruising.

Back to all Five Element Personality Traits