Grounding into the Earth Element: Your Late Summer Transition Guide

As the wild expansion of Summer draws to a close, we enter a subtle yet profound shift in the seasonal calendar. The mornings feel damper, dusk arrives a little earlier, and we naturally reach for an extra layer in the evenings. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this inter-seasonal bridge is known as Late Summer—the domain of the Earth Element.

The Earth Element represents center, stability, and nourishment. It is a time to call our outward energy back home, ground our roots, and tend to our internal landscape.

Here are five simple, intentional practices to support your body and mind through this seasonal transition with ease:

1. Lift Your Spirits with Wild Orange

When the shifting light feels heavy, bright citrus oils offer instant refreshment. Place a single drop of doTERRA Wild Orange in your palm, rub your hands together, cup them over your nose, and inhale deeply. Its sweet, sun-drenched scent is wonderfully uplifting and instantly clears sluggishness.

2. Nourish with Warm, Golden Foods

In Oriental Medicine, the Earth Element governs the Spleen and Stomach—our engines of digestion. To support these organs, eat warm, naturally yellow and orange foods like squash, sweet potatoes, oats, and ginger. Swap raw salads and iced drinks for slow-cooked soups and warm porridge to keep your digestive fire burning bright.

3. Anchor Your Energy with Acupressure

When your head feels full, draw your energy down into the feet. Place a drop of doTERRA Vetiver (deeply grounding) or Lavender (calming) onto acupressure point Liver 3 (Taichong).

• To find it: Slide your finger up the top of your foot from the webbing between your big toe and second toe until you fall into the tender hollow where the bones meet. Press firmly for 30 seconds while breathing deeply.

4. Clear Your "Mental Digestion" Backlog

The Earth Element doesn't just digest food—it governs the digestion of thoughts. It takes in experiences and turns them into usable wisdom. If you notice a tendency toward overthinking or ruminating thoughts right now, your mental digestion may be overloaded. Take a moment to pause, journal out lingering worries, and complete any small unfinished tasks to free up mental space.

5. Reconnect on the Mat

Moving with the seasons is the softest way to keep your nervous system resilient. Join me in Claygate for yoga and Qigong, where we’ll be focusing on grounding fluid movement, opening the Earth meridians, and cultivating quiet strength.

Nourish Your Earth Element with Hikari Life

If your body is asking for a deeper seasonal reset, step into my space in Claygate for a tailored hands-on treatment:

• Radiant Release - a gathering in Esher on 17 September (6-730pm), dedicated to the art of letting go. Anchor your mind and body using pure essential oils and targeted acupressure, massage and grounding mindfulness practices. Experience deep emotional freedom and energetic balance as we integrate the gentle power of EFT tapping and restorative Reiki to bring you back to your true self.

• Shiatsu & AromaTouch Technique: Restore balance to your energy with restorative Shiatsu meridian bodywork, or experience clinical-grade essential oils applied along the spine and feet with an AromaTouch session to melt away lingering physical stress.

• Choose a Seasonal Shiatsu treatment: focusing on the energy channels of the Stomach and Spleen to balance your gut health, nourish your soul, and calm your mind, so that you can transition through Late Summer with ease.

• Adventure Yogi Retreats: Keep an eye on our upcoming seasonal day retreats and weekend getaways with Adventure Yogi, designed to give you the space to completely unplug, move with ease, and reset.

However you choose to pause this month, may you give yourself permission to slow down, nourish deeply, and settle into your center.

See you on the mat or futon soon.