Grounding and Centering

Grounding and centering comes up often as a basic skill for those learning magick. But what does it mean, exactly. And why is it important?

What is Grounding and Centering

Grounding and centering are two different things that are often taught together. They are related skills that build off of each other. Some people find it easier to center first, and ground second. Many techniques simply combine them as you will see below.

Grounding is connecting to your physical self in the physical world. It is similar to the idea of being present or mindful. You feel the Earth beneath your feet (regardless of what floor you are on) and the sky above you (regardless of the roof) and you in the center. You are grounded. You are here. You are fully present. You are not with that stupid thing you said to that cute guy yesterday. You are not with that weird comment your mom made about your hair. You are not with the bills you haven’t paid yet. You are not even with that weird pain you get when you cough. You are here.

Using your senses is very helpful with the grounding process. Consider how a sudden pain or a splash of cold water can startle you back to the here and now if you’ve been daydreaming.

Centering is a matter of energetic focus. We are all bombarded every day with other peoples’ energy and though forms that may or may not be helpful to us. As you center, sort through all of that. Think about your purpose. Focus your energy and will on that purpose. Centering can get pretty complicated on its own as it is a form of energy work. Combining it with grounding simplifies the process as grounding gives you a clean(er) slate to work with.

Grounding and centering isn’t just for magick. These techniques can be brought into your daily life to help you get through rough patches. Grounding techniques are remarkably similar to those used to overcome anxiety attacks and centering can help you get on with things.

How do you Do It?

While grounding and centering, are, in fact, different skills, I find it useful to put them together in one technique. Everyone does this a little differently. It really depends how your mind works which techniques you prefer. No one technique is inherently better than another. Some are more suitable for quick “getting on with things” while others are more ceremonial. Try them all and see which works for you.

Calling the Quarters

While it’s not the specific aim of the practice, Calling the Quarters can have the side effect of grounding and centering. I like to do this as a daily morning practice (with some sun salutations thrown in) as well as to start group spellwork (without sun salutations).

You will begin the ceremony standing in the center of your space facing whatever direction feels right. I start facing East, where the sun comes up. North is also a popular option. In this practice, each direction is associated with an element, which is associated with a part of you. North-Earth-Physical. West-Water-Emotional. South-Fire-Creativity. East-Air-Intellect.

Now, stand facing East and say something like this: “I stand facing East and embrace the power of Air. May the power of my mind bring me closer to my goal.” Turn clockwise. “I stand facing South and embrace the creative fire within me.” Turn clockwise. “I stand facing North in the miraculous form of my body. I know that I have everything i need to be healthy and strong.” Turn clockwise “I stand facing West and reach out to the waters of connection and emotion. May all I do and say today bring comfort and joy to those around me.”

You may end with Milton‘s “Earth below, sky above, peace within”

If you are doing this before a spell, I recommend that you get more specific. Speak your intention to each direction and each part of yourself.

This grounds you by bringing focus to you here and now. It centers you by focusing your intention.

Plug In

This one is much quicker and less romantic.

Take a moment to be fully aware of your body. Your brain, your spine, the network of your nervous system. Picture a long cord going from the base of your spine (where your tail would be if you had one) down, down to the center of the Earth. Take a deep slow breath and a fast exhalation as you plug in. Focus for a minute on what you’re supposed to be doing then “charge” that energy up from the center of the Earth to fill your body with focused energy. All of your unfocused,. unneeded nonsense gets blown out in the process.

This all takes about two minutes and can be done just about anywhere.

Be a Tree

This method might be better for those who walk Earth-based paths.

Standing, close your eyes and feel your toes extending down into the earth like the roots of a tree. Raise your arms and feel them extend like the branches of a tree toward the sky. Feel the energy of the earth pulsing through your body coming up through your roots. Feel the excess energy being released into the cosmos through your spreading branches. Feel the energy pulsing through your veins.

This also doesn’t take very long, but you’ll probably want to do it in private unless you think you can pass it off as a yawn-stretch.

Hands On

This is another simple method that can be done quickly and is favored by many on Earth-based paths.

Squat down on the ground, or stand and place your hands on a rock, the earth or the trunk of a tree.

From this position, with your hands in contact with the rock, earth or tree trunk. Feel the surface of this object; really get to know it with your hands. You don’t have to rub all on it. Just touch it and hold your hand there and focus for a minute on how it feels: the texture, temperature, hardness, etc.. Now, having fully focused on this object, you can release whatever energy you are holding onto that isn’t this. Take a deep breath and remember your focus. If there is a portable object nearby (a stone, a strip of bark, a blade of grass or fallen twig), take it with you. Run your thumb over the object to help bring you back to this place if you lose your center later on. .

If none of these techniques work for you, do a little more research. There are far too many methods of grounding and centering for me to share them all here. Ask around and see what works for people you know, or come up with your own method.

Re-grounding

After performing any sort of ritual, you may feel a little dizzy, spacey or worn out. It may be difficult for you to deal with mundane things because your mind is still in other worlds. Thus, it becomes necessary to reground yourself in this world. It is important, therefore, to ground yourself once again after you’ve finished your work.

You can re-ground with any of the above methods or finish your work with a small snack. The act of eating engages our physical body and senses, essentially bringing us back to “earth”. I like to have an apple because its crunch and juicy sweetness is impossible to stay zoned out of.

I call this my Simple Feast because this is the name given to the meal after ceremony by many of the magickal communities I have engaged with. The Simple Feast is shared in group rituals, sometimes passed around with a verbal blessing. A portion can also left for any spirit beings in attendance.

Try Grounding and Centering whenever you feel the need to get rid of excess energy or to calm chaotic thoughts. It is not only useful for magic but for every day use. Try it while you wait in the waiting room before meeting with a doctor or potential employer. Try it (at a stoplight or in the parking lot, not while driving) on the way to a date. Try it just before starting an exam.

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