Most of us feel happier and healthier when the weather is warm, and we tend to spend more time outside. We enjoy things like tending a garden, hiking a trail, swimming in a lake, or picnicking in a park that get us moving and boost our mood. And while the extra physical activity is great for our health, the major benefit from these experiences is simply the exposure to nature. Whenever we spend time outdoors, we’re actually healing too.
We’ve all experienced the healing effects of spending time in nature. A walk among the growing things, breathing in fresh air, being close to a body of water, feeling the warmth of the sun, and nature’s overall sensation of calm all make us feel more easeful in our bodies. Why? Because when we spend time outdoors, we’re being supported by the natural elements of Mother Nature—the same elements that make up the human body.
Everything in the universe, from the smallest atom to the largest planet, contains a unique combination of the five elements—Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. We humans are made up of these elements too, each of which is responsible for different structures and behaviors in the body.
Spending time with the elements of nature has a balancing effect on these elements within us, helping us to heal on every level—physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually. Just going outside is powerful medicine.
Each element is a vital component in our wellbeing.
Earth
Earth element is grounding, nurturing, and stabilizing. In nature it is our soil, mountains, plants, trees, and minerals—earth forms all solid structures. In our bodies, the earth element governs our teeth, nails, bones, muscles, skin, tissues, and hair. When this energy is in balance, we feel strong, secure, and full of vitality. Our earth element is supported by walks in nature and spending time with the growing beings.
Air
Air is the vital energy that surrounds us, constantly circulating and keeping all living things alive. It governs all forms of movement, including expansion, contraction, vibration, and suppression. In nature, the air is a mixture of many different gases. In the body, air is our oxygen, which allows us to breathe. It regulates all bodily functions and builds cells. In the psyche, it is associated with communication, change, and transformation. We can support our air element by simply beathing in the fresh outdoor air.
Water
Water is flowing, adaptable, nourishing, healing, and is responsible for creating everything liquid in the universe. In nature, water creates tiny rivulets to great oceans. In our bodies water forms saliva, blood, sweat, urine, and tears. It is responsible for regulating the blood, kidneys, bladder, and keeping the joints lubricated and mobile. The water element represents our emotions, and allows our sense of calm, determination, and creativity. Spending time near, on or in a body of water nourishes our water element.
Fire
Fire is a source of heat and power in the physical world and within us. Our Sun is nature’s power. It is a purifying and cleansing element that can dispel toxins and impurities. It gives energy and vitality to all living things and activates the sex drive in humans and animals. Within the human body, fire forms hunger, thirst, sleep, and increases our metabolism. It also boosts creativity and can increase feelings of confidence, enthusiasm, and courage. Exposing our bodies to sunshine, even for a few minutes a day, supports our fire element.
Spirit
Spirit, also called ether, space or source, is the container of all other elements and the most subtle. Spirit is what all other elements originate from and return to. The Spirit element is present in all cells in the body and nourishes the nostrils, mouth, ears, throat, lungs, and stomach. It is linked to inner wisdom, intuition, psychic abilities, and spiritual experiences. In the openness of nature, we feel connected to and supported by this element that is the core of our being.
Spending time in nature helps us relieve stress and anxiety, boosts our immune system, increases creativity, improves focus, and teaches us to live more in the present. Our overall sense of wellbeing is heightened just by getting outside for a few minutes, even in the colder months.
In just a short walk, we can experience the grounding support of the earth in our bodies, feel our mental clarity improve with each breath, notice the emotional balancing within a body of water or a rainfall, sense our vitality rising in the sun’s rays, and embrace a sense of belonging and healing with each step. The healing path begins just outside the door.
If you’d like insight to the balance of elemental energies in your own life just now, check out the Elemental Spread Tarot reading for clarity and guidance going forward.
Wishing you light and love on your journey.
Blessings,
Torie
