Elemental Explorations
Earth, air, fire, and water—the ancient Greeks divided the world into these primal elements. I remember learning this fact in elementary school, but sadly it was presented in a dismissive way. The ancient Greeks did not have the tools to break the world into molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles. Their categories were born of observation and rich interactions with the natural world. If we adjust our view, we might see that there is wisdom and poetry in their divisions and a recognition that the earth itself is sacred. When we take a moment to consider it, how could it be otherwise? Life is made possible by these four elements, even if they can be subdivided into tinier parts; nourishment springs from the earth, breath is dependent on air, life emerged from water, and the fiery sun is just the right distance from our planet to make life possible.
In addition to earth, air, fire, and water, there is a fifth element—spirit. Spirit is the consciousness embodied in humans and other sentient beings. Through spirit we can embrace a mindfulness practice that attunes us to the natural world. Tapping into that awareness, we begin to see the interconnectedness of all things—how the elements are connected, to another and to each of us.
There are, of course other ways to map the energetic world. (As an example, traditional Chinese medicine has five energetic elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.) This is just one path, but the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water make intuitive sense to me. Working in my garden with my hands in the soil, I am connected to earth. I am outside in the element of air. The sun provides the energy for my plants to create their own food through photosynthesis, and the water enables them to move nutrients through their green bodies.
One of my most vivid memories of the elements in full force was a winter solstice celebration my circle held (or tried to hold) at sunrise on Lake Erie. We met at a lakeside parking lot before dawn with the frigid wind howling, sleet and sand stinging our faces. We attempted to stay with our planned ritual but lasted only about ten minutes. The wind tried to knock us off our feet, our chants dissolving in the roar. We stayed long enough to welcome the sun as it crested the horizon and then ran for the shelter of our cars, followed by coffee and pancakes at a warm and cozy restaurant. As short as our celebration was, the visceral memory of that morning so many years ago stays with me. The raw power of each of the elements was vividly on display. It was invigorating to be in the center of that power and humbling to realize our small place in the plan. The elements are often not that dramatic, but they are there for each of us to experience if we just tune in.
The activities that follow are a way to align ourselves with each of the elements in the green world. The idea is to cultivate a mindful awareness of their presence—real and allegorical—and explore their energy, vibration, symbolism, and effect on our lives.
Exploration
Sensing Earth
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space
Child Friendly: Yes
This activity is an exploration of earth’s healing energy. The earth supports us in many ways. It makes life possible. It is obvious that plants and trees are rooted in the earth, but in a way humans are also rooted to the earth through gravity. We explored some of these concepts by walking and sensing gravity in chapter two. In this activity, we are simply still and attentive as we tune in to that energy.
Find a way to be close to the earth in a garden or green space. Sit or lie on the ground. If it’s not possible to sit on the ground, use a chair. Be still and take some time to just be present in this green space. If possible, place your hands on the ground. It can be helpful to state your intention: “I am consciously attuning to earth energy. I am open to sensing and learning from this energy.”
Bring your attention to whatever parts of your body are in contact with the earth and sense that connection. If your hands are touching the earth, focus your attention on the center of your palms. There is a palpable energy that emanates from the earth. If you don’t feel the energy at first, stay with it. Be patient and don’t give up too soon. It may be subtle at first. Modern life is so loud and noisy that it takes some adjusting to quiet down and sense subtle energy.
It helps to remember that this is not an imaginary energy. The earth has a gravitational and electromagnetic field. Know that they are there even if you cannot yet tune in. If your mind wanders, bring yourself back to awareness by repeating your intention.
In your journal, record any insights and discoveries about earth energy.
Exploration
Tuning in to Soil
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
• Garden trowel
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space where you have permission to work with a small amount of soil
Child Friendly: Yes
This activity is a meditation and observation on soil. Soil is not just a holding material for plants; it is a living system of organisms and minerals that nourish and make the growth of plants possible. A part of soil is made of the rocks and minerals in the upper layer of the earth’s crust. It also consists of water, air, living and decaying plant materials, and tiny organisms including ants, worms, fungi, and bacteria. Even as gardeners, we sometimes are so busy tending to plants that we don’t fully tune in to this living system. If you have your own garden (or are using a friend’s), you can explore soil in a more mindful way.
Sit comfortably on the ground or in a chair. With your trowel, turn over a small portion of soil and simply observe. Use an intention such as: “I am open to learning from this patch of soil. I am consciously exploring this small section of earth.”
Tune in to the smell, texture, and sight of the soil. What organisms do you see? What colors do you observe? What is the texture? Is it moist, dry, or somewhere in between? There is a busy, intricate world here. Some of the organisms might be visible, but many are not.
Sit and hold the awareness that there is an invisible active world in this small space of soil. Record any insights in your journal.
Exploration
Compost Alchemy
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Compost bin or container
• Raw materials for compost
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
Ideal Setting: A space in your yard or on your patio or porch where you have room for a compost bin
Child Friendly: Yes
Compost is decayed organic matter. When we walk in a forest, we can observe a natural composting process taking place. Decaying tree leaves and animal droppings work together to create humus, the organic part of soil that nourishes new plants. How brilliant of the earth to create this cycle of death and rebirth! When we create compost in our gardens we are co-creating, working with the natural process of plants decomposing.
Alchemy is the process of turning mundane materials into something valuable. In medieval times, the focus was on creating gold or an elixir of immortality. The transformation of waste material into compost is a kind of alchemy. We start with garbage and we end with a product that enriches our soil, nourishes our plants, and—as a bonus—reduces the amount of garbage going to landfills.
Creating compost is a long-term commitment, but it’s also a great way to engage in a mindful connection to the world every day. You’ll first need to consider if you have the space to compost. There are now many small compost tumblers and containers that can fit on a patio or in a small backyard, making composting accessible to more people.
Composting involves three basic ingredients:
• Carbon, found in dried leaves and twigs (considered the browns)
• Nitrogen, found in vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings (considered the greens)
• Water, because moisture is needed to help break down the organic materials
Compost tumblers make it easy to turn and mix a compost pile, which helps the compost break down quicker. Tumblers also keep critters away. Do not add meat scraps, vegetable oil, or dog and cat waste. Meat may attract unwanted animals like rodents and raccoons. Remember that even if they can’t get into the tumbler, they will show up and try. If the compost pile does not heat up enough, meat may also provide a host for unhealthy bacteria. Vegetable oil slows down the process. The waste of any carnivorous animal, including dogs and cats, may contain parasites and harmful microorganisms that cannot be killed off without sufficient heat.
In Mike McGrath’s Book of Compost, author Mike McGrath recommends aiming for four parts of the browns with one part of the greens. He explains that “the dry brown shredded leaves come into the picture teeming with microbes; the wet green, nitrogen-rich material is food for those microbes. When they get together, things get hot, and you get compost.” 9
Many local organic gardening clubs offer free or low-cost composting workshops. You can also find a lot of information online about how to get started.
You may be asking yourself right now what all this has to do with mindfulness. Obviously, someone could choose to make compost in a distracted and unfocused way. But composting, if we choose to do it, provides a way for us to tune in to the earth on a regular basis. We can intentionally focus on the alchemical and magical nature of this process.
The entire process of composting can be a ritual of awareness, from walking to the compost bin with our organic scraps to turning the bins. Give thanks to your organic material and the cycle of life it represents. Find an affirmation that resonates with you as you add material. Here are some to get started, but feel free to write your own: “I am grateful for compost and its role in the cycle of life. I am co-creating rich nutrients for my garden. I am thankful to these plants that will enrich the soil and create new life.”
When the compost is “cooked” and we are ready to welcome the finished product to our garden, we can create a mini ritual for that as well. Composting equals alchemy.
Capture any insights about composting in your journal on a regular basis.
Exploration
Sensing Air
Type of Exploration: Elemental and movement
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space
Child Friendly: Yes
Air is obviously a very different element than earth. Earth feels solid beneath our feet and can be touched and held. Air is invisible and yet we are enfolded in it. We often forget that it is all around us. This first activity is a meditation and observation of air. Begin with an intention such as: “I am consciously attuning to air energy. I am open to sensing and learning from this energy.”
Air is crucial to our life on the planet, so we begin with breath. Sitting or standing in the garden, bring your attention to your breathing. Let the air come in and out gently through your nose. Take a few minutes to just be present with the garden and your breath.
When you are ready, move your attention to the invisible atmosphere around you. Notice the feeling of air on your face, hands, arms, and any other skin that is exposed. If it is not a windy day, the touch of the atmosphere on your skin may be almost imperceptible. Stay with it.
Next, focus on your arms. Begin to move them slowly up and down in front of your body. As you do this, sense the gentle resistance. We are so used to this resistance that we are often not aware of it. It may help to close your eyes as you are moving your arms. With eyes closed, you may want to visualize the air as having a noticeable color.
Open your eyes and begin to walk slowly through the garden. Focus on feeling the resistance of air as you move. Try this activity for a minimum of ten minutes. Record any insights in your journal.
Exploration
Making Air Visible
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
• Materials that move in the wind, such as ribbons, flags, and windchimes (optional)
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space
Child Friendly: Yes
Air moves things. That is easy to observe on a windy day, but on calm days, it is easy to forget. We can tune in to air by watching the movement it creates. Sit or stand in the garden and take a few minutes to become quiet and centered. Then begin to watch plants that are being moved by the air. Observe the whole garden at first. Movements might be dramatic or they might be more subtle, but the air is always flowing. The movements will shift and change as you watch.
Next, let your focus go to one particular plant and just observe the rhythmical sway created by air. The sun is heating the air. Hot air rises, cool air sinks, and it all begins to flow, creating air currents. Tune in to the awareness of ever-changing air currents. We can’t see them, but they are very real. Hold this focus for at least ten minutes. Record any insights in your journal.
An Added Dimension to Making Air Visible
If you have your own greenspace, increase your awareness of movement by adding windchimes, flags, ribbons, or anything that moves with the wind. Then when you are in the garden, the movement will call your attention to the air. When you notice the movement, acknowledge the dance of energy and imperceptible changes that are taking place each moment. Record any insights in your journal.
My yard has movement and color year-round because I have added ribbons, prayer flags, and origami cranes. I hang strings of origami cranes from trees and trellises, where they dance in the wind. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on garden decorations; my cranes are made out of paper, but they have been amazingly resilient to the Denver sun, hail, snow, and wind, and they usually last at least twelve months.
Within the Buddhist tradition, prayer flags are printed with prayers that are carried out to the universe as the flags flap in the wind. I respectfully borrow that good idea of sending intentions out into the world when I decorate my garden. As I fold and string my origami cranes, I focus on an intention for peace and harmony.
Exploration
Sensing Fire as Light
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space
Child Friendly: Yes
The element of fire has aspects of both heat and light. The sun, our burning star, provides both and is the ultimate symbol of this element. We can explore this element’s effects in our gardens by focusing on each of these aspects in turn. This first exploration is about light.
One of the easiest ways to experience the sun safely and dramatically in the garden is at dawn and dusk. The play of colors, light, and shadows shift rapidly at those times. Ideally, committing at least forty-five minutes to this activity will allow you to observe significant changes. Begin about fifteen minutes before sunrise or sunset. If possible, turn off any outdoor lights that might interfere with your observation of the garden.
Find a place to sit or stand to observe the garden. Breathe and center yourself. Begin with an intention: “I am consciously attuning to the fire energy of light. I am open to sensing and learning from this energy.”
Scan the garden and pay close attention to the light and colors. Let your eyes be drawn to a specific plant or group of plants and stay with them to notice the changing light. We can’t feel it, but the planet is moving as we sit and watch. Be aware that what you are observing is happening because our planet is turning on its axis, with our location either turning toward the sun or away. Most of us have probably known that fact since elementary school, but how often do we consider it? We can shift our awareness from knowing this as a fact in our heads to embracing the wonder of this process. Once the sun makes its appearance or disappearance, continue to observe as the light and dark interact and one becomes dominant. Be present with this flowing visual energy. Record any insights in your journal.
Lunar Variations
This activity is interesting to do at the full moon and new moon. The full moon will rise as the sun sets, and once it clears any houses, it will shine its reflected light on the garden. The full moon has a muted brightness, creating a different perspective of softened colors and moon shadows.
At the new moon, the evening will be darkest once the sun goes down. If there are no artificial lights, you will be able to observe as colors and shapes almost completely fade from view. Experiencing the difference between the two allows us to consciously tune in to this rhythm of the sun, moon, and earth that is constantly taking place.
Record any insights in your journal. What did you notice about light emerging and fading? How do colors change as the light shifts?
Exploration
Sensing Fire as Warmth and Heat
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space where you can stay for an entire day or several hours. It is recommended to do this activity in the summertime during the cooler morning hours before midday.
Child Friendly: Yes
This activity is an observation of warmth and heat in the garden. It’s best done throughout the day or at least over a few hours so that you can observe changes in the garden.
Warmth is important to most plants. Too much can scorch or kill plants; too little, and plants won’t thrive. Most gardeners pay attention to heat and warmth, especially with tender plants. Depending on where you live, there are different concerns. In my Pennsylvania garden, I often worried there was not enough warmth for heat-loving plants like eggplants and tomatoes. In my Denver garden, the heat can be so intense at midday that I cover plants with shade cloth, a fabric that reduces the amount of heat getting through.
Plants can’t seek shade as humans do, so they have developed a number of strategies to protect themselves—when possible—from intense heat. Leaves fold in on themselves and droop to reduce their surface area. If it’s too hot, some plants will give up and begin to quickly go to seed to ensure a next generation. Lettuce and other greens will bolt in hot weather; they send up a stalk with flowers, then seeds.
Begin this exploration with an intention: “I am consciously attuning to the fire energy of heat. I am open to sensing and learning from this energy.” Start this exploration in the morning when it is still cool outside. Get an overall feel for the garden, walking through and observing plants. Identify the plants you want to check in with throughout the day. You may want to make a quick sketch to help you with your observations.
Once you are familiar with the garden, make a point of observing the plants every hour. What do you notice that’s different? How are they responding to the sun? Do they appear happy or stressed? Do they seem to want or need more heat or less? This activity calls our attention to balance. Like many things in life, there is a tipping point between optimal and detrimental. Record any insights in your journal.
Exploration
Making Fire Visible
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space
Child Friendly: Yes
We can call our attention to the fire element by adding items to our green space that catch and reflect light. Gazing balls and prisms that create rainbows can be nice additions. If you place prisms by a street, be sure they are not hung where they will reflect light into the eyes of drivers. Other ornaments that catch and shimmer can look beautiful in a garden. You could also introduce a sundial that tracks the progress of the sun across the sky. Any of these add beauty and interest to the garden, and that might be enough. But you can use them in an intentional way—when they catch your eye because of the sun, call yourself back to the present moment. Let these items serve as a reminder to be present in this space.
Exploration
Sensing Water
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space early in the morning
Child Friendly: Yes
Water, like the other three elements, makes life possible on the planet. It also has some quirky attributes. Unlike most other substances, water expands rather than contracts when it freezes. This makes the solid form of water lighter than the liquid form. Ice floats on water and allows lakes, ponds, and rivers to freeze on the surface. Plants, fish, and other sea creatures remain alive below the ice. This remarkable trait enabled life to form on Earth.
This first activity is about tuning in more fully to water in the garden. If you live in a place where dew forms (which is most places, unless it is extremely dry), that can be a great starting point. Water is a shape-shifter and changes from a gas (water vapor) to a liquid (dew) when conditions are right for water to condense onto plants. Early in the morning is the best time to observe dew.
Begin with an intention: “I am consciously attuning to water energy in the garden. I am open to sensing and learning from this energy.”
Sit, stand, or walk slowly through the garden. If dew has formed, you may want to walk barefoot to tune in to this energy. What does it feel like to have dew on your skin?
Bring your attention to other forms of water in the garden. There may be a sprinkler system or other irrigation that allows you to observe the flow of water to plants. Even if there is not a visible flow of water, know that every green plant you see is made up of a significant portion of water. Water is flowing through plants, transporting nutrients, keeping them healthy and hydrated.
Humans also are made up of a significant amount of water. Like the plants, water transports nutrients within humans and keeps us healthy. Sense your connectedness to plants and to water. Record any insights in your journal.
Exploration
Experiencing Garden Rain
Type of Exploration: Elemental
Supplies Needed:
• Journal or paper
• Pen or pencil
Ideal Setting: A garden or other green space during a gentle rain
Child Friendly: Yes
This activity requires waiting for the right condition, a gentle rainstorm, so that you can immerse yourself in rain as plants in the garden might. Plan to head outside the next time it is raining, but don’t go out in a lightning storm!
State an intention as you go out: “I am consciously connecting with the rain falling on this garden.” Then stand and allow yourself to feel the rain on your face and any exposed skin. Be present with this amazing process. Through evaporation and transpiration (from leaves), water has traveled as vapor up to the clouds and now is falling back to earth, where you and the garden are recipients. You are receiving this gift. Be aware of how unique this cycle of events is. Humans do not know of any other planets where this is happening.
Bring your awareness to the garden and the plants around you. Imagine for a moment that you are one of the garden plants receiving this rejuvenating and refreshing water from the sky. You are all sharing in this event together.
Record any insights in your journal. What did you discover? How would you describe the experience of rain?
Going Deeper with Elemental Archetypes
Each of the elements—earth, air, fire, and water—resonate with deeper meanings than their obvious functions in the garden. This is where the fifth element, spirit, comes in. As sentient beings, we embody this fifth element. We interact with the elements, recognizing their functions and their mythic power and poetry.
Earth has a resonance for all the things that nourish, protect, sustain, and heal us. Air vibrates with inspiration, intuition, intellect, and all the unseen things that move us. Fire encompasses the idea of purification, creativity, change, transformation, and rising from the ashes. Water encompasses fluidity, flexibility, flowing emotions, the unconscious, and shape-shifting.
Each element also has plants that correspond to it. Deeply rooted plants like comfrey, dandelion, and burdock carry a lot of earth energy. Plants that vibrate with the energy of air are easily moved by air or have scent carried easily on the wind. These include yarrow, fennel, anise, and amaranth. Garlic, mustard, onion, arugula, and other strong, spicy plants belong to fire. Water plants include willow, water lily, fern, and moss.
If you find the idea of elements helpful in navigating the world, working with them simply requires your mindful attention. Stating an intention to work with the elements or one particular element is one way to begin. Working with the elements is a way to mindfully connect with the kaleidoscope of stimuli in the world. You can create ways to be more attentive to noticing patterns and connections.
One basic way to do this is through journaling. Writing helps you be more attentive as you observe because you know you’ll be recording it. Keeping a journal is also a kind of commitment. If you decide to record your observations about elemental connections, there is more likelihood that you will remember to do that during the day.
Creating an altar, either indoors or out, is another activity that can focus your attention. An altar can be as simple as placing a favorite stone (earth), a sprig of yarrow (air), some mustard seeds (fire), and a small bowl filled with water in a visible location. You can, of course, create something much more elaborate—whatever is to your liking. The point is that an altar will keep your attention on your stated goal of connecting with the garden elements.
You can plant your gardens by paying special attention to the elements, choosing plants that are connected to each. Including elemental plants in your diet is another way to invite a deeper connection or understanding of specific elements. (Please do research first to be sure they are edible.) I often reach for dandelion root tea when I am feeling off balance and in need of grounding earth energy. I drink Tulsi (holy basil) when I need inspiration, and garlic is my go-to fire element food.
Exploring the elements as they relate to the garden and to mindfulness can be an ongoing process of discovery.
Creating Your Own Elemental Map of the Garden
The four elements are one way to view the world. They are a map, and “the map is not the territory.” 10 There are other maps. Within traditional Chinese medicine, there is a five-element map of the world. The elements in that map are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Don’t get hung up on which elemental map is correct; they are just different ways to frame an understanding of the energies in the world.
You could, as an experiment, attempt to define your own personal garden energies. I love the quartet of earth, air, fire, and water, so I have not been moved to look for other elements, although I do think it could be an interesting project.
If it is something you are drawn to, it would involve devoting time to meditating in the garden, being open to inspiration and guidance, and tuning in to your creative self to find something new. Art can sometimes help us discover things quicker than words can. Grab some markers and poster board, sit in the garden, and simply observe. What energies do you notice? What categories do the energies fall into? Are they garden-specific energies, or do they exist universally? How are they connected? What are their traits? Can you name them?
Many moons ago, other sentient beings contemplated the world and created the elemental maps we have now. If we observe the world as it constantly bubbles up into form, we can create our own maps that reflect our unique understanding of the world.