Grounding And Centering
by Blayze

There are many different techniques and interpretations that come under the heading of Grounding and centering. In Wicca, we Ground and Centre to link in with natural energy flows around us and to bring those flows to balance within ourselves.

When working magic, especially when raising energy, it is important that the witch know and understand how to Ground and Centre properly. This will aid the stability and focus of the energy that is raised as well as allowing the witch a method of dealing with excess energy both within the circle area and within themselves. 

Raising energy refers to the Wiccan practice of filling the sphere of the circle area with tangible power that is generated in one or more ways including; dancing, drumming and chanting. This generated power is then focused and channeled and released in a specific way and for a specific purpose and is the essence of Wiccan magical practice.

Grounding

To Ground is to literally establish a link to the Earth and the power flows within it. This is a two-way link. It allows the witch to draw energy into themselves and also to siphon energy back into the earth. It is very hard to perform either task without  first establishing that connection.

As with all Wiccan magical practice, intent is the key here. The aim is not to steal / pull / rip or drag the energy out of the earth but to establish a gentle merging and flow of energy that passes through the witch for a time. This energy can be then be manipulated and the witch will release the energy by letting it flow back through them into the Earth. They will then disengage their connection.

A classic example of this technique occurs during a circle cast. Prior to the circle being cast, a connection to the Earth is established, the energy flows through the witch, out along the blade and is used to create the sphere that contains the circle area. At the conclusion of the circle, the edge of the sphere is pierced and the energy is allowed to flow back to its source. This is generally performed by either treading the circle again and drawing the energy back into the blade, plunging the blade into the earth with the witch acting as the conduit, or by a subtle act of will whereby the witch declares the circle open but unbroken and lets the sphere of energy dissipate and flow naturally back into the Earth.

Grounding can also be important within the circle itself, especially after magical workings. If a connection to the Earth has not been established before or during the circle, and partaking of Cakes and Ale has not managed to bring the witch’s internal energy back into balance, ie. they feel lightheaded and highly charged, then grounding, to drain the excess energy from the witch, is an ideal solution. Being filled with excess energy in an unbalanced way can lead to difficulties after circle, including a swing to a marked lack of energy, and illness.

To prevent the above problems caused by a lack of proper grounding, the excess of specifically raised energy within a circle is usually sent back into the earth by placing one’s hands upon the ground, letting it flow into the earth. Each individual will ground out their own excess energy whilst the acting High Priestess will gather and ground out the excess energy contained within the circle. This is why many Wiccans will automatically  drop to the ground and place their hands upon the earth after raising or directing energy.

Centering

Where grounding involves establishing a connection to the Earth, Centering involves using that connection to achieve a balance within oneself. Balance and harmony is established between the witch and the earth as well as an internal balance between physical, spiritual and mental aspects, male and female aspects and light and dark aspects.

There are many exercises that can help the witch become aware of their centre. With practice the witch will find the technique that works the best for them as an individual.

The majority of techniques work from the point where the witch is grounded in the earth. They then match their own centre with a like point in the earth and join the two together, thus creating a stable point from which to work their magic.

Exercises

Breathing
Make yourself comfortable.  Start with a breathing exercise.... in 2,3,4, hold 2,3,4, out 2,3,4, hold 2,3,4 etc.  Repeat this breathing pattern until you start to feel relaxed, your heartbeat slows and your breath is all you are aware of... narrow your field of awareness down until the breath is everything....  

Chakra Cleansing and Fountain Meditiation
Become of aware of your root chakra.... feel it as a glowing wheel of red light.. slowly make it spin... then increase the speed , it is spinning faster and faster. When it is spinning as fast as it can, feel a reddy/orange line emerging from the spinning wheel... it is moving towards the next chakra around the area of the womb.... again you see / feel it as a wheel of glowing light... the line touches the wheel and it glows orange.. you start to spin the wheel, slowly at first, then faster and faster, when the wheel is spinning as fast as it can you feel a line of orangey yellow light move from the wheel and travel to the solar plexus where it forms into a wheel of yellow light... Again the wheel glows and you start it spinning slowly and then increase the speed, when it is spinning as fast as it can you feel a line of yellow/green light emerge from the wheel and move towards the heart chakra, when it reaches the heart chakra it glows a vibrant green, again then you start to slowly spin the wheel, faster and faster you spin the wheel, when it is spinning as fast as it can you feel a line of greenish blue light.. it travels from the heart to the throat chakra where it becomes a glowing blue wheel, slowly you spin the wheel, then increase the speed until it  is spinning as fast as it can, you feel a line of bluey / indigo light move from the throat to the third eye... there the wheel glows indigo... you spin the wheel slowly at first and then increase the speed... when it is spinning as fast as it can you move in a line of violet and white light to the crown.... you feel a hole in the crown on your head opening.... you feel the energy flowing through you from the earth on which you sit.... the energy flows through the top of your head and forms a fountain of pure white light... it cascades around you and falls gently to the ground where it is taken once more into the earth and cycled back through you... with every pass it cleanses you and refreshes you and the energy is given back to the earth as she filters... the energy when it reaches the earth is neither negative nor positive ... it just is... and it fills you and cleanses you... you feel alive with energy..... when you are cleansed you feel the fountains flow start to slow down.... it becomes a trickle and then stops.. the hole closes and you are at peace... 

You feel the crown of your head... the energy has stopped flowing now... you feel it move to your third eye.... you slow the spinning of the indigo wheel and feel the chakra close.... you move down to the throat... you slow the spinning of the blue wheel till it stops.... you move down to the heart chakra... and slow the spinning of the green wheel until it stops... you move down to the solar plexus and slow the spinning of the yellow chakra until it stops.... you move down to the chakra at your womb / reproductive organs and slow the orange wheel until it stops.... you move to the red base chakra and slow the spinning red wheel until it stops....  you feel relaxed and at peace..... slowly become aware of your breathing... in and out in and out...when you feel ready and back in normal space.. open your eyes.... once more..... bang upon the ground 3 times... to return and ground and seal the energy....   It is done....So mote it be....

Grounding and Centering Exercise
Close your eyes. Start with the breathing pattern. Feel the earth that is beneath you, feel yourself going down… down into the earth… it is all around you. You are part of the earth as well as still above the ground. You feel yourself starting to take root in the earth... becoming one with the earth, the soil... . Your roots growing deep down  into the cool nourishing earth. Your arms become branches of the tree as you reach out into the world around you.... your roots go deeper into the soil seeking and searching.. There is a place in the centre of your being where you are calm and controlled... find that place....the place where mind body and spirit are one.... when you find that centre send a tap root down into the earth.... send the tap root to seek the place in the earth that matches your centre... when you find it .. link to it... centre to centre... your base.. to keep you linked to the earth... a place where you can shunt excess energy and draw from it as well.... you feel yourself drawing energy from your roots... energy from the earth.... You smell the scent of your leaves, your skin is bark. The tips of your leaves and your branches lightly brush the ground. You feel the nourishment of the earth starting to fill you from your roots deep within the earth. You feel that you have tapped into the energy of the earth, calm, gentle, a natural flow…. You feel the energy of the earth filling you, filling your whole body, filling you as the trunk of the tree, you feel the energy flowing into your branches and your leaves…. When they brush the ground the energy is cycled back into the earth…. There is a full cycle of the energy moving though you, from your roots in the earth, through your body and out through the tips of your leaves and branches, back into the earth. This energy you will draw through your cleansed and open body to use in building your circle or working magic.... you are one with the energy... from centre to centre the energy recognises you as part of itself... it is a natural flow.... in the order of things....   You feel yourself planted solidly in the ground… the natural energies flowing through you and around you. 

(take note of what tree you become... you can use this tree as a shield... its branches protecting you the foliage thick or thin depending on how much you want to let in.... What is the tree.. remember... and what does it mean to you...)

You  slowly disengage your tap root .. taking it back within yourself.... and letting the energy flow return to the earth without cycling through you..... but do this gently.... your tree is part of you now... to be summoned at will..  but you feel yourself returning to your human form... slowly... the roots retract back and your arms are no longer branches..... and you are human once more.... but you can still feel the shield of the tree if you wish it.... and you can send your roots deep into the earth, asking the earth to take into itself the excess energies you have raised, to cleanse you and let you merge and borrow the flow for a while.