Element of Transformation - WATER
Water, the master of adaptability and the patient transformer. Water does not resist change, but rather adapts to the changing conditions of its environment. Like pure intuition, it knows when it's time to change, and just how to do so. Rain does not fall before it is ready, ice does not harden in anticipation to cold. Observing changes in water state allows us to observe the greater universal changes in the world around us and remember that that all life is in a constant state of change and adaptation. This can be helpful when we are cultivating a practice in self-awareness accepting change. Resistance to change is like blowing on an ice cube on a hot summer day to prevent it from melting.
Water has the ability to powerfully wash away or slowly erode, and our transformation in the water element is no different. We may experience great waves of change with storms of emotion and momentum. We may experience a slow moving progression toward a new self as a former self is carried away like sand at the river mouth.
Water element is associated with the sacral chakra, also known as Svadhisthana, located in the pelvic region of the body. Svadhisthana translates to “the dwelling place of the self”, revealing a beautiful context to the energetic perspective of this element and its residence in the body. Residing in the sacral chakra is the well of our emotions and the desires of our subconscious. Our deepest and often suppressed yearnings are energetically trapped in a notoriously physically tight place in the body, the hips. The physical practice of yoga is rich with poses aimed to open and release the hips, and it can often feel very tender and emotional to participate in a deep hip opening sequence as this energy center is unlocked.
If we think about this region of the body from a purely physical standpoint, we know that it is the point of exit for the flushing of excess and toxins out of the physical body as well as the point of entry for passion and physical desire. If either of these processes are blocked or unfulfilled, health is jeopardized.
Similarly, if the processes of releasing emotions or preventing desire are imbalanced, well being is jeopardized. When the energy that governs this area of the body is blocked or imbalanced, we may experience emotional instability, fear of change, sexual dysfunction, depression, addictions.
Creativity dwells and flows right alongside with emotion and desire in this watery journey to the self. It's no wonder that we have expressions like "get the creative juices flowing' and "creativity just pours out of her". Just as fluids assist with procreation, so too is the blossoming of creativity assisted by the water element moving us forward through change. Creativity is the expression of emotion and desire set free and allowed to conceive.
When the energy of water element is unblocked and balanced, we may experience gratitude for our emotions, adaptability, a flood of new ideas for art or projects, pleasure from simple things, sensuality, healthy sexual experiences.
So let us dive inward to the dwelling of the self, open the floodgate to release the toxins of the past, and create space for our fullest expression to be born.
Date
April 17 2019