Performing a ritual or being part of one should be quite energising, so you need to ground and centre yourself afterwards but I find it is also helpful to do so beforehand as well. They are essentially two different things but often done together and become intertwined.

Grounding is such a simple practice but can be so beneficial.  Ever had one of those fruit loop days when you are all airy fairy?  Grounding can sort that out and bring you back to connect with the earth.  Connecting with the energy of the earth not only grounds us but brings us a special connection to the energy and strength that Mother Earth can provide.   Being ungrounded can be extremely exhausting and very draining on your own energy resources, that chaotic and twirly feeling can kick in after a ritual if you don’t ground and it can also give you a heck of a headache either because you used too much of your own energy during ritual or spell work or because you have too much excess energy that you need to ‘earth’ back to the ground.

The most well known grounding exercise involves visualising yourself as a tree, any tree it doesn’t matter what sort.   Take a deep breath in and out and relax.   Visualise your feet becoming roots and sending them down into the earth.  See the roots grow and push deeper into the soil.  Allow any stresses and worries to empty out through your roots into the earth. Then bring up some of the energy from the earth’s core back through your roots and up into your body allowing that energy to flow around your entire being.  Allow any excess to flow back into the earth and then when you are ready draw your roots back in.  You should now be grounded.

Centering is all about finding your inner centre, that sweet spot in the middle of you which houses your inner being, the part that the magic flows from.  It may not actually be the physical centre of your body, it will be different for everyone, it might be your solar plexus (belly button area), it might be your heart or it could be anywhere on your body that feels right for you.

This utilises your visualisation skills again by seeing a white (or colour of your choice) light entering the top of your head originating from up in the sky somewhere then you need to see another beam of light coming from the earth and entering your base chakra (bottom of your spine) watch as the two beams of light meet somewhere in the middle and swirl together to create a ball of energy.  Connect yourself with this central energy.  This is your centre of being; this is where your control, calm, connection and general oomph comes from.  When you are ready allow both beams to slowly withdraw and let the ball of energy dissipate as much as you want or need it to.

And that’s it … simples.  Both of these exercises are advisable before and after any ritual or magical workings but they can also be done at any time of the day when you feel the need.

Eating something and drinking will also help you to ground but you might want to place your palms face down on the earth and release any excess energy you have, or stomp your feet and clap your hands after a ritual as well.

Taken from The Art of Ritual

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