Furry Gifts of the Earth Dog Season
By Elizabeth Anne Johnson.
Earth elements are as predictable as the earth is with its 24-hour turning cycle. Earth’s cyclical rhythm gives us a stability, a known occurrence we can count on when life hands us unpredictable circumstances. And so it is with our Earth Dog. Their consistent qualities of nurturing, caring, and supporting – just like our earth – help us survive, slow down, heal and calmly thrive.
There is something that feels so stable about having an Earth element dog, friend, or partner in our lives. We find them whether we are consciously looking or not. They seem to just show up when they’re needed. Human and Dog Earth elements are those uber-supportive friends you go to when you need to cry, or need a hug, or need help making a big decision, or need to be saved from yourself. Solid as the giant proverbial rock we all live on, they hold our tears, never judge and fill us with tender listening and gentle support. Our Earth Dogs will always offer us this, it’s their true nature. They greet everyone with a caring, solid friendliness. They give us the feeling of comfort if they sense something is troubling us and gift us the precious feeling that we will always have them by our side, even when they are not.
We’ve just entered the Earth Element season, a transition from the fiery, fun, and sometimes zany summer Fire Element Season. Fire season brings the gift of heat and activity that stimulates our bodies and opens our hearts. It helps us reach out to others, be social, be our wild selves. As we transition into the late summer season of the slower, calmer Earth Element, it shifts and soothes us. It’s time to return to our center and a time to nourish ourselves and those around us. The Earth season gives us comfort while also giving us the consistent energy needed for harvesting and sharing. The Earth element season is in the peak of harvest time. We harvest not only food but memories, reflections, and teachings. It brings forth a quieter, more stable essence within us and a predictability that we can settle into that gives us the drive to provide for others and ourselves.
Comfort, a stable presence, steadiness, commitment, predictability, and gratitude all frame the Earth element season. This fully describes our primary Earth element Dog and our Earth element human.
Earth Dogs also love to have a community around them that feels like family and they are often non-discretionary about what species they hang out with. They have a long memory for faces, fur, and beings they’ve connected with. Like planet earth’s memory they never forget a person, place, or thing. They watch over everyone and when balanced, participate with a grounded nature and the supportiveness of an elder. Earth season reminds us to spend time with our loved ones and to find balance in our ways of being and doing. Earth Dogs love their “family” life and everyone in it and sprinkle buckets of gratitude every time they happy-wag their tail.
The most inherent concern for our Earth dogs is potential chubbiness. The organs associated with Earth are the digestive organs of stomach and spleen. Earth dogs have voracious appetites and will always seem hungry. They are very routine based and have incredible internal clocks, for mealtimes especially. Their happy wagging tail will say treats are vital to their happiness but it’s very important to “count calories”. They typically have slower metabolisms and weight gain is a detriment to them, especially as they age.
Superpowers!
If you know your Earth Dogs secondary element you can discern the shape of their superpower. For instance, a secondary Wood element would mean they are gentle protectors. They also may need and want a bit more exercise and mental stimulation.
A secondary Fire element may mean they are very social and need more “on the go” and visit time.
A secondary Metal element will want and often make a purpose within the community. That might be watching over everyone, counting heads, or sitting next to people or animals that are worried or sad. They may even be good at herding cats or chickens – gently of course!
A secondary Water element may be more quiet, more able to predict your next move or feel your next feeling and are aware of the feelings of others. The Water element intensity is softened by the solid Earth energy. Your Earth/Water Dog will become gently seamless and supportive of you or someone that needs support.
You can find out more about what your dog’s secondary and tertiary elements are in the quizzes in Know Your Dog’s True Nature – Understanding Canine Personality through the Five Elements.
Lastly, sitting outside quietly with your Earth dog – preferably on the earth and especially on a sunny day – is a must! It allows them to have the “family time” they need and love – even if it’s just the two of you. We call this “earthing”, and it allows both your bodies to sync with the earth’s amazing vibrational rhythms. Bare feet and bare paws (and no cell phone) help both of you to reboot and reconnect deeply with yourselves and each other.
Dog Partner! Check out the dog and human quizzes in my book – Know Your Dog’s True Nature and find out how you and your dog do the happy dance! Know Your Dog’s True Nature – Understanding Canine Personality through the Five Elements – Available in paperback, audiobook and eBook at booksellers around the world.
Elizabeth Anne Johnson is the author of Know Your Dog’s True Nature, a TEDx Speaker, animal empath and holistic healer, and a former veterinary technician with over 30 years of experience. She works with companion, sports, and aging dogs in her 4Legged Wellness practice and teaches with her wildlife veterinarian husband in their organization Global Wildlife Resources. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her two fun and hilarious dogs, Wilbur and Pretzel. Learn more at: ElizabethAnneJohnson.com
