Ground First, Then Grow
Before we rise, we root.
Growth—real, sustainable, embodied growth—begins at the bottom. And in the world of chakras, that means beginning with the Root Chakra.
The Root, or Chakra 1, is located at the base of the spine and is responsible for our sense of safety, stability, and belonging. It governs our connection to the physical world: our body, our home, our family, our income, and our place in society. It is the first imprint we receive, even before we’re born. In the womb, the presence or absence of safety begins shaping our nervous system. That’s grounding. It begins with parents and caretakers, and is reinforced through teachers, mentors, homes, institutions, and communities.
But when those systems are shaky—or when life, trauma, or nature itself destabilizes us—our Root can weaken. We might feel disconnected, anxious, unsafe, or reactive. That’s a signal, not a flaw.
“Your aura starts forming long before you do. When we talk about Root Chakra healing, we’re talking about rewriting the energetic code that says: I am safe. I am supported. I am home.” — Laura McCann
What Does It Mean to Be Grounded?
To be grounded is to feel anchored in your body, present in your moment, and confident in your capacity to respond to life.
You don’t need to live in the forest to feel rooted.
You can live in a city high-rise, surrounded by concrete, and still build a sanctuary of grounding.
You can feel safe inside yourself even when the world feels unpredictable.
Grounding is not about control. It’s about relationship. To your breath. To your body. To your inner Earth.
What the Unbalanced Root Looks Like
When the Root Chakra is unbalanced, you may feel:
• Fearful, easily startled, or anxious
• Overly controlling or unable to trust
• Disconnected from your body or physical environment
• Restless, unfocused, or in survival mode
• Prone to overconsumption or hoarding
In contrast, a balanced Root gives you:
• Emotional resilience
• Healthy routines and rituals
• A sense of safety in uncertainty
• Confidence in your right to exist, take up space, and rest
What If Nature Caused the Trauma?
It’s not always a person or system that destabilizes us—sometimes it’s the Earth herself. Floods, fires, storms, and displacement create deep Root trauma. We see this in Asheville after Hurricane Helene, in families torn from their homes, in the rising climate anxiety gripping all generations.
So what do we do when the very source of our grounding—nature—feels unsafe?
We return to relationship.
We recognize that Earth is both gentle and fierce. She teaches us to embrace chaos and anchor anyway. That duality is the Root’s lesson: life is unpredictable, but I can be steady within it.
Grounding is how we respond—not by denying fear, but by creating rituals that bring us back to ourselves.
Tools for Root Healing
1. Scent-Based Rituals
At Auratherapy, our grounding aromas are designed to awaken and restore your Root.
• Vitality (Chakra 1 Roll-On): A daily essential oil blend that strengthens your sense of security and motivation.
• Drive (Performance Boost): Builds confidence and stability through energizing clarity.
• Patchouli Moodzee: Grounding and sensual, this is Gen Z’s answer to the rootless hustle.
• Passion Aura Spray: A mist to ground through unbridled confidence.
Use them as anchors: apply to your lower back, feet, or root area, or mist your space with intention.
2. Color Therapy
Surround yourself with earth tones—reds, burgundies, browns. Dress in them. Decorate with them. These are Root Chakra colors, and they remind your nervous system: “You are safe here.”
3. Relationship as Grounding
Call a friend. Hug your child. Cook a meal. Speak your needs. Family and chosen family are vital sources of grounding, especially when physical space feels unstable.
4. Daily Breathwork
Your breath is your most portable tool. Slow inhales. Even slower exhales. Feel the seat beneath you. That’s the Earth holding you up. Always.
5. Permission to Feel
You don’t have to be “high vibe” all the time. The Root Chakra invites you to feel scared, tired, messy—and still worthy of care.
This Earth Month, Root to Rise
Earth Day isn’t just about the planet—it’s about remembering that you are the Earth. You are soil and bone, breath and body.
