How Grounding with Animal Spirit Guides Can Help Us Conquer Anxiety

It’s no secret that anxiety levels have been at an all-time high. Ever since the world turned upside down in 2020, people are grabbling with their mental health and looking for modalities to stay grounded and calm.

In times of great worry, we have an opportunity to go inward and seek solace. By connecting to earth through Gaia’s energy, we can find more coping methods and ways to calm anxiety. Walking barefoot on the earth, known as grounding, is one of many positive practices to help us calm the body and mind and return to center. You can even go out into the lawn of your yard, a field or grassy area, and sit to tap into the energy of Mother Earth.

I recently created my new deck Guidance from Gaia Oracle: Practices and Affirmations from Spirit Animals to specifically tap into this earth energy and help us feel calmer and more centered. As I share in the guidebook for the deck, each of the earth elements are representative of stability, grounding, fertility, materiality, potential, and stillness. When we connect to nature, we become more focused on being present and centered in the here and now.

The animal spirit guides that are in this category, such as the Ox, Elephant, Camel, and Deer, are all animals that walk on earth and represent instinct, survival, and focused intent—valuable tools for conquering anxiety. Call on these animal spirit guides to help you work through your fears and feel safe in what often feels like an unsafe world.

Gaia is dependable, stable, and focused on the material plane. Align yourself with these four animal spirit guides and build a ritual that can help you ease anxiety.

GUIDANCE OF THE OX: STABILITY, GROUNDEDNESS, BOLDNESS

The Ox comes to you as an invitation to appreciate more of the journey and live in harmony with the unfolding process. To align with the energy of the Ox, extend your heart. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own demands of life that we forget to show others the same support. Give encouragement to one another.

Repeat this affirmation from the Ox:

I am grounded in the here and now.

GUIDANCE OF THE ELEPHANT: GENTLENESS, INTENTION, STAMINA

The Elephant is a steady, solid companion to help you stay focused forward in trying times. Be sure to nourish your mind, body, and soul with strength and stamina by aligning with the Elephant’s energy for your journey ahead. Indulge in washing away your burdens with a bath or shower.

Repeat this affirmation from the Elephant:

I give myself the care and love I so freely give to others.

GUIDANCE OF THE CAMEL: ENDURANCE, PERSISTENCE, SAFETY

With new adventures comes new uncertainty. The Camel is your spirit guide for strength and endurance. Possibilities, hope, and happiness await you on the other side. The Camel is here to remind you that you have everything you need within you and to remain humble throughout this time of adaptation. Welcome in the new life trying to emerge by first letting go of rigid thinking, stubborn patterns, or poor habits keeping you stuck. Then take time to focus on your deepest desires and needs. Enjoy spending time alone in your new home oasis.

As you do this, you will align with the Camel and feel freer and more alive.

Repeat this affirmation from the Camel:

I focus on the positive and leave everything else behind.

GUIDANCE OF THE DEER: INNOCENCE, GRACE, DIVINE FEMININE

The Deer spirit guide is your most trusted ally in times of self-doubt, self-criticism, and self-blame. Sensitive and elegant, the Deer teaches you to be gentler with yourself and invite in grace. Align with the Deer by finding a more compassionate place by speaking kinder to yourself first. Start with a list of things you appreciate and admire about yourself. Then extend this kindness to others. Move through life not from a place of fear but from one of self-love and self-care.

Repeat this affirmation from the Deer:

I’m gentle with myself and release all blame and shame.