By Staci Backauskas
(women's spirituality style)
"Form" the circle. Officially form the circle by recognizing each of the four directions and the elements they represent. This figuratively creates a circle that embraces everyone in attendance. It's nice to have four candles in the center that are lit one at a time as each direction is called. Ask four volunteers to read what I've included at the end of this article, or write
your own.
Gratitude. Go around the circle and ask everyone to share what she's grateful for in her life.
Honor the feminine. A friend gave me a deck of cards called Women Who Dare. On each card is the picture and story of a woman who overcame incredible odds to contribute to her world. Everyone in the circle drew a card and shared what was on it. Find a book or other material that will help everyone there remember the courageous women who have come before us.
Discuss a topic. Select a subject that's relevant to you and ask everyone to contribute her opinions and experiences.
Whether it's finding balance, nurturing yourself, or building a spiritual practice, you will all benefit from each other's input.
Meditate. If you feel comfortable facilitating a guided visualization or meditation, this is a great opportunity. If not, place some soothing music on the stereo - Native American flute music or nature sounds work well - and ask everyone to close their eyes. To get everyone started, say the words Inhale-Exhale several times until everyone's in a rhythm. Let it continue as long as it feels natural and then ask everyone to join you back in the circle.
Share. Ask those would like to contribute what they got from the meditation to do so. Don't force anything; let it unfold.
Ad Lib. This is a great time to personalize your circle. If someone in the group reads Tarot, each person can draw a card.
Or you can ask people to bring an instrument - most people have a maraca or tambourine lying around - and make some
music. Perhaps someone has a great chant tape and everyone can sing along.
Open the circle. When everyone has had her say, open the circle using something like what I've written below. It's
important to have closure, so don't skip this step. Blow out the corresponding candle as the direction is called.
Now relax, enjoy each other's food and company and pick the date for the next circle!
How to Form and Open the Circle
Forming the Circle:
East - We're grateful for your gifts of intellect and thought, which allow us to participate in our lives by understanding and
using the gift of intelligence that we all share, regardless of the differences in how we each show it.
South - We appreciate the power of passion and enthusiasm, which you symbolize. Using the fire that burns within, we are
each able to bring the gift of excitement and spirit to all in which we participate.
West - Representative of water, your gifts of cleansing and purification remind us that we have the power to start over
whenever we choose. You help bring awareness to what is for our highest good, and what is not, allowing us to evolve and
expand.
North - Representative of Mother Earth, you possess the special qualities of stability and dependability. You remind us that we all have the power of a solid foundation within us - the unending supply of love and compassion that is the Source.
The Circle is formed. We are safe in the embrace of our community.
Opening the Circle:
North - thank you for your energy of stability. Tonight, each of us has been reminded that the foundation we all seek already exists within. When we choose to accept this, no one and no thing can challenge our direction.
West - thank you for your energy of cleansing and purification. Tonight, each of us has released any negativity that has
prevented us from experiencing our true nature of peace.
South - thank you for your energy of passion and enthusiasm. Tonight, each of us has been reminded of the light that
burns within and our responsibility to share it with those in our lives.
East - thank you for your energy of intellect and thought. Tonight, each of us has stirred our innate intelligence, creating
new ideas and thoughts that allow us to continue evolving and contributing to our community.
The circle is open, but not broken. We part in gratitude, open to the experiences we'll attract because of the positive energy generated here. Peace and love rest in our hearts until we meet again.