Creating The Ceremonial Circle - A Way to Enter Sacred Space
article by Khabira Paige
People have been gathering in Sacred Circles for thousands of years. The Chumash and Hopi people remind us that at one time the truth was known by every being. The truth of tribes, family and no separation– It is time for the mending of the “Sacred Hoop,” for returning full circle and recognizing ourselves as a Circle.
In megalithic stone circles like the Standing Stones of Callinash on the Isle of Lewis, in Scotland, the stones themselves defined “sacred space.” There was no need to circumscribe the circle as there is today. For centuries these stone circles stand as silent witness to the need to gather on the earth.
During the 80’s I had one of my first experiences of a Ceremonial Circle. It was facilitated by Starhawk, author, priestess, and spiritual activist. We met in a beautiful valley in Hayworth, California on the high holy day, Samhein. About three hundred “goddesses” hiked down into the lush valley dressed in high ceremonial costume for an all night ritual, which included the making of sacred altars at the base of beautiful old trees.
We divided into smaller groups to process all of the emotions including Love, Anger, Rage, Fear, Sadness and finally Transformation. During the “visioning process,” we lifted our voices in song, dance, and prayer, for the earth until the dawning morning light. Since most of us were involved in spiritual activism at that time, we collectively agreed to converge at Lawrence Livermore Lab in the morning. Lawrence Livermore is one of our nation’s biggest weapons think tanks, and the creator of weapons of great destructive power to the planet and its inhabitants.
We all formed a bridge, linking hands while holding white handkerchiefs, so that the employees needed to drive under our “human canopy.” Most of the workers drove through the human arbor, looking neither left nor right, but straight ahead. However, the effect was compelling. Since then, many of us (including Starhawk) have moved further from the model of direct confrontation, to a posture of total oneness with All That Is.
Through the years, together with many beautiful “sisters” and “brothers,” I have developed a format for the Ceremonial Circle, which has a profound effect on the participants. We usually begin by “calling” in the four directions, as well as above and below, through invocation, dancing, breathing and chanting. The following is a powerful Celtic chant we often use:
- May the circle be open and never be unbroken.
- May the love of the goddess be ever in your heart.
- Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.
Here in Sedona, where I presently reside, it is my great pleasure to meet with groups in sacred outdoor spaces known as “Vortexes” or “spirals of electro-magnetic earth energy.” We will often journey to places where there are ancient artesian wells and enact a Blessing of the Waters followed by total immersion in the Waters of Life. The best way to contact the elements is to have a direct experience of them, in other words, immersing in the streams, a pool or ocean. We touch and hug trees with reverence, sometimes light a warming fire or scatter rose petals to the wind.
The following is a brief format of how to call in the four directions and elements while entering sacred space:
One representative goddess takes either the east, west, north or south while all the others go to the direction which calls to her most strongly. Typical invocations might go like this:
I invoke the guardian spirits of the East, the rising sun, the new day, calling in new beginnings, the air and all the winged ones.
I invoke the guardian spirits of the South, the element of Fire, all things growing green with summer’s warmth. The place of innocence and trust.
I invoke the guardians of the West, the element of blue water, the dolphin spirit and also the setting sun representing the indigenous people of the earth.
I invoke the element of the North, the Great Mystery, the path of wisdom and introspection, the snowy white owl and polar bear of the North.
Invoking the guardians is a way to “Cast the Circle.” We often proceed to drum, rattle, chant, using toning or well-loved chants. Very often, of course, simply dancing in joy and wild abandon.
We close our Circle with “Sacred Council.” Council is a native process used by indigenous people for centuries for the purpose of sharing visions and making important group decisions. I have been initiated into the council process in the Lakota tradition at the Ojai Foundation in Ojai, California.
The Ceremonial Circle has had a profound effect on my life, by reminding me that WE ARE A CIRCLE. The earth, sun, moon, and planets are circles. The ovum of our womb is a circle. The love we share seems to move in spirals and circles…
– Khabira Paige is an internationally known movement specialist, musician, dancer and producer of large celebratory events, usually held during the Solstices, Equinoxes and Earth Festivals. Together with her partner, Aziz, gifted sitarist, sound healer and composer, they have created many CDs and videos which create an experience of ecstasy through world unity. Khabira also facilitates retreats here in Sedona, AZ. You can contact her through email: khabirasan@aol.com, phone: (520) 204-9588 or visit the web site of their record label: www.peacethroughmusic.com, click on new releases, “Shapeshifters” for a sound byte.
Reprinted from Spheres, Women’s Circles Publication: Vol. 2, No. 1
Spheres Subscribers are invited to submit their “Circle Stories” to be considered for publication in Spheres Women’s Circles Publication and our developing web site. Email submissions to:spherescircles@earthlink.net