“Holding the Light” :
There are many “Candle Rituals” which work brilliantly for Circle Gatherings. Here is a suggestion, you may customize as you choose: Take time to breathe and “center” all in the Circle, with a guided meditation, music, song or simply breathing together in silence. All in the Circle have a candle and a match in their possession. When each in the Circle is ready to share, they signal by first lighting their candle. The person holds their lit candle while sharing, and has the full attention of all in the Circle. Only the women holding her candle speaks at this time. (The amount of time for sharing should be kept to a maximum of 3 minutes per person. It should be the responsibility of each individual woman to stay aware of how much time she is taking. The Facilitator of the Circle may gently move them along if necessary.) After each is finished sharing, she then lifts her candle to each woman in the Circle while taking a short moment to look into their eyes. Then, the next woman begins, by lighting her match off the previous women’s candle and lighting her own. The woman who just finished places her candle in the middle of the Circle. Continue this Ritual until all have had a chance to share. At that time all the candles should have been placed in the middle of the Circle. This is a good time to join hands or place your palms open and out, joining the Circle with your combined energies. Closing your eyes, and taking some deep breaths together-the Leader or another, may do a “closing prayer”, or make a statement to close your Circle Session.
– Provided by the PSW Circle, Pacific Palisades, CA
-Copyright-2000-Reprinted from Spheres, Women’s Circles Publication, Vol.1, Number 2

The leader guides the circle of women into a “meditative state”, with their eyes closed, in silence, with music, or song, imagery and focused breathing. All may hold hands or just remain with open palms facing out to keep a feeling of connection. The leader speaks in a soothing, soft yet strong voice guiding the circle to breathe and feel as One. A phrase such as “Picture and state what you want to release from your life”, is voiced by the leader. Each in the circle with their eyes still closed, “calls out” in turn, as the impulse comes, the phrases or words of what they want to release. A rhythm is created in doing so. Continue long enough that each is allowed to feel complete. Taking time to also bring-in the positive, with the leader directing all to envision and state what they would like to draw-in, or have more of in their lives, completes the energy exchange. When it feels right, end with all repeating with the leader, “And so It Is!”

There are no limitations on the subject matter that can be used in this ritual. The focus must be of clear intent and utilizing the collective energy of the circle to manifest positive results.
– Provided by the PSW Circle, Pacific Palisades, CA - 2000
-Copyright 2000-Reprinted from Spheres, Women’s Circles Publication, Vol. 1, No. 1

During the gift giving time of year, this “Ritual” brings the Circle together in a most heartfelt way. Weeks prior to your “Holiday Gathering”, request that each woman bring a wrapped gift with them for a “Gift Exchange”. Set a spending limit of $7.00 or less. The evening of the gathering, set aside a time in the Circle when each woman takes the gift she brought and holds it. The women in the Circle pair off, and in turn, while giving the woman they are with the package they are holding, state how that woman has touched them in some way, what qualities of admiration they have experienced or observed in the other. This is repeated in turn, pairing with each woman in the Circle until each woman has experienced an “Exchange” with all the women in the Circle.When the process is completed, each woman ends up with the gift in hand to open and take with them. Thus, the “Exchange” has been made and a beautiful, healing process of giving and receiving has been experienced by all.– Provided by the PSW Circle, Pacfic Palisades, CA - 2000 -Reprinted from Spheres, Women’s Circles Publication, Vol.1, No. 4