“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