Image by Thomas G. from Pixabay
In This Article:
- The purpose and power of sacred circles in fostering connection
- How the talking stick encourages deep listening and emotional healing
- Ways to create and host a sacred circle in your community
- The role of active listening in deepening relationships and self-awareness
- How sacred circles promote personal growth, healing, and transformation
Sacred Circles: A Path to Deep Connection
by Linda Star Wolf Ph.D., author of the book: The Aquarian Shaman.
A community circle can be created whenever two or more are gathered, and can allow space for finding common ground and connection. Sacred circles might take the form of knitting groups, book clubs, or meetups for hobbyists of all kinds. They can also be a place where people come together to study a new skill or craft, such as divination cards, astrology, dream circles, meditation, cacao ceremonies, or festivals for ecstatic dancing.
A sacred circle might mean a simple walk in nature together, during which people discuss what is observed or felt along the walk. They can be lighthearted and playful gatherings, or they can be created with an explicit intention for personal growth, as with a twelve-step meeting, meditation group, or priest/priestess circle. Underlying any type of circle is the intention to come together face to face, eye to eye, and heart to heart for a shared purpose.
The Talking Stick
Many years ago, when I was sitting in a circle at a Native American gathering of wisdom keepers, I was handed a small wooden stick that had animal carvings, feathers, and small crystal stones attached to it with leather straps. Grandmother Twylah Nitsch passed this “talking stick” to me and invited me to share my “sacred point of view.”
Grandmother explained to newcomers that the talking stick was being passed so each person sitting in the circle could share what was of concern to them, and asked that we share truthfully what was in our hearts and minds. She reminded each of us that we were to share something about our own personal situation or journey, and to avoid gossiping or personal attacks. Whatever we shared—be it happy, angry, sad, or confused—was our sacred point of view from where we sat on the medicine wheel of life during this moment. She also asked us to keep an open mind and heart as we spoke and listened, and to practice non-judgment of ourselves and others.
Grandmother Twylah said that speaking in this manner, with no fear of being judged, would allow us to listen and speak from our innermost being, thus enabling a sacred witnessing. Deep spiritual inner healing could arise from this sacred witnessing, bringing change to our outer lives as well. When we are held in the open hearts and minds of others without judgment, everyone is transformed by the experience. She explained that since we all bear wounds from imperfect upbringings, we each have our own perspective, and our insights reflect where we are on the path of healing.
Active Listening
Active listening—without trying to fix or judge—fosters deeper compassion for both the speaker and ourselves, revealing our shared human struggles and diminishing the isolation in our suffering. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this Aquarian Shamanic medicine became the way of the world, of governments, organizations, communities, and relationships everywhere?
Throughout the years, I have sat in many such circles and have frequently hosted them myself. They can only work if those who attend aren’t trying to always be right, or control what others say or think. The group members cannot give advice or feel invested in being seen as better.
Nothing creates a sense of deeper understanding and belonging than a circle that promotes sharing in this manner. Often when we open our minds and hearts to what others have to share, individuals feel their unasked questions are answered, and new perspectives come forth.
Sacred Women's Circle
Early on in my shamanic experiences, I felt called to create sacred women’s circles. While I was initially driven to do so by a need within myself, in hosting the circles, I found they also helped and supported others.
In this next exercise I invite you to consider what sort of community or connection your heart is seeking at this time. Do you desire a lighthearted regular meetup over a cup of tea? Or do you wish to broaden your knowledge or skill in a craft and to share in that learning with others? Are you looking to start a walking group to enjoy nature? Perhaps a men’s or women’s group is calling to you, or a parents’ and children’s group to support kids in learning shamanic communication. Or maybe you want to overcome negative habits or addictions in your life, and you wish to establish a shamanic twelve-step program to support yourself and others.
Hosting an Sacred Circle
For our next exercise, I urge you to let your Aquarian Shamanic soul be your copilot, and ask yourself, “What is it that I most yearn for and also wish to share with others?” It may take some courage to put your idea out there, but you might start with just one other person, if it feels more comfortable.
The two of you may, in time, choose to bring together a wider community. Your sacred circle might take the simple form of learning to use a talking stick to encourage respectful, active listening between yourself and a significant other, child, or friend. The rewards can be rich when we begin connecting to others with intentionality.
If you feel called to host a larger circle, you can assign a topic of focus, or open the circle with a reading from your favorite spiritual teacher and allow sharing around the circle to happen organically. Pass the talking stick or object around, or place it in the center after each person shares, and let people choose when they are ready to participate. It may be beneficial to open the hosting of the circle to other group members and alternate who offers a reading or opens the circle in their own way.
Your Heart's Desire for Connectedness
Circles can happen daily, monthly, annually, or whenever the call arises within the group. A circle can also be held with friends or family to facilitate a difficult discussion or make decisions based on group consensus.
I urge you to experiment with this powerful way of gathering and communicating. Tap into your heart’s desire for connectedness, and let creativity and imagination support you in creating circles of communion and shared experience.
Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved. Adapted with permission.
Published by Bear & Co., an impprint of Inner Traditions Intl.
Article Source:
BOOK: The Aquarian Shaman
The Aquarian Shaman: Walking the Spiral Path of Transformation
Linda Star Wolf, Ph.D.
Describing how to recover the magical sensibility and innate awareness that most of us leave behind in childhood, Linda Star Wolf shares essential shamanic techniques, including the Shamanic Healing Initiatory Process and Shamanic Breathwork. She discusses the power of the imagination, showing how imagination is actually a liminal realm rooted in the cellular records of our body through which we can journey to other worlds and connect with our ancestors.
This Aquarian guidebook will help you not only awaken to shamanic consciousness but also cultivate more love, inner awareness, and personal power as you walk the spiral path of transformation.
For more info and/or to order this book, click here. Also available as a Kindle edition and Audiobook.
About the Author
Linda Star Wolf, Ph.D., has been a visionary teacher and shamanic guide for more than 35 years. The founder and codirector of Venus Rising Association for Transformation and the founder and president of Venus Rising University for Shamanic Psychospiritual Studies, she is the creator of Shamanic Breathwork® as well as the Shamanic Ministers Global Network and the Wise Wolf Councils.
A spiritual granddaughter of Seneca Wolf Clan Grandmother Twylah Nitsch, Star Wolf is the author of Shamanic Breathwork and co-author of Visionary Shamanism, Shamanic Egyptian Astrology, Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt, and The Anubis Oracle.
Author's website: ShamanicBreathwork.org
Article Recap:
Sacred circles offer a unique way to foster deep connection, personal growth, and healing. By embracing active listening and shared experiences, these gatherings create a safe space for transformation. Whether through meditation, storytelling, or community support, sacred circles provide a meaningful way to build relationships, enhance self-awareness, and strengthen spiritual connection.
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