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Sacred Circles
March 14, 2025
“And I say the sacred hoop of my people was one of the many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father."
~ Black Elk
As we get ready to welcome spring (and I am ready!), world events are quite unsettling. Regardless of one's personal ideologies, massive change - whether or not one likes the change - is stressful. Even those on a path of spiritual seeking or service may feel like a pinball bouncing back and forth among a myriad of thoughts and feelings.
People everywhere are looking for guidance. They need help centering themselves. They yearn for a calming presence. They want compassionate, soulful community and a mentor who can lead them to find meaning and purpose amid all the chaos.
People everywhere are looking for guidance. They need help centering themselves. They yearn for a calming presence. They want compassionate, soulful community and a mentor who can lead them to find meaning and purpose amid all the chaos.
Every problem comes with a solution
The moment one shifts their thinking from "Why is this happening (to me)?" to "What can I do to make things better (for myself and others)?" they feel better. The more one focuses on productive, helpful ideas, the higher their vibration rises and the longer they remain centered. And the moment they engage their higher intuition and take positive action, they effect positive change in themselves, in the people around them, and in the world.
And yet, it can be challenging to make these changes on one's own. To shift to a new way of thinking. To focus one's attention on productive solutions. To sustain the positive actions until they become habits.
When the student is ready, the teacher appears
I remember when I began exploring meditation practices, hoping to alleviate the stress I felt as a new mother trying to balance work-life and home-life. I had found a few books and CDs that were helpful, but trying to do it on my own was a slow and clumsy process at best. Thank goodness the universe intervened!
At the time I was aware that my mother had enrolled in a ministerial training course; what I didn't know was that she had begun leading a local spiritual development circle that included meditation and energy healing. As soon as I joined that group, both my meditation practice and my spiritual development unfolded easily and naturally.
The benefits of participating in the circle were many. Feeling safe under the knowing eye of a mentor. Hearing others' assurances that my experiences were fairly common and therefore normal. And especially, finding a community of like-minded people who supported me in my endeavors.
Creatively creating community
I was fortunate to find a ready-made circle that was exactly what I needed. Everyone's path is different, however. It may require some ingenuity and effort to find the right circle - one may need to ask around, drive to a neighboring town, search on the Internet. Or it may involve creating the community. This needn't be complicated; it can begin by inviting friends over to enjoy a shared hobby or starting a book-study group at the local library.
Nor does the circle organizer have to be an expert in the subject of interest. They can arrange for local subject-matter experts to give talks, teach skills, and facilitate discussions. Or the group can rotate leadership, each circle member taking a turn in researching a topic and sharing what they've learned. There are plenty of books and other resources available to guide one in creating and running circles of all kinds: Women's circles. Men's circles. Students' circles. In-person. Online. Book studies. Meditation. Mediumship. Healing. Spiritual Growth. Metaphysical studies. Artistic. Crafty. Self-affirming. Something uniquely yours.
If participating in such a circle is something that you desire, set a clear intention for it. Spend time in reflection, do your research, and when you're ready to take action, ask your spiritual helpers to guide you at each step. Then pay attention to the myriad synchronicities and day-signs the universe will place along your path to show you the way.
Coming full circle
Above all, hold onto the thought that your sacred circle is part of the one circle to which Black Elk referred in the opening quotation: "wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father." And know that "the one circle" will help you find/create a unique circle to support your personal growth and interests.
Finally, Inner Compass can make a few recommendations that may interest you:
Finally, Inner Compass can make a few recommendations that may interest you:
- Meetup.com, where events happen every day.
- Mediumship Development Circle, First Wednesdays each month, 7 - 9 pm ET, online at Inner Compass.
- How to Lead a Development Circle, Begins April 6, 2025, combination online/in-person at Inner Compass.
Wishing each and every one of you a lovely spring that unfolds with great peace and many blessings regardless of any chaos around you...