Healing Circles
WHAT IS A HEALING CIRCLE?
A spiritual healing circle is a gathering where participants come together to engage in practices aimed at promoting healing, self-discovery, and spiritual growth. These circles are often facilitated by a spiritual leader, healer, or medicine person and can include a variety of activities.
THE CIRCLE HAS HEALING POWER
Who is this for?
It really depends on the event type. Circles are usually more for a broad collective. Circles bring together individuals from various walks of life, transcending age, gender, and status, identification. With ceremonies, however, I often find that participants have a certain level of resilience and focus, but at the end of the day, honestly, it depends on the individual.
When it comes to medicine, "dosages" must be compatible with the particular recipient, and to figure out what space is more compatible for you there can be a bit of a trial and error process; which is what the life journey looks like! At any rate, I try to consistently capture in the event description the targeted collective. If you still feel unclear if this is right for you, please reach out and I'll try to answer your query when able to.
Each ceremony and circle is deeply steeped in intention.
Circle vs Ceremony
Spiritual Circle:
Informal Structure: Typically more relaxed and less structured.
Ongoing Meetings: Often held regularly, such as weekly or monthly.
Focus on Sharing: Emphasizes group sharing, discussion, and mutual support.
Variety of Practices: May include meditation, drumming, chanting, or other spiritual activities.
Community Building: Aims to create a sense of community and connection among participants.
Spiritual Ceremony:
Formal Structure: More structured and ritualistic.
Specific Occasion: Held to mark a particular event or milestone, such as a rite of passage, healing, or celebration.
Rituals and Symbols: Involves specific rituals, symbols, and practices that are often culturally or religiously significant.
Guided by a Leader: Typically led by a spiritual leader, shaman, or facilitator.
Purposeful Intent: Focuses on a specific spiritual purpose, such as honoring ancestors, seeking blessings, or facilitating transformation.
Both circles and ceremonies are rich in indigenous medicine, so respecting protocols in these sacred spaces is a MUST!
What are the benefits of healing circles?
Meditation: Guided meditations to calm the mind and connect with inner wisdom.
Energy Healing: Techniques like Reiki or other modalities to balance and harmonize the body's energy.
Drumming and Chanting: Rhythmic drumming and chanting to enter a meditative state and connect with source (click here for more on drumming).
Sharing and Support: Participants share their experiences, insights, and challenges in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Rituals and Ceremonies: Sacred rituals to honor the earth, ancestors, and spiritual beings, fostering a sense of connection and reverence.
Format
A healing circle typically follows a structured yet flexible format to create a safe and nurturing environment for participants. Here's a general outline of the format:
Opening Ritual:
The facilitator welcomes participants and sets the intention for the circle.
A brief grounding exercise, such as deep breathing or a short meditation, helps participants center themselves.
Introduction:
Participants introduce themselves and share their intentions or reasons for joining the circle.
The facilitator explains the guidelines for the circle, emphasizing confidentiality, respect, and active listening.
Main Activity:
The core healing activity takes place, which can vary depending on the focus of the circle. Common activities include:
Guided Meditation: A meditation session led by the facilitator to promote relaxation and inner healing.
Energy Healing: Techniques such as Reiki or other forms of energy work to balance and harmonize the body's energy.
Drumming and Chanting: Rhythmic drumming and chanting to enter a meditative state and connect with spiritual energies.
Sharing Circle: Participants take turns sharing their experiences, insights, and challenges in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Reflection and Integration:
Participants reflect on their experiences during the main activity and discuss any insights or emotions that arose.
The facilitator may offer guidance on how to integrate the healing practices into daily life.
Closing Ritual:
The circle concludes with a closing ritual, such as a gratitude practice, a group prayer, or a final meditation.
Participants express their gratitude and say their goodbyes.
Optional Social Time:
After the formal circle, participants may have the opportunity to socialize and connect with each other informally.
The format of a healing circle can be adapted to suit the needs and preferences of the participants, creating a supportive space for healing, connection, and personal growth.
Indoor vs Outdoor
The preference is outdoor, but due to external factors (pun intended) we may be forced to hold the space indoors. The experience will be profound nonetheless. The physical space is important but not nearly as important as your ability to be present. The key to unlocking the magic that you have access to during this precious time is found in your will and attention.
What are the benefits of shamanic drumming?
Cultural Connection: Receiving privilege to gain access to indigenous spiritual spaces
Cultural Education: Have a better understanding of indigenous spiritual spaces and how to intentionally operate within them
Community Building: Foster a sense of unity and connection with others through medicine music!
Stress Relief: Experience relaxation and stress reduction through rhythmic drumming and communal participation!
Emotional Expression: Provide an outlet for emotional release and self-expression through music!
Spiritual Growth: Connect with spirit and explore personal insights and healing!
Healing: Experience the therapeutic effects of drumming on mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.
BECOME MORE WHOLE!
What is the cost and session duration?
Circles can range from 1-2 hours.
Individual rate: On occasion, some circles will be free. On other occasions the fee will vary by event. Check event description for more details!
Corporate rate: Get in touch for your quote!
Upcoming circles ...
still baking!
"Think of how quickly we could heal this world if more of us were dancing, singing, storytelling, and spending time in silence ... especially, if we were doing these things together, in gatherings, everywhere ..."
-author unknown
Past circles ...
Empowering mob with yarning and dadirri
Yarning Circle: Healing intergenerational trauma
Yarning Circle for grieving teens
Metamorphosis: women's healing Circle
(Understanding menopause)
New moon meditation tea ceremony with doterra essential oils
Deepening animism: animal totem face-painting
"The Circle has healing power. In the Circle we are all equal. When in the Circle, no one is in front of you. No one is behind you. No one is above you. No one is below you. The Sacred Circle is designed to create unity. The Hoop of Life is also a circle. On this hoop there is a place for every species, every race, every tree, and every plant. It is this completeness of Life that must be respected in order to bring about health on this planet. To understand each other, as the ripples when a stone is tossed into the waters, the Circle starts small and grows…until it fills the whole lake."
-Dave Yakima Chief, Oglala Dakota