The Circle of Peace, facilitated by Grandmother Raven, consists of work-shops providing the individual a transformational experience similar to that gained by traveling the Medicine Wheel. The Circle of Peace enables us to find ways to access the hidden reality that exists behind the extern-al appearance of life’s natural beauty. It is a symbolic device which not only serves as a means of establishing relationships with other life forms but functions also as a direction-finder to help us find our way in a multi-dimensional Universe.

The word medicine in a shamanic context means inherent power—the drive for completeness that comes from within.  The word wheel means a hoop or container in which inter-related and interdependent energies pulsate and flow in circular, cyclical and spiraling movements. The medicine wheel encompasses the whole Universe and represents also the totality of our own personal space, for we are each a miniaturization of a greater universe and function in accordance with similar laws. The medicine wheel is not confined to Native American traditions for it is a universal symbol and a catalyst for effecting change. It operates as a process of integration. Integration might be defined as bringing together of fragmented portions into a harmonious whole so they may function together in harmony and thus create beauty. Native peoples all over the world used circles, spirals and labyrinths as a means of coming to an understanding of the Universe and themselves because Nature itself was perceived as working in circles, cycles and spirals, and the Life Force itself moved in a similar way. When humans come into balance with Nature we come into harmony with the rhythm, vibration and pulsa-tion of Life itself with the result that we, too, become vibrant, joyful and harmonious beings.

The circle has no beginning nor ending. Any place on the circle is both a starting and a finishing point. Thus, the point at which we find ourselves on the circle is both a beginning and an end. To a sage, life and death are not regarded as a beginning and ending, only changes—a transition from one plane of existence to another.  It is simply change—a move from one plane to another.  The shaman understands that we are each a Spirit with a body, not a body with a Spirit.  One’s birthplace in the Circle of Life is but a point of perception from which Spirit is enabled to experience the physical reality.

A circle establishes a position in Time and Space and a means of belong-ing. It provides, too, a sense of direction, for from the center of our own individual circle of awareness there is that which is in front of us, that which is behind, that to our left, and that to our right. There is an above and a below also.

The circle can thus be perceived as having four segments--North, South, West, and East, plus the Sky above and the Earth beneath. The point of balance and equilibrium in the center leads also to the discovery of the “within”. This directional awareness and coming into attunement with the circular and cyclical nature of Reality was part of a very ancient art.

The Circle of Peace is a catalyst of ancient wisdom because it is aligned towards harmony and indicates the most balanced way a human being can relate to the ecology and make use of his or her energies.  It allows us to develop the potential that lies within and to discover our unique individuality and provides us with a connectedness to all things that can empower us to express more fully what we are.

For workshop events and schedules, visit our Events page.

For more information, contact Grandmother Raven (Jodi) a
"raven at circlesofessence dot com".