one

The power of gathering in a circle of friends and family to support the challenges and transitions in our lives was brought to my attention, once again, as I attended one recently. The group was small,  only five women. They came together in support of one of the women, who is facing a very big shift in her life on many levels.
 We gathered in a circle, with a blazing fire at the center, each woman brought a blessing or offering. The place was adorned with a dozen of the most gorgeous roses, tea lights on the perimeter, fresh raspberries, bubbly water in an elegant glass, and a beautifully decorated chair for the woman to share her journey thus far.
A lovely song brought the circle together, followed by simple words of gratitude from each woman. There were moments of quiet with only the fire crackling as the backdrop, which brought all in the circle to a deeper connection. Wonderful poems with words reminding all participants of the richness, despair, excitement and acceptance life brings. The powerful moment came as all present listened when the honored woman shared her feelings, thoughts, stories from the past and focus for the future. Some of her writings and images were burned in the central fire as the process of letting go unfolded and an invitation for more healing and expansion was invoked. Each woman stepped forward and blessed their powerful friend with words from the heart and cleansed her hands and face with a cloth of warm rose water.  Feeding her raspberries helped bring awareness of the sweetness surrounding her as she walks into this challenge. The evening was completed with songs and simple gratitude for the chance once more to be together. Each woman returned to her life with a bit more power and connection to each other and the source that holds us together. The incredible depth of love and understanding for all in the circle and especially the woman facing the challenge was undeniable.

A simple space, words of truth, gentle touch, songs from the heart and gratitude. Ceremony is something we know in our hearts and souls, handed down from generation to generation until it was somehow lost and only just remembered in our longings.

 When you have leaps and challenges you are facing in life, maybe you can tell one person a bit of what you need. If you tell them clearly and ask for support you might find yourself around a fire, or table, by a river or under a tree having a simple ceremony of sharing, blessing and understanding. Anything is possible!! This I know deep in my bones!

Blessings,

Bobbe