Red Tent Circle - Taurus

Tonight was my first Red Tent Circle, held at the Serpentarius Healing Centre.

Words can barely describe how at home I felt, how right it felt, my whole body and soul were saying 'yes, this is it' the entire time I was there. I almost cried from relief a couple of times. I've helf back my spirituality for so long, and then floundered when I wanted to rekindle it, that going to this event with this amazing group of women and have it work and feel good and right and home that it is such a joyous relief.

We started by talking about the new moon in Taurus and expressions of this energy (positive: creativity, planning. Negative: overeating, overindulging) and then we did a meditation.

I saw quite easily and intensely the images of the meditation, the stars, the sand and the water. I could feel the warmth of the sand beneath my feet and heard distandly the creaking of the jetty as I walked across it. The clearing with Oshun was fairly enclosed, like a womb with the beautiful pool and waterfall in the middle surrounded by large bushes of jasmine. When we were told to float in the pool and look at the stars and then connect with our star selves I felt an intense rush of energy, power and connection. My whole body sang. The warmth of the pool soothed my sore leg and shoulder slowly.

After this we chose a card from the numerous Goddess decks around the circle. I'm not sure which deck I used but I got Artemis.

I am who I am
and I know who I am

Very fitting given how lost and disconnected I have felt recently. Its reassuring and a great affirmation to work with. Also fitting that she is one of the Goddesses I identified when I oiginally started working with Shamantic techniques.

I feel amazing right now. My whole body is tingling with energy, it has released knots in my neck and shoulders, my head is buzzing. I haven't felt like this for a long time and it is such a great feeling to know that I still can. I'm actually not sure I ever felt this spiritualy powerful before.

Samhain 2010

The Circle was set up with the tea light lantern in the north, the incense from the cleansing in the east, and 12 tea lights in glass jars around the permeter of the circle. I didn't notice but at one point after the circle had been cast K's dog approached the circle but didn't come inside.

Casting/cleansing

Had two of the girls use incense to clear the place, and then the ball rattles to remove any stuck negative energy. I then took the rattles and walked the circle three times, the first two times shaking the rattles, the last time swirling them.

“The circle is cast
This space is sacred”

Quarters

I walked to each of the quarters, shaking the rattles, swirling them when invoking.

“I call to the East,
Sisters of the Wind,
Send us your wisdom,
Enter this Sacred Space.”

“I call to the North,
Sisters of the Flame,
Send us your Courage,
Enter this Sacred Space.”

“I call to the West,
Sisters of the Wave,
Send us your Intuition,
Enter this Sacred Space.”

“I call to the South,
Sisters of the Earth,
Send us your Strength,
Enter this Sacred Space.”

Goddess Calls

"Goddess, Great Mother, Wise Woman, your daughters call, attend our rite this night

God, Great Father, Old One, your daughters call, attend our rite this night"

Working

At some point during the next section all the trees in the west started swaying wildly, with the wind rushing through them.

"We come tonight to honour the change in seasons. The wheel is turning, the veil of the world is thin. The light has been eaten b y the dark. The year is in shadow. We are in shadow.

It is in shadow that we face our darkest secrets and deepest fears. It is in shadow that we face the parts of ourselves we do not wish to recognise. It is in shadow that we cannot hide. It is in shadow that we are stripped bare. It is in the shadow that we are beaten down. It is in the shadow that we cannot breathe. It is in the shadow that we find the light inside. It is in shadow that we are transformed. It is in the shadow that we are reborn.

We come tonight to honour our ancestors. We honour those who have walked this path before. We honour those in whose footsteps we tread. We honour those who have departed this realm. We honour those our eyes can no longer see. We honour those who our hearts ache for. We honour those who make our souls sing.

The spirits of our ancestors are linked to ours, it flows through our veins, it is sacred, we are sacred, life is sacred. It is through them that we learn that we are all connected. There is no beginning, no ending, we move as one, through this life and the next. It is through them that we glimpse the bigger picture.

In this time of shadow, this time of introspection, this time of transformation, we ask our ancestors to hear us, to be present. We ask them to speak to us, to give us guidance, to give us courage, to give us strength, to give us comfort, to give us wisdom."

Libation

Held the glass of red wine up to the sky

"Ancestors, we honour you. Give us guidance, speak your words of wisdom to us and protect us this night."

Passed the wine around from person to person, each saying their own private toast.

Meditation

I instructed everyone to find a spot on the edge of the circle and face the outside. I then let them through a short meditation to connect with their ancestors and ask for guidance.

Tarot Card

The deck was shuffled and I approached each person instructing them to shuffle for themselves then take a card. Once they knew what card it was I placed it back into the deck, shuffling again before going to the next person. I got the 4 of Pentacles.

Dismissing

"Great Mother, Great Father, we thank you for your presence here at our rite. Until we meet again."

Shook the rattle at each of the quarters to clear them

“Sisters of the Earth,
I bid you farewell
Until we meet again.”

“Sisters of the Wave,
I bid you farewell
Until we meet again.”

“Sisters of the Flame,
I bid you farewell
Until we meet again.”

“Sisters of the Wind,
I bid you farewell
Until We meet again.”

Closing

Walked slowly around the circle in the reverse direction to the start shaking the rattles. Once I reached the beginning again I shook the rattles vigorously

“It is done.

The Circle is open.”