FACING THE FOUR DIRECTIONS

     Since our very first Celebration Circle gathering in January 1992, we've begun our Sunday Morning Circles by facing the Four Directions of the compass as a community. It's our way of honoring an age-old practice, used by various cultures around the world since time out of mind and re-interpreted in the 1980's within the context of Creation Spirituality. Invoking the Four Directions is a powerful and meaningful process, but as with any ritual, there's the possibility for it to become stale and rote with repetition, unless care is taken to review and renew it periodically. So, as part of my preparation for our annual Interdependence Day celebration this Sunday, I'd like to re-visit my understanding of how and why we invoke the Four Directions in the Circle, and invite you to reflect on this practice along with me.

 

VIA POSITIVA

          We begin by facing South, the direction of Summer and the mid-day sun, the direction of action, abundance and blessings. In doing so, we open our awareness to the goodness, health and well-being woven through the fabric of our lives, acknowledging that our needs have been met today, while trusting that they will continue to be met tomorrow and at every step along the way. (Note: although it is traditional to begin by facing East, we start our Sunday Circles by facing South because that's how our seating arrangement is oriented at SAY Sí).

 

VIA NEGATIVA

          Then we take a quarter-turn to the right (clockwise) and face West, the direction of Autumn and the setting sun. ln doing so, we invoke our willingness to embrace change, the inevitability of death and the mystery of all those unanswered (and possibly unanswerable) questions that are part of the human condition. We are also facing the inescapable fact of impermanence, the awareness that all the objects, relationships and conditions that we think of as being "ours" are actually just "on loan" and must be released at some point.

 

VIA TRANSFORMATIVA

          Now we continue to trace the path of the sun moving through the sky by taking

another 90 degree turn clockwise to face North, the direction of the cold winds of Winter and the pitch black of Midnight. We experience the power of standing our ground in the midst of the inevitable challenges we all must face. Despite our society's post-industrial emphasis on personal safety and certainty, if we scratch beneath the thin veneer of culture, we humans remain physically fragile beings who are clinging to our illusions of security.

          But, one of the deep gifts of opening ourselves to the Four Directions ritualistically is that as we stand and face North, we can experience a renewed sense of strength simply by acknowledging our human frailty, while re-affirming our faith and divinity, too.

 

VIA CREATIVA

          Turning once again, we come to the East, the direction of Spring and the rising sun, the promise of renewal and new beginnings. In doing so, we give thanks for the possibility of a fresh start each day, each moment. Regardless of what happened, whether years ago or yesterday, when we face the direction of the dawn, we're reminded to let go of the past and look at whatever is unfolding in our lives right here and now with fresh eyes and a grateful heart.

 

TURNING INWARD

          Finally, we spiral inward to face the Center of the Circle, which represents the Center of our Being, the middle of the Mystery which is Spirit, fully present right here and now, at all times and in all circumstances. While facing the Center, we remember that we are always in the process of being born, while we're busy dying, too; always living in the midst of abundance as well as loss; always in motion, always standing still. Centered in this awareness, we feel our inter-connection with all of life, and rest in a space of peace and gratitude.

 

GOING ON

          I believe this ritual is particularly well-suited as the invocation for our Circle gatherings, because it is such a powerful way to remind ourselves that this moment is a sacred time, this place where we're standing is sacred ground, this is a sacred gathering. But the Four Directions ritual can be a powerful way to start the day at home, or take a short break in the middle of a work day, or before going to bed - in order to reconnect with the larger story of who we truly are and what we are really here to do.  At least, that's my current understanding, and I'm glad to share it with you.

With blessings,

     Rudi Harst

THANK YOU for holding the Circle in your heart by visualizing a generous flow of financial abundance. Thank you for supporting us as we continue our work of fostering a creative, inclusive approach to spirituality. We are deeply grateful.