Introduction Circle - Opening

The Circle is a universal symbol of life. 

It is the beginning and end, the center of all that is. It reminds us that each one of our lives is a thread woven into the fabric of human experience. We are the link between our ancestors and our descendants. What we do today impacts their lives for all time. We honor the wisdom of our ancestors in our thoughts & actions. We give thanks for the future that our descendants have trusted in our hands. 

In Circle, our journey begins in the East, where the Yellow sun rises. Here, we honor the element of Air, the first breath we take when we are born. We honor the Mental realm of thoughts and vision where we cultivate self-awareness through personal reflection. 

In the South, in the heat of the Red noonday sun, we honor the element of Fire: the passion in our hearts that motivates our growth in adolescence. We move from thoughts to action. In the realm of the Spirit, we develop a disciplined practice as our understanding of the world grows.

As the sky darkens to Black in the West, we honor the element of Water with the value of our experience. We mature into adulthood in order to share the gift of knowledge with others. In the Emotional realm, we evaluate the impact of our actions in our community, processing feedback on all levels. 

When the White moon rises in the North in the midnight sky, we honor the element of Earth. As elders, we find a purpose beyond self. In the Physical realm, death is an essential part of life. We create a culture that integrates wisdom and practice as our prayer for the next generation to thrive. 

It is our time to take our place in the Circle of Life and acknowledge our interconnectedness with all our relations. We give thanks for the opportunity we have right now to honor them today.