SACRED CIRCLES
The Protection and Power of the Collective
Eleni Argy, Australia
I have often marvelled at how horses look after each other in the herd. They stand side by side, restfully, in an intentional togetherness. They position themselves mindfully as the protective sentinels watch over their herd members, allowing for essential rest and respite within their band. Horses possess the inherent ancestral knowledge of the collective. It’s an instinctive sacred circle of care and safety; a holy and protected space which they generously summon us into through an inter-species invitation.
They await patiently while we humans explore our self-focused journey of individual discovery to arrive at a sense of self that is – finally! - so utterly forgiving of our personal anguish, we can settle into the loving embrace of mutuality. When our hearts are fully ready to be welcomed, to be heard within the herd, to be held in this gentle way, the horses are there to guide us into a soothing sense of allowing. I have experienced many decades of being protected in this divine way by horses and witnessed this sanctified haven that horses extend to humans like a gracious olive branch for us to find peace. Somewhere in the soul of this blessed space, there is no ego. The tragedy of our human existence disappears. Our repetitive human story is alchemized. Within this pure and holy place of collective protection, individual healing unfurls and dissolves into a serene stillness.
The Alchemy of Wholeness
By the nature of our humanness in an earthly, physical experience, we find ourselves on a constant quest for meaning, for understanding, for personal empowerment, and perhaps, for healing. We hold this sanctified pursuit in high regard, placing it on a divine pedestal of the perceived meaning of life. I have certainly been a traveller of life in this way, on a personal quest, seeking Socratic wisdom to define and make sense of my experiences, traumas, and relationships. I sought out the teachings and learnings in everything, like a devout student, seeking understanding, value, and purpose. And yes, healing. Was I becoming more whole in this cauldron of experiences and significances, or more fragmented? As I sat amongst horses, in the quiet of their beingness, without a purpose or intention except being among them, I felt welcomed. It was in this tranquillity that I noticed something wonderful; the stories in my mind had no ending and no beginning, their meaning was meaningless, their significance was insignificant, their power was powerless. As I continued to convene in shared silence with horses, without intention or destination, just communing with them respectfully in the field as a witness to their purity, that mammoth quest, that ultimate journey of healing, and that weight of my human struggles began to transmute. I cannot say that there was a significant moment of profound enlightenment. I cannot pinpoint a moment in time where an insightful transformation occurred. It was not like that, but more an openness of heart to be alive in a mutual presence. The transmutation within me somehow appeared timeless. What I know for certain is that a felt sense of wholeness had begun to envelop my narratives, dissolve my fears, and transmute my subjective reality. I began to feel whole.
By the nature of our humanness in an earthly, physical experience, we find ourselves on a constant quest for meaning, for understanding, for personal empowerment, and perhaps, for healing. We hold this sanctified pursuit in high regard, placing it on a divine pedestal of the perceived meaning of life. I have certainly been a traveller of life in this way, on a personal quest, seeking Socratic wisdom to define and make sense of my experiences, traumas, and relationships. I sought out the teachings and learnings in everything, like a devout student, seeking understanding, value, and purpose. And yes, healing. Was I becoming more whole in this cauldron of experiences and significances, or more fragmented? As I sat amongst horses, in the quiet of their beingness, without a purpose or intention except being among them, I felt welcomed. It was in this tranquillity that I noticed something wonderful; the stories in my mind had no ending and no beginning, their meaning was meaningless, their significance was insignificant, their power was powerless. As I continued to convene in shared silence with horses, without intention or destination, just communing with them respectfully in the field as a witness to their purity, that mammoth quest, that ultimate journey of healing, and that weight of my human struggles began to transmute. I cannot say that there was a significant moment of profound enlightenment. I cannot pinpoint a moment in time where an insightful transformation occurred. It was not like that, but more an openness of heart to be alive in a mutual presence. The transmutation within me somehow appeared timeless. What I know for certain is that a felt sense of wholeness had begun to envelop my narratives, dissolve my fears, and transmute my subjective reality. I began to feel whole.
The Circle of Protection
As my curiosity about horses grew, I sought out their teachings. In the wild, horse herds form communities of protection with a foundation built on instinct and unity, each member an essential player in the grand intention of collective survival. Like a well-rehearsed orchestra, every horse knows when to move, when to be still, when to support, and when to lead in the melody of safety and protection. Together they harmonise with impressive and uniform tenacity, committed and loyal to their common purpose.
At the heart of the herd are the resourceful mares, wise, assertive, and watchful, their every decision a silent command as they share leadership and guidance within their band. The stallion, strong and vigilant, stands as the first line of defence. The keen stallion senses are always alert, ears flicking at the slightest sound, eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Should a predator approach, this regal horse stands firm, body tensed, ready to protect with a fury that belies his calm demeanour.
The younger members of the herd, the colts and fillies, are safeguarded within the protective circle of the adults. The elders, with experience and sharp senses, are never far from the young ones, ensuring they are never left vulnerable or unprotected. When danger strikes, the herd does not scatter; instead, they move as one, a fluid motion of bodies working in harmony. Their synchronized movements confuse and outpace predators, turning the herd itself into a fortress of moving power.
In times of calm, they groom one another, a soothing ritual that bonds them and strengthens the social fabric of the group. Each horse has its place in the herd, whether it is the spirited youth or the seasoned elder, and the significance of the individual is revered and held with unspoken understanding. They communicate with the flick of an ear, the swish of a tail, or a beckoning whicker. In moments of need, this quiet language weaves them closer, each horse looking after the other, ready to protect, defend, and share the burdens of the wild.
A herd is not just a group of horses; it is a living, breathing entity. Together, they are a force that no predator can easily shatter, and no challenge can easily divide. The strength of the herd is not in its numbers, but in its unity—a sacred testament to the power of collective guardianship, shared protection and safety.
As my curiosity about horses grew, I sought out their teachings. In the wild, horse herds form communities of protection with a foundation built on instinct and unity, each member an essential player in the grand intention of collective survival. Like a well-rehearsed orchestra, every horse knows when to move, when to be still, when to support, and when to lead in the melody of safety and protection. Together they harmonise with impressive and uniform tenacity, committed and loyal to their common purpose.
At the heart of the herd are the resourceful mares, wise, assertive, and watchful, their every decision a silent command as they share leadership and guidance within their band. The stallion, strong and vigilant, stands as the first line of defence. The keen stallion senses are always alert, ears flicking at the slightest sound, eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Should a predator approach, this regal horse stands firm, body tensed, ready to protect with a fury that belies his calm demeanour.
The younger members of the herd, the colts and fillies, are safeguarded within the protective circle of the adults. The elders, with experience and sharp senses, are never far from the young ones, ensuring they are never left vulnerable or unprotected. When danger strikes, the herd does not scatter; instead, they move as one, a fluid motion of bodies working in harmony. Their synchronized movements confuse and outpace predators, turning the herd itself into a fortress of moving power.
In times of calm, they groom one another, a soothing ritual that bonds them and strengthens the social fabric of the group. Each horse has its place in the herd, whether it is the spirited youth or the seasoned elder, and the significance of the individual is revered and held with unspoken understanding. They communicate with the flick of an ear, the swish of a tail, or a beckoning whicker. In moments of need, this quiet language weaves them closer, each horse looking after the other, ready to protect, defend, and share the burdens of the wild.
A herd is not just a group of horses; it is a living, breathing entity. Together, they are a force that no predator can easily shatter, and no challenge can easily divide. The strength of the herd is not in its numbers, but in its unity—a sacred testament to the power of collective guardianship, shared protection and safety.
Me or We?
As human herds, we have glorified a sense of significant power in independence and individualisation, in the Me-ness of our human existence. But what if the profoundness of our true power lies in the inter-dependence of our togetherness? What if our strength lies not merely in our numbers but in our capacity to relate and collaborate with care within the collective, to participate and contribute in a way that is guided by our individual capacity but directed towards a shared purpose and reciprocal sovereignty? What if, by showing compassion for the needs of others, recognising all as having significant contributions, we become stronger as a collective force, building unbreakable foundations for an unwavering forward path?
I believe that humans know how to hold sacred circles in a warm, loving family and community of We.
Spanning antiquity throughout our human existence, in the heart of the community, the circle of We is a living entity of protection and survival—a communion of spirits linked by something more than blood. It is a bond felt not just by each individual, but in the bones of the whole group, in the soil beneath bare feet, in the core of the soul, in the heartbeat of the earth itself. It is a space where each member understands that they are part of something larger, something significant, something ancient yet alive, and something timeless and eternal. The elders carry the wisdom of those who have passed, not in their minds, but in their muscles, in their eyes, in the way they greet the dawn and feel the pulse of the world around them. They pass this wisdom onto young minds, not for the sake of storytelling or feeding the ego of Me, but to teach the sacred rites of passage, the secrets of well-being, sustenance, shelter, and welfare of the community.
The mantle of wisdom, to those who have come of age, is passed on with subtlety, with an offering of choice to those who wish to listen. The words of the ancestors are not forgotten; they are folded into new hands, new hearts, and new lives. And the circle continues its eternal flame, each step a prayer, each turn a promise that the community will never forget where it has come from and will always know where it is going. It is a circle of love, a circle of strength, a circle that spans not just the years, but the very fabric of time itself.
Humans have not lost the wisdom of the circle of We; they have simply steered astray on their hero’s journey seeking a Me they cannot find.
As human herds, we have glorified a sense of significant power in independence and individualisation, in the Me-ness of our human existence. But what if the profoundness of our true power lies in the inter-dependence of our togetherness? What if our strength lies not merely in our numbers but in our capacity to relate and collaborate with care within the collective, to participate and contribute in a way that is guided by our individual capacity but directed towards a shared purpose and reciprocal sovereignty? What if, by showing compassion for the needs of others, recognising all as having significant contributions, we become stronger as a collective force, building unbreakable foundations for an unwavering forward path?
I believe that humans know how to hold sacred circles in a warm, loving family and community of We.
Spanning antiquity throughout our human existence, in the heart of the community, the circle of We is a living entity of protection and survival—a communion of spirits linked by something more than blood. It is a bond felt not just by each individual, but in the bones of the whole group, in the soil beneath bare feet, in the core of the soul, in the heartbeat of the earth itself. It is a space where each member understands that they are part of something larger, something significant, something ancient yet alive, and something timeless and eternal. The elders carry the wisdom of those who have passed, not in their minds, but in their muscles, in their eyes, in the way they greet the dawn and feel the pulse of the world around them. They pass this wisdom onto young minds, not for the sake of storytelling or feeding the ego of Me, but to teach the sacred rites of passage, the secrets of well-being, sustenance, shelter, and welfare of the community.
The mantle of wisdom, to those who have come of age, is passed on with subtlety, with an offering of choice to those who wish to listen. The words of the ancestors are not forgotten; they are folded into new hands, new hearts, and new lives. And the circle continues its eternal flame, each step a prayer, each turn a promise that the community will never forget where it has come from and will always know where it is going. It is a circle of love, a circle of strength, a circle that spans not just the years, but the very fabric of time itself.
Humans have not lost the wisdom of the circle of We; they have simply steered astray on their hero’s journey seeking a Me they cannot find.
Sovereign Wisdom; Sacred Power
By embracing the collective wisdom of the horse, we are invited into a space where we can release the weight of our human struggles and strengthen our capacity within a larger context of togetherness. The herd is no longer just a metaphor; the circle is no longer just imagery; it becomes an entity of aliveness that welcomes us into a space of acceptance, compassion, and interconnectedness.
The sovereign presence and wisdom of the horse offer us a model for living in harmony, embracing both individuality and the shared journey toward wholeness.
Our sacred circles are never lost; just forgotten, until perhaps within the true sacred essence of the collective, we are ready to remember that we are more protected and powerful together. ~*~
By embracing the collective wisdom of the horse, we are invited into a space where we can release the weight of our human struggles and strengthen our capacity within a larger context of togetherness. The herd is no longer just a metaphor; the circle is no longer just imagery; it becomes an entity of aliveness that welcomes us into a space of acceptance, compassion, and interconnectedness.
The sovereign presence and wisdom of the horse offer us a model for living in harmony, embracing both individuality and the shared journey toward wholeness.
Our sacred circles are never lost; just forgotten, until perhaps within the true sacred essence of the collective, we are ready to remember that we are more protected and powerful together. ~*~
Photo Credits: Arrowood Photography, Path of the Horse, Sheez Like the Wind Equine Experiences, Elle Levey, Surefooted Equine Assisted Counselling and Therapy
Special thanks to Michael; ‘Etsamos mas protegidos y mas ponterosos juntos’
Eternal gratitude to all of the horses who have invited me into their sacred circles.
Special thanks to Michael; ‘Etsamos mas protegidos y mas ponterosos juntos’
Eternal gratitude to all of the horses who have invited me into their sacred circles.
