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The Spiritual Significance and Magical Properties of the Circle
September 20, 2023
The circle, an age-old symbol of eternity and wholeness, holds deep spiritual and magical significance. Delving into its ancient ties to community, the cycles of life, and the womb, let’s explore the circle’s rich tapestry of meanings and how you might incorporate it into your creative rituals when you art journal with the moon.

I asked AI why I might be so drawn to the circle in my art rituals and it suggested the following: within the confines of the circle, there are no beginnings or endings; it is a continuous loop that embodies the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. By repeatedly using the circle in your art, you might be subconsciously aligning yourself with these universal cycles, finding solace in their predictability and constancy amidst life’s chaos. I like that explanation. It resonates. But maybe it’s because the circle evokes a sense of belonging, community, and shared experience. When I sketch or paint within a circle in my art journal, I might be feeling an inherent connection to ancestral traditions and the collective wisdom of ages past when we gathered around fires in circles, sharing stories. Maybe it’s because the circle provides a boundary yet offers infinite possibilities within it. It’s a canvas that constrains and liberates at the same time – as all creative boundaries do. This duality can be entrancing, offering both a challenge and a familiar playground for creative expression. By being drawn to the circle, I’m exploring the depths of my subconscious (as Carl Jung and Susanne F. Fincher can attest), the vast expanse of the universe, and my intimate bond with the moon and its cycles—all within the embrace of a simple, yet profoundly symbolic shape. Whatever the reason, and most likely it’s a little of all of the above and more I’m not even conscious of, I love working with the circle in my creative moon rituals when I art journal with the moon. I want to break down some of the spiritual significance and magical properties of the circle here for you to inspire you to work more intimately with the circle in your creative moon rituals as well.Draw circles in your art journal during your moon rituals to calm, soothe and center yourself.
The Circle and The Cycle of Life
In nature-based traditions, life is not viewed as a linear journey from birth to death but rather as an infinite loop. The circle is a potent symbol of this belief, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. In this context, death is not an end but a transition, a doorway to a new beginning. This belief fosters a deep respect for life in all its phases and an understanding that every ending is, in essence, a new beginning.
Death, often feared and misunderstood, is the winter of the life cycle. It’s a cessation, a return to non-being. But in many traditions and philosophies, it’s not seen as an absolute end but as a profound transition. For without winter, spring cannot come. From the stillness and cold of death comes transformation. It’s the deep, unseen processes that take place beneath the surface—the decaying leaves enriching the soil, the lessons from one life influencing the next, and the old giving way to the potential of the new. Finally, rebirth heralds the return to life, completing the cycle and yet also beginning it anew. Like the first flowers after a long winter, rebirth signifies hope, renewal, and the eternal nature of existence. This cyclical pattern—of birth, growth, maturity, decline, death, transformation, and rebirth—is an eternal dance, evident in all corners of the universe, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all things and the beautiful, relentless rhythm of existence and the circle, in its wholeness and wonder, encompass this entire sacred cycle.The circle has no beginning or end which is how I imagine my soul to be – infinite.
The Circle and the Cycle of the Moon
Perhaps one of the most visible circles in our lives is the moon. Its cyclical dance from new moon to full moon back to new mirrors our own rhythms—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Many nature-based spiritual practices give special reverence to the lunar cycles and I’m no exception. I art journal with the moon to time my moments of reflection, manifestation, release, and growth. By syncing my spiritual and self-care practices and rituals with the moon’s phases, I tap into a deeper, primordial energy, allowing me to harness its power and wisdom.
The Circle, The Cauldron and the Womb
On a more intimate scale, the circle has often been likened to the womb due to its enveloping, protective, and nurturing nature. The womb is
The Circle and the Wheel of the Year
In the northern hemisphere, nature is a perpetual cycle of seasons. Many nature-based spiritual practices use the circle to represent the Wheel of the Year, which encompasses the eight seasonal celebrations. These celebrations mark the Earth’s journey around the sun and the changing seasons, from the rebirth and freshness of spring to the abundance of summer, the harvests of autumn, and the deep introspection of winter. Each phase brings its own energy, its own lessons, and its own magic.
Around December 20th-23rd, at the Winter Solstice or Yule, the Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, leading to the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. The Earth’s North Pole is tilted furthest from the Sun and it’s a time to celebrate stillness, rebirth, embracing darkness to find the light within, renewal, hope and the promise of brighter days ahead. Finally Imbolc, celebrated around February 1st-2nd, is a point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Traditionally, it marks the first signs of spring and the increasing strength of the Sun. It’s a time to observe stirrings, initiations, recognizing the first signs of life after winter’s death, blessings, purification and the flame of inspiration. Picture the Wheel of the Year in your mind as a circle divided into eight equal pieces and each piece being marked like a spoke on a wheel. Each festival, or “spoke” on the wheel, is a touchstone, grounding us in the lessons and magic of the season. As the wheel turns, it reminds us that change is the only constant, and that each phase, whether of growth or decline, has its purpose and beauty. Now imagine those eight becoming invisible but the circle remaining as one shape. Through this circle, we learn to embrace the rhythm of life, celebrating and finding meaning in every twist and turn of our Earthly journey. By recognizing and honoring the seasons through the shape of the circle, I align myself with the Earth’s rhythms, forging a deeper connection with the land and its spirits.The circle, as Wheel of the Year, carries all of life and all of death then brings us back to life again.
The Circle as Mandala
One of my favorite ways to work with the sacred symbolism of the circle is to create mandalas. As Susanne F. Fincher describes in her book, Creating Mandalas, mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning center, circumference or magic circle. Mandalas have been a spiritual symbol and an artistic motif for centuries, revered for their representation of unity, wholeness, and the infinite.
Incorporating mandalas into your art journal during moon rituals can be a transformative experience. As we explored earlier, the moon, with its phases and cyclical nature, is inherently connected to the concept of the circle and thus resonates deeply with mandalas. As you work with a mandala in your art journal under the guidance of the moon’s energy, you are creating a sacred space, a personal sanctuary that connects you to your subconscious realm. Begin by setting an intention, perhaps related to the specific phase of the moon or a personal challenge you’re facing. As you fill in your mandala, let your intuition guide your hand. Colors, patterns, and shapes may emerge, each resonating with emotions, memories, or insights from deep within. By the time your mandala is complete, you may find clarity, a renewed sense of purpose, or simply a deeper connection with your inner self. That is the magic of the circle and art.The circle is a mirror, reflecting back your inner world.
In Conclusion
As you can see, the circle isn’t just a circle to me. It draws on the power of the seasons, the Wheel of the Year, the womb, the cauldron, the goddess, the divine feminine, the cycle of life and the phases of the moon, just to name a few. From the Earth’s dance with the Sun to the nurturing embrace of the womb, the circle stands as a sacred symbol of life’s inherent cycles. It invites us to meditate on our connection to the universe and our place within it. As the moon waxes and wanes in the night sky, the circle encapsulates her phases, guiding our emotions, intentions, and energies in tandem with her. With so many meanings and influences, the circle becomes more than just a shape; it is a powerful symbol of unity, wholeness, and endless possibility. The next time you turn the pages of your art journal and prepare for your moon ritual, let the circle inspire you. Embrace its teachings and its rhythms. Let it guide your hand and heart, and enjoy the magic that lies within its boundary. with love,


hi i'm dana...

This is a space where art and spirit come together. On the blog, I share art rituals for working with the magic of the moon. I also work with the subconscious mind to lighten your emotional load and follow your creative dreams.

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