"EARTH RELIGION" - the APOSTATE WORLD RELIGION of THE FALSE PROPHET and THE "MAN of LAWLESSNESS". "MARK THESE WORDS" !! ...

The WORLD will JOIN together using the so called "CIRCLE of LIFE" configuration for the "CAUSE" of "SAVING CREATION" ... So called man made "CLIMATE CHANGE" is at the "CENTER" of this apostate "church" and its leaders will attempt to tax and control mankind "around" this cause.

Watch for the symbol of the "CIRCLE" to be used by the United Nations and organizational groups, who will use the "circle" symbol in global logos to UNIFY "save the earth causes under a "RELIGIOUS" pretext. - BOZUNG

"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen". Romans 1:25.

Earth Religion" - Coming-of-age rituals of many faiths & countries:

"GIANT GATES" - "SPIRITUAL PORTALS" "STAR-GATES" "BLACK HOLES" "CERN" ... THE "GATES of HELL" -
 "CIRCLE WORSHIP" TRADITIONS:

"TRADITION" is to Witchcraft ... What a "DENOMINATION" is to Christianity

Regarding "GIANT GATES", an American Indian term used to describe "entity portals" (entry points of principalities and powers of darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly place).

This religious perversion is NOT exclusive to any particular "PEOPLE GROUP" ... this is a deception that is taking the "CHURCH" BY STORM.

WARNING - PAY ATTENTION ... LEAVEN IS SUBTLE ...

BE ON GUARD ... BE SOBER MINDED ... AND GUARD YOURSELF AGAINST THINGS THAT "SEEM OK" ... BUT LOOK DEEPER!!! (Galatians 5:9). "There is a way that seems right to a man"... Proverbs 14:12.

THERE IS NOTHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH THE CIRCLE OR SYMBOL OF A CIRCLE ... UNTIL ... UNTIL ... UNTIL THE CIRCLE IS INTRODUCED INTO SPIRITUAL WORSHIP AND PRAYER ....

There is NOTHING wrong with "joining hands together in prayer, worship and agreement with the Word of God, HOWEVER, when the joining of hands "CENTERS" around "CREATION" or ANYTHING OTHER than Jesus Christ, witchcraft is introduced.

 The inherent problem with "CIRCLE" worship and prayer is that many "christians" focus the experience on symbol of ceremony and NOT Christ. Biblical scripture and Strong’s for various combinations of the words “join” and “hand”, and “hold” and “hand.” Only two Scriptures exist regarding “joining hands,” but they were NOT associated with prayer”.

 Proverbs 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

 Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

 THE CIRCLE REPRESENTS the idea of "CREATION" rather than the CREATOR. Romans 1:25

 "Earth Religion" IS the "interconnectedness of creation", the "Circle of Life". The legitimization of the idea of prayer and worship circles is often explained as the "interconnection of creation" or "natural as the CREATED UNIVERSE that "works in CYCLES", citing that "even His CREATIONS show us His use of circles, from the planets, (CREATIONS) and their orbits, (CREATIONS) to the rings in a tree, (CREATIONS)".

 This explanation validates the intended acknowledgment of creation in the use of circles during service and ceremony and confirms the misguided focus of worship and prayer when performing services in circle configuration.

 IT IS NOT THE CIRCLE that is the ISSUE here, but rather the MISGUIDED FOCUS on CREATION rather the Creator when engaging in the "circle" configuration of worship and prayer.

 YOU CAN STAND ON YOUR HEAD AND PRAY, it is the TRADITION associated with the CIRCLE that IS focused on the CREATION, rather than the Creator. This is the difficulty.

 THE CREATOR HAS NO BEGINING OR END ... THE DIRECTION OF LIGHT IS "STRAIGHT FORWARD"!!!! “For as the lightning goes forth from the east and shines to the west, so shall be the coming of the Son of man”. Matthew 24:27.

 Another justification of the use of "circles" in prayer and worship is that allegedly "the Throne Room of God is in a circle": Scripture states that men and angels stand around the throne and worship the Lord.

 The Truth is that the word "around" does NOT mean "SURROUND", but these who worship Him are FACE TO FACE with HIM, which CANNOT be achieved when on is standing BEHIND His Throne.

These are gathered together with Him face to face. Biblical scripture and Strong’s for various combinations of the words “join” and “hand”, and “hold” and “hand.” What resulted from that search turned out to be very enlightening. only two Scriptures exist regarding “joining hands,” but they were NOT associated with prayer”. -BOZUNG


Excerpts all sourced: Prayer circles have a long history of use among Mandala (Sanskrit Ma??ala, 'circle') is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions, representing the universe.

The Circle is a fairly universal symbol among world religions. Circle worship is a style of worship popular with Unitarian Universalist (UU) youth ... Creating Neo-Pagan Worship • Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans'

In 1999, Tarkowski noticed the increased use of prayer circles by Christians, but he also noticed that Christians were late-comers to the prayer circle game. Others had used these circles for decades–sometimes centuries.

If you doubt that prayer circles are so widespread, or such a powerful tool, read the list below of just a few of the examples of prayer circles that I found on the World Wide Web. Besides these sites, there are numerous New Age and Christian Chat Sessions (used by Internet users to discuss various topics) that include prayer circles or discussions about them. As you will see, the circles are prevalent in the apostate church, the New Age, and even in the secular world. The whole world is being prepared to welcome the arrival of the Beast of Revelation 13, and to follow after him.

One of the most interesting of Tarkowsi’s findings concerned the mention of joining hand in-hand in the Bible its connection with those who intend evil.

"I did some searching in Strong’s Concordance, and found nothing regarding circles, except for one reference to God as the one “that sitteth upon the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22.) Next, I looked up what it said about “joining hands” in prayer, but that didn't help either.

Then I searched through the KJV and Strong’s for various combinations of the words “join” and “hand”, and “hold” and “hand.” What resulted from that search turned out to be very enlightening. I found only two Scriptures regarding “joining hands,” but they were not associated with prayer”. They were:

Proverbs 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Some refer to their spiritual belief system by the name of their particular tradition (I.e.: Wicca). There are many groups who are monotheists (there is only 1 god), polytheists (there are many gods) or duotheists (1 female and 1 male god). Many regard the gods as real, not simply as aspects of a male or female deity. Where other Traditions see them as pantheons, just aspects of the Divine force in the universe.

Today there is a belief that a tradition of Witchcraft MUST be polytheists or duotheists to be legit. That is a total misconception. Many early pagans were monotheists, who saw the Divine Spirit as once force that lives within all things and connects all things into one force in nature”.

Drumming to the Heartbeat of God: The sixty people gathered for worship had been drumming together for nearly forty minutes, occasionally enlivening the rhythm with songs, shouts, or movements cued by the worship facilitator. At times people offered their own prayers to God over the sound of the drumming, or spontaneously danced, or sang a song that percolated out of their hearts. As the facilitator moved to the center of the circle, signaling to bring the drumming down, the room became quieter until eventually the drumming faded to nothing. The circle of drummers basked in the silence, aware of their connection to each other and to God. It was a holy moment.

Popular culture:

Although the idea of earth religion has been around for thousands of years, it did not fully show up in popular culture until the early 1990s. X-Files was one of the first nationally broadcast television programs to air witchcraft and Wicca (types of earth religion) content. On average, Wiccans - those who practice Wicca - were more or less pleased with the way the show had portrayed their ideals and beliefs. However, they still found it to be a little "sensationalistic". That same year, the movie The Craft was released - also depicting the art of Wicca. Unfortunately, this cinematic feature was not as happily accepted as X-Files had been.[12]

A few years later, programs showcasing the aforementioned religious practices - such as Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer - became widely popular. Although Charmed focused mostly on witchcraft, the magic they practiced very closely resembled Wicca. Meanwhile, Buffy was one of the first shows to actually cast a Wiccan character. However, since the shows focus was primarily on vampires, the Wiccan was depicted as having supernatural powers, rather than being in-tuned with the Earth.[12]
 Other movies and shows throughout the last few decades have also been placed under the genre of Earth Religion. Among them are two of director Hayao Miyazaki's most well known films - Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro. Both movies present human interaction with land, animal, and other nature spirits. Speakers for Earth Religion have said that these interactions suggest overtones of Earth Religion themes.[13]

Some popular Disney movies have also been viewed as Earth Religion films. Among them are The Lion King and Brother Bear. Those who practice Earth Religion view The Lion King as an Earth Religion film mainly for the "interconnectedness" and "Circle of Life" it shows between the animals, plants, and life in general. When that link is broken, viewers see chaos and despair spread throughout the once bountiful land. Congruently, Brother Bear portrays interactions and consequences when humans disobey or go against the animal and Earth spirits.[13]

"pagans, witches, and other occult practitioners. But the use of the prayer circle in Christianity, like so many other modern rituals, practices and doctrines, can be traced to the American apostate church".
 
There are many religious and family "traditional" practices of familiarity such as Easter, the traditional religious practice of "christians" based on ignorance and deception of the actual fundamentals of this pagan celebration of the sun which has no place in Christian worship and practice. ...
 
Such is the case with the American Indian tradition of worship "CIRCLES", a practice with the fundamentals of wiccans and witchcraft that also has no place in Christian worship.

"Earth Religion"
 
Meet the Author of The Circle maker / Mark Batterson who serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. Recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches, NCC is one church with seven locations. Mark is the author of several bestselling books including In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, and Primal. He and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children.

The Church Campaign Kit / Dream Big. Pray Hard. Think Long: http://thecirclemaker.com/churchcampaign
The dynamic four-week church campaign for The Circle Maker reveals the true legend of Honi the circle maker, a first century Jewish sage, whose bold prayer for rain saved a generation. With insightful writing, teaching and inspiring stories, Mark Batterson will help you and your congregation learn how to pray in a new way. Everyone in your church will learn how to pray, draw prayer circles around their dreams, their families, and most importantly, the promises of God.

God is still looking for circle makers who have discovered this timeless truth: God honors bold prayers because bold prayers honor God. The Circle Maker book, video, participant’s guide and sermon and promotional materials will help your church experience God in a fresh, new way. When your church learns how to draw prayer circles, the life of each person who participates will never be the same.

The Campaign Kit includes:
• One hardcover book
• One participant’s guide
• One DVD-ROM containing four small-group video sessions, a Getting started Guide, four sermon outlines, and all the church promotional materials needed to successfully launch and sustain a four-week church campaign.

The curriculum can be used in a variety of ways – as a whole church campaign (adult congregation), adult Sunday school, small-group study, or individual use.
The Circle Maker session titles include:

1. Becoming a Circle Maker
2. Little People, Big Risks, and Huge Circles
3. Praying Hard and Praying Through
4. Praying is Like Planting
 Christianbook.comBarnes & NobleAmazon / ©2011 All Rights Reserved

HISTORY:
A magic circle is circle (or sphere, field) of space marked out by practitioners of many branches of ritual magic, which they generally believe will contain energy and form a sacred space, or will provide them a form of magical protection, or both. It may be marked physically, drawn in salt or chalk, for example, or merely visualised. Its spiritual significance is similar to that of mandala and yantra in some Eastern religions.
 
The Sacred hoop of life; (In the Great Circle); As a metaphor, the concept of the sacred hoop of life, also used by multiple Nations, is sometimes conflated with that of the medicine wheel. Some Native American cultures, the medicine wheel is a metaphor for a variety of spiritual concepts. A medicine wheel may also be a stone monument that illustrates this metaphor.

Historically, the monuments were constructed by laying stones in a particular pattern on the ground oriented to the four directions. Most medicine wheels follow the basic pattern of having a center of stone(s), and surrounding that is an outer ring of stones with "spokes" (lines of rocks) radiating from the center to the cardinal directions (East, South, West and North). These stone structures may or may not be called "medicine wheels" by the people whose ancestors built them, but may be called by more specific terms in that nation's language.
Physical medicine wheels made of stone have been constructed by several different Indigenous peoples in North America, usually those of the Plains nations. They are associated with religious ceremonies. As a metaphor, they may be used in healing work or to illustrate other cultural concepts.

The medicine wheel has been adopted as a symbol by a number of pan-Indian groups, or other Native groups whose ancestors did not traditionally use it as a symbol or structure. It has also been appropriated by non-Indigenous people, usually those associated with the hippie, New Age or Neopagan communities.
Meaning of the Circle Symbol

Native American Indians were a deeply spiritual people and they communicated their history, thoughts, ideas and dreams from generation to generation through Symbols and Signs such as the Circle symbol. Native American symbols are geometric portrayals of celestial bodies, natural phenomena and animal designs. The circle is used as a basis for many symbols including the Sun symbol, the cycle of the seasons and the cycle of life to death to rebirth and the four elements.
 
The Circle Symbol - Meaning
The circle is symbolic of equality, where no person is more prominent than any other person. Circle meetings ensured that all people were allowed to speak and the words spoken were accepted and respected on an equal basis. A circle around other Native American symbols signifies family ties, closeness & protection. The circle has no break and holds that which cannot be broken. The circle is an important symbol to Native American Indians. Gatherings in Pow-wows were organized in a series of circles. Dancing took place in the center of a circle formed by the drums and the audience. The concessions and encampment form another circle around the gathering. This is symbolic of the life cycle.

The Circle Symbol - The Cosmic Cross
The four elements is represented by the Hopi tribe with the following circle, called the "Cosmic Cross" or the Cross in the Circle - Solar Cross Symbol. Which means the world. The four bars represent north, south, east and west.
  
How to Cast a Circle. Wiccans other neo-pagans practice Ritual Magick cast sacred circles inside which rituals are performed. UNDERSTAND!

The Circle is there to protect you, and is the MOST important thing you can learn before attempting any magick. The reason for doing this is simply one of precaution. Metaphysical energy attracts a certain amount of attention from beings of a spiritual nature. Just as you wouldn’t leave the front door of your house open to anyone who happened by, you likewise need to close supernatural doors. Casting a Circle and calling the Watchtowers do this.
White light is considered symbolic of pure protective energy. To begin, sit quietly with your eyes closed, imagining a white light surrounding first you, and then the area where you are working. It is easiest to envision this light as coming from above you as sunlight does. As you see it clearer in your mind, allow the light to grow brighter, you may begin to feel warmer and the room may see quieter or different than when you began. This indicates that you have done it correctly.
 
After you have protected your sacred area, you can then move on to actually casting the Circle.
 
The Four Quarters or Watchtowers each have guardians that are welcomed into your sacred space to protect, bless and witness your workings.

In Wicca North represents the element of Earth, midnight, winter and the sense of touch. The Elemental being associated with North is the Gnome. The Gnome appears as a small man in a pointed hat, who is sometimes misshapen or hunchbacked. He lives in natural wild places and cares for the animals. Gnomes are thought to be somewhat benevolent towards humans.

South represents the Element of Fire, noon, summer, energy and the sense of sight. The Elemental Being associated with South is the Salamander. The Salamander not only represent the element of Fire, it also lives within the element of fire. They are dainty and beautiful, but resent humans because we cannot enter into their fiery realms. Within the Element of fire are untold numbers of tiny kingdoms and the Salamanders live in these kingdoms the same as humans live in cities and towns.

East is the Element of Air, place of dawn, spring, any magic dealing with the mental or our sense of smell, something that is carried on the winds. The Elemental Being associated with East is the Sylph. A Sylph is a race of Faerie that specializes in the wind. They appear as beautiful, delicate humans and can be all size. Unlike most Faeries who have insect-like wings, Sylphs have iridescent feathered wings like a hummingbird.

 West is the Element of Water, emotions, intuition, twilight, fall, the sense of taste. The Elemental being associated with the West is the Undine. Undines are always female and can appear in the guise of human, snake or fish. Every form of water has it's own tribe of Undines, they exist in oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, puddles and even teardrops.
 
These four points are set up to represent the outer barrier of your magical space, to protect it and help establish a special energy area in which magick can be built. Each one of these elements is called and welcomed into the sacred space by the invocation, sometimes specifically by name, and other times by a general greeting.

Here are the basics of Circle Casting:

You will need:
4 votives
2 altar candles one for the God one for the Goddess (God on right Goddess on left)
1 small container of salt
1 small container of water
1 chalice or cup (a wineglass will do)
Incense and lighter or matches
Athame, or Wand (not absolutely necessary)
 
1. Place a candle at East, South, West and North. You can use colored candles if you like, East is yellow, South is red, West is blue, North is green.

2. Sit or stand before your altar (if you have one) and invite the Goddess and God to be present and to help you.

3. Light the incense

4. Pick up the water pour it into the chalice, place the chalice on your altar Pentacle and say:

Mother Goddess Bless this Element of Water

5. Pick up the salt and say:

Mother Goddess, Bless this Element of Earth

6. Pour a little salt into the water, stir it 3 times clockwise (deosil) and say:

Earth Her Body, Water Her Blood

7. Hold Athame over the flame of the God Candle and say:

Father God, Bless this Element of Fire
 

8. Light the incense; hold Athame over incense and say:

Father God, Bless this element of Air ... Air fans the Fires of transformation
    
9. Go to the Eastern quadrant of your Circle and with your Athame or wand or finger point and circle deosil (clockwise) three times while envisioning white light coming out of your athame/wand/ finger forming a protective barrier.

10. Go to the Eastern quadrant of your Circle and with the Salt and Water sprinkle it around the Circle deosil three times.

11. Go to the Eastern quadrant of your Circle and with the lighted incense waft it around the Circle deosil three times.

12. Light the Quarters candles:
 Beginning in the East and continue with South, West and North candles.

To Open the Circle:
1. Thank the Goddess and God for their presence.

2. Beginning in the East and moving Widdershins (counterclockwise) snuff out the candles. Remember to thank the Elements for their presence.

3. Go to the Eastern quadrant of your Circle and cut it open with a backwards slash of your athame/wand/finger OR beginning in the West with your Athame, wand or finger point and circle widdershins (counterclockwise) three times while visualizing the white light of the Circle breaking apart and dispersing.
 
Is Wiccans a Christian Heresy? In the Kabbalistic, cross humanity is placed at the center of the Universe, in the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram humanity exerts it’s will over the elements of the universe, and in the ultimate act of Dominionism the Gods themselves are summoned by the Wiccan into an energetic circle in which they are confined until being released.
 
There is no universal meaning for what Witchcraft is. It means different things in different cultures. The "Craft" is a much older way to describe what is commonly known as Witchcraft. But some suggest "The Craft" is actually the craft of Magik, or magikal practices which are not specific to, or only used by, pagan religions. Witchcraft comes in many forms or sects. These sects are called Traditions. Many are based not on book or historical record, but rather oral tradition. Perhaps that's where the label 'tradition' comes from. There are many Traditions within the category of the religion. One of the more commonly known today is Wicca which has become one of the most popular traditions in America.
Consider:

The "TRADITION" is to Witchcraft ... What a DENOMINATION is to Christianity.
That is to say, Wicca is to Witchcraft ... what Baptist is to Christianity.

CHRISTIANS PRAYING IN CIRCLES: WHERE DID IT ORIGINATE? WHEN DID IT ENTER THE CHURCH?
As for the circle’s use in worship and prayer, proponents like to cite Psalm 150 to support the Christian version, saying the psalmist invited us to praise God with cymbals and the lyre and drums, etc. But there are important caveats to this understanding that are well-covered in this article for anyone wishing to explore this further. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with sitting in a circle and praising God with drums (or any other instrument for that matter), but if we're doing this as a “drumming circle” then, in the interest of full disclosure, participants should be made aware of the pagan history and purpose of these circles.

PRAYER CIRCLES – Praying in a circle, holding hands: where does the practice come from? Why can't one find it in the Bible? Where did prayer circles originate and how and when did they enter the Christian Church? A 15-year-old study by Ed Tarkowski answers many questions–and predicts where the practice may be heading.
1999, Ed Tarkowski published a four-part study on prayer circles, a practice that was, at the time, just gaining popularity in some Christian churches. While the study is full of useful information on the origins of such rituals, it’s extremely interesting to read the study 15 years later.

Prayer circles have a long history of use among pagans, witches, and other occult practitioners. But the use of the prayer circle in Christianity, like so many other modern rituals, practices and doctrines, can be traced to the American apostate church.

In 1999, Tarkowski noticed the increased use of prayer circles by Christians, but he also noticed that Christians were late-comers to the prayer circle game. Others had used these circles for decades–sometimes centuries.
If you doubt that prayer circles are so widespread, or such a powerful tool, read the list below of just a few of the examples of prayer circles that I found on the World Wide Web. Besides these sites, there are numerous New Age and Christian Chat Sessions (used by Internet users to discuss various topics) that include prayer circles or discussions about them. As you will see, the circles are prevalent in the apostate church, the New Age, and even in the secular world. The whole world is being prepared to welcome the arrival of the Beast of Revelation 13, and to follow after him.

One of the most interesting of Tarkowsi’s findings concerned the mention of joining hand-in-hand in the Bible its connection with those who intend evil.

I did some searching in Strong’s Concordance, and found nothing regarding circles, except for one reference to God as the one “that sitteth upon the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22.) Next, I looked up what it said about “joining hands” in prayer, but that didn't help either. Then I searched through the KJV and Strong’s for various combinations of the words “join” and “hand”, and “hold” and “hand.” What resulted from that search turned out to be very enlightening. I found only two Scriptures regarding “joining hands,” but they were not associated with prayer. They were:

Proverbs 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Some refer to their spiritual belief system by the name of their particular tradition (I.e.: Wicca). There are many groups who are monotheists (there is only 1 god), polytheists (there are many gods) or duotheists (1 female and 1 male god). Many regard the gods as real, not simply as aspects of a male or female deity. Where other Traditions see them as pantheons, just aspects of the Divine force in the universe.
 
Today there is a belief that a tradition of Witchcraft MUST be polytheists or duotheists to be legit. That is a total misconception. Many early pagans were monotheists, who saw the Divine Spirit as once force that lives within all things and connects all things into one force in nature.
 
Wiccans have reapedly jumped on each new trendy band wagon, who do not do any research and who are just FOLLOWERS of a new age cult. They have wreaked havok & desecration to the spirituality of the North American Indians, Australian Aboriginals, Greco Romans, the Celts, the Babylonians, the Egyptians and many more. They descrate the content of the worlds religious and yet many have the gall to claim they have the RIGHT to do it. Wicca, an eclectic mix of high magic, OTO rituals, Masonic ritual, Jewish Kabala, Christian mysticism and New Age philosophy with a God and Goddess who are somehow ALL Gods and Goddesses thrown in to Paganise it.
 
The Wiccan religion claims to be an ancient spiritual way, but is in reality only comprised of an eclectic mixture of certain aspects gleaned from ALL the worlds ancient religions and spiritual practices - including Asatru! Asatru is one of the main religious manifestations of the several branches of the European spiritual faiths. It is Polytheist (The worship of or belief in more than one God / Goddess) and Animist (The belief in the existence of individual spirits that inhabit natural objects and phenomena).
 
Wiccan religion movement is tied to a certain people (those of Northern European / Germanic ancestry) as the spiritual expression of people. Wicca has no central book (like the Bible) that spells out its beliefs, so witches practice their religion in different ways. Some witches meet in groups called covens or circles, while others practice alone.

Exploring the Pagan Roots of Drumming Circles / Posted on September 7, 2011 by SBrinkmann:
 
Drumming circles are shamanic in origin and are used by indigenous people for a variety of purposes. For instance, Native Americans used them in the pow-wow, which is described as a personal, social and spiritual gathering meant to celebrate the tribe’s connection with the Earth, one another, and their traditions. The drum is an integral part of this gathering “for it carries the heartbeat of the Indian nation,” explained one Native American site. “It is also felt to carry the heartbeat of Mother Earth, and thus calls the spirits and nations together.”
 
The drum itself is specially made, usually consisting of a large base covered with buffalo, deer or cow hide. In a real pow-wow, eight or more men form a circle and strike the drum in unison with covered mallets. “The men then blend their voices with the beating of the Drum to create the song.”
 
Native American legend has it that the drum was brought to the Indian people by a woman, and therefore there is a woman spirit that resides inside the drum. “Appropriately, it is to be treated with respect and care, and strict behavior is expected of anyone coming in contact with the drum. The drum is often thought to help bring the physical and mental side of a person back in touch with his or her spiritual or heart side. As with many things in the Indian culture, the drum is used to bring balance and rejuvenation to a person through their participation in dancing, singing or listening to the heartbeat.”
 
But this is not the only kind of “drumming circle.” There are other types of shamanic circles, one of which calls for a circle of people and a leader who facilitates a “shamanic journey.” This journey consists of simple, repetitive drumming that is considered to be a form of prayer and trance induction. During these journeys, the person uses the beat of the drum to “find their way back” to ordinary consciousness.
 
In my research, I kept coming across this interesting description of a New Age drumming circle which was made by Mickey Hart, the drummer for the Grateful Dead, which comes from an address he made to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging in 1991:
 
“Typically, people gather to drum in drum ‘circles’ with others from the surrounding community. The drum circle offers equality because there is no head or tail. It includes people of all ages. The main objective is to share rhythm and get in tune with each other and themselves. To form a group consciousness. To entrain and resonate. By entrainment, I mean that a new voice, a collective voice, emerges from the group as they drum together.”
 
Other pagan varieties include the Summer and/or Winter Solstice drum circles that celebrate the longest and or shortest day of the year.
 
Drumming circles that form around large bonfires at neopagan festivals are also popular and include drumming, singing and dancing, with many of the participants seeing the evening as some kind of magical or alchemical event

Believe it or not, these circles are popping up everywhere. Community centers, self-help groups and even corporations like to host them as a way for people to “empower” themselves as individuals or in community. It’s a kinesthetic (a fancy word which means “using the body”) activity that everyone can enjoy regardless of their musical ability. People are told the circle will help them connect to a common purpose of creative expression which is why it has become so popular in some corporations and self-help programs designed to facilitate team building and stress relief among other things.
 
As for the assertion that the beating of drums can somehow alter consciousness, some proponents cite the work of Michael Harner, an anthropologist and founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, who did pioneering work in studying the effects of drumming in the 1960s and ’70s. In his book, The Way of The Shaman, he posits that the beat of the drum, as used to transport native peoples into shamanic states of consciousness, closely approximates the base resonant frequency of the Earth, which can be measured scientifically. Apparently the repetitious drum beat can help us to tune into this frequency (if it even exists) and become one with Mother Earth (or something like that).
 
As for the circle’s use in parishes, proponents like to cite Psalm 150 to support the Christian version, saying the psalmist invited us to praise God with cymbals and the lyre and drums, etc. but there are important caveats to this understanding that are well-covered in this article for anyone wishing to explore this further. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with sitting in a circle and praising God with drums (or any other instrument for that matter), but if we’re doing this as a “drumming circle” then, in the interest of full disclosure, participants should be made aware of the pagan history and purpose of these circles.
 
A lot of people will argue, “But there are a lot of practices derived in paganism that are in use in the Church, such as the celebration of Christmas which comes from the Roman holiday, Saturnalia.” The difference is that the Catholic practice replaced the pagan version with its own holiday that does not incorporate any pagan practices or the worship of the god Saturn. Using a drumming circle (or yoga for that matter) is very different because it is not replacing the practice with something new but is merely placing a Christian veneer over the very same practice.
 
The bottom line is that drumming cirlces are founded in shamanism and were not designed to be used for praising God. They have a distinct spiritual component to them in that they are all meant to create some kind of trance or altered state of consciousness – a state which leaves us open to the direct influence of evil spirits. None of us needs to enter an altered state of consciousness to have a dialogue with Christ – which is the point of Christian prayer – and no matter where the drumming circle is being hosted, in or outside of a Church, a Christian should be very wary of participating in them.
 
DH asks: “Have you investigated any information about drum circles that are “popping up” in Catholic Churches and at women religious retreats? We have some very devout people in our parish who are musicians and they have latched onto the idea that Christian praise and worship can occur within drum circles. They have organized a drum circle and the group alternates meetings between our Catholic Church and a local Protestant denomination. Our Youth Ministry members also participate now. The drum circle is advertised as “musical worship, family fun, includes the children , and, as an appealing way to praise God. . .

 
“I looked up what I could find on the topic and what caught my attention most is that apparently, during drumming, the participants may experience an ‘altered state of consciousness.’ This is what concerns me the most. I have read articles that drumming is now being used as a medical treatment for drug addicts–in other words, you substitute one experience of ‘being high’ with another. If that is the case, I do not think it is compatible with Catholic prayer. In an altered state of consciousness people are in danger of ‘the power of suggestion”, and some may even think they are experiencing the ‘Holy Spirit’ without having any knowledgeable spiritual director present to provide guidance about ‘induced euphoria.’”
 
DH has every reason to be concerned. Drumming circles have become quite the fad in Catholic parishes - another one of those neopagan gimmicks alongside peace circles and labyrinths that are supposed to make people feel like they’ve found a new and unique way to experience the spiritual. But this shouldn’t surprise anyone. Neopagan concepts are becoming very popular in our increasingly atheistic culture so it only follows that they will eventually infiltrate the Church, usually through some well-meaning parish leader who latches onto one of these gimmicks because they sincerely want to entice people into church and don’t know how to do this with authentic Catholicism.
 
For instance, when I give talks in parishes about authentic Catholic prayer, such as the four stages of prayer which include experiences such as raptures, ecstasies, even levitation, people look at me like my hair is on fire. They’ve never heard of this stuff before. But this is the real deal! Instead of teaching them the real thing, we’re co-opting non-Christian fads that involve “mind blanking” and “consciousness altering” techniques (think centering prayer, drumming circles, labyrinth walks) that result in people contemplating their little old selves rather than the face of the living God. Go figure!
 
Group Circle Gatherings:
A few things to think about and consider as you’re planning your event. If you’re interested in more details for conducting a ritual, for yourself or your group, then you might want to see Ritual & Ceremony Outline.
  
Whether your group is a coven, grove, clan or just a group of friends who want to share a ritual event, where and how you gather is something you should all be comfortable with. There is no set in stone way for groups to gather for a service, be it in circles for rituals or sabbat festivals.
 
The biggest aspect to setting up a group event is knowing who is leading the service. Even if you’re sharing responsibility for a ritual, there should be someone taking the lead. At this point, I suggest reading two articles before you begin planning your group ritual.
 
Solitary vs Coven Practice / Starting Your Own Coven
PROTECTION SYMBOL - Also known as the Ritual Circle. In the occult a circle always represents a boundary of power. If you see a symbol enclosed in a circle, more times than not it is a symbol of the occult. It is a common practice for those who claim to have outer body experiences to draw a circle around their bodies before leaving so that nothing else can enter it while they are away.

EARTH SYMBOL - Also known as the sun cross, solar cross and as a Hopi medicine wheel. This is the symbol for mother earth in pagan religions such as wicca and other forms of witchcraft. The four sections sometimes represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter or the four elements of the earth: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. I have actually seen this symbol on the Calvary Chapel down the street from my house.

PEACE SYMBOL - Also known as the Cross of Nero. Many people are not aware of the origins of this symbol or how it became to symbolize peace. This is the cross of Nero, a broken and inverted cross, enclosed in a circle which represents Nero's vision. Nero believed that there would be world peace without Christianity, thousands of Christians were martyred under the rule of Nero. This is what the "peace symbol" represents regardless of what it means to you.

ANARCHY SYMBOL - Also known as the Circle-A. Many people do not give it much thought but the anarchy symbol is also of the occult. Enclosed in a circle is the letter A, which represents anarchy. Anarchy is the absence of all law and disobedience to any existing law. This is the nature of Satan our adversary who rebelled against our creator, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law" is the one and law in the Satanic religion. When applied spiritually this doctrine is the doctrine of sin (I-John 3:4).
 
GAY SYMBOL - Also known as the Thaumaturgic Triangle. Ignorance is bliss amongst the homosexual community. The symbol they adopted to represent their sexual orientation has long been used by Satan worshippers to conjure demons from the bowels of hell. The triangle is used as a door and the circle as a boundary of power. Some Satanists admit doing away with the circle in hopes of being possessed.

PENTACLE - A real popular symbol used by many that dabble in the occult. Many pagans such as those who practice wicca and other forms of witchcraft wear the emblem as a pendant. Some even go as far as placing them in all the rooms of their homes, especially during pagan holy days such as: Christmas, Easter, Father's Day, Mother's Day, New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, Valentine's Day, and last but not least, Halloween.

PENTAGRAM - Another rendering of the popular symbol, only inverted. Today, the pentagram may be even more common than the upright pentacle. Satanists, a more sinister breed of the underworld usually wear this symbol as a pendant or use this symbol in satanic rituals. It is found at many sites where sacrifices and other rituals have taken place. It is also found as art work on many Satanic heavy metal albums such as Slayer.
HEXAGRAM - Another star enclosed in a circle and another popular symbol used by those who practice various forms of witchcraft. This symbol is not as popular with Satanist and may even be used exclusively by those practicing other forms of the occult such as wicca and other forms of witchcraft. Some people confuse this symbol with the Magen David.

Excerpts all sourced: Prayer circles have a long history of use among Mandala (Sanskrit Ma??ala, 'circle') is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions, representing the universe.


The Circle is a fairly universal symbol among world religions. Circle worship is a style of worship popular with Unitarian Universalist (UU) youth ... Creating Neo-Pagan Worship • Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans'

In 1999, Tarkowski noticed the increased use of prayer circles by Christians, but he also noticed that Christians were late-comers to the prayer circle game. Others had used these circles for decades–sometimes centuries.

If you doubt that prayer circles are so widespread, or such a powerful tool, read the list below of just a few of the examples of prayer circles that I found on the World Wide Web. Besides these sites, there are numerous New Age and Christian Chat Sessions (used by Internet users to discuss various topics) that include prayer circles or discussions about them. As you will see, the circles are prevalent in the apostate church, the New Age, and even in the secular world. The whole world is being prepared to welcome the arrival of the Beast of Revelation 13, and to follow after him.

One of the most interesting of Tarkowsi’s findings concerned the mention of joining hand in-hand in the Bible its connection with those who intend evil.

"I did some searching in Strong’s Concordance, and found nothing regarding circles, except for one reference to God as the one “that sitteth upon the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22.) Next, I looked up what it said about “joining hands” in prayer, but that didn't help either.

Then I searched through the KJV and Strong’s for various combinations of the words “join” and “hand”, and “hold” and “hand.” What resulted from that search turned out to be very enlightening. I found only two Scriptures regarding “joining hands,” but they were not associated with prayer”. They were:

Proverbs 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Some refer to their spiritual belief system by the name of their particular tradition (I.e.: Wicca). There are many groups who are monotheists (there is only 1 god), polytheists (there are many gods) or duotheists (1 female and 1 male god). Many regard the gods as real, not simply as aspects of a male or female deity. Where other Traditions see them as pantheons, just aspects of the Divine force in the universe.
 
Today there is a belief that a tradition of Witchcraft MUST be polytheists or duotheists to be legit. That is a total misconception. Many early pagans were monotheists, who saw the Divine Spirit as once force that lives within all things and connects all things into one force in nature”.

Drumming to the Heartbeat of God: The sixty people gathered for worship had been drumming together for nearly forty minutes, occasionally enlivening the rhythm with songs, shouts, or movements cued by the worship facilitator. At times people offered their own prayers to God over the sound of the drumming, or spontaneously danced, or sang a song that percolated out of their hearts. As the facilitator moved to the center of the circle, signaling to bring the drumming down, the room became quieter until eventually the drumming faded to nothing. The circle of drummers basked in the silence, aware of their connection to each other and to God. It was a holy moment.

Popular culture:

Although the idea of earth religion has been around for thousands of years, it did not fully show up in popular culture until the early 1990s. X-Files was one of the first nationally broadcast television programs to air witchcraft and Wicca (types of earth religion) content. On average, Wiccans - those who practice Wicca - were more or less pleased with the way the show had portrayed their ideals and beliefs. However, they still found it to be a little "sensationalistic". That same year, the movie The Craft was released - also depicting the art of Wicca. Unfortunately, this cinematic feature was not as happily accepted as X-Files had been.[12]

A few years later, programs showcasing the aforementioned religious practices - such as Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer - became widely popular. Although Charmed focused mostly on witchcraft, the magic they practiced very closely resembled Wicca. Meanwhile, Buffy was one of the first shows to actually cast a Wiccan character. However, since the shows focus was primarily on vampires, the Wiccan was depicted as having supernatural powers, rather than being in-tuned with the Earth.[12]

Other movies and shows throughout the last few decades have also been placed under the genre of Earth Religion. Among them are two of director Hayao Miyazaki's most well known films - Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro. Both movies present human interaction with land, animal, and other nature spirits. Speakers for Earth Religion have said that these interactions suggest overtones of Earth Religion themes.[13]

Some popular Disney movies have also been viewed as Earth Religion films. Among them are The Lion King and Brother Bear. Those who practice Earth Religion view The Lion King as an Earth Religion film mainly for the "interconnectedness" and "Circle of Life" it shows between the animals, plants, and life in general. When that link is broken, viewers see chaos and despair spread throughout the once bountiful land. Congruently, Brother Bear portrays interactions and consequences when humans disobey or go against the animal and Earth spirits.[13]

"pagans, witches, and other occult practitioners. But the use of the prayer circle in Christianity, like so many other modern rituals, practices and doctrines, can be traced to the American apostate church".

SOURCED:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_religion
http://www.faithandworship.com/circle.htm
http://www.faithandworship.com/circle.htm#ixzz3olEYHFru
http://www.uua.org/worship/circleworship
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala
http://turnaroundthinking.com/a-creative-tool.html
http://www.reformedworship.org/…/dec…/drumming-heartbeat-god'
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/…/tee…/hidden-traps-of-wicca
http://www.entertheworshipcircle.com/you-can-do-it/
http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/…
http://endtimesprophecyreport.com/…/prayer-circles-another…/
http://www.paganspath.com/magik/witchcraft.htm
http://odinsvolk.ca/Satan&Wicca.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/wicpuber.htm
http://www.patheos.com/…/20…/08/is-wicca-a-christian-heresy/
http://isle-of-avalon.com/pagan.htm
http://www.nazarite.net/satanic-symbols.html
http://www.examiner.com/…/native-american-musicians-honored…
http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native…/circle-symbol.htm
http://sacredwicca.jigsy.com/simple-circle-casting
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1491511370…
http://thecirclemaker.com/meet:
http://www.benpasley.com/st…/enter-worship-circle-paperback/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_religion
http://www.faithandworship.com/circle.htm
http://www.faithandworship.com/circle.htm#ixzz3olEYHFru
http://www.uua.org/worship/circleworship
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala
http://www.reformedworship.org/article/december-2011/drumming-heartbeat-god'
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/teens/hidden-traps-of-wicca
http://www.entertheworshipcircle.com/you-can-do-it/
http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=9571#sthash.aduSfVtz.dpuf
http://endtimesprophecyreport.com/2014/05/06/prayer-circles-another-pagan-practice-in-the-church/
http://www.paganspath.com/magik/witchcraft.htm
http://odinsvolk.ca/Satan&Wicca.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/wicpuber.htm
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/pantheon/2011/08/is-wicca-a-christian-heresy/
http://isle-of-avalon.com/pagan.htm
http://www.nazarite.net/satanic-symbols.html
http://www.examiner.com/article/native-american-musicians-honored-to-perform-at-historic-commemoration-ceremony
http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-American-symbols/circle-symbol.htm
http://sacredwicca.jigsy.com/simple-circle-casting
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1491511370?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
http://thecirclemaker.com/meet:
http://www.benpasley.com/store/enter-worship-circle-paperback/
http://sacredwicca.jigsy.com/simple-circle-casting
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1491511370?*Version*=1&*entries*=0