The Circle of Praise is a centering and balancing ritual that I created to use before meditations, prayers, and other spiritual practices. Similar to many of my other practices, this is centered around St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun, and involves reciting a good portion of it. There is a very good reason that I focus so heavily on St. Francis. He was the great imitator of Christ, and I like to use his beautiful poetry to attune myself to him and his specifically Nature embracing quality, and also through him to Jesus.
He is one of many saints and sages whom I adore but he holds a special place in my heart because his words and philosophy are an antidote to some of the major problems facing humanity at this current time. Especially to the current state of Christianity. Detachment from materialism, harmony with nature, and universal brotherhood are all desperately needed right now. And these are all things he both lived and taught.
I have taken his words and layered them with my own interpretation, symbols, movements, and visualizations to create a unique spiritual practice that draws on influences from Western esotericism but stays true to my Christian roots and personal style. It’s a magical circle, a centering exercise, an attunement practice, and an homage to one of my favorite Christians, St. Francis.
Francis saw the universe and our beautiful planet, along with all of its plant and animal inhabitants, as a grand song of praise to God. The elements, the plants and animals, the stars, the sun, and the moon were his sisters and brothers. Through recitation and contemplation of his words we can begin to see the universe around us in this way as well.
When we see the world this way it is no longer a place of suffering, a trap, a prison, something to be endured; no, it becomes a place for learning, playing, loving, flourishing, and growing.
When we attune ourselves to hear the music of the spheres we can take our rightful place in the grand symphony of praise that is our universe.
We all have a unique and beautiful part to play in the cosmic symphony.
Through this and my other practices such as the Invocatio Solis (Solar Prayer), and the Invocatio Lunae (Lunar Prayer), we can start to see ourselves as an important and beautiful part of the world, we can recognize and appreciate the parts that our brothers and sisters play, and find our own role and purpose.
Circle of Praise
Start standing facing East and recite:
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
And through his air, cloudy and serene,
And every kind of weather through which
You sustain all creatures.
Turn and face South and recite:
Praised be You, my lord, through Brother Fire
Through whom you illumine night
And he is beautiful and joyful and robust and full of power.
Turn and face West and recite:
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
Who is very useful and humble
And precious and pure.
Turn and face North and recite:
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,
Who sustains us and governs us
And who produces varied fruits
And brightly colored flowers and herbs.
Face downward towards the Earth and recite:
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Luna and the stars,
In heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Face upwards towards the heavens with your arms raised up in praise and recite:
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through our Brother Sol,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
❤🙏☀