The Maori Circle

There are times in life that we want to dig a little deeper into our spiritual journey to really understand our current position and how to improve our inner spiritual warrior. Psychological tests (e.g. the Cube in the desert) are excellent means of bypassing the conscious and emotional self and tapping direct into our superconscious. The drawing exercise below is quick and easy to complete and provides a wealth of information on our "four selves" - the conscious self, subconscious self, physical self and superconscious self (if you are not sure on these terms, why not take our FREE Ho'opono pono course HERE).

It is said that this is an ancient Maori practice and used as a diagnostic tool once a year to track ones progress and to analyse what could be worked on in the year ahead. In any event, it is a VALID tool and you may be quite surprised at how easy and effective interpretation can be.

The rules:

Complete the whole drawing before moving onto the meanings!

Grab a pen, piece of A4 paper & some colouring pens if you wish to go the full hog and read further:

STEP 1 Draw a circle on your piece of paper.

STEP 2 On the back of your paper write the following words (8 sacred Maori symbols).

Snake

Flower

Butterfly

Bird

Path

Mountain

Shelter

Tree

STEP 3 Draw the 8 symbols (snake, flower, butterfly, bird, path, mountain, shelter, tree) on your circle and create a setting with these. Take your time and draw the symbols where they feel correct.

Note: I have not added an image on this step as I do not want to influence where you place your symbols!

STEP 4 Draw a vertical line down the centre of the circle and a horizontal line across (over your drawings). You could also fold the page horizontally and vertically to create the lines so you don't have to draw over your creation.

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Now don't read any further until you have completed your symbols (and coloured your scene if you so wish!) ......

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Are you ready?

......and when you are finished ... why not share your circle in the World Divination Association group on Facebook with your fellow spiritual journeyers.

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THE ANALYSIS - Do not read until your drawing complete!!

ANALYSIS 1 How big is your circle and how is it placed on the paper?

Big Circle = You created a lot of sacred space and your spiritual development is of great importance.

Small Circle = You are somewhat humble in your spiritual space and development needed to grow.

Placed to the left = a strong maternal ancestry focus.

Placed to the right = a strong paternal ancestry focus.

ANALYSIS 2 Have you added any extras?

Have you added anything that was not listed? Additions to the circle that were not specified show items that we need extra healing from at the moment of drawing. Take note of the extra additions and see if you can understand in which way you need to heal. For example, you may have added a Sun symbol, showing that an increase in energy required, a dog would symbolise that you need to work on creating trust, grass may symbolise you need to work on your grounding or appreciation of nature etc.

ANALYSIS 3 Duplications?

Have you drawn a full mountain range rather than one mountain? Perhaps a field of flowers rather than a single? Duplications = Amplification. Look to the symbol meanings below to understand what you are working on amplifying in the year ahead.

ANALYSIS 4 Overwriting

Take a close look at the symbols drawn and see if there are any that you have drawn over multiple times, or tried to perfect whilst drawing. These symbols should be looked into in depth as they signify creativity and healing can be found with these symbols.

ANALYSIS 5 The Symbol Meanings

Take a close look at the symbols drawn and see if there are any that you have drawn over multiple times, or tried to perfect whilst drawing. These symbols should be looked into in depth as they signify creativity and healing can be found with these symbols. NOTE: The symbols should be interpreted in connection with the quadrant information below.

Snake	The snake speaks of regeneration and renewal, shedding the skin and moving forwards. The quadrant in which the snake sits is in the process of transformation. Take a good look at the snake you have drawn, is it simple? showing a simple and easy transition, does it look dangerous? showing a rocky renewal. Is it camouflaged? hiding the renewal? or perhaps you have drawn a tongue? showing that communication is needed in order to regenerate.
Flower	The flower indicates the segment in which we allow ourselves to be open and willing to be vulnerable. Growth and blossoming of self and indicative of the self in which we are open to new growth or new experiences. A lot of flowers (duplication / amplification) shows that we are extremely open to new adventures.
Butterfly	As you would expect, the butterfly speaks of transformation, completing one aspect of self and moving into fulfillment. The quadrant (see below) in which you have drawn the butterfly shows that you are in the process of completing self in order to be fulfilled in that area. You may have outgrown a belief system or a part of you is completing in order to start the next chapter.
Bird	The bird highlights communication and where you need to focus your communication. Whether it be with spirit (the spiritual quadrant) or physically speaking your truth in the physical zone.
Path	The path symbolises your direction and goals, your goals will fall in one or many quadrants depending on where you have drawn it. What sections are joined by the path) will highlight what areas of self you have goals in and how sure you are of those goals. A strong path through all quadrants shows that you have strong idea of your four selves and how to implement them in your future goals. A winding path that is weak in nature will show work required in order to solidify your goals. Also check what symbols fall close to your path, they will form a direction for your goals.
Mountain	The mountain is your connection to spirit and the sacred, where a deep sense of trust aligns and where you seek the questions you require answers to in order to grow spiritually. Your connection to the universe and spirit is highlighted in the quadrant upon which it sits, a mental quadrant mountain will show that your connection to spirit is through the conscious, an emotional quadrant mountain shows that you sense and feel spirit strongly, a physical quadrant mountain speaks of spirituality in action (physical action) and in the spiritual qadrant you are fully connected to source!
Shelter	The type of shelter and placement in the circle explains your strengths, ego and personality. A strong shelter will show a strong identity and comfortability, whilst a weak shelter will be requiring a little work to understand your insecurities. What sense of self identity do you have? Check the quadrant and find out!
Tree	Natural and organic growth is symbolised by the tree, the authentic self growing and flourishing. The type of tree drawn will confirm whether growth is a focus for more work (a weak tree) or whether you are solidly moving into your best life (a good solid and healthy tree). If you have drawn roots this shows your ancestry and heritage, the more pronounced the more open you are about this connection. The quadrant in which the tree falls shows where you are willing to be present and grow). In addition, the trunk of the tree shows our willingness to stand up and be counted (check the quadrant in which it falls), the branches signify how high we are reaching!.

ANALYSIS 6 Meanings of the four areas.

Each section of the circle corresponds to one of your "selves". The symbols drawn in these areas will explain exactly what focus is required in each self in the year ahead (symbol meanings below - first consider what you drew and where).

The Valley of the Birds

The conscious self and how our minds function on our spiritual path. It is an indicator of your mental situation and mental health for the coming year. If there are a lot of symbols in this area it shows that your conscious self would like to be very active in the year ahead. With only a few symbols in this area, your conscious self needs quiet time! The symbols drawn indicate what is NEEDED for your conscious self to flourish.

The Valley of the Flowers

The emotional self or subconscious self is represented in the Valley of the Flowers. The symbols drawn indicate what is needed in order for your subconscious self to be content in the coming period. If you work with the symbols in this area you will be emotionally fulfilled in the year ahead. Consider the Valley of the Flowers to be the Cups suit in Tarot, what do you need to fill your cup?

The Valley of the Mountains

Our superconscious self (higher self - spirit - any other word you use for this purpose!) is shown in the Valley of the Mountains. An area associated with spiritual growth and life force. The symbols you have drawn in this area will support your spiritual and superconscious growth. Think of the creative force of the Wands suit in Tarot and how we gain much needed spiritual inspiration.

The Valley of the Trees

Representing the physical self and the external world that effects self. The area of health, finances, work and practical earthly matters (think Pentacles in Tarot!). Look to the symbols to understand what is needed in this physical world.

FINAL NOTES:

• If any of your symbols fall into more than one quadrant take note of every area they land in.

• Note any symbol that lands in its own quadrant, tree in the Valley of Trees for example shows that that area is perfectly functioning and that you do not need to worry about it!

• If you have a quadrant that has no symbols within, it’s time for quiet in that area (mental calm, emotional calm, spiritual calm and physical calm).

• Many symbols drawn in one quadrant mean lots of activity in that area.

• If you have a Bird in the Bird quadrant and a Flower in the Flower quadrant, a Mountain in the Mountain quadrant and a Tree in the Tree quadrant, and you still have a problem, it could be that the situation is not what you are considering it to be and any problems are self made!

• If you drew any symbols OUTSIDE the circle, they represent processes for which you wish to experience freedom, exploration and NO LIMITS!

• If you omitted a symbol, it’s not your healing work for this year.

• If you added a symbol that is not in the list - take it as a literal "YOU NEED THIS".

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If you would like more from the World Divination Association why not check out our online courses HERE

or join in with the courses running this week!

Bind Runes TOMORROW! Join Jane Matthews and learn how to create binds with Runes, Ogham, Tarot and more systems! A one of a kind bind making workshop - 3 hours + bind creation!

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