Star Meditation
This is a meditation that I have used for a very long time at the beginning of many of my circles. It has the flavor of its Wiccan roots while still allowing plenty of room for people who are primarily pagan but not necessarily Wiccan. I use soft music in the background in almost all of my work since I am so centered into the use of sound for my work.
We start the circle by lighting the candles and incense and then joining hands. I ask that each person relax and close their eyes, breathing normally but deeply. (Some people are more comfortable using guided breathing than others, so use your own discretion in this matter.) When everyone is at ease I begin at the first corner of the star. Again we reach an area that is open to interpretation, but I start at the right upper arm of the star and go clock-wise. From this point on I will speak as if I were using the meditation itself unless otherwise indicated by ( ).
Relax and join hands, breath in deeply but without exaggerated effort. Let my voice become a part of your being for this time. Listen and act only if you are comfortable.
We will start at the first point of the star representing the Eastern portal and the essence of Air. Air is represented by the color yellow, it is the new beginning of the spring. It is ideas born of intuition and inspiration. This element calls us to use our mental powers. Breath in the essence of this power and feel the warmth of the yellow sun upon your upturned face. (Let a little time pass so each person has a chance to visualize these properties.)
The next point of the star is the southern portal. Fire is the element in this direction. It invites us to action and to be a part of the fire that resides in the center of our Sun. The color is red and the feeling is passionate. Work done in this quadrant is powerful and life affirming. Feel the summer rays of the sun and the warmth on your skin; allow the flight of bees to pass by your ear on the summer wind.
We now enter the portal of the west and the color there is blue. This is the seat of all emotion. It is in this place that we seek balance more than in any other. Herein lies love as well as compassion. This is the home of the rebirth of your souls. Feel the rays of the healing blue light enter your body and allow it to do its work for you.
The next point of the star is the northern portal. Radiating from the stones and the earth itself there is a feeling of growth and foundation, coming from the earth, itself. If there is a place that one can say they return to at all times for renewal, this would be it. Feel the trees that sprout from the stones and know that the earth is a part of your very being. Breathe in the feeling of the earth when it is covered with new rain after being a long time without the rain. There is a metallic feeling to that air - the earth rising to accept the rain and make it a part of itself.
The last point of the star represents the seat of the soul, or spirit. In this place you are your most essential being. Everything that you have been or will be is here in this place. The color is pale lavender to brilliant white. The air shimmers with the feeling of divine growth and aspirations. Come to this place to enter the "summerland". You are without the restrictive body that you have chosen to wear during this life time. You are as free as you are able to be. Reach out to the others in the circle; feel their spirits combine with yours in happy union. All who enter here are equal and each is a part of the other. This is the place where you can be without prejudice and without harm. Bask in the light of true spirit; be one with the God source that is your own pure soul. Here you are safe from all physical harm and there is nothing to hold you back.