https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/about-long-dance daily 0.75 2025-05-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/dafd9f5e-0210-440d-85bc-3c3db8d95df3/Screen+Shot+2022-06-17+at+8.55.29+PM.png About Long Dance - Long Dance 2025 Dancing in the Center September 18th-22nd. Click here to register! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620902232355-OPT5FZHT6STZJ82YSIXR/20180922-F54A3822_1000.jpg About Long Dance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620902258294-VF4DA71ME1VJIL7DYNQQ/20120922_0841_1000.jpg About Long Dance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/donate daily 0.75 2024-04-09 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/community-links daily 0.75 2025-05-07 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/clan-mother-hua-anwa daily 0.75 2021-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620865367076-PIDJQQB2E3KVCVHFLAN2/content-image-maker_1000x1000.jpg Clan Mother Hua Anwa Hua is a long time resident of the Central Coast, and has been leading an annual celebration of the Long Dance since 1990, as well she been leading Full Moon ceremonies, Sweat Lodge, Empowerment through Ritual and Ceremony classes, and offers private traditional shamanic healing sessions for the people. In addition to the Long Dance and Full Moon circle and other ceremonies which she leads in Arroyo Grande, Hua also offers teachings, services and counseling to a wide variety of audiences, individuals and her extended community. https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/firekeeper-lodge daily 0.75 2023-12-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1649735366091-ILW1FNKWLS0HLKDWF7E0/unsplash-image-OOLAAOW-u8s.jpg Firekeeper Lodge - The Call to Firekeeping Fire keepers are seasoned community members who have done their work in ceremony and chosen to show up in support of the community in service to our spiritual lead and Grandfather Fire. They are highly trained and dedicated individuals. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave. Be sure to honor their requests and instructions as they are tasked with ensuring the safety of all during ceremony. https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/terms-of-service daily 0.75 2021-05-13 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/volunteer daily 0.75 2021-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1625120634410-D8AD1RKJ4BHC6EV1GIQK/FirePitVolunteers.jpg Volunteer - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/lodges daily 0.75 2023-12-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620890636121-S85H5D92Q06FORLKTYW5/20070922__IMG_9458_1000.jpg Lodges - Which Lodges call to you? You can belong to more than one Lodge. There are Lodges for phases of life, officers who perform specific roles, and various interests. The Lodge pages will help you to see the different Lodges that might appeal to you now, as well as ones you may consider some day in the future. There are many teachings available in each of these Lodges, and as can be seen at Long Dance, the Lodges form the Village around the Medicine Wheel. Sooner or later, you are likely to find yourself at each and every one of these Lodges in some capacity or another. Firekeeper Lodge Grandmother Lodge Thunder Lodge Wellness Lodge https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/home daily 1.0 2025-05-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/dafd9f5e-0210-440d-85bc-3c3db8d95df3/Screen+Shot+2022-06-17+at+8.55.29+PM.png Home - Long Dance 2025 Dancing in the Center September 18th - 22nd. Click here to register! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1621650030442-8W1SUHF7FBQT2GW2B8FC/20200919_LoriSortino_22863_logo4.jpg Home - Our Purpose Circles of Empowerment supports people of all colors, creeds, and walks of life by providing a safe space for ceremonial expression and healing. Although non-denominational, we embrace a Native American inspired Medicine Way that encourages spiritual connection to the Earth Mother in an authentic, unique and indigenous way, in support of one another and for the benefit of global healing. We hold respect for the power of the circle, for shared prayers and we facilitate and lead group meetings on a regular basis year round. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620903684065-EGPLH6SZ93WDP887R3DT/20120922_0841_1000.jpg Home - Video Teachings Sharing the wisdom of the community with the people and the future https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/elder-teachings daily 0.75 2021-07-02 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/recommended-reading daily 0.75 2021-07-02 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/empowerment-teachings daily 0.75 2021-07-02 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/sweat-lodge daily 0.75 2022-08-12 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/past-present daily 0.75 2021-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620866973790-ANAXL07PNFHA4KSFY1D1/20130921-IMG_0856_1000.jpg Past & Present - How We Work Today, Circles of Empowerment is an incorporated non-profit organization, administered by our Board of Directors. As an organization whose mission it is to promote a Native American inspired Medicine Way, including ceremonies as our primary offering, we are run entirely by volunteers who are passionate about being in service. The volunteers who administer our daily operations as well as our public events have been called to service and are available to you to talk about the different ways in which you could become more involved yourself, as an organizer, in ceremony, and in support of the teachings we offer. Community members are invited to consider reciprocity to the community through volunteering in these ways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620867006106-XJB2KBUKDJ3RLW34CBON/20190921__DSC04741_1000.jpg Past & Present Based on the Central Coast of California, Circles of Empowerment is situated at the Western Gate of this Turtle Island. We are a community who engage in and connect through ceremonial gatherings, events, teachings, and meetings. Those who wish to enter training may do so under the guidance of the organization’s Spiritual Lead and founder, Hua Anwa, as well as through the teachings of our beloved Elders and Wisdomkeepers. Passing tobacco and making requests honors our teachers and promotes legacy. This type of training is not available in a classroom and can only be learned via direct oral tradition. Circles of Empowerment is the name of our recognized 501(c)3 organization, which operates under the umbrella of the Church of Empowerment, a non-denominational, non-profit entity. https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/full-moon-circle daily 0.75 2021-07-02 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/pipe-ceremony daily 0.75 2021-07-02 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/core-values daily 0.75 2021-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620792956551-ZTUJZBMV6LVFDJWX4S73/coe-logo-nav.png Core Values - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1625118815877-A7LSFP07BZUPYA9PWJI5/TwistedHair.jpg Core Values - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/vision-quest daily 0.75 2021-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620882747033-B1KVXWCLHXARUYOIT2L2/20180922-F54A3353_1000.jpg Vision Quest A Vision Quest usually lasts two to four days, with Questers planted in privacy within their own sacred circles, during which time the seeker delves deeply into their soul. This is known as "going up The Hill". In our Vision Quests, the Questers fast but have water and spiritual support from the community. The physical surroundings and deep communion with Nature allow the spirit to move into a dimensional reality of total connectedness. In ancient times, the entire clan prepared for the Vision Quest, bringing food for those watching out for the Questers, wood, prayers and other support. The clan watched for the return of the Questers to hear the visions they had received for the well-being of the entire clan. Those interested in Vision Quest may pass tobacco to Hua and request more information. https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/contact-us daily 0.75 2021-05-20 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/thunder-lodge daily 0.75 2023-12-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1625199655646-BRHMNU7MGHEYCHS80O1A/ThunderLodge2018.jpg Thunder Lodge - Thunder Lodge is the Brothers Lodge in the Circles of Empowerment As always, we wish to acknowledge the strong and generous leadership that has carried this Lodge from one year to the next as well as the participation from our community Brothers who offer a great deal of service, both seen and unseen. This constant commitment and evolution towards refinement and cultivating our practice has led us to the current leadership held by our beloved Grandfathers. Additionally, our local leadership has been cultivated and these elders are passing on their teachings in a good way to these men. This Lodge has historically, primarily been in a balancing energetic and ceremonial service to the annual women’s Long Dance ceremony in the fall, although the men regularly connect throughout the year in various other ceremony as well as through their volunteerism. During the annual Long Dance, all Brothers, regardless of experience, are invited to the purification ceremony, the sweat lodge and all community events throughout Village Building as well as Take Down on Sunday morning after Long Dance. Our monthly planning meetings are open to all Lodges and are intended to cover the questions and preparations of the Lodge itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620939686733-778QBHVSBY8LCZAWFGS7/thunder-lodge-shield-293x300.png Thunder Lodge - Make it stand out Thunder Lodge Shield https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/grandmother-lodge daily 0.75 2023-12-11 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/who-we-are daily 0.75 2022-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620866828837-Z0CFH0J96CPIH69F16W3/20100925_566_1000.jpg Who We Are - Circles of Empowerment was founded by and continues to thrive by virtue of its community members and their passion for ceremony, engaged service and mentoring the next generation. Stepping into and carrying the medicine of leadership is a beautiful responsibility; we are honored by how these community members show up with integrity and commitment to our legacy. Our Board governs the vision and mission and meets on a regular basis to attend to the strategic needs of the organization. Overseeing the spiritual needs of the community is our Wisdom Council, comprised of founding members, Spiritual Leads, Lodge Leads, Elders, Wisdomkeepers and respected relatives and leaders from neighboring communities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6094bbbe7d2b265e6d70dbd5/1620866852559-VPIQVTWAYLWY3T4PC3UX/20180922-F54A3761_1000.jpg Who We Are - Elders' Wisdom Council Clan Mother Hua Anwa Grandmother Maheewah Standing Woman Grandfather Semuki Medicine Maker Grandfather White Wolf, Robert Switzer Grandmother Willowheart, Jade Bracken Grandmother Rio Salcedo Grandmother Skywalker Grandmother Quiet Thunder https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/video-teachings daily 0.75 2021-07-08 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/devenvironment-video-teachings daily 0.75 2022-02-19 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/calendar daily 0.75 2023-12-12 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/privacy-policy daily 0.75 2024-03-29 https://www.circlesofempowerment.org/sacred-songs daily 0.75 2025-01-26