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The Cherokee Full Circle: A Practical Guide to Sacred Ceremonies and Traditions
A comprehensive overview of Native American spiritual principles and their application for personal spirit-healing.
• Includes traditional sacred exercises, teaching tales, case studies, and suggested rituals for individual and group healing.
• Outlines the core principals of Native American traditional values and teaches how to apply them to the contemporary path of wellness and healing.
• Publication to coincide with annual Full Circle gathering in September 2002
The Four Directions, the four seasons, and the four elements that make up the sacred hoop of the full circle must be in right relationship with one another or disharmony will result. Native American ritual has always emphasized the restoration of balance through ceremonies that provide a forum for learning, transition, and expressions of personal growth. Now Cherokee authors J. T. and Michael Garrett share Native American traditions to explore interrelationships as a tool for growth and transformation.
The Cherokee Full Circle gathers techniques representing Native American cultures from across America--stories, exercises, and individual and group rituals--to teach the inherent dynamics of right relationship and apply them to the healing path. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of Native American spiritual principles and traditions and demonstrate how these ideas and methods can be applied universally to deal with life's situations--from depression and grieving to finding purpose and establishing positive relationships.
• Includes traditional sacred exercises, teaching tales, case studies, and suggested rituals for individual and group healing.
• Outlines the core principals of Native American traditional values and teaches how to apply them to the contemporary path of wellness and healing.
• Publication to coincide with annual Full Circle gathering in September 2002
The Four Directions, the four seasons, and the four elements that make up the sacred hoop of the full circle must be in right relationship with one another or disharmony will result. Native American ritual has always emphasized the restoration of balance through ceremonies that provide a forum for learning, transition, and expressions of personal growth. Now Cherokee authors J. T. and Michael Garrett share Native American traditions to explore interrelationships as a tool for growth and transformation.
The Cherokee Full Circle gathers techniques representing Native American cultures from across America--stories, exercises, and individual and group rituals--to teach the inherent dynamics of right relationship and apply them to the healing path. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of Native American spiritual principles and traditions and demonstrate how these ideas and methods can be applied universally to deal with life's situations--from depression and grieving to finding purpose and establishing positive relationships.
200 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
30 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 21, 2019
Wanting to get more in touch with my heritage and ancestors, I've been looking into works addressing some of these topics. I found some of this book useful and interesting overall. It was definitely straight forward as a "practical guide" and easy to follow, and included some illustrations of concepts, as well as exercises. I found the content a little vague, but then the very last bit seemed to comment on why that was the case. I don't really know anything about the author(s) and can understand some skepticism or mistrust, but I'm just going to keep doing my own research and explorations into various Native/Indigenous spirituality and or ways of being and hope for the best.
August 30, 2025
Cherokee Full Circle
This book was written in 2002, and briefly addresses the September 11th attacks, encouraging community and to stay hopeful in dark times. It actually comprises historical antidotes and customs from other tribes and native nations within the Americas.
I did like the many analogies and one of my favorites was about how the acorn turns into an oak tree after pushing up through the ground and dealing with storms to reach the sky, but it must be careful not to extend its branches too much, lest it be pulled back to the earth.
-The book briefly addresses how some tribes do not like to give much detail on their, what can be deemed, spiritual or sacred customs (Due to federal/outsider/education poaching of the customs is one reason given). The book won’t give you recipes on how to make incense or skin a deer but will simply encourage you to meet with others, talk with others, and to spread positivity.
-The back cover shows what appears to be two very white dudes, in some people’s haste to hate on white skin or non-native passing folk they may disregard this book, but the authors have worked with their tribe and are seasoned counselors and professors. I’m not gonna go digging into their past for their validity but it does seem rude to just write them off outright.
-The book did juggle gender at times with things like ‘he should do this’ and ‘she should do this’ instead of just a neutral ‘they’, but hey it was written in the 2000s.
-There is lovely art within!
-There is a related reading section!
-The book did have a good section about choice. Making a judgment that there is something wrong with the person inevitably takes away choice. People are what they are because of the decisions and choices they make continuously. I believe it tryied to make the argument that you can’t blame your actions on mental illness and that you will always have a choice.
-Methods on how to be calm, talk to others, and get rid of negativity.
Tidbits:
There is an implicit danger in sacrificing one's being for the sake of doing. Integrity and courage are such fragile commodities. Some of us may have learned that we are only as worthwhile as the things we accomplish. Our challenge is to decide what is best for us and where we can strike balance.
“As foolish as drilling a hole in water.”
There are four fears rejection, failure, regret, and vulnerability.
It's enough to just be, our purpose in life is to develop the inner self. We must not forget the enjoyment of life while we muddle in the mud. Nature is our lesson and our answer to harmony and balance. The flow of energy is like water. That is the life blood. By understanding cultural differences, we are able to recognize themes of commonality that exist for all cultures. It's all right to be different. Our differences are a way of life. While we cannot change the world. We can certainly accept acceptance within our own hearts. The sacred strength of humanity inherent within all of us.
No one is better equipped to change someone than that someone. Patience and respect are invaluable tools for any form of healing. Traditional wisdom tells us that our purpose is to face the world with courage in our hearts.
Create something out of patience, rather than being driven to accomplish something. Calm, resolve, and guidance may help with various aspects of our community.
Culture is born from beliefs and traditions that draw people together with a sense of oneness through the unity of family, clan, or tribe. Early Native American beliefs were tried first clan, second and family third.
The highest form of respect for another person is respecting their right to self. Determination. This means not interfering unless asked to do so with another person's ability to choose or to keep them from doing something foolish. Noninterference means caring in a respectful way.
Respect for another dictates that when a person is ready to share information, they will do so. Caring and respect are not one and the same. To interfere is to take on that energy and to possibly cause problems for yourself and your family. It is better to be a helper with the person making choices but to let them resolve their own issue
Imagination is the one true measure of freedom.It's not a matter of what you cannot do but what you think you can or cannot do. Being open to experience or the possibilities of every situation reflects the inner strength of one who has established harmony within.
We must discover who we are, what we believe in, and what’s important to us. By defining ourselves we define our surroundings. Independence becomes crucial to developing an inner strength required to create ourselves out of what we are given. However Independence requires a certain degree of dependence. One must respect and value others and all living things. Learning is a matter of choosing and accepting Atwill. I will find its roots in the heart of what we believe to be true. Choices are made with regard to maintaining both personal harmony and respect for all of our relations.
It is a natural part of a living to make decisions. However it is her own inner strength the benefits from the required willingness to choose and then seek the resolve after having make the choice.
This book was written in 2002, and briefly addresses the September 11th attacks, encouraging community and to stay hopeful in dark times. It actually comprises historical antidotes and customs from other tribes and native nations within the Americas.
I did like the many analogies and one of my favorites was about how the acorn turns into an oak tree after pushing up through the ground and dealing with storms to reach the sky, but it must be careful not to extend its branches too much, lest it be pulled back to the earth.
-The book briefly addresses how some tribes do not like to give much detail on their, what can be deemed, spiritual or sacred customs (Due to federal/outsider/education poaching of the customs is one reason given). The book won’t give you recipes on how to make incense or skin a deer but will simply encourage you to meet with others, talk with others, and to spread positivity.
-The back cover shows what appears to be two very white dudes, in some people’s haste to hate on white skin or non-native passing folk they may disregard this book, but the authors have worked with their tribe and are seasoned counselors and professors. I’m not gonna go digging into their past for their validity but it does seem rude to just write them off outright.
-The book did juggle gender at times with things like ‘he should do this’ and ‘she should do this’ instead of just a neutral ‘they’, but hey it was written in the 2000s.
-There is lovely art within!
-There is a related reading section!
-The book did have a good section about choice. Making a judgment that there is something wrong with the person inevitably takes away choice. People are what they are because of the decisions and choices they make continuously. I believe it tryied to make the argument that you can’t blame your actions on mental illness and that you will always have a choice.
-Methods on how to be calm, talk to others, and get rid of negativity.
Tidbits:
There is an implicit danger in sacrificing one's being for the sake of doing. Integrity and courage are such fragile commodities. Some of us may have learned that we are only as worthwhile as the things we accomplish. Our challenge is to decide what is best for us and where we can strike balance.
“As foolish as drilling a hole in water.”
There are four fears rejection, failure, regret, and vulnerability.
It's enough to just be, our purpose in life is to develop the inner self. We must not forget the enjoyment of life while we muddle in the mud. Nature is our lesson and our answer to harmony and balance. The flow of energy is like water. That is the life blood. By understanding cultural differences, we are able to recognize themes of commonality that exist for all cultures. It's all right to be different. Our differences are a way of life. While we cannot change the world. We can certainly accept acceptance within our own hearts. The sacred strength of humanity inherent within all of us.
No one is better equipped to change someone than that someone. Patience and respect are invaluable tools for any form of healing. Traditional wisdom tells us that our purpose is to face the world with courage in our hearts.
Create something out of patience, rather than being driven to accomplish something. Calm, resolve, and guidance may help with various aspects of our community.
Culture is born from beliefs and traditions that draw people together with a sense of oneness through the unity of family, clan, or tribe. Early Native American beliefs were tried first clan, second and family third.
The highest form of respect for another person is respecting their right to self. Determination. This means not interfering unless asked to do so with another person's ability to choose or to keep them from doing something foolish. Noninterference means caring in a respectful way.
Respect for another dictates that when a person is ready to share information, they will do so. Caring and respect are not one and the same. To interfere is to take on that energy and to possibly cause problems for yourself and your family. It is better to be a helper with the person making choices but to let them resolve their own issue
Imagination is the one true measure of freedom.It's not a matter of what you cannot do but what you think you can or cannot do. Being open to experience or the possibilities of every situation reflects the inner strength of one who has established harmony within.
We must discover who we are, what we believe in, and what’s important to us. By defining ourselves we define our surroundings. Independence becomes crucial to developing an inner strength required to create ourselves out of what we are given. However Independence requires a certain degree of dependence. One must respect and value others and all living things. Learning is a matter of choosing and accepting Atwill. I will find its roots in the heart of what we believe to be true. Choices are made with regard to maintaining both personal harmony and respect for all of our relations.
It is a natural part of a living to make decisions. However it is her own inner strength the benefits from the required willingness to choose and then seek the resolve after having make the choice.
August 1, 2014
Wow. This book is a cultural appropriated mess. Steer clear.
September 6, 2015
"The circle, as a sacred symbol, reminds us that what we often see as progression or growth is, indeed, cyclical in nature. The entire universe moves and works in circles. Nature progresses only so long as the many ongoing and contingent cycles that permit the process of life to continue in its extraordinary and intricately balanced fashion. We, too, move and work in circles and spirals. The Circle of Life holds this truth for us.Accordingly, we grow and mature, experiencing what life offers us, learning and relearning, until often we find ourselves circling back to the simple truths of childhood; we acquire more and more wisdom, only to understand the simplicity of things that mysteriously elude us as we circle through our own life cycle. Finally we share that wisdom as wisdom was once shared with us. The Circle of Life shows us the relation we have to all living things, to life itself."
February 5, 2017
Such an overall wonderful and insightful book! The book represents a gathering of techniques and traditions from Native American cultures across the USA. It contains exercises, stories and spiritually challenging methods to see the world from an entirely different perspective founded in harmony. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it will be a book I often refer back to as a guide for living.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews