Out in the Patagonian wild, under vast skies and beside ancient lakes, something powerful happens when women come together. They form a circle. No altar, no roof—just earth, sky, and intention. In this sacred formation, healing begins. Stories emerge. Silence speaks. And presence becomes a shared language.
These are sacred circles on the move—spiritual gatherings led by women, not within walls but within wilderness. Unlike permanent temples or churches, these circles are created and dismantled with deep reverence for the land. They are temporary yet timeless, transient yet eternal in their impact.
This article explores how women in Patagonia are reclaiming sacred space by bringing the circle with them on hikes, pilgrimages, and intentional walks. These gatherings are rooted in feminine wisdom, earth spirituality, and community ritual—and they are changing the way women connect with themselves and each other in the outdoors.
What Is a Sacred Circle?
A sacred circle is:
- A non-hierarchical gathering where everyone sits as equal.
- A container for sharing, silence, ritual, and connection.
- A space held with intention—whether for healing, celebration, grief, or prayer.
- A living altar, shaped by the energy and voices of the women present.
Traditionally used in indigenous, spiritual, and feminist movements, circles now appear across Patagonia—in forests, riverbanks, mountaintops—led by women who feel the call to co-create sacredness in nature.
Why Circles? Why Nature?
There’s something ancient in women gathering in circles. It predates religion, politics, and even written language. In Patagonia, where the land still holds deep ancestral memory, circles in nature:
- Restore connection to the feminine and to the earth.
- Create safe spaces for expression, emotion, and transformation.
- Allow rituals to unfold in alignment with natural elements—wind, sun, trees, water.
- Dissolve the boundaries between spirituality and daily life.
And perhaps most powerfully: circles remind us we are not alone. Even when walking solo, you can sit in the memory of all the circles you’ve known.
Types of Sacred Circles on the Trail
Walking Circles
These circles form during group hikes or spiritual treks. Each woman carries the intention of the circle as she walks.
At designated pauses:
- The group forms a temporary circle.
- A theme is shared (e.g., release, gratitude, clarity).
- Women may share words, offer objects, or simply hold silence.
Tools used:
- A shared stone or talisman passed between walkers.
- A rhythm (like breath or chant) to keep the group energetically linked.
Power of this practice: The entire trail becomes sacred ground, and the walk becomes a ritual in itself.
Fire Circles
Created at campgrounds, rest points, or near rivers with safe fire zones.
- A small fire is built as a center point.
- Women sit around it at dusk or nightfall.
- Songs, prayers, personal shares, and releases (burning notes or herbs) take place.
Key elements:
- Fire as transformer.
- The dark sky as witness.
- Women’s voices as invocation.
Why it matters: Fire circles are often where the most honest and emotional exchanges occur—grief, forgiveness, dreams, and deep connection.
Silence Circles
Formed at viewpoints, lakes, or inside forests. These are non-verbal circles meant for:
- Presence.
- Reflection.
- Connection beyond words.
Women sit facing inward or outward. Sometimes a simple bell or wind chime marks the opening and closing of the silence.
Result: A powerful sense of peace, clarity, and shared inner space.
Offerings and Prayer Circles
Often held at the end of a trail or during a powerful natural moment (sunrise, full moon, solstice).
- An altar is created using natural items (leaves, stones, flowers, feathers).
- Each woman places an offering and says a word, name, or intention.
- Sometimes water or smoke is passed hand to hand.
This closes the journey in gratitude and reverence.
“We don’t leave a mark on the land,” one woman shared, “but we leave energy. Love. Thanks. And that lingers.”
How to Create Your Own Sacred Circle on the Trail
Whether you’re in a group or walking solo, you can create a temporary sacred circle anywhere. Here’s how:
1. Choose a Natural Anchor
- A tree
- A rock formation
- A stream or lake edge
- A clearing with sunlight
Let nature help hold the space with you.
2. Set the Intention
Ask:
- What is this circle for?
(e.g., release, prayer, gratitude, listening, silence) - Who is it for?
(You? Women you’re hiking with? The land? Ancestors?)
Speak the intention aloud or whisper it into a stone or leaf.
3. Mark the Circle
Use:
- Stones
- Flowers
- Feathers
- Just your presence—stand or sit in a circle
Nothing needs to be permanent. Respect for the land is sacred.
4. Open the Circle
Take a few breaths. You can:
- Light a candle or incense if safe.
- Sing or hum a short melody.
- Ring a bell or clap hands once.
Feel the shift. You’re now in sacred space.
5. Share, Feel, or Be Silent
You can:
- Speak a truth aloud.
- Sit in stillness.
- Share gratitude or a memory.
If in a group, use a talking stick (or stone)—only the one holding it speaks. If alone, just speak your truth to the wind or write in your journal.
6. Close with Intention
To close:
- Blow out the flame.
- Say “Thank you” or “This circle is complete.”
- Scatter the natural markers or return them.
Leave no physical trace—but carry the energy forward.
Where to Experience Sacred Circles in Patagonia
Lago Puelo (Argentina)
Home to women’s retreat spaces that lead earth-based ritual hikes. Circles here are often done barefoot near the lake, with tree offerings and sunset reflections.
Valle del Río Azul (El Bolsón)
A valley of rivers, forests, and spiritual communities. Many women gather here for full moon circles, fire rituals, and co-creative ceremonies with nature.
Futaleufú (Chile)
Known for its water and wind energy. Women-led hikes often include trail circles for prayer, release, and listening to the land’s “murmur.”
Emotional and Spiritual Benefits of Trail Circles
Women who join or create sacred circles in nature often experience:
- A deep sense of being seen and held.
- Emotional release—tears, laughter, clarity.
- Stronger intuition and inner peace.
- A reconnection to something greater than themselves.
“In that circle, I felt the earth speak through us. We didn’t plan it. We just sat down—and it became ceremony.”
Final Reflections
In a world that teaches us to move fast, speak loud, and walk alone, the sacred circle whispers:
- Slow down.
- Sit together.
- Let yourself be known.
You don’t need walls, robes, or rituals written in stone. You just need a patch of earth, the sky above, and your own intention.
On the trails of Patagonia, sacred circles remind women that spirituality isn’t separate from the journey—it is the journey.
So the next time you pause on a path, ask:
“Is this a place for a circle?”
And if the answer is yes, even if it’s just you—step in.
The earth is ready to meet you there.
Leonardo e Raquel Dias are a couple passionate about travel, exploring the world together and sharing their experiences. Leonardo is a photographer and food enthusiast, while Raquel is a writer fascinated by history and culture. Through their blog, they inspire other couples over 50 to embark on their own adventures.