Rev. Selena Fox is senior minister and high priestess of Circle Sanctuary, a Nature Spirituality church, Pagan resource center, and nature preserve with a worldwide Ecospirituality ministry that includes networking, publishing, education, environmental preservation, counseling, events sponsoring, and other work. For more than thirty years, Rev. Fox has served as...

31 Oct 2009 Cemetery Altar Samhain 2009 ~ Each Samhain there are memorial or burial services up in Circle Cemetery. During Samhain 2009, ashes were interred. Elsewhere, I have more photos and video of parts of the ceremony in 2009. Here is the altar prepared for the services which follow. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 31 Oct 2009 Cemetery Altar Samhain 2009 © Nicholas Sea

02 Aug 2004 Green Spirit Steps to Spirit Rock ~ This is one of the iconic sights at Circle Sanctuary, Spirit Rock near Green Spirit Festival time, early in August. When I am out at Circle land, I like to take a photo of Spirit Rock from this angle up top. If one looks carefully at the photos of this location from over the years, one will see many changes. For example, many of the Red Pines are now gone. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 02 Aug 2004 Green Spirit Steps to Spirit Rock © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2009 Circle Bell Lichen ~ For me, the Circle Bell feels like it is in a land apart. It stalwartly stands during all weather clement and fierce. When it is time to ring the bell, one goes out to the bell, as if through a veil or over a bridge, to its place and purpose. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 30 Oct 2009 Circle Bell Lichen © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2014 Circle Dinner Bell ~ In addition to different shrines and sacred sites at Circle Sanctuary, there are touchstone features on the land that we all come to know during our time at festivals and other events. The familiar call of the dinner bell has been ringing out for decades, calling us to mealtime. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Circle Dinner Bell 30 Oct 2014 © Nicholas Sea

29 Apr 2004 Beltane Bonfire Preparations ~ Reed has been building our bonfires for more years than I have fingers and toes. He and other volunteers clear the brush and downed trees on the land and we have a firewood supply. On this bonfire pyre, notice that the remnants of evergreen boughs of Yule 2003 are stacked. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 29 Apr 2004 Beltane Bonfire Preparations © Nicholas Sea

22 Nov 2004 Autumn Sweat Lodge Overlook 01 ~ Here I am looking down to the Sweat Lodge from up on the path near the restored prairie. It is plain to see that the season is late Autumn on Circle land in this photo. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 22 Nov 2004 Autumn Sweat Lodge Overlook 01 © Nicholas Sea

01 Nov 2014 Circle Van in Autumn ~ The old Circle Van is parked at the south end of the upper Circle parking lot, walking south from Circle Barn. This is right where the main dirt road up and around to the Stone Circle begins. The road goes around the south side of the Ritual Mound. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Circle Van in Autumn 01 Nov 2014 © Nicholas Sea

10 Sep 2004 Creek Side Sweat Lodge Spirit ~ Here is the Sweat Lodge in late Summer. It is another testament to volunteers who mow the lawns and fields and tend the various shrines and sacred sites on Circle land. This is one of the lodges that I built, which are used for a few years and then built anew. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 10 Sep 2004 Creek Side Sweat Lodge Spirit © Nicholas Sea

18 Dec 2004 The Orbs of Yule Illuminated ~ Here we have an indoor shot of Circle’s Yule Tree, in the Barn Temple Room. In this photo we see Santa; just beyond Santa are community members celebrating Yule Eve on the land. It is cold outside, that is a given. There are no end to shrines, sacred sites, sacred spaces, and sacred moments at Circle Sanctuary. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 18 Dec 2004 The Orbs of Yule Illuminated © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2009 Sacred Fire Cord ~ Every shrine, every sacred site, every activity of spirit, has some labor of love; conception, creation, maintenance, provision. The various land stewards, volunteers, and Sacred Fire Circle tenders spend much time in tasks such as providing firewood for the various activities on the land. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 30 Oct 2009 Sacred Fire Cord © Nicholas Sea

29 Apr 2004 Community Bonfire Circle Ready ~ In preparation of Beltane 2004, the white outdoor chairs have been carried from storage by the setup crew and arranged around the Community Bonfire Circle. Soon we will be together in the chill of an early Spring night, sharing our stories. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 29 Apr 2004 Community Bonfire Circle Ready © Nicholas Sea

22 Nov 2004 Juniper Sentinel Late Autumn ~ Elsewhere in my photos for Circle Shrine Walk, I mention this Juniper as a location where a stag marked his territory by rubbing the bark off the trunk of this tree. This is a photo of that same Juniper, younger and smaller. The various types of evergreens on Circle land are some of my most favorite trees. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 22 Nov 2004 Juniper Sentinel Late Autumn © Nicholas Sea

01 Nov 2014 Community Campfire ~ The community campfire area was one of the first locations where we built bonfires on the land. There are currently at least 9 fire ring locations on the land, a few obscured. There have also been ancient fire rings on the land. Where the community campfire is located, is considered an ancient sacred site because of artifacts found in its vicinity. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Community Campfire 01 Nov 2014 © Nicholas Sea

02 Apr 2004 Three Evergreens of Yule ~ For a number of the early years at Circle Sanctuary, live Yule trees were decorated in December and then planted in the Spring. As I recall, there are 5 of these between the barn and the house. Though these trees are not native to the land, they are a deep reminder of the cycles of the year and Yuletide cheer. I particularly love seeing these evergreens in the Winter, albeit here we have them in early Spring. The Yule Tree is very much a poignant Pagan shrine of our times. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 02 Apr 2004 Three Evergreens of Yule © Nicholas Sea

We at the Patheos Pagan channel bid The Wild Hunt much luck in its new phase as an independent website. To catch the latest from TWH, please check out wildhunt.org! –Christine Kraemer, Managing Editor, Patheos Pagan Channel Read more

03 Nov 2014 Stags Rub Juniper ~ A bunch of years back when I was on my Samhain land hike, I followed the trail of the King Stag and his markings. He was very active that year. I have photos some place. One of the trees he rubbed was this Juniper (also known as Red Cedar). This tree is above the old sweat lodge area and at the lower edge of the upper prairie restoration acreage. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Stags Rub Juniper 03 Nov 2014 © Nicholas Sea

03 Nov 2014 Veterans Ridge Art ~ A part of Circle Cemetery is Veterans Ridge, where a number of recumbent headstones remind us. A cut steel silhouette of a kneeling soldier is a simple work of art, ever vigil. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Veterans Ridge Art 03 Nov 2014 © Nicholas Sea

Blessed Veteran’s Day to all who have served, especially those of you who are Wiccan or Pagan! I found this post at Biblebelt Witch about Veteran’s Day resources for Pagans and Witches …

‘Thou hast obeyed the Law. But mark well, when thou receivest good, so equally art bound to return good threefold.’ (For this is the joke in witchcraft, the witch knows, though the init…

22 May 2004 Willow Tree Charm ~ I recall when this tree charm was hung on the willow near the creek down by Troll Hole, but I do not recall its prayer. In many locations on Circle land there are tree charms and prayer ties and prayer flags of many sorts. The winds take their messages out into the world. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 22 May 2004 Willow Tree Charm © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2009 Sacred Fire Ring Quiet ~ One of the various fire circles on the land at Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve is the Sacred Fire Circle fire ring. This fire ring draws one into the circle of community, into the self, into the land, into spirit. The quiet of the space is palpable and I consider it an honor and privilege to visit between Circle events and festivals. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 30 Oct 2009 Sacred Fire Ring Quiet © Nicholas Sea

13 Apr 2004 Deer Trail Down To The Creek ~ I have always followed the stag and Herne; look at the license plate on my car. Thanks to Al, one of the Circle Patrol members over the years, I began to seek out more and more deer sign when I visit the land. Lately, it is mostly on Samhain that I am out to Circle, which is the time of the rut. Stag rubs and hoof markings are found throughout the land. This photo shows one of the deer trails coming down from Ritual Mound to the creek. There is a matching trail on the other side of the creek. Some shrines are mobile and ephemeral; the King Stag territorial markings and paths are one of these. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 13 Apr 2004 Deer Trail Down To The Creek © Nicholas Sea

01 Nov 2014 Cat Shrine ~ The Cat Shrine is located on the south side of Ritual Mound as you hike up the main road to the Stone Circle. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Cat Shrine 01 Nov 2014 © Nicholas Sea

02 Aug 2004 Green Spirit Circle VW Van ~ Here is the Circle Van nestled in one of its earlier locations. If there is any doubt as to why the Green Spirit festival is called “Green”, here is an amazing example of Circle lands all green and glowing early in August. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 02 Aug 2004 Green Spirit Circle VW Van © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2014 View To The Cemetery ~ From the stone circle, one can see over to Circle Cemetery. The area is known for its oaks and birches. With the changes in climate that are now upon us, warming temperatures likely mean that white birches will become less common on the land. All of Nature is on the move. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA View To The Cemetery 30 Oct 2014 © Nicholas Sea

03 Nov 2014 Mossy Ground 03 Nov 2014 ~ On the ridge walk out to Spirit Rock, much moss has grown up and spread out over the past many years. Before Circle moved to the land, this area was popular with local residents. Now that foot traffic is much diminished, natural plants including lichens and moss have made a strong come back. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Mossy Ground 03 Nov 2014 © Nicholas Sea

03 Nov 2014 On Top of Spirit Rock ~ Of course, one of the most notable sacred sites on Circle land is Spirit Rock. To fully understand Spirit Rock requires a visit. To fully see the expanse of Spirit Rock means viewing if from many angles. This photo shows one standing on top of Spirit Rock looking outward. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 03 Nov 2014 On Top of Spirit Rock © Nicholas Sea

01 Nov 2014 Bonfire Prep Samhain ~ For many years, Reed has been assembling the ritual bonfire for such festivals as Samhain. The photo shows the splendid results of his efforts for Samhain 2014. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Bonfire Prep Samhain 01 Nov 2014 © Nicholas Sea

25 Feb 2004 Circle Barn Garden Winter 01 ~ On the east side of Circle Barn is a long raised garden bed constructed and planted by the Garden Circle. Many renovations on the barn have happened over the years, including this garden addition. The Circle Barn Garden is both beautiful and functional. The garden structure provides a bit of buttress to the barn foundation. I consider the Circle Barn Garden to be one of the multifaceted shrines at Circle Sanctuary. It is important because it is wheelchair accessible and because it has so many components and people who have nurtured and cared for it. This photo of barn garden and shrine was taken from the north end of the barn. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 25 Feb 2004 Circle Barn Garden Winter 01 © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2014 Circle Spiral Labyrinth ~ For many years, one of the late night ritual sites at Circle Sanctuary has been the Spiral Labyrinth, tucked at the far end of the long Meadowvale Camping area. The labyrinth can be reached by walking through the camping fields or down the old sweat lodge road that branches down from the main ritual mound road. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Circle Van in Autumn 01 Nov 2014 © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2009 Kwan Yin Summer Kitchen ~ Here is a closer look at Kwan Yin in front of the Summer Kitchen. There is plenty of green grass and green herbs, late in the season. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 30 Oct 2009 Kwan Yin Summer Kitchen © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2014 Old Homestead Ruins ~ Just to the north and west of Circle House are the ruins of the old homestead on the property. The building was small and built of local yellow sandstone. In the 1980’s the building was still in good repair. Over the past 3 decades the building has slowly been merging with Nature. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA Old Homestead Ruins 30 Oct 2014 © Nicholas Sea

30 Oct 2009 Maypole at Samhain ~ In every season the Maypole stands. Here the whole setting is classic Wisconsin Autumn. The grass is brilliant green, the skies are overcast and grey, and the leaves remaining on the trees are mostly browns and yellows. The colors of the ribbons on the pole are reminiscent of a Scottish tartan of long ago. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, Wisconsin, USA 30 Oct 2009 Maypole at Samhain © Nicholas Sea