Wicca's Traditional Circle Dances: Wicca is designed to raise the supernatural powers and to release latent spiritual forces. Known as the spiral dance. This is performed moving into the center and then out, drawing energy from the mysteries of the other world. The leader (man or woman) walks into the center, gains focus and becomes the transmitter of the energy that has been raised by the dance. The power of Wicca means: Awakening the subconscious mind and enables one to draw a positive healing energy. By believing in the Gods and Goddesses of the natural world. One great Goddess is the mother of the earth, moon and stars. In ancient Egyptian times, she was known as Isis This isn't dark and scary energy. Again only for positive healing results. People sprinkle the circle with water to purify it. In England (Southern, Somerset) a traditional meeting dance takes place. Both male and female join hands in a circle, facing outwards and moving anti clockwise (widdershins), the direction of death. Men lift their left heel off the ground. Making them hobble, imitating the bull god (baal). Who died and came back as a sacred king. The female (also called the priestess) releases her left hand and leads the dance, moving inward in a small spiral. All dancers are now in the center of the circle. The female turns to the right and kisses the man next to her. A spiritual gesture to embrace a new life. Followed by a clockwise direction (deosil spiral). Which means following the sun and embracing the rebirth of life. After, each female then kisses the man she passes. In Ireland they perform a circle dance by joining hands, then skipping or running around (periphery) a small bonfire. Accompanied by tambourines or rattles (sistrum), also a drum creating a spiritual healing rhythm. American Indians dance around in a sacred circle, calling up to the heavens to generate rain. The tribal dancers carry a small branch of water. They shake the branch and sprinkle drops onto the ground as a form of light rain. Beginners are often confused about the many dance styles in Middle Eastern dance. Our dance comes from many countries, so there is great variety. The wide range of choices is one of the charms. There are general characteristics in each style, however, which differentiate them.