An ayahuasca circle is a group of participants who sit or lie comfortably in a circle during an ayahuasca ceremony. The ayahuasca circle is the traditional means through which a curandero leads a ceremony and ayahusca circles are almost always the environment in which ayauhasca is administered to participants of an ayahuasca retreat and where the ayahuasca experience takes place.
The ayhuasca circle is usually located inside of a large ceremonial room with appointments such as mats or pads provided for participants to get comfortable and settle in for their ayahuasca experience. Accompanying the participants of the circle are also present the curandero or curandera, who leads the ceremony, as well as one or more facilitators who accompany participants through their ayahuasca journey. In keeping with the natural and holistic tradition of ayahuasca treatment, the circle is itself naturally constituted, being free of electricity, electronic devices, and any other distractions.
The space in and around an ayahuasca circle is usually softly lit during nighttime ayahuasca ceremony. Depending on the theme of the ceremony and the cultural heritage of the curandero or curandera, the circle may contain something in the center, such as a mandala, artwork, or traditional shrine, anchoring and attributing purpose to the ceremony taking place in the circle.
The curandero present at the ceremony may conduct icaros, or traditional healing chants, for the well-being of participants in the circle. As the ceremony progresses, participants are normally not in any way required to stay in their precise location in the circle, as their ayahuasca journey may compel them to get up and stretch or move their body.
Ayhuasca circles sustain a positive and transformative energy, wherein participants together experience the healing effects of ayahusca, supported by a professional shaman and facilitators. All in the ayahuasca circle are focused on being present, positive, and truthful with themselves for the entirety of the ayahuasca ceremony.
