A sculptural offering for lineage, light, and belonging

Circle of Ancestors comes from a vision in a moment when I first felt the presence of those who came before me, a visual recognition that ancestry can hold us, even when we don’t fully know our histories or have met the people whose lives led to our own. It was the first time I learned that braids could be a way of calling them in, honoring them, and feeling their protection. This piece is my interpretation of that vision that appeared and the feeling of being surrounded, supported, and watched over.

The women braid each other’s hair, forming a circle of strength. At the center, the flame creates a space for ancestral presence, intuition, and inner guidance to gather. When lit, the candle becomes a moment of connection- between us and those tied to us through blood, spirit, or the deeper parts of ourselves. It’s a reminder that we belong to something older and more expansive than this lifetime.

At the core is my belief that while we each have our experiences, we are held by those who came before us as well as a larger consciousness whose pattern overlays everything. This piece is an expression of gratitude for these connections and the simple chance of being here at all.