Voice of the Earth is an organization dedicated to providing support for personal and community transformation in a conflict-ridden and environmentally degraded world.  Voice of the Earth will demonstrate that by using earth-centered frameworks, we can achieve healing and balance while creating better communities that better the world.  

Let's begin with a lesson about an ancient Native American democratic process known as the Circle of Law.

An Introduction to the Circle of Law

I read something this morning that struck me not only because of its deep insight, but also because it contained a vision of the world as yet to be. The writer said that United States President Obama symbolizes a turning of the tide away from individualistic pursuits to collective and community efforts - interdependence. As a community of thinkers who reflect deeply on the connections between ecologically sustainable lifestyles, personal ethics and spirituality, as well as all the mundane and necessary aspects of living a life (as simply as possible), this is not necessarily news to us. However, what is different is that this idea is now coming home to America. So perhaps this is a very opportune time to introduce the Native American concept of the “Circle of Law,” an ancient and balanced approach to community governance. The Circle of Law is based upon the Native American concept of Medicine Wheels, which in and of themselves take many years of study to understand. What is provided here is merely a superficial introduction that I hope will spark more interest and creative dialogue.

A Circle of Law is a gathering of members of the community into a decision-making body so that questions affecting the entire community can be brought under consideration, and explored from every angle. While on the surface it may appear to be quite similar to modern forms of government (such as parliaments and congresses), it differs in some dramatic ways. The Circle of Law is composed of male-female pairs called Twins. Twins were not to be couples, married or otherwise. In total, there are eight Twins (16 people) representing the following points of view: Hunters/Workers, Law, Peace, War, Medicine, Women, Chiefs and the Contraries.

While most of these points of view are self-descriptive, the “Contraries” may sound like an unusual group to include in governmental decision making structures. “Contraries” see the world in completely different ways from the rest of us. They have the uncanny ability to turn an idea on its head and prove it to be just as true when seen in reverse. It should be no surprise that adolescents make the best Contraries, and that therefore this was their designated role within the Circle of Law.

Another important component of the Circle of Law was the inclusion of pregnant women or mothers of young children who represented, in a living and visceral way, the interests of the next generation. Their role was considered to be so important that the Circle would not be convened until their seats could be filled. Think of how different this is from the modern world, where we “shelter” such women from the “burden” of governance, thinking that we are doing them a favor when what we are really doing is excluding that point of view from our most important decision-making process.

Also note that “Chiefs” – the equivalent of our modern-day politicians – were not given greater powers than any of the other points of view within the Circle. Theirs was one of eight “seats” at the table, with no greater weight than that of the Workers, Warriors, Peacemakers or Women.

In process, the Contraries would begin the proceedings by presenting the question at hand to the first set of Twins, who would consider the matter, formulate a decision, then pass the question along with their argument to the next set of Twins, moving clockwise around the circle. If a pair of Twins had differing opinions and had to compromise to arrive at agreement, this was thought to strengthen the soundness of their ultimate decision.

Finally, the matter would come to a vote requiring a two-thirds majority for a binding decision; otherwise, the entire process would begin again. As we continue to move forward in creating sustainable communities, I hope that you will find this brief introduction to an ancient practice of self-governance to be useful. More information can be found within the book “Lightningbolt” by Hyemeyohsts Storm (Ballantine Books, 1994).

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