Heart-Centered Circles: The Resonance of Gathering in Community

Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel is a licensed psychotherapist and board-certified coach with certifications in Reiki, aromatherapy, and other healing arts, offering intuitive sessions and teaching ethical integration of alternative and psychospiritual practices. She’s also an author, with works including the Essential Soul Care® Oracle Deck. Learn more at www.deeannamerznagel.com.

There’s something quietly transformative about gathering in a circle. Whether around a table, in a cozy room, or a sacred virtual space, intentional group work has the power to soften us, open us, and remind us that we are not alone. We come together seeking wellness, clarity, inspiration, or simply connection. But we often leave with something more: resonance.

DeeAnna Merz Nagel - Awakened Magazine

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to co-create many such spaces—whether in New Jersey with a fellow wellness coach or here in Florida, where I now reside. The structure of these groups has shifted over time, but the heart of them remains the same: we gather to be seen, to hear and be heard, and to explore what it means to live well and authentically.

In New Jersey, I partnered with a kindred spirit and colleague to host gatherings that centered around nourishment and intuitive self-care. We invited others into a warm, welcoming space where essential oils were explored as sensory tools for grounding and reflection. These were free offerings—held twice a month, morning and evening—to accommodate the varied pace of modern life. We weren’t there to lecture; we were there to listen. Participants came for the oils, yes—but they stayed for the connection. For thoughtful conversation. For the gentle, supportive atmosphere that emerged when like-minded people shared space.

Years later, in a different state and season of life, I found myself creating something similar—but uniquely its own. My Sunday circle, lovingly called Women Manifesting, grew into a sacred weekly rhythm. What began as an open invitation to explore wellness has become a trusted, intimate space for intention-setting, ritual, and personal growth. We honored moon phases. We journaled with Oracle prompts. We paired scent with insight, breath with body. We talked about what was happening in our lives—and we did so with deep respect for the sacredness of the container we’ve built together.

What these two groups have in common, despite their differences in format and focus, is a shared ethos:

  • Leading with presence, not perfection.
  • Honoring intuition as a form of wisdom.
  • Believing in the healing power of shared experience.
  • Embracing tools—like essential oils, oracle cards, breathwork, and ritual—not as solutions, but as invitations inward.

And at the center of it all? Heart.

In my Essential Soul Care® framework, the theme of community is aligned with the heart chakra—the energy center that governs love, compassion, grief, and the ability to give and receive. When we gather in a circle, we create an energetic field that supports all of these things. We co-regulate. We witness. We affirm one another’s experiences while remaining grounded in our truth. We become mirrors for one another’s wholeness.


Community doesn’t have to be large or loud. It can begin with two people lighting a candle and sharing a ritual. It can be a group that gathers monthly for moon ceremonies, or one that meets weekly to write and reflect. I’ve facilitated Aroma Writing sessions, intention-setting circles, grief rituals, and one-time events that still echo years later. Each group has its own soul signature, but they all remind me of one truth: community is sacred medicine.

If you’re longing for resonance, kinship, and meaning, consider gathering a few kindred spirits. Start simple. Trust what arises. Let the tools you love—whether oils, stones, cards, or breath—guide you. And remember, the true magic isn’t in the method. It’s in the moment. In the collective heartbeat of those who choose to show up with open hands and willing hearts.

DeeAnna Merz Nagel - Awakened Magazine

Ways to Weave Community

Sacred spaces begin with simple invitations.

If you’re yearning for connection, resonance, or ritual companionship, consider gathering a few like-minded individuals and letting your shared curiosity guide you. Here are a few ideas to spark your own circle:

  • Aroma Writing Circle
    Pair essential oils with journal prompts. Invite participants to breathe in a chosen oil and write without lifting their pen, tapping into subconscious insight through scent and the stream of consciousness.
  • Lunar Ritual Gathering
    Meet during the new or full moon to set intentions, release what no longer serves, and reflect together. Oracle cards, candlelight, and crystals create a beautiful container.
  • Grief + Grace Circle
    Hold a gentle space for those navigating loss or transition. Utilize supportive tools such as geranium essential oil (for heart healing), quiet reflection, and shared stories.
  • Heart Talk & Tea
    Host monthly check-ins with no agenda other than the presence of all attendees. Offer tea, a calming oil like lavender or bergamot, and create a talking piece to pass around as each person shares.
  • Soul Expansion Circle
    Create a space for exploring intuitive gifts, embodiment practices, or creative expression. Rotate leadership. Let the group evolve organically.

Remember: community isn’t built overnight. But when we show up with intention, openness, and heart, sacred containers naturally form.

TAKE ACTION: Join the online community every 1st Monday of the month for the Essential Soul Care® Series: Channeled Wisdom, Card Pulls & Soul Sparks.

"Community isn’t built overnight. But when we show up with intention, openness, and heart, sacred containers naturally form."

Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel is a licensed psychotherapist and board-certified coach with expertise in Reiki, aromatherapy, and intuitive healing arts. She’s passionate about guiding clients through transformative sessions while teaching professionals how to ethically integrate psychospiritual approaches into their work. DeeAnna has authored several works, including the Essential Soul Care® Oracle Deck. Her unique blend of skills and insights invites others to dive deeper into their own personal and spiritual growth.

Read more from Dr. DeeAnna Merz Nagel or connect with her on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or her website.

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