Dance

Dance, like music, is one of our primal creative "expressions," closely tied to emotions and rituals—the divine. Dance can lead us into a state of trance, allowing us to experience spirituality from within while also uniting with others. It encompasses emotions and the rhythm of life, our connection to the eternal and to our fellow humans. It is a creative process, an expression beyond words, in harmony with something greater.

The circular dance (ring dance) revolves around a central point, symbolizing a union between individuals and their center; see Circle and Pole. This has a pagan, mystical origin of universal significance. Today, we see faint and largely insignificant remnants of this in dances around the Midsummer pole and the Christmas tree (the latter having nearly disappeared altogether).

The dance around the center illustrates the divine symbol of a circle around a point; it mirrors the "stellar dance" around the North Star. The dancer participates in creation and the rhythm of life, what Eliade referred to as “sacred time.” This activity forms a mandala and thus a symbol of the Self.

Dance belongs to Jung's Eros and humanity’s feeling function. It requires one to let go of inhibitions, perhaps one’s conscious identity, and surrender to instincts—something many are unable to do.

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