Men’s Circle For Fathers
Where stories are medicine, shadows are guides, and the journey of fatherhood is honored.
the challenge of modern fatherhood
For millennia, fathers journeyed through rites of passage, guided by the steady hands of elders and the sacred rhythms of communal gathering. Within tribes and circles, spaces were woven like living tapestries—where men could pause at the crossroads of life, listen to the medicine of stories, and learn from the shadow’s whisper. Elders, like ancient trees rooted in wisdom, passed down the flame of presence and purpose, illuminating the path through the thresholds of fatherhood.
Today, many fathers wander in solitude, separated from these sacred hearths where life’s transitions were once honored together. Reclaiming these men’s circles is like rekindling a primordial fire—through story, ceremony, and shared experience, men gather once more to weave connection and belonging. These circles become sanctuaries of emotional and spiritual guardianship, where the echoes of ancestral voices nurture resilience and depth.
In this reclaimed space, fathers are invited to embrace their roles not as isolated figures but as part of a living constellation—each star shining with shared strength, empathy, and the timeless pulse of community. Here, the ancient dance of shadow and light continues, guiding men to embody their sacred calling within families and the wider world.
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My name is Fred Clarke. I grew up in Peru and now live in Northern California, where I am a father and stepfather. My work focuses on conscious fatherhood, shamanism, Jungian shadow work, ritual, and the sacred journey of being a man, assisting fathers through inner work, reflection, and ceremonial gathering.
On my father’s side, I carry a lineage shaped by movement across oceans—third-generation descent from ancestors who came to Peru from the Bermuda Islands, with earlier roots in Liverpool, England. This ancestry inspires my attention to intergenerational patterns, identity, and ancestral healing.
From an early age, Indigenous cosmologies in Peru introduced me to ritual, myth, and shamanic practices, shaping my understanding of the unconscious and teaching me how story, sound, and ceremony can guide transformation. Over the years, I’ve woven these teachings with depth psychology, dreamwork, active imagination, and reflective practice to support fathers in reclaiming rites of passage, connecting with their shadow, and stepping fully into the responsibilities and presence of fatherhood.
I now hold circles, ceremonial gatherings, and 1:1 reflective spaces where fathers can share, witness each other, and engage with the sacred path of fatherhood — cultivating depth, presence, and connection across generations.
“A man’s real work is to recover the parts of himself that have been lost in childhood and society.”
— Robert Bly
The Intention of This Work
From both shamanic and Jungian perspectives, the unconscious mind, the shadow, doesn't just disappear; it actually plays a big role in shaping our destiny. If someone doesn't go through initiation, the forces that guide them toward responsibility remain unintegrated, which can lead to confusion, projection, and inherited wounds.
As a result, fatherhood often becomes a matter of just effort and adaptation, without the deep psychological, spiritual and emotional support it needs. This work aims to bring back initiation as an active process, assisting fathers reconnect with their lineage, unconscious mind, and the archetypal father within. When these elements are in harmony, the unconscious influence of the past can be understood, and what is passed down becomes a living presence rather than a source of unconscious trauma.
Excerpt of an active imagination journey through music and sound, a brief window into inner landscapes opened and shaped by vibration, and deep listening.
Testimonials
“This work supported me in stepping more consciously into my roles as a father, friend, and responsible man. If you feel drawn to living wisdom traditions, remembering your wholeness, and engaging life with greater depth and reverence, I highly recommend connecting with Fred’s multi-dimensional work and presence.”
— Evan G.
“I have witnessed Fred’s unwavering heart centered commitment to his own self work as offering his various gifts to hold space for others in their work. He walks through life as an expression of his beautiful warrior heart.”
— Blair B.
“Fred has mastered the arts, he is a deep listener and a clear channel of ceremony. I am forever grateful for his humble teachings, wisdom and passion.”
— Robin C.
