Jennifer Aniston Has Been Doing a "Goddess Circle" Ritual with Her Besties for 30 Years

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If there's any celebrity who can prove that age is nothing but a number, it's Jennifer Aniston. Between her flawless skin and seriously fit physique, it's hard to believe that the star recently turned 50.

To celebrate the big day, she invited a group of her closest friends to jet off to Mexico for a girls' trip. (Did you know that Jennifer Aniston was into self-care before it was a thing?)

Unfortunately, though, Aniston's flight didn't go as smoothly as planned, and the plane had to make an emergency landing after losing a tire. But in a recent interview with The New York Times, Aniston revealed that despite the chaos, she and her besties still managed to take part in a "goddess circle" ritual—a tradition they've been following for the past 30 years.

So, what is a goddess circle ritual exactly? Some describe it as a way to get in touch with your feminine energy, bond with those closest to you, and promote spiritual growth.

Aniston's version seems to focus mainly on setting intentions. She said it involves sitting cross-legged on cushions with her closest friends and passing around a beechwood talking stick decked out in feathers and charms. The ritual takes place when either Aniston or one of her friends experiences a major life event. For the Dumpling actress, that's included everything from her respective weddings to Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux, to the time she had to put down her beloved dog, Dolly.

The most recent ritual, however, was all about embracing Aniston's age and how far she and her friends have come. "It's so weird. There's so much doom around that number," she told The New York Times of what it's like to be an actress turning 50. (Related: Jennifer Aniston Shares Her Secrets to Staying Zen)

ICYDK, intention-setting is an extremely valuable practice that can help you reach both your emotional and physical goals. "Many people probably do this in their head all the time, but sitting down to write this out makes you more likely to follow through. Intention-setting can help people be more present—more mindful—in their day-to-day lives," Andrea Gottlieb, Ph.D., a psychologist at Sheppard Pratt Health System, previously told Shape. Think of it as a "compass" guiding you along life's path, added Gottlieb.

While some people write down their intentions daily, experts actually emphasize the value of sharing them with others, just like Aniston and her friends do. "By letting others in on what you're setting out to achieve, you may find an accountability partner, motivator, or cheerleader within your circle of influence—all hugely important support roles you'll need on your journey to success," Michael Genovese, M.D., J.D., a psychiatrist and chief medical officer of Acadia Healthcare, told us.

Since her latest goddess circle ritual, Aniston said she feels like she's in a really good place in both her personal life and career. "I'm entering into what I feel is one of the most creatively fulfilling periods of my life," she told The New York Times. "I've been doing this for 30 years and I feel like it's just about to really bloom."