Turning in circle to embrace ritual from the east (8)
I believe the answer is:
retiring
'turning in' is the definition.
('retire' can be a synonym of 'turn in')
'circle to embrace ritual from the east' is the wordplay.
'circle' becomes 'ring' (synonyms).
'to embrace' indicates putting letters inside.
'ritual' becomes 'rite' (synonyms).
'from the east' is a reversal indicator (on a map from right to left).
'rite' back-to-front is 'etir'.
'ring' going around 'etir' is 'RETIRING'.
(Other definitions for retiring that I've seen before include "going up the stairs?" , "Shy and fond of being on one's own" , "of unobtrusive aspect" , "heading for bed" , "Shy - going to bed" .)