What are Circles?
In a nut shell… it’s a space unlike any other you can access in your world.
A sacred space where safety and freedom is created in order for your true self and emotions to be expressed.
A space where you are taken on a journey to connect inwards, to turn the dial up on that inner voice that functions as a whisper in your day to day life.
A space where this inner work is amplified by the experience of being heard, seen, and energetically held by the women gathered around in the shape of a circle with you.
A Circle of equality with no hierarchy, or rank, or power differences. It is how humans gathered before the culture of patriarchy to share stories and wisdom, make decisions, and connect.
Human’s naturally gather together in the shape of a circle…
In the shape of circle where everyone is of equal positioning…
equal view, equal value, equal opportunity to give and receive.
This is in contrast to a patriarchal, hierarchical structure where there is rank, power differences, and people are generally more receivers of information rather than givers. Think of the disconnection when standing in a line or seated in rows facing someone in a position of power who ‘tells’ you what to do, what to think, what to be. You receive the information with limited opportunity, if any, to contribute your thoughts or experience. It is here, in this shape of equality that we come together with the shared experience of what it means to be a person in today’s society. The up and down cyclic ride we all experience both in our inside worlds and our outside worlds.
Where there is equal space given for the laughter and joy, as there is to the tears and anguish.
In amongst this potent swirl of giving and receiving is the aspect of also witnessing the people you are gathered with. Just as they did you, listening to their stories and holding them knowing that there is nothing to fix, no advice or soothing needed.
The reciprocal medicine on offer is space to feel and be just as you are, knowing that the greatest healing gift is to be truly heard and witnessed.
“The human soul doesn’t want to be advised or fixed or saved. It simply wants to be witnessed – to be seen, heard and companied exactly as it is”
— Parker Palmer
It is amongst the sharing of stories and experiences, that you will see parts of yourself reflected back. Likely pieces of you that you have not noticed before or given much thought towards.
Sometimes simply knowing you are not the only one feeling this way can normalise your experience and make a challenging situation just that little bit less lonely.
It is in this sacred journey where both subtle and profound shifts are made… within yourself, within the wider collective of the gathered community, and within your outside relationships. These are the relationships that at the conclusion of Circle, you will go home and fuel with your topped up and overflowing wellspring of love and renewed energy…
As simplistic and unbelievable as this might sound… there really is truth to it however it can be difficult to put words to an experience… a felt experience.
It truly is something you need to experience to believe. It is a little bit like love or parenting, you can read and hear about it, but it’s not until it is actually experienced that you understand what was meant when they meant when they said this or spoke about that.
What is it that you actually do in Women’s Circles?
Each circle will be different.
Each facilitator will have a different style and approach.
The theme and group of people that are called to come together will each bring a different energy.
Generally, based on the theme there are a series of practices that the group is facilitated through, be that meditation, story, metaphysical work, journaling, poetry, craft, yoga etc.
For me, I like to thread the awakening of all senses throughout out our time together. Music, scent, beautiful things for you to see, your own touch, and nourishing tea and cake to bring taste to life. A sensual experience both with your physical senses as well as your emotional and spiritual sense of being.
I start with something grounding at the beginning to release all that it took for you to get there and bring presence into the now.
Some type of practice or ritual is introduced around half way that is linked to the theme of the Circle. This could be a guided visualisation, story work, poetry etc., with reflection by way of writing or journaling.
