I believe we all need a space that we can rely on, where we can come as we are, and be met in that place. And I believe that we need beautiful spaces for women to come together, to find sanctuary and soulful connection as often as they need it.
Meeting in circle is one of the many wonderful traditions of celebrating sisterhood and the power of the female voice that has been very nearly lost to centuries of patriarchal oppression.
Today, however, hundreds of women across the world are slowly bringing back the concept of a regular women’s circle - essentially a gathering together of women in a regular moment of connection and reflection.
In a women’s circle, we come together - physically, or online - at an agreed time, for around 90 minutes, once a week or fortnight. A circle might involve a welcome check-in, the lighting of candles, meditation or grounding exercises, a chance to share stories or experiences, moments of quiet inner contemplation, music, sharing of words, inspiration and compassion.
I trained in circle facilitation with Sister Stories, and believe in their mission - that ‘going to circle’ should become as commonplace for women as going to yoga. I believe in the importance of slowing down and connecting with yourself and your community of sisters.
You could think of a circle as a combination of a yoga class, a coffee morning and a support group - but it is also so much more than that.
Women’s circles offer space and sanctuary for the soul; a chance to connect deeply with the wildness inside all of us; and the space to be truly seen, and heard. The circles I run are inspired by the circling of the year, the seasons and beautiful writings by women, and in each we reflect on how nature’s eternal cycles connect with our own experiences, while also sharing words and inspiration from across literature and poetry. I believe that women are deeply rooted in nature and that the more we connect with our wildness, the more we can truly connect to ourselves and each other.
It's incredibly powerful to sit with other women, in a safe space, sharing stories and truth, and to sit in witness to the stories of other women and feel the invisible thread of sisterhood that connects us all. You do not always have to share at a circle, it is absolutely ok to simply bear witness and sit in compassionate silence with other women.
Whether you want to share and reflect or be still in the quiet space, I believe we need regular ritual in our lives, something that signals to our minds and bodies that it is time to stop, to reflect, to be curious and open. And I believe in being inspired by the words and stories of others, that all women, all over the world, have a story to share and something to teach us.
Women are wise and magical beings and we have only just begun to touch the possibility of our power. We have never, ever needed a circle space more.
thewildcircle.space