What is a Women’s Circle?
Women have been gathering in circles since the beginning of time. You may have heard of the Red tent or moon lodges; historically, women gathered on a new moon or full moon to celebrate the divine feminine. It is part of our innate wisdom to tune in and align with natural cycles, and no wonder our ancestors chose to celebrate and honour the connection between our menstrual and lunar cycles.
It was a time to gather around the fire, tell stories, share meals, learn healing traditions, celebrate life events and rites of passage, and honour our ancestors and feminine lineage.
There is no denying there is a deep and mystical force that moves through a group of women who choose to gather intentionally.
It is a powerful and meaningful way for women to connect, heal and nourish one another.
The modern circle is still very much grounded in the ancient ritual and practice of coming together, sharing knowledge and wisdom, and rekindling our own version of the “village” for support and friendship. These offer spaces for women to be seen and heard in a powerful way that perhaps modern-day society doesn’t allow. This is perhaps why we are seeing a real resurgence of Women’s Circles across the land.
Modern-day circles can be focused around pretty much anything.
All it needs is a group of willing women (which by the way, just 3 women can create a circle) and you can choose any ceremony, ritual, or rite of passage to honour.
Here are just a few ideas:
Pregnancy/ Motherhood Blessings
Full moon/ New moon
Menstruation/ first menses
Significant birthdays (or just because you’ve had one hell of a year)
Bridal Blessings
Significant life transitions
End of post-partum period/ Closing of the bones ceremony
Cacao Blessings
Change in seasons/ equinox/solstices!
In my circles, I like to blend the ritual element with a focus/ theme. For example, my most popular circle to date is journeying with Women each month to develop a greater connection to self and their divine feminine essence; it’s a form of self-healing and self-inquiry if you like. I offer a new topic for discussion in each circle under this theme.
Topics we delve into are:
Connecting with our inner Goddess/ Queen
Self-acceptance
Our relationship to our bodies and self-image
Boundaries
Abundance and creativity
Love and relationships
The mother wound.
The sister wound.
Connecting to our intuition and trusting our feelings
I chose this topic to begin with because it’s the thing I love to talk about most, and if you’re thinking you would like to start a circle of your own- focusing it around something you love is a great place to start.
Ready to join our next circle and growing community of radiant and empowered women?
“Radiant- Women’s circles” are held in East Devon, in Topsham; welcoming ladies from the Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Exeter, Lympstone, Sidmouth, and Woodbury area- and further afield if you're happy to travel!
Hope to see you soon,
Rebecca
