Over the years, I had heard rumors and judgments around women’s circles. It reminded me of history’s repeated and outrageous accusations around women who demonstrated power. Women have been labeled ‘witches’, and other things, for centuries because of their ability to speak-up, connect with nature and their primal spirit, and dance freely under the moon! So, even in 2022, things have not changed much: for some reason, people fear when women gather.
Now that I’ve been hosting women’s circles at Receptive Giving, I have witnessed the powerful container that women can create together; however, it is nothing that anyone should fear! If you’re thinking about attending a women’s circle and feel uncertainty around it, allow me to invite you in!
1. No, we don’t drink our own period blood and practice dark magic.
Leave all the assumptions at the door! Women’s circles are not as theatrical as some people think. Yes, I try to host our circle around the New Moon, but that’s about as mystical as it gets. We host circle on the first Sunday of each month to honor the energy of the New Moon, which tends to be a very raw and receptive time. As the moon grows, or waxes, the energy builds and builds until it reaches final culmination at the Full Moon. Typically during that time, we are actively working towards our goals and aspirations. During the shrinking of the moon, or waning, the energy calms-down for us to receive and surrender to the Universe’s many gifts and miracles. As the moon grows, we can take action in the manifestation of our dreams, but as the moon shrinks, we are invited to let go and allow Spirit to step in and help.
2. Yes, we connect to Source.
The days surrounding the New Moon are a great time to pause, reflect, and set intentions. The main intention we set when gathering for circle is to connect to Source. Source is another word for God, the Universe, Spirit, etc. You can fill in the blank with whichever higher power resonates with you best. This time is about forming a strong relationship between you and your higher-power, and circle is a great opportunity to set time aside to acknowledge its presence. We begin each session with a meditation to ground us in the theme and intentions of that particular gathering, and then formerly open the circle with a sound of the bell or crystal bowl. Once the circle is open, we set our egos aside so that we can channel Source. After having experienced several circles, I can honestly testify to the fact that the energy in the room becomes very palpable, and it becomes clear that Source is present within each of us.
3. Balance your feminine and masculine energy.
We all have feminine and masculine energy within us, and it’s up to us to keep our energy balanced and flowing. Feminine and masculine energy has nothing to do with our gender, but more so involves the yin and yang qualities that influence our behavior. We may lean more towards one than the other depending on the season of life we’re in; for example, you may be more yang, or masculine, oriented when building your career and making business decisions, and you may feel more yin, or feminine, when nurturing relationships and your connection to your family. Masculine energy is very superficial, light, forceful, and active. Feminine energy is deeper, dark, intuitive, and quiet. Women’s circle gives us the opportunity to process deeper aspects of our reality and lived experience in a safe, quiet space. It’s feminine in the way that we show up to be present in a calm manner, connect to our intuition, and actively listen, which is a very receptive way of being.
Women’s circle gives us the opportunity to process deeper aspects of our reality and lived experience in a safe, quiet space. It’s feminine in the way that we show up to be present in a calm manner, connect to our intuition, and actively listen, which is a very receptive way of being.
4. Practice listening and strengthen your intuition.
When circle is open, we choose to connect to Source and truth. Throughout our busy lives, our lower-self tends to pull on us with chaotic thinking, over-analysis, and judgements. Our lower-self is the ego, which is the part of us that is consistently scanning our external reality for threats. Our ego’s job is to keep us alive and safe, but when left unchecked, ego’s behavior can become irrational and filled with fear. When we open circle, we’re quieting that part of the mind so that Source can move through us and help us to see what has been lying beneath the surface. Unprocessed emotions, feelings, and sensations may arise and once released, we typically feel lighter, clearer, and more connected to our intuition.
A typical session would involve each of us freely speaking on the theme or topic. It’s our job, as members of the circle, to actively listen to whomever is speaking. In listening to each other, we get to experience our innate interconnectedness and practice staying present. In staying present with the speaker, we harness our ability to focus and concentrate, which is a form of meditation. Listening is a practice of the Throat Chakra Center, Vishuddha. Vishuddha, or Vishuddhi, is the fifth primary energy center according to the Hindu tradition, and directly translates to purity. By listening to others, we cleanse our own speech to be less overbearing and more purposeful and truthful.
5. Build your tribe of honest and supportive women.
In circle there is no gossip or cross-talk. We dedicate ourselves to speaking authentically and sharing what comes up from the heart and soul. It’s a practice in being witnessed by others for who you truly are in the moment. We intentionally put our guards down and shed the many masks that we wear in service of our Earthly roles. Showing up authentically is a practice in being honest with ourselves and the other women in circle. We need to be able to trust each other if we are going to allow ourselves to be vulnerable in this way, so the conditions of circle to avoid cross-talk, interruptions, advice-giving, and discussing circle outside of circle… are crucial, sacred, and strongly enforced.
In a world where we’re becoming more isolated by technology, the pandemic, and sociopolitical differences, it’s important to have spaces where we can share openly and connect authentically.
I’ve watched amazing friendships blossom from circle and the awe-inspiring revelations when members realize you’re not the only one… You’re not the only one who has felt this way, experienced that thing, or overcome that challenge. There are beautifully common themes amidst all of our lives, but we hardly get to speak on the deeper undertones of life through out our daily, busy interactions with others. In a world where we’re becoming more isolated by technology, the pandemic, and sociopolitical differences, it’s important to have spaces where we can share openly and connect authentically.
We’re social beings that crave a sense of belonging. We want to know that we have people we can depend on. We need others to see us for who we really are. It can be painful to feel unseen or unheard, and women’s circle is here for you if you need a sense of community in this way.
I’m always here to answer questions! Feel free to leave a comment or email me privately.
Blessings! Namaste XO