The women’s circle

Yesterday I went to a women’s circle for the very first time, and before you go whoa! has she lost the plot?! it was enlightening, fun, intriguing, but above all I now understand why this kind of connection with other women is incredibly healing.

If someone had said to me even 12 months ago that I would be spending my Sunday afternoon at a women’s circle, holding hands with strangers, blessing crystals and burning pieces of paper, I would have asked you if you had been smoking funny cigarettes.

I am generally not the type to be burning incense and chanting into my cup of herbal tea but there was something quite lovely about spending time with my gender and connecting with a higher life force. I know it sounds all a bit hokey, but stay with me here.

Women’s circles are an ancient practice, very ancient in fact, pretty much from the dawn of time, so this is nothing new and certainly not a trend. Many cultures and faiths all of the world have been practising women’s circles uninterrupted for centuries.

A women’s circle is a safe and sacred place where you can talk about what is on your mind without favour, prejudice or advice. It is not like getting together with your girlfriends for an Aperol Spitz, definitely no gossiping or judgement here. The women’s circle I attended was for healing and wellness, and the women who run them use the energy from the participants to help others reconcile and recognise their relationships with themselves. Self-care actually, and I really know what it’s like to be in that place where you are putting yourself down, it’s self-sabotage and I saw it come up time and time again yesterday, that old chestnut of thinking we are not good enough.

Women’s circles are a space where you can share and listen. Two things that we rarely get on a day to day level. Who really is listening to us when we speak? We are all guilty of not listening enough to not only other’s but ourselves. This gathering is also not a competition, it is about what you can let go of in your life that does not serve you and gives you the tools to make real change in your life. I was amazed at how much you can learn when you are not talking (who knew?).

So, what do we make of all of this? I personally think that we need more women’s circles in our lives. A place that we can gather with others, talk about our challenges, learn to love ourselves, receive empowerment, discover inner realities, feel a sense of belonging and have a genuine connection with other women.

I liked it a lot (there I said it!) In our crazy world where people are battling with loneliness, isolation and health issues, this is a simple and effective way of bringing people together and harnessing personal healing and social interaction. It is also a good excuse for a piece of chocolate cake.

I certainly left the gathering feeling a lot lighter than when I arrived, and that my friends is something we all need.

I urge you to give it a try.

Big Love Jane x