Women’s circles are on the rise! Whether you live in the western or eastern world, women’s circles are becoming more and more popular. And for a good reason! But what is a women’s circle?
Our world is changing (hello, Aquarius Age), and the divine feminine is finally rising.
Women start to gather together to support, celebrate and hold each other. But this is not a new phenomenon. Women have been coming together for hundreds and thousands of years.
For a long time, the divine feminine was suppressed and had to hide. Even nowadays, in some parts of the world, women are hunted just for showing their hair.
It is our time to unite as women and bring a sacred balance between the divine feminine and masculine. And women’s circles are one form of bringing our world into harmony again.
But let us dive a bit deeper: what is a women’s circle actually? We will explore the history of women’s circles and how you can join one nowadays if you feel the inner call to awaken your divine feminine energy.
What is a women’s circle?
A women’s circle is a spiritual gathering of women for women to build community, experience support, be held, and explore the mystic depth of being a woman.
A women’s circle offers a safe and sacred space for women to come together, use their voices, be heard, and be seen. The circle allows women to connect with their feminine energy and deepen their spirituality through different practices, rituals, and ceremonies.
Usually, women sit together in a circle with an altar in the middle. The altar can be a flower mandala or contain oracle cards, crystals, smudging tools, images, candles, and many more meaningful objects.
A women’s circle’s important element is creating a sacred space. This can look different in every circle and is a wonderful way of opening the circle. It can be as simple as intentionally lighting a candle, taking some conscious breaths, or placing your hands on your heart. Often we ask spirits, ancestors, spirit guides, and our higher self to join us. We can call in the lower, middle, and upper world as well as the four directions.
There are many different ways to hold a sacred gathering of women.
Another essential part is to cleanse and clear the space or bring in the four elements, water, fire, earth, and air. It will hugely depend on the background and beliefs of the host of the women’s circle.
Every women’s circle is unique.
Every circle can have a different topic, from gathering on the new moon or full moon to blood mysteries or cacao ceremonies. This is the beauty of a women’s circle. You will discover a wide range of beautiful topics and ancient wisdom that has been passed from woman to woman for hundreds of years.
Discover my unique and powerful women’s circles here.
History of women’s circles
So let’s dive deeper into the history of women’s circles. Today you may come across a monthly full moon goddess circle at your local yoga studio, but women gathering in circles is as old as time.
Cave art, paintings, and other historical relics suggest that women’s circles are ancient. Our female ancestors gathered in ceremonious circles in the red tent and moon lodges as sacred spaces to connect and support each other, especially during menstruation.
Back in the days when we were living in sync with nature, and especially with the moon, all women of one tribe would menstruate on the full moon and ovulate on the full moon. On the new moon, women would retreat in red tents to honor their blood and rest.
“Within every woman, there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing.” — Clarissa Pinkola Estés
With the fire at the center, women’s circles were a place to share stories, honor the gods and goddesses, and dance under the stars. These circles, often led by a Medicine Woman, were a ritual to connect with the natural world and to heal and educate each other about fertility and the moon cycles.
How can you join a women’s circle?
A women’s circle can take all shapes, and no two women’s circles are alike. It can be a monthly gathering every full moon, a weekly meeting in someone’s backyard, or an online group of women from all over the world in constant supportive communication.
Whether you join a women’s circle in person or online, every women’s circle will have a different energy and intention based on the person holding the space.
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In-person women’s circle
Traditionally you can expect all women to be seated in a circle on the floor around an altar with seasonal flowers and sacred objects. The woman leading the circle will smudge the space with palo santo (or any other cleansing herb), and then the circle can begin.
Most women’s circles are sharing circles in which each woman shares something with the others while the other women hold space for her to share. This could be something joyful, upsetting, a challenge, a story — anything she wants to share. Many feel deeply healed after sharing in a supportive space with others, knowing there’s no judgment.
After each woman has shared (you can also remain silent), the host closes the circle. Some circles end in silence so each woman can take the sacred feeling home, while others end with feasting together.
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Online women’s circle
Online women’s circles give women a chance to come together wholly independent from outer circumstances — women from all places can join from the comfort of their homes.
Just like in-person events, online circles are guided by the person holding the circle, who will steer the conversation and provide reflection prompts, journaling exercises, and rituals the women can do at home.
When joining an online women’s circle, it’s important to get cozy, make yourself a cup of herbal tea, and get together whatever you need to feel warm and quiet in your place. I encourage women to create a comfortable nest on the ground to join the circle and feel a deeper connection with mother earth.
Learn more about the 5 benefits of joining an online women’s circle in my other blog post.
The practices and rituals differ from circle to circle and could include yoga (especially womb yoga or yoga Nidra), meditation, breathwork, dancing and shaking, shamanic practices, or heartfelt shares.
What to expect when joining one?
A women’s circle is a time to nurture yourself, connect with your feminine energy, and be fully present.
It’s a space where we lift each other, hold each other safe, and tap into our naturally gifted intuition and knowing. It allows us to follow our internal wisdom to find what we need to heal, grow, and expand.
Women’s circles create a space for vulnerability to help us release stuck emotions and patterns while allowing us to connect and hold space for others. Knowing we have people we can lean on and relate to can make us feel empowered and connected, and we can experience the feeling of a supportive community.
Women’s circles are not there to fix you; instead, they help you to uncover the medicine your heart and soul already hold for you.
When joining a women’s circle, there might be discomfort, crying, and moments of silence and absorption. There might also be laughing, singing, and dancing. You might experience only one of those things, or you might experience all of them.
If you are not ready to share something during a circle, please know that is totally fine. Silence is always welcome, and you must go at your own pace on your journey. Just by listing to other shares, you can receive the medicine your soul longs for.
For an in-depth guide about what you need to know before joining a women’s circle, check out my other blog post here.
The power of women’s circles
Even though we’re more connected than ever via social media, email, and messaging apps, we have lost the depth of our connection.
So whether you feel disconnected from the women in your life, need a safe space to share with others, or want to deepen your relationship with the feminine and the moon’s cycles, a women’s circle can be a wonderful place.
Women’s circles bring back that deep connection with the women around you. It’s a place where women support, embrace and inspire each other through the ups and downs of life. It allows you to speak your truth and be yourself without apologizing for taking center stage. By sharing yourself with the women in your circle, you get to know yourself better.
So much wisdom is imparted from woman to woman simply by sharing her story!
At other times, hearing another woman’s story is the reminder we may need that we are not alone in the struggles we face. Sometimes it is hearing the dreams and achievements of other women that give us the boost and inspiration we need to take that next big step, slow down, seek support, or shift perspectives.
Why should you join a women’s circle?
Women’s circles are an incredible way to connect with other like-minded women and form deep, meaningful relationships.
They also help you connect deeply with your own feminine side and can guide you on women’s rites of passage. From your first moon (menstruation) to menopause and entering the wise women archetype, a circle of women is your safe and sacred space.
Experiencing the magic of a women’s circle can truly be life-changing.
Nowadays, society sometimes teaches us to see other women as rivals, and we constantly compare ourselves to other women. In women’s circles, meeting each sister without envy or judgment is super important. Instead, we come together with other women in sisterhood to support and celebrate each other.
A circle of women is a safe and sacred space for EVERY woman. No matter her age, job, life stage, income, or cultural background. It is a welcoming space for everyone, and every woman brings her unique gifts and wisdom to the circle.
There’s something beautiful about women getting vulnerable and openly sharing their life experiences. The circle’s safe, healing, and uplifting space encourages every woman to be authentic and proud of who they are and what they bring to the group.
It’s time to celebrate the divine feminine, encourage originality and uniqueness in our sisters, and let our authentic self shine.
If you feel called to join a women’s circle, sign up for my newsletter and be the first to know about my upcoming online women’s circle to experience the magic of women gathering in sisterhood.
