Circles

Why Circle?

Because Circle is a place within which I found belonging, felt welcome, where shame died, where I felt witnessed, where I felt connected and I want that for you too!

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My first experience of circle was a Red Tent circle a few villages away from me in a large summerhouse in a lady's garden. This Circle was purely for women. A space where women would hold space for each other, craft together and perhaps share a song or two.  For me it was the beginning of me finding my way out from under the piles of nappies, hours of breast feeding and sleepless nights following my second child's birth. It was the first time I felt like I was seen as Rachel again, rather than 'child's mum' or 'staff member' or 'subservient partner'. I needed that space more than I could really comprehend at the time.

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There is a magic in circle. When we come together, shoulder to shoulder, all equal, all holding compassionate space for each other. Circle is such a rich and nourishing form of human connection. It's not new to us, it is ancient. As ancient as the elements, as ancient as the fire. Humanity has held counsel gathered around the warmth of the fire since ancient times. Our Ancestors call us back now, to gather, to connect in the ways in which they connected, it's time to unite. Time to bring focus back to what unites us, to step out of division and into inclusion. In circle all of you is welcome, especially the part that you find hard to accept, hard to love, hard to meet with compassion. 

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So what do I bring to circle as a facilitator?

I bring 20 years of experience in the healing arts, a lifetime of experiences that wisdom has been gathered from and a talent for reading the needs in the room and guiding hypnotic meditations.

My Circles will often include a little information about what is happening astrologically, some crystals bought in to support the space and an invitation for support from our ancestors as we gather around our fire (candles).

I bring a few agreements to the circle which bring some structure and define this time spent in circle as something we step into and out of our everyday life. Circle is not a group of people having a chat around a fire. It's more intentional and holds more reverence. And yet circle is quite simple and ordinary in many ways too.

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What can you expect to happen at you first circle?

I usually begin my circle with a welcoming and talking about the crystals and helpful items I have chosen for the centre piece. In person circles will have a talking piece which can act not only to help us remember only to speak when we are sharing but also as something to anchor us that we can hold and fidget with whilst we speak.  I might bring a little sharing about where we are in the moon cycle and any big astrological or seasonal events that are happening. I will speak of themes I have noted coming up for me and my clients recently that feel collective in nature.

From this I lead the circle into a short meditation helping participants ground and arrive fully then leading them in connecting a little more deeply with themselves, their quieter voice within.

The circle are reminded of our agreements

• Confidentiality, even your attendance is not to be mentioned outside of the circle.

• We actively listen to understand, not to give advice.

• Non-judgement, meeting ourselves and others with openness and compassion.

• Trusting circle members are great enough to meet what arises for them. We do not rescue.

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I will then offer a sharing prompt and members share as and when they feel moved to. You do not have to share at all and silence is as welcome in the circle as words, gestures, poetry, emotion, whatever you arises for you.

After the sharing I might bring the circle to a close with some reflections of what has been witnessed or longer circles will include a drum journey or a second guided meditation.

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What kinds of circles do you offer?

I hold many different flavours of circle, I will list some below but circle is really limitless

• Celebration Circles - lets gather and celebrate ourselves or perhaps a loved one's special occasion, birthday, menarche, 

• Mother blessings - A beautiful alternative to a baby shower where we can share some of our wisdom with the mum to be in circle and also perhaps create a blessing bracelet with crystal beads chosen by the participants for the Mama.

• Women's Circles - traditionally women have gathered in red tents. Maiden, Mother and Crone gathering and sharing, guiding perhaps. These spaces can be so healing and nurturing for the inner child to witness as the wisdom and beauty in each and every woman in the circle reflects our own wisdom and beauty back to us.

• A Space for Sorrow, Grief circles - Grief tending is the most beautiful and wild work. We may have personal grief to tend or we may be a collective grief bearer or both. Stepping into circle 

• Turning point celebration circles - Celebrating the Solstices and festivals of the year with traditional craft, circle and intention setting.

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Got questions?