Women’s Circles; Creating a Unique Space for Women to Support One Another

“A circle of women may be the most powerful force known to humanity. If you have one, embrace it. If you need one, seek it. If you find one, for the love of all that is good and holy, dive in…Let them see you. Let them hold you. Let your reluctant tears fall. Let yourself rise fierce and love gentle. You will be changed. The very fabric of your being will be altered.”
-Jeanette LeBlanc

In October 2018, I had the idea to start a women’s circle in my community.
A women’s circle is just what it sounds like, it’s a group of women sitting in a circle with a common intention. The whole idea of a women’s circle is to create a space that is free from distractions and that is supportive for women to come and learn about themselves. I announced on Facebook that my first women’s circle would take place on the next new moon, November 7th.

There are a number of reasons why I started a women’s circle. First off, I have a life coaching practice called Rooted & Vibrant that I run out of my home. I work with moms one-on-one to help them get back to their true selves after having kids. Many of the moms that I work with have a dream tugging at them but they are unsure how to make their dreams a reality. Their limitations are usually part mindset (what they think is actually possible for themselves) and part logistics (being the busy, devoted parents that they are). I wanted to create a community for these women to feel supported. I wanted them to know that there were other women going through similar challenges; that they were not alone.

I think it’s fair to say however, that the creation of this women’s circle was initially for myself. As a new entrepreneur, I had spent my first year in business going to many networking events. Although I did meet some amazing people, I was not feeling the support and connection that I longed for. There was something more that I was searching for. I wanted deeper connection. I wanted a platform to explore my own feelings. I wanted to meet other like-minded women who were also on a journey. As an introvert, it sometimes takes me multiple meetings to move past the small talk with new people. I wanted to be able to speak authentically, not in a calculated way that just made me look good. The other part for me was that I was at a stage in my coaching career that I was being challenged to take on more of a leadership role. Facilitating a women’s circle felt like just the nudge I needed to develop my own feminine leadership skills.

I was also feeling distraught and helpless about the #metoo movement. As a woman, and a mother of two girls, I was feeling afraid for the future. It was very disconcerting to learn that abuse against women exists on every level of society, that it is very pervasive across cultures. I was saddened by the fact that it took until 2018 for women’s voices to be heard and believed (this could be a whole other post about the unfortunate reality that it took women of privilege to speak up about their experiences for this to become a true, serious point of discussion. Trust me, this has not gone without notice). I wanted to empower women to step into their feminine power. I wanted to create a ripple effect of women who felt that they could make a difference. I wanted them to understand and own their stories, feel supported enough to share their stories, and motivate them to step up and make a change. Starting a women’s circle was a way for me to move past this feeling of helplessness and to move into action. Facilitating a women’s circle felt like my way of ‘walking my talk’.

When I started a monthly women’s sisterhood circle, I had never been to one myself. I’m not really sure where the idea to start one came from. It was a feeling, almost like a calling. I wasn’t sure where to start either. I did some research and found that women’s circles have been a part of history for hundreds of years in many different cultures. This was powerful to feel connected to generations of women who gathered before us.

I came across a group online called the Global Sisterhood. I signed up to become a facilitator through the Global Sisterhood immediately. I knew that I wanted to be a part of this bigger movement going on globally. The Global Sisterhood provided me with monthly themes and rituals that I could incorporate into my circles. The really cool part about the Global Sisterhood was that they coordinate the dates for the women’s circles so that women’s circles happen on the same evening, the new moon, at different locations around the world. We could sit together in circle, with thousands of other women at the same time!

I put myself out there. I was terrified but it was SO worth it. That first women’s circle I held was electric. It’s hard to explain, but the women that showed up were excited and eager to take part. Friends, neighbours, coaching clients and yoga colleagues showed up. There was meditation, music and journaling. We created intentions for ourselves and shared them out loud. We laughed and we cried together.

We continue to meet on a monthly basis, on the new moon because the new moon is a symbol for new beginnings. Each month there is an opportunity to reset and start fresh.

There are usually a few women that show up again and again but each month there is a different dynamic to the group, as new women join. I am of the thought that those women that need to be there will come.
It is an honor to facilitate these women’s circles. There is nothing better than being together, being real and feeling supported for being just who you are.

Megan Day, MSc, CLC, is a Certified Life Coach, Meditation Instructor and the founder of Rooted & Vibrant. Her mission is to empower women to find their life’s work and to help ambitious moms create fulfilling lives.

In 2017, Megan made the decision to resign from her 10 year career in healthcare to start her own business and explore her calling. She values family, community, connection and adult conversation. She has found her life purpose in helping other moms find theirs.

Connect with Megan at www.instagram.com/rooted_and_vibrant and www.facebook.com/rootedandvibrant/.