5 Reasons Why Women’s Circles Are So Powerful

The Power & Magic of Women’s Circles: Cultivating Sacred Sisterhood

I am feeling my age in this statement, but I am going to say it anyways… Everything is so fast-paced these days, and when digital connections take priority over interactions in the flesh, we pay a high price. Our existence in this increasingly virtual world makes the significance of women’s circles is more potent than ever. These sacred gatherings offer a haven for women to come together, shedding societal roles and expectations, to embrace their true selves in a nurturing, judgment-free environment. Here’s why women’s circles are not just powerful but feel like magic:

1. Sacred Space and Judgement-Free Sharing:

Women’s circles provide a sanctuary where vulnerable, authentic self disclosure feels safe and possible. Within these sacred spaces, there are no masks to wear, no facades to maintain. Instead, there’s an invitation for genuine, honest sharing, where women can expose their joys, struggles, fears, and triumphs without the fear of judgment. This vulnerability fosters deep connections and emotional healing.

2. Holding Space and Deep Listening:

Central to the magic of women’s circles is the profound act of holding space and deep listening. Here, women learn the art of truly being present for one another, offering unwavering support and empathy. Through compassionate listening, we validate each other’s experiences, creating a sense of belonging and understanding that is often elusive in the outside world - no verbal acknowledgement needed. As a therapist, I’m obviously a strong advocate for environments that foster an interaction for sharing with feedback … feedback can be extremely powerful, I know this from my client’s experiences and from my own experience receiving feedback in therapy sessions that I attend myself! Feedback in casual spaces with friends can be helpful too. This being said, a women’s circle that allows space for sharing without limitations, when you are being held by deep listening, knowing that you aren’t going to receive any verbal feedback is powerful in its own way. You have to experience to feel it, there’s no way to explain the magic of this space.

3. Sisterhood and Unity:

In a women’s circle, sisterhood transcends biological ties. It’s a bond forged through this shared experience of vulnerability that fosters safety and deep respect for one another. Women uplift and empower each other, celebrating each other’s strengths and offering solace in times of need. This sense of sisterhood fosters unity and solidarity, reminding women that we are never alone on our journey.

4. Release of Burdens and Emotional Release:

Within the safe confines of a women’s circle, participants find the courage to release the burdens we carry. Whether it’s through storytelling, ritual, or simply being witnessed, we unburden ourselves of pent-up emotions, traumas, and societal pressures. This emotional release is liberating, allowing ourselves to reclaim our inner peace and resilience.

5. Authentic Connection and Self-Discovery:

Women’s circles serve as mirrors reflecting back the true essence of each participant. Through deep introspection and meaningful sharing and listening, women embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. When we attend women’s circles, we allow ourselves to peel away layers of conditioning to reveal our authentic selves, embracing both our light and shadow aspects with grace and compassion.

In essence, women’s circles are not merely gatherings; they are transformative rites of passage where women reclaim their power, wisdom, and innate divinity. As we come together in sisterhood, we weave a tapestry of love, healing, and empowerment, enriching not only own own lives but also the collective consciousness of all women. So, let us continue to honor and cherish the magic of women’s circles, for they are the catalysts for profound transformation.

By the way… my name is Jen Reddish. I am a Registered Master Therapeutic Counsellor at my private counselling practice, The Essence of You. I offer individual therapy, group therapy, psycho-educational workshops, intensive group therapy retreats, and women’s circles.

My first experience attending a women’s circle was when I was seven months post-partum with my first child. I was excited, and a bit intimidated. I didn’t know what to expect. I was cautious, not knowing if I could trust this group of women with pieces of my story, exposing my true self. I wasn’t sure how much to say, how much time to take up, or what was appropriate to share. But, I kept going. I felt the power of these spaces even amidst my uncertainty and it definitely became a part of my healing journey and my path towards getting to know and accept myself.

Several years ago, I began holding women’s circles myself. I did so with some hesitation, not knowing who to invite… Who would want to come? Who wouldn’t? Should I keep it personal or do it as a part of my business? Should this be a free offering? Should I charge for it? How much? Where? When? How often? …. These were some of the questions I pondered. I have held them off/on over the last five years in various ways, experimenting with all of these questions I had pondered. Then I stopped entirely for well over a year until I gained clarity on what I wanted this space to look like. I had a continuous yearning for holding women’s circles but knew I had to wait until my intentions and plan was clear.

Earlier this spring, the words “The Listening Room” were calling to me. My own therapist suggested that there was a poem waiting to be written by me with these words… and I read this poem outloud at a women’s circle I held in April with some of the women from the Healing for Healers retreat. As I read this poem to these women, my path became clear. After that night, I could hardly wait to get it out there. I knew what I had to do and I was itching to start. May 5th I held the first offering of “The Listening Room” which will come to be a regular women’s circle centred around a sacred salt bowl ceremony. At the end of this circle, one of the women said “You can’t attend something like this and NOT be changed by it.” And everyone agreed. I am already yearning to be back in that space and I can hardly wait for the next one.