The power of circle has been recognised by women throughout history. Since the dawn of human history woman have gathered in sacred circle to commune and heal. Around fires, in the nunneries of the middle ages, and in different guises throughout the twentieth century. In this time where isolation is being increasingly encouraged and we are being removed from our strengths of connection and community, I am increasingly reminded of my need to feel part of something bigger than me.

artwork of golden birds circling around a golden butterfly

It was the Dalai Lama who stated at the 2009 World Peace Summit visit to Vancouver, BC that the world will be saved by the western woman. Though feminine qualities of interconnection, vulnerability, relatedness, and cooperation have historically been undervalued in patriarchal societies that  largely celebrate individuality, dominance, and competition, there is a growing sense that a mass planetary awakening is occurring. Despite outward appearances of destruction and decline, human consciousness is evolving at a very rapid pace and, in these shifting times, feminine principles are central – if not essential! – to the new world that is being birthed.

I share here about three special women who have inspired me and the impact of women circles in their life.

Hilma af Klint

We can see the beauty and creativity that evolves from women circles when we experience Hilma’s artwork. As part of a Circle of Five, Hilma and her circle of women came together to increase their connection to the divine, hone their creativity and support each other as artists in a field dominated by men.

Colourful artwork by Helma af Klint, depecting a heart in a circle with rainbow colours at the bottom

The power of Hilma’s artwork, that she says resulted from that circling, has transformed and inspired women throughout the world, many years after she passed. Her Guggenheim exhibition in New York broke the record in its 60 year history for visitors with 600,000 coming to see it in 2019.

Jean Shinoda-Bolen

Jean Shinoda-Bolen, a Jungian psychologist, discovered the support of women circles early in her career. As one of the few women in her field in the 1960s Jean found that:

“When women come together and make a commitment to each other to be in a circle with a spiritual centre, they are creating a vessel of healing and transformation for themselves, and vehicle for change in their world”.

These groups gave her the strength to be in her power. Jean went on to form the Millionth Circle movement which has spread worldwide and supported many community and global initiatives to sprout and thrive. The Millionth Circle is a group of women who have volunteered their time to hold the vision of shifting planetary consciousness through participation in monthly virtual circles and annual in-person circles.

circles of rocks and stones on a grassy hill

Tara Mohr

I first connected with Tara Mohr through her book Playing Big. I have since joined her online courses that foster a community of women who support the flowering of the essence of each individual woman.

I started my first women’s circle with the resources Tara provides on her website, based on exploring the ideas in her book. Her focus on identifying, connecting and building an intimate relationship with your Inner Mentor has been so valuable for me. This focus on the development of a personal internal guide to living and decision making is life changing.

One of Tara’s gifts to women is her free online ‘working together’ gatherings. She gathers online with women to connect and support women taking the leap to put their dreams into reality. Her groups connect for an hour online a week, gathering in a short meditation and then spending the time together doing their own separate work for an hour. The connection provides an energy that seems to support the inspiration and encouragement that is lacking when women work alone. That is beautiful.

Woman holding out hands in giving gesture

Image credits

Circling birds around butterfly photo by Julie & Joy, courtesy of Makerie Studio. Hands photo courtesy of Tara Mohr.

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