How Women’s Circles can help you Manage Guilt

by | Anxiety, Ceremonies & Rituals, Circles, Community, Holding Space, Mothering, Ritual and Ceremony, Women's Circles

By Katie Carswell, Women’s Circle Holder, Mindfulness Life Coach, Reiki Healer, member of The Circle School Grove

Guilt. A small word that casts a large shadow.

Guilt is pervasive and insidious in nature..it can also be the master of disguise.Hidden in our sense of duty and obligation.

Guilt can keep you stuck, stop you from progressing, from doing things that you love or that you know will make you feel better.

We rationalise our guilt away as having no choice, it’s part of our human condition. 

Guilt can sit alongside people pleasing, loose boundaries and lack of self care/worth. 

Guilt is such a part of our everyday lives, many of us just live in a permanent state of feeling guilty – 

Guilty of having our own needs

Guilty for wanting time for ourselves

Guilty for asking for what we want

Guilty for taking time out for us

And more often than not, that sense of guilt is so huge, we let it win, even if it’s totally unfounded. 

But I wanted to write to you today about the fact that you have a choice and guilt is just a state of mind.

At the end of last year I sat in Circle with my gorgeous mentor Mitlé and other Circle holders, reflecting on our life and work during 2022, looking at things we might want to release as we move towards 2023.

For me it became clear that as a holder of many spaces, in work and life, for many people, I am rarely held myself. So I made the commitment to change that this coming year, to practise what I preach and fully embody my own beliefs about the power and medicine that can be found in Circle ~ but this time for me.

As it often goes in life, I went from making this beautifully empowered decision and gorgeous plans of how I would gracefully ease into 2023, fully embodying all the magic and wisdom of the practices I teach…to it being much different.

Life threw me a curve ball. 

A beautiful, fertile, nurturing one, but a giant one all the same. 

A large puppy bomb went off in our lives. Our beautiful Beddy Whippet, Daphne, had 10 pups on the first day of the school Christmas holidays. From 3.30am we sat with Daphne, as she started labour, watching her pace and shiver..at 9.30am on Saturday 17th December the first little bundle of fluff eased his way into the world, with one pup following every half hour after that. 

It was both magical and humbling to witness our dogs’ natural instincts and know exactly what she needed to do. My husband and I had very little input but were on hand just in case help was needed. Two sadly didn’t survive, even with our attempts to save them but Daphne was an awe inspiring mum, birthing and feeding just as nature intended.

Christmas was quiet and not as we had planned but with a house full of pups our daughter was more than happy. And mum was doing brilliantly..but I had an inkling this might be the calm before the storm! On New Year’s Day we ALL ended up in the vets, mum with mastitis, we were told she needed time off from all feeding in order to heal, meaning my husband and I were now taking on that role. Since then we have fed 8 pups every 4-6 hours, day and night. It’s taken us back to when our own daughter was a newborn. The house has turned into a giant kennel. If we are not preparing to feed, feeding or cleaning up from a feed, we are washing and drying bedding and all of the other areas of care I had no idea would be needed.

All of this is just to give you a little insight into my world at the moment, life was full before, now it’s 8 times fuller.

We have all been in this situation, well perhaps not this situation, but a curveball one. 

Your own particular type of bomb. 

An illness, an accident, an unexpected life event.. but even without a monumental thing happening, how often do you find yourself prioritising other people / things before yourself?

 Life is busy for all of us and so many of us find ourselves prioritising others needs before our own, often through necessity but also because we don’t know any other way. It feels selfish not to.

All of a sudden the promise I made myself for 2023 didn’t just seem like an impossibility but one that I would be completely selfish to consider right now. 

This Sunday I had a chance to go to a Circle. My internal dialogue about whether I could or couldn’t, should or shouldn’t, was exhausting in itself. I noticed how, not being able to come to the decision myself, I reverted to asking my husband for permission, not that he ever asks me to or expects it, that’s purely my own thing. I knew he would say yes, in a way I couldn’t say yes to myself…why…GUILT.

There was too much to do

It was my duty to be here

What about time with my daughter

There are 4 piles of laundry to put away and another 4 lots to do

What about the puppies, will I be back in time to feed them

Is it bad if I leave my husband here whilst I take some time out

I’m holding my own Circles next week, will my family think I am always out of the house

And on and on it went. 

I almost didn’t go..mixed with a tired mind, the voice of guilt was almost overwhelming, luckily I have worked with her for many years and could recognise her for what she is.

So I tuned my head out and dropped into my heart..and what did my heart say…

It’s just a couple of hours Kate

Everyone will manage without you

You’ll feel better and be a better human to be around for taking some time out

The washing can wait.

You are not a bad mother if you take some time out for yourself.

And so I went to Circle and I am so glad I did ~ as I always am.

The Circle will always offer you what you need at that moment. 

For me I needed some time out, space to reflect and tune in. To stop the perpetual to do list and just be for a few hours. What felt self indulgent was so needed. 

Rather than pushing on through, I stepped back into my home just a couple hours later feeling like a totally different person, having charged up my batteries, filled up my own cup, so I was in a better space to pour all of the love, attention and care that the other areas of my life needed.

Not from a place of depletion but from a place of joy and gratitude. 

That’s the power of Circle, of time and space alone, it gifts you reconnection to you. 

So you can feel more balanced and then operate from that place, not from one where you feel so far down the pecking order in your own life, you are not sure if you are coming or going.

I know guilt, I understand her. Most of us have been raised in a culture that uses guilt and obligation as a method of control, so much so we don’t even stop to question why we are feeling it. We don’t pick it apart and see if it’s even ours or if it’s valid.

We are so caught up in the loop of guilt to even realise. Guilt keeps you stuck, repeating patterns of negative behaviour and thoughts.

If it’s something you struggle with too, next time you catch yourself feeling that familiar sensation, or listening to those thoughts swirling in your mind, I invite you to get curious for a moment..and ask yourself ~ Is this true? Is this mine? 

Then, acknowledge it but not let it stop you.

Quite often it’s just taking that first step, out of a comfort zone.

 

If you are feeling guilty this new year for taking time out for you, perhaps you have just had time off so taking more time for you might feel greedy, or perhaps it’s financial guilt about spending money on yourself…just know that the benefits of gifting yourself time and space for you have far reaching ripples, not just within your own life but of those who you love and those who witness you prioritising yourself..that is an inspiring thing to model to others, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

Remember filling your own cup first can only ever benefit others.

This was first published on Katie’s website where you can find out more about her work and her Circles. 

Guidance and Training as a Circle Holder

by | Circles, Community, Holding Space, Ritual and Ceremony, Women's Circles

The Importance of Receiving Guidance and Training as a Circle Holder

Circles held by skilled and experienced Circle Holders offer powerful and transformative experiences for personal and community wellbeing. 

In my experience, holding circles can be an incredibly powerful way to connect with others, explore our shared experiences, and support one another on our journeys.

It is important to recognise that there are multiple facets to holding Circles; we are space holders, ceremonialists and facilitators (and more).

When I started holding circles I could find hardly any information about “how” to do it! A google search led me to a few short blog posts, but they weren’t really what I was after, and so I just began and learnt as I went. I have dedicated many hours (and money) to continually learning more about the origin, architecture and process of Circles, the systems they can function within and the communities they can serve.

I believe that holding circles is a calling for me, and I seem to have an innate capacity to do so (which has deepened and expanded over the years) and I also recognise that it would have been really helpful to have benefited from training when I began this journey.

Since 2018 I have been offering guidance and training to wellbeing practitioners, creatives and community organisers who feel the call to hold Circles, already have multiple modalities and skills to offer, and don’t want to spend years working out how to hold unique, transformative and inclusive circles.

By working with others, I have witnessed how guidance and training can support us in the art of holding space, teach us the craft of creating ceremony and enhance our Circle facilitation skills. The effect is to nourish our confidence as Circle Holders and nurture our willingness to show up and hold our Circles.

Here are a few reasons why guidance and training can be important:

  • Holding space requires a deep understanding of group dynamics and the ability to create a safe and inclusive environment. This is especially important when working with marginalised communities and those who may have experienced trauma or oppression.
  • Effective Circle Holders need to have a strong grounding in their own practices and rituals, as well as an ability to adapt to the needs of the group. This requires a deep level of self-reflection and an openness to learning from others.
  • In addition to the practical skills required to hold circles, training and guidance can also provide valuable support and mentorship. It can be difficult to navigate the challenges that can arise when holding space, and having a community of fellow Circle Holders can be incredibly helpful.
  • Holding circles that are inclusive and welcoming allows for a greater diversity of voices and perspectives to be heard, leading to more creative and transformative experiences for everyone involved. It is important to have guidance and training in how to hold circles which privileges diversity, equity, and inclusion.

By creating spaces that are truly welcoming and inclusive, we can support women and those marginalised by their identities, by providing a space for self-reflection, connection, and community building.

Ultimately, inclusive Circle Holding can be a powerful tool for creating a more equitable and just society.

By investing in our own growth and development as Circle Holders, we can create more meaningful and transformative experiences for ourselves and the communities we serve.

Through Circle School I offer self-led online courses and a membership for Circle Holders. These immersive experiences offer wellbeing practitioners, creatives and activists guidance and training to hold your own unique, powerful and transformative Circle experiences.

If you are seeking a practical and wholehearted circle training for rebellious facilitators, you can find out more about Circle School here and I invite you to join us in Circle Skills. 

*This is not a replacement for investing in anti-racism, accessibility and inclusivity training

Full Moon Women’s Circle: How to plan

by | Ceremonies & Rituals, Storytelling, Women's Circles

Follow these 10-Steps to plan your Full Moon Women’s Circle.

It’s always a good time to gather women and sit in Circle together but it’s often helpful to have a theme.

Let’s Begin:

Whether you’re looking to hold a women’s circle in your home for your friends, out in your community or as part of your business, the Full Moon is a potent time to do so. When you gather for a Full Moon Circle you are tapping into the collective energy of thousands of women around the world doing the same thing.
 
If you track your menstrual cycle or follow the Moon and journal on your monthly journey, you’ll be aware of how you personally feel around each Full Moon but, even if you don’t (yet) you are probably aware that the energy builds from the New Moon to the Full Moon and then comes the release. This is a perfect time to deal with our “stuff”; to let go of bad habits, grudges, guilt, fear, irritation, disappointment, anger and ways of being that are no longer serving us and replenish the space created with gratitude.

The Full Moon is a powerful time of the month to gather in a women’s circle and share, release and recalibrate together.

Follow these are 10 simple steps to plan and hold your first Full Moon Women’s Circle:

1. Collaboration
Decide whether to collaborate or host the Women’s Circle on your own. Collaboration can be a supportive way to hold your first Circle; you have someone to share the experience with and to help you with the organisation and facilitation.
 
2. Create your Circle plan
Think about where you’ll hold the Circle, how many participants you would like to attend, how long the Circle will run for, whether you will provide food or ask everyone to bring a plate and how you will invite people to come.
 
3. Choose your theme
For a Circle on the Full Moon, usual themes include release and forgiveness, celebration and gratitude. But, I invite you to get creative. Allow yourself to feel into the energy, connect to your heart and draw on your cultural heritage. Your Circle is an expression of who you are. If you need some inner guidance, take a journey to meet the Soul of your Circle here.
 
4. Write your Women’s Circle Guidelines
These are an essential element of holding safer space so give yourself time to think about what you’d like to include and how you wish participants to feel when they are in the space you have created. It is also worthwhile thinking about any challenges or conflict that could arise around your chosen theme and how you will navigate that. Don’t be afraid of challenges; if you’ve given it some thought beforehand you will have the tools to navigate it and the trust to see how it is serving the Circle.
 
5. Create your ritual or ceremony to open and close your circle
This may be as simple as a meditation, poem, prayer or invocation (you can write your own or find one to share) or you may wish to create an altar together, draw oracle cards or share why you were called to come to Circle.
 
6. Decide on any practices or activities that you wish to share and gather any materials that you will need
For a Full Moon circle you may like to invite the women to write down everything that they wish to forgive or let go of and then burn them (safely) in a fire place or cauldron (or rip them up or bury them) and then fill the space that you’ve all created by sharing what you are truly grateful for or sharing a gratitude meditation.
 
7. Create a timeline or running order for your Circle
Review what you would like to include and approximately how long each component will take e.g. welcome and opening ritual, introductions and sharing, talking about the theme, facilitating the practices that you’ve chosen, reflection and sharing, and closing ritual or ceremony. If you are co-facilitating, agree which roles you will both be responsible for.
8. Before your Circle starts take time to create Sacred Space

You can set your intention for the Circle, energetically preparing the space and arrange the seats in a circle (remember that the centre of the Circle is an important aspect of the space as this where all the energies pass through). You may like to play music, burn incense or diffuse essential oils.

9. As participants arrive, welcome them and invite them to take a seat in the Circle
Take your place and welcome everyone. Share the Circle Guidelines and use your running order to guide you. Conduct your Opening Ritual or Ceremony and enjoy every moment of your Circle.
 
10. Conduct your Closing Ritual or Ceremony
Ensure that you give yourself enough time to close your Circle intentionally so that and break from the Circle to share nourishment  (tea and sweet food can be grounding).
 

Finally:

If you’re holding an on-line Circle, think creatively about how you can adapt these steps to plan and hold a connected and powerful sacred experience. For example, asking participants to bring a candle and an item for your virtual altar can elevate your opening ritual in an on-line Circle.

 

 

When we come together in Women’s Circles we are honouring the generations of women who have sat in Circle before us and will do so after us. Taking time to plan and prepare for your Circle supports you to create a sacred event that will nourish and nurture the participants that you gather together.

 

 

If you’re looking for support and guidance on planning, creating, holding and filling your next Women’s Circle, I invite you to consider joining us in Circle Skills. Circle Skills is a guided 10-part journey to having the clarity and courage to hold unique, powerful and revolutionary Women’s Circles. Find more details here.

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