This week in her newsletter, The Sunday Soother, Catherine Andrews invited her readers into the practice of sitting together in a women's circle. "Because women's circles are places of activation of power. Of healing. Of knowledge, passed from woman to woman, generation to generation. Of receiving, of vulnerability. Of sisterhood, of friendship, of acceptance, of action, of activism, of community.
"Powerful things happen when women gather with intention. And things happen in those circles that are dangerous to the patriarchy, which is why for centuries women's circles have either been outright banned at worst, or mocked as "woo woo" or hippie-ish at best."
I appreciate the place and role of a women-specific circle, especially in the context of a dominant culture that is patriarchal at it's roots. But I want to hold up her call to create and sit in circles, no matter their gender. I am lucky enough to be a member of a men's group who call ourselves The Men of Teal. By design we challenge the concept of being men of steel, and instead support each other in living Teal Operating Principles. It's magic to sit (via Zoom) with a small group who give each other permission to feel, to share those feelings, and to support each other in our growth, no matter our specific learning edges. And I start every day sitting with a group of drunks in an AA circle. Our collective healing power routinely brings me to tears.
There is great power in the circle. Catherine provides a good list of ways to find or even start your own circles. She refers to a book she finds of value: Sacred Circles: A Guide To Creating Your Own Women's Spirituality Group. Come. Sit. Surrender. Share.
(BTW, I checked in with my men's group. We agreed unanimously that we are a women's circle.)
Article: The Millionth Circle, and How it Might Help Patriarchy Fall
Related Article: Embracing Interdependence as Our Hidden Common Ground is Our Best Hope for the Future.
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