Circles of Willow

Circles of Willow Expands

Our Women’s circles continue. And we are excited to announce a new service Circles of Willow: Neurodiverse. To find out more about this parent child physio group click on the link https://www.circlesofwillow.com/neurodiverse Kindly share.

Embrace the Goddess Within

Join us for the continuation of our series: ‘Embrace the Goddess Within.’

Discovering the goddess within ourselves can ignite our inner exploration with profound implications for personal growth and empowerment. When I read Jean Shinoda' Bolen’s Goddess in Everywoman, it left me changed. I became aware of patterns playing out in my life and how to respond to these rather than blindly react.

To live mindfully takes courage. Courage is not always on tap. Sometimes, you look at who you are, where you came from and what you choose to believe It is an ongoing process of growing into awareness. We are so lucky to stand on the shoulders of the women who have come before, especially those who have believed in themselves and blazed trails for us to follow.

Take a day to heal from the lies that you’ve told yourself and the ones that have been told to you. Maya Angelou

Or term 2 circles begin again on 17/04/2024 7:00 p.m. and our first five which complete this work run until 15/05/2024. We continue to be amazed by the role of myth and storytelling and how with consideration it provides a wonderful avenue to discover our own personal psychology. Women are incredibly flexible and often take opportunity to rewrite their personal narrative many times in a lifetime. Each revision I believe, takes us closer to our authentic truthy.

To stay informed of ‘Circle of Willow’ happenings and for helpful hints follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/circlesofwillow/

Our Full Moon Meditations return in spring 2024!

Our Full Moon Meditations held during the warmer months give us an opportunity to gather together and meditate in a group. They shall resume in spring 2024. Meditation in a group setting especially on the full moon enables us to purify our physical vehicle, connect deeply within the experience, bless our beautiful planet and give something back to our local community. We accept a $10 donation from each participant and all proceeds go to CareWorks SunRanges supporting their wonderful work in Sunbury. Want to know more visit https://www.circlesofwillow.com/whats-new

Why not give it a try? Nervous? Bring a friend.

The Circle

Our circles are growing and I continue to be amazed by the process as it unfolds. People are coming home to themselves and are beginning to live their truth in a heart-centred way. One participant who had been ill missing two circles said: I really missed coming here. As we grow, our connection to our internal resources strengthens. And we can be there for each other as the need arises. And it does. Life is life.

Are you still unsure about circle participation? My daughter and son in law helped produce a video that gives you a peek into the circle process. Thank you. I also thank the women in circle the day of the filming for their generosity. They allowed us to film them to allow you to give you an idea of what we offer at Circles of Willow. Our What’s New page will keep you up to date with our latest happenings.

Circle participation calls us to remember our uniqueness. In the safety of the circle we can speak, be listened to, and show up as we are that day without judgement. At ‘Circles of Willow’, we gather, connect, honour, and glow. We hold space, that is we are there for each other. Life is busy and uncertain, but circle space welcomes. It supports us through the power of authentic connection which is vital for our wellbeing.

In our Celebrate Winter self-care afternoon, we dropped into our heart-space and wrote a sentence that encompassed our hope for the future from that perspective. We then shared the poem, each reading our own words within the circle. Our hearts rang out, received unconditionally by all the women who attended. The experience enriched us, reminding us of our purity, power and authenticity. I share our words below.

Hope for the Future: from my heart to yours

May I always be open to the love surrounding me

peace, acceptance and love

to find safety and sanctuary

live with authenticity, your true self

peace and love in my life

to love and forgive those who have hurt you

family gatherings filled with joy

I am strong and beautiful

I may go dark and twisted but I always come back to peace and love

It will be okay, love heals all

you are worthy and valuable

may you have the sweetness of joy

happiness and love 24/08/2022

Rebecca attended Saturday Morning Circles. Here are her words about the experience. Thank you Rebecca.

‘I have thoroughly enjoyed attending  'Circle' with Circles of Willow. Merima has created a beautiful safe space to come together and have some time out for ourselves.  It is an opportunity to go inward with a sense of curiosity  and explore what really matters to us as individuals and as a collective, to nourish our souls. An opportunity to honour our authentic selves !

Circle also provides a gentle introduction to tools such as meditation, breathing exercises, creative art , Mindfulness and other techniques that can be used in our daily lives. I leave Circle feeling supported, uplifted and with a smile on my face!’

We emerge but we emerge changed. Life has given us time to reflect and make choices. The future is at our feet, but do you feel a vague sense of unease? It’s different now. Has the way you interact with others changed? Humans need to interact with each other. In circle we connect. In circle we come together to heal.

The circle archetype is the foundation of our human community. It is the council that brings human beings into a respectful space for conversation and can be used for conflict resolution. Our forebears gathered around campfires to eat, worship, and share wisdom through stories. These often circular gatherings were a source of empowerment.

‘Circle space is very different than social space.’ Imogen Bailey

Circle communication also honours the non-verbal. It is real, equal, and respectful. Each person sitting in circle is seen as a valuable contributor to the experience. Together we create a metaphorical vessel. It accepts us as we come. And holds us without:

• Judgement

•   Minimisation

• Comparison

•   Competition or

•   Manipulation of outcome

Support offered is from heart thinking, embracing each individual’s sovereignty. Advice is only offered if requested. Within this space we are free to glimpse our innate wisdom and reconnect to our intuition. Humility and kindness create a container where it is safe to be authentic, even to fall. Although Women’s Circles are more widely known, our circles are open to both men and women.

‘I do not offer therapy, I offer space.’

Our lives ebb and flow, awash with complex emotions. The Circle allows everyone to make their own discoveries and traverse the terrain of their lives in their unique way. Circles foster wholeness.

 let’s gather, let’s connect, let’s share, let’s glow

at ‘Circles of Willow’

When my father died, something crucial to my well-being slipped from my shoulders. Years later through my circle training, I could finally name it. My father held space for me. He simply sat beside me. He allowed me to discover who I was in this life. Sometimes, he redirected me, ‘I’m not so sure about that,’ he would say. He empowered me. I began to wonder if other people had experienced a similar void and took a chance. I began to learn about ‘The Circle.’

‘The beauty in my life comes from a blend of mystery and science. This alchemical process underlies all I am.’

Why the willow?

The old willow tree stands proud, rustling gently in the wind. Fronds sweep the ground. It is cool and safe beneath her arms. And the river flows by emotional life, fluid and free. Traditional meanings given to the willow include:

•   Hope

•   Inclusion

•   Safety

•   Stability and

•   Healing

I think these align well with what I am offering.

‘There are many Women’s Circles, I offer ‘Come as you are in the moment circles.’

Circle Agreements

Each circle has its own agreements. These guide us and ensure that every person who wants to be heard has the opportunity. Agreements generally include four or five brief statements about:

•   Presence

•   Attention

•   Intention and

•   Confidentiality

‘We live increasingly independent lives. The price I find is a vague unease, a gentle reminder of our separateness.’

When we gather we shall determine our own circle agreements. In circle, each individual contribution is valued. We realise that the whole is composed of all the individual parts.