For thousands of years, women have gathered in circles. Around fires, in kitchens, under the moon, in temples, and in hidden corners of society, women have sat together to share stories, weave wisdom, and hold one another through the cycles of life. These gatherings—known today as women’s circles—are not a new wellness trend. They are one of the oldest forms of community and healing, and they are needed now more than ever.
The History of Women’s Circles
The roots of women’s circles stretch back to ancient cultures across the world. Indigenous communities, from North America to Africa to Australia, recognised the importance of women gathering together. Circles were places of ceremony, rites of passage, storytelling, and spiritual practice.
In pre-patriarchal societies, women often held central roles as keepers of wisdom, midwives, healers, and leaders of ritual. Circles were a way to honour the cycles of the moon, the seasons, fertility, and the mysteries of birth and death.
As patriarchal structures took hold, these gatherings were suppressed, often seen as dangerous or threatening to the established order. Yet, even in secrecy, women continued to gather—supporting one another in times of loss, childbirth, and community struggle. The circle became a quiet act of resilience, a way to keep alive the threads of connection, spirituality, and feminine wisdom.
Why Women’s Circles Matter Today
In modern times, women’s circles are re-emerging across the world—in towns, cities, and rural communities. At their heart, they meet a deep human need: to be seen, heard, and held without judgement.
We live in a culture that often pushes women to compete, achieve, and perform. Many feel isolated in their struggles—whether it’s balancing work and family, navigating relationships, or healing from trauma. A circle offers something radically different.
When women sit together in a circle:
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Every voice is equal. There is no hierarchy—each woman’s story carries weight and value.
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Authenticity is welcomed. Tears, laughter, grief, joy—all are allowed.
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Healing happens collectively. Through listening and sharing, women remember they are not alone.
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Cycles are honoured. Life transitions—menstruation, motherhood, menopause, loss—are acknowledged as sacred.
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Belonging is restored. The circle reminds us that we are part of something greater than ourselves.
In trauma-informed women’s circles, the space is held with particular care. Safety, consent, and pacing are central. This allows women to soften protective layers, reconnect with their bodies, and explore deeper parts of themselves—without pressure or expectation.
The Transformative Power of Gathering
A women’s circle is not therapy, but it can be deeply therapeutic. It is not religious, yet it can feel profoundly spiritual. Sitting in circle awakens something ancient in the nervous system: a sense of safety in belonging, resonance in shared rhythm, and empowerment in being witnessed.
Research in psychology and somatics shows that connection is one of the strongest medicines we have. When we co-regulate—breathing together, sharing stories, listening with presence—we activate pathways of calm and resilience in the body. Women’s circles offer this in its simplest form: people sitting together in presence, with nothing to fix and nowhere to go.
Women’s Circles in Somerset and Beyond
Across the UK, and especially here in Somerset, women’s circles are blossoming once more. Frome, Bath, Glastonbury, and surrounding areas are home to thriving communities of women gathering in circles. Each circle is unique—some weave in meditation, breathwork, song, ritual, or movement. Others simply create a space to speak and listen.
What unites them is the power of being together. For many women, stepping into a circle feels like coming home.
If you feel the call to sit in circle, know that you are stepping into a lineage that stretches back thousands of years. These gatherings are more than just meetings—they are acts of remembrance, reclamation, and renewal.
I hold women’s circles in Frome, Somerset, weaving together Conscious Connected Breathwork, Somatic Experiencing, and Core Process Psychotherapy. Each circle is a gentle invitation to arrive as you are, to be witnessed, and to reconnect with your inner wisdom.
If you’d like to join an upcoming women’s circle in Frome or online, you can explore my offerings here. Together, we create spaces where healing, truth, and belonging can naturally unfold.
