The Women’s Circle Is an Ancient Rebellion

The Women’s Circle Is an Ancient Rebellion:

When connection becomes healing

This post was written by Community Partner and founder of The Wonder Flow, Stefy Garcia.

The Power of Gathering in Circle

As a Women’s Circle Facilitator, sometimes it’s hard to express in words what gathering in circle truly is. Each circle is unique and different, yet always powerful and transformational.

I don’t use the word “healing” lightly, but I have no doubt that Women’s Circles can be genuinely healing for those who experience them.

I’m not saying that attending a circle will magically heal all your ailments — but I can assure you that if you show up with an open heart and mind, you will find comfort, connection, and experience some level of relief and release.

Most importantly, you will discover a profound sense of togetherness. You’ll realize you’re not alone in your feelings, pain, and struggles.

You’ll see yourself reflected in other women’s experiences, and somehow, that will soothe your heart and soul in ways you never imagined possible.

There’s a saying that “*circle is medicine*,” and after facilitating and experiencing firsthand hundreds of circles, I can attest that circle always provides a soothing balm for whatever ails us. It meets us exactly where we are and offers exactly what we need.

How Circle Medicine Found Me

My first experience with circles came when a yoga teacher I deeply connected with invited me to join one centered on “The Artist’s Way,” Julia Cameron’s timeless classic for recovering the creative self.

During this 12-week program, I found deep comfort and healing as I was surrounded by women, vulnerability, and creativity. Just a few years later, on a warm summer evening, I found myself sitting down under a full moon in another women’s circle.

The moment I walked into the room and saw the circle outline and center altar, I experienced a strange yet unmistakable sensation of déjà vu—a feeling of “I’ve been there, done that.”

During the initial meditation, I heard a gentle whisper deep within: “You are going to do this.” This moment marked a turning point in my life. When I left that night, I experienced, for the first time in months—nearly years—a profound sense of inner peace and clarity.

Until then, I had been wrestling with a deep existential crisis, weighed down by crippling anxiety and depression, but that night illuminated a new path forward. Within weeks I received my first attunement and initiation into the healing arts, and six months later, I enrolled in my first Women’s Circle Facilitation training.

Why Circles Make Such Profound Impact?

It is from this personal experience that I know gathering in circle can be a catalyst for profound healing and transformation.

While circle offers us many gifts, I believe its greatest one is helping us remember our innate essence of pure, nonjudgmental human kindness. Gathering in circle awakens our capacity for true compassion and empathy—not only toward others but toward ourselves.

A powerful “mirroring” effect occurs in circle. I’ve witnessed it countless times: when one brave woman dares to “go there”—to be vulnerable, raw, and real—she inspires others to do the same.

Authenticity is contagious, and honesty becomes ‘the remedy’. I’ve seen countless women break down while listening to another woman’s story, hearing words that express their own unspoken heartache.

Anthropologists call this unique energy that emerges when people gather with a shared intention “collective effervescence”—a heightened state of emotional unity and social connection that transforms individual experiences into something greater than the sum of its parts.

In circle, this effervescence manifests as a palpable energy that fills the room when women share authentically and witness each other compassionately. It’s that electric feeling of connection, understanding, and shared humanity that often brings tears to our eyes or sends shivers down our spines.

While my personal experience speaks to the contemporary power of women’s circles, this practice of gathering in circle is far from new. In fact, it’s one of humanity’s oldest and most sacred traditions, carrying wisdom that spans millennia.

Historical Significance of Circles

Author Jean Shinoda Bolen’s once stated that “the opposite of patriarchy is circle”*, which reveals a profound truth about the nature of circle gatherings. Throughout history, circles have been spaces for ceremonies, storytelling, and community building across all cultures.

In ancient matrifocal societies, women led these gatherings, with each voice carrying equal weight and wisdom emerging from the collective rather than individuals.

Before patriarchal systems became dominant, these societies honored feminine wisdom and leadership. As documented in Merlin Stone’s “When God Was a Woman” (1976), women held positions of power and reverence, though their roles diminished as male-centered systems took hold.

In these early societies, circle gatherings embodied true democratic participation, where power came through sharing rather than control. This collaborative approach differed fundamentally from the hierarchical structures that would later emerge.

How Circle Traditions Live on Today

While these ancient traditions may seem distant, their essence and power continue to shape modern circle practices. The fundamental human need for connection, understanding, and shared wisdom remains unchanged across millennia.

This ancient wisdom of circular gatherings continues to resonate powerfully in our modern world. The practices that sustained our ancestors—sharing, listening, and holding space for one another—remain just as vital and transformative today.

When we gather in circle today, we aren’t simply creating a modern ritual for community and connection—we’re echoing the voices of our ancestors who gathered around sacred fires and altars throughout history, and at the same time, we honor those who will come after us, carving a pathway of connection for future generations.

In circle, we nurture the light and courage that helps us create change, serving as a catalyst of transformation in ourselves, our lives, and our ailing world. I have found this to be one of the greatest gifts of gathering in circle—it ignites in me a profound sense of hope and inspires me to keep facilitating sacred spaces where we can come together to rediscover collectively our own wisdom, strength, and healing potential.

Feel called to join a Circle?

Consider joining one of our unique circle experiences: our Weekly Community Circle, a donation-based gathering featuring themed discussions, mindful sharing, and Reiki healing— perfect for drop-in participants.

The Artist’s Way Circle is a 13-week program based on Julia Cameron’s transformative work. Through weekly gatherings, creative exercises, and shared accountability, we’ll journey together to recover and nurture your artistic self.

Both circles offer a safe, nurturing environment where you can show up exactly as you are. Whether you’re seeking regular community support or a deeper creative journey, there’s a circle waiting for you.

*Note: While this quote is widely attributed to Jean Shinoda Bolen, the original source cannot be definitively traced. It may have been spoken at a lecture or workshop rather than written in her published works. Her book “The Millionth Circle” (1999) discusses similar themes about women’s circles as alternatives to patriarchal structures, but doesn’t contain this exact quote.*

More About the Author: Stefy Garcia, founder of The Wonder Flow, is a Reiki Master, Breathwork and Meditation Teacher, and Certified Facilitator of Ceremonies and Rituals. Blending ancient and modern practices, she creates unique healing experiences. Stefy has guided hundreds of sessions across the U.S. and Mexico, both in-person and online, in English and Spanish. Her intuitive approach helps diverse clients overcome challenges and celebrate milestones.