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Flar's Freyja
June 3rd, 2002, 12:34 PM
I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in Women's Circle in my area for about a year and a half now. When I was initially invited as a newbie, I was scared to death because I didn't know what to expect......what I found was a group of loving women laughing, talking and sharing food and casual ritual. I've only missed one gathering in all this time. This is such a healing activity for me, and very similar to just having a night out with the girls.

This would be so easy to organize. All that is needed is more than one person who is interested! We have one member who has volunteered her home and we hold circle on the first Friday of every month. which usually falls right before Full Moon. She has been a witch for many years and is very knowledgeable. The ideas that she comes up with for ritual typically correspond to the wheel of the year and the moon cycles. Different members volunteer to lead when they want to share something we'll all enjoy. We start at 7:00, which is plenty of time for those with families to take care of the home fires before going out. We all bring a potluck dish. We had themes for a while but discontinued this because it was difficult for some. I think the best meal we had was Stone Soup ~ where we all brought an item to throw into the pot. It was soooo delicious.....and symbolized community.

We usually eat first and then start ritual, which can be anything from the Chocolate Ritual to a meditation to bead-making and other craft projects. Although we do cast circle, ritual is informal and casual, with most of us sitting on the floor and listening to music. After ritual, we usually stay and party late but all are free to come and go as they please. We have recently started playing the Go Goddess! game after ritual. We all chipped in to purchase it.

We have also built a lending library where we have all donated books that we no longer use, and we have giveaways, bringing no-longer used magickal and household items free for the taking.

This is an excellent way to meet other pagans in the community and for newbies to learn at virtually no monetary cost. And the sisterhood is so renewing for me.

The men in our area attempted a Men's Circle but couldn't get any interest. They keep complaining that only three or four of them showed up, but in my humble opinion, that should be plenty. They planned more male-oriented activities but it never got off the ground.

So ~ gather up a few pagans and witches, set a date and time, and go for it! :)

Silver Venus
June 5th, 2002, 10:05 AM
((hugs)) These our great idea's Ive always wanted to put into practice! & I will one day I know!! :)
Thank you so much, Im going to print this off now and save it for when I really feel the time is right! :sunny:

Myst
June 5th, 2002, 12:34 PM
Tho we don't do these year round we always have a men's and women's circle at our gathering. I haven't been able to participate in one yet due to other duties etc. but I've heard the people have a great time.

Mystic Wolf
June 5th, 2002, 03:05 PM
In our area we have three meetings a month, however we usually don't do rituals at them but other social activities.

The first is an all-around family affair and is our monthly moots. We used to go to a restuarant or meeting hall but we got too big for the local restaurants (200 people in our group) and got kicked out of the last meeting hall because of Christian Fundamentalists. Now we meet at someone's house or their community clubhouse and have a potluck and go swimming.

The second is called Crone Chat. It is for women ages 16 and older and held at a local elder's house. They swim and party and have a good time.

The last is Men's Mysteries. We are working on getting this going as an answer to Crone Chat and allow the guys to get out one night a month as well.

Flar's Freyja
June 5th, 2002, 07:57 PM
:eek:

Cronehood begins at 16 in your area? :lol:

Our community is really growing. There are two different Esbats held by different groups per month and there are now two different public Sabbat rituals that one can attend. It makes it so much easier to have a choice of different dates and times!

Flar's Freyja
June 19th, 2002, 10:30 PM
Bumping for Shnen

shnen
June 19th, 2002, 10:36 PM
thanks freyja! :)

Flar's Freyja
November 8th, 2002, 11:31 AM
Since I initially posted this, two new Women's Circles have sprung up in my area!

Flar's Freyja
February 19th, 2003, 02:00 PM
Bumping for those who have nothing in their area. A circle can start with only two and you'd be amazed at how they can grow!

In addition to the Women's Circle that I regularly attend, I helped establish the pagan community in my small town area - and the two of us who started it were not exactly very experienced or knowledgeable witches. That group now has monthly Meet and Greets with as many as 28 in attendance. For almost a year, I was the only one who showed up! This group has grown to that number in a year and a half by word of mouth and an e-list. We could not post flyers, etc. in a town with 101 churches, literally.

It can be done.

mol
February 19th, 2003, 02:59 PM
Originally posted by Freyja

Bumping for those who have nothing in their area. A circle can start with only two and you'd be amazed at how they can grow!

In addition to the Women's Circle that I regularly attend, I helped establish the pagan community in my small town area - and the two of us who started it were not exactly very experienced or knowledgeable witches. That group now has monthly Meet and Greets with as many as 28 in attendance. For almost a year, I was the only one who showed up! This group has grown to that number in a year and a half by word of mouth and an e-list. We could not post flyers, etc. in a town with 101 churches, literally.

It can be done.

Semele and I even went to one of the meet and greets! :)

Flar's Freyja
February 21st, 2003, 01:23 PM
Originally posted by mol

Semele and I even went to one of the meet and greets! :)

*nods* Yep, the first one! And we miss you, hope you'll attend another soon. I had the opportunity to attend last night. There were 25 in attendance and we did a workshop on henna tattoos! I came home with a crescent moon and spiral in my palm!

mol
February 21st, 2003, 01:53 PM
Originally posted by Freyja

*nods* Yep, the first one! And we miss you, hope you'll attend another soon. I had the opportunity to attend last night. There were 25 in attendance and we did a workshop on henna tattoos! I came home with a crescent moon and spiral in my palm!

I am sure we will get to attend some more. Our schedules are pretty much in conflict with everything right now, though.