how to curate a goddess circle

written by beth s.

“a circle of woman may be the most powerful force known to humanity. if you have one, embrace it. if you need one, seek it. if you find one, for the love of all that is good and holy dive in. hold on. love it up. get naked. let them see you. let them hold you. let your reluctant tears fall. let yourself rise fierce and love gentle. you will be changed. the very fabric of your being will be altered by this, if you allow it.”

- unknown

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for myself and my goddesses, the goddess circle has become a regular part of our self-care routines. they inspire, they heal, they spark joy, they promote positivity, resiliency, self-esteem, and they recharge our hearts and souls. i hope the goddess circle in itself can become a new ritual in your life. 

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step 1: gather

a goddess circle, in its most basic form, is simply a gathering of 2 or more women with the intention to reflect, discuss, and share empathy and support. regardless of your gender or how you identify, please know all are welcome in this type of sacred space!  i have done similar types of gatherings with both men and women, but we ultimately didn’t call it a goddess circle. personally, i have found it enriching to use the goddess circle to surround myself with feminine energy and discuss feminist concepts, but that’s just me. you can gather with friends, family members, or even strangers. the only thing that matters is that you are in a safe space with other kind souls.

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step 2:  set the mood

a goddess circle is an opportunity align your mind, body, heart, and spirit. think of ways you can create a calm and soothing environment. this will help to ground you and your goddesses in the present moment. some of my go-to tips include: 

✧ aromas:

incense, sage, palo santo, scented candles, or essential oils 

✧ light:

candles, water lights, string lights, lasers, star projectors, or any soft or cosmic lighting

✧ music:

it’s all about personal preference here, but I like to go with ambient and soothing background music. yoga or meditation playlists, hang drum/handpan music, or allow your fellow goddesses to share music that is meaningful to them as part of the evening’s activities.

(editors note: here’s our favorite goddess playlist!)

✧ crystals:

these magical little stones are filled with healing abilities and promote the flow of good energy. they also create a nice tactile element for you and your goddesses to hold and pass around the circle. 

✧ oracle Cards:

oracle cards are my favorite contribution to the goddess circle. i have 3 different types of decks (goddess cards, animal cards, and lesson cards), but there are so many different types and they are all wonderful for discussion and reflection. if you don’t have cards, you can bring other types of discussion prompts or positive affirmations to share. 

✧ create your circle:

laying down blankets and pillows on the floor so you can arrange yourselves in an actual circle. in this format i like to put our goddess tools in the middle of the circle so everything is within reach. i’ve also recently had virtual goddess circles where none of us were even in the same room. as long as you have the goddess circle mentality, your circle is complete.

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step 3: discuss

in the early days of the goddess circle, my friends and i simply got together and allowed the conversation to flow naturally. sometimes we focused on one goddess if she was going through a difficult time, such as a break up or loss of a loved one. (the goddess circle has an incredible ability to heal and alleviate pain through the transferring of energy to and from your fellow goddesses. there is something very powerful about allowing your sisters to hold your pain while receiving some of their strength.) nowadays, we like to prepare for goddess circles by picking a topic or theme in advance.  the hostess can choose, or the group can vote on what they would like to discuss. once the theme is set, take some time to reflect and prepare some ideas to share. i encourage bringing articles, poetry, quotes, books, journal entries, or artwork. 

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Step 4: Be Open

the most crucial part of the goddess circle is to open up your mind and your heart. it is important to listen as much as, if not more, than you speak. be willing to hear ideas that you may not understand or agree with. be ready to hear about life experiences that may differ from yours. be vulnerable. be non-judgmental. be empathic. be validating. be kind.

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step 5: create rituals

the goddess circle can be a deeply spiritual experience, so you have the opportunity to create rituals that can expand and enhance your experience.  perhaps start or end the circle with some yoga, a breathing exercise, a 5-minute meditation, a dance, a prayer, a spell…. let your creative juices flow! no matter what you come up with, your ceremony will be a beautiful celebration of the beautiful human beings around you and your connection with each other.  

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thank you to all the starseeds and goddesses who read this post. shine on!

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reflections from a goddess:

“as I am the tree - growing, reaching, lifting towards a heightened version of myself - goddess circles are my deep, grounding roots. every time i take part in this ritual, i emerge energized and balanced once again, ready to soar higher than ever before.”

- anne

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“Held within the loving circle of divine feminine energy, I found myself letting go of old beliefs, embracing myself fully and offering unconditional love and support to the beautiful souls around the circle. The bond made from my first circle forever changed me and left me with a circle of goddesses to always lean on to.”

- marissa