“Facilitating these circles is one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
This Summer at Wild Woman Fest, I had the joy of finally meeting Holly, in the flesh, after being connected online for nine years. Talking to her about her experience facilitating Wild Woman Project Circles in her community in Tampa for almost a decade inspired me to start this interview series where Circle practitioners, along with budding and seasoned Circle Facilitators can hear the stories, tips, and perspectives from women who have been walking the wildish path for some time.
Women’s Circles sit at the very heart of our mission here at The Wild Woman Project and talking to Holly really illuminates why.
So, in the spirit of Circle, and sharing our stories, please enjoy this interview with Holly McCormick, Wild Woman Project Circle Leader since 2015.
See Circle through her eyes, hear her best tips for getting started, and about how the practice of facilitating has changed her.
When did you take Circle Leader Training?
October 2015
How long have you been facilitating Circle?
My first circle was in December of 2015, under a Sagittarius New Moon. I have facilitated on and off since then, more on than off- however I took my biggest break from 2021 to 2023 due to life.
How has facilitating Circle changed you?
Facilitating has awakened my true being. I am much more confident in who I am and my divine purpose. I have delved much deeper into spiritual practices and I have regular spiritual rituals to stay connected to the divine. I am much calmer about holding sacred space because I have given up the perfectionism that held me captive most of my life. The women who continue to show up month after month love me, and through their love I have the strength to make mistakes.
Please tell us a little bit about your Circle.
When I started my circles, I had very few people show up. Sometimes I would have six people, other times I would have one. Although I’ve never had no one show up. I have held circles in massage studios, Yoga studios, and one time in a shed on a farm. I have found that yoga studios are the easiest places to facilitate because they typically have props to help my circlers sit (bolsters, blocks, blankets etc). Yoga studios also typically have a following of people who are more likely to be walking the wildish path.
Currently, I am at a lovely yoga studio that has windows overlooking a lake. I love holding circles where there is some green space so we can take a walk outside and connect with the elements. I try to hold circle once a month, however I am at the mercy of the yoga studio schedule so occasionally we miss a month. I have found consistency is the key to creating a circle community.
I arrive around thirty minutes early. I lay out my grandmothers table cloth in the middle of the room and twirl it into a circle. I lovingly arrange my goddess cards along the edges of the cloth. I place a candle in the middle and then I change out what else goes in the middle altar, sometimes flowers, crystals, more candles, truth or dare slips, journaling prompt papers, etc.
Next, I create a circle of bolsters with a blanket folded in front of them. I place a sign-in journal at the front desk so that I can keep record of who has come and I ask for emails if they wish to be on my email list. (I send out one or two emails a month informing everyone of circle dates.) I play gentle background music. As circlers come in, I tell them to choose a goddess card from around the circle. There is also a kettle and tea available that the yoga studio provides.
My circles begin with lighting a candle, dropping in and centering. I make a “house keeping announcement” where I create the boundaries to (hopefully) make a safe space. I explain that we are here to be seen and to witness one another, no advice giving and what happens in circle stays in circle.
Next, we go outside and connect with nature. I explain that when we return, we will each share our names, a message we heard in nature, and our goddess card pull.
Then I talk on the theme of the circle. Recently I’ve been setting a timer for myself because I can talk forever. Then I lead the visualization, we journal and share. The ritual is always some form of body movement, typically yoga but sometimes shaking, dance or other movement-based practice. I feel this is important because at this point my circlers have been seated for long periods of time and we’ve been in our mind space, so coming into the body brings the lessons back home. We create intentions and then go around the circle to share.
I close out with the Heart Light Meditation.
What is 1 thing you’ve learned by sitting in Circle?
I don’t have to know everything about everything. I don’t have the power to dictate how people receive my circles. I don’t have to worry about making sure everyone has a “good” experience, I’m not that powerful. I am just here to offer AN experience. Although, I can do my best to create a safe container and be skilled in how I hold space.
How has the Circle impacted the women who attend?
I have noticed the women who come almost always leave a little lighter, a little more wrung out. The women who continue to come over and over become more connected each time they arrive. Many of them have told me they have started doing shadow work because of the experiences they have had in circle. They seem to get a little weirder each time they come, so…success!!
Why do you choose the facilitate Circle?
I love it. I love preparing for circles, I love setting up circles, I love speaking in circles, I love listening, I love the women who come, I love the woman I become as I am lovingly singing over the bones, casting wild life out into this world so bent on taming everything. Also, facilitating forces me to stay connected to my own wildish path. Every time I prepare for circle, I go through hours of rituals that bring me back into myself.
What is your favorite thing about facilitating Circle?
The women around the circle open their mouths and my story comes out. I can relate to something from almost every share I’ve ever heard. Through them, I’ve learned so much about myself. I get to witness women in their most open states.
What is 1 tip you’d offer someone wanting to start their own Women’s Circle?
Being consistent is your best bet on honing your skills and building a community. It may take a long time to build community, but holding circles as often as possible is the best way to build. Release perfectionism and don’t take it personally if people don’t return. You’re just there to provide an experience, that experience won’t be for everyone and that’s ok. Allow yourself to be a beginner.
Before my circles I chant/sing/pray on my 20 minute drive to circle. I do Sanskrit chanting, or spiritual singing and I pray to be given the words to help these women have the exact experience they are meant to have today. I never talk on the phone or engage in anything drama-inducing before circle. I’ve found this boundary helps me come in authentically able to hold space.
Is there anything else you’d like to share or include?
I am so grateful to have found Chris and this wildish path.
Facilitating these circles is one of the greatest privileges of my life.
Are you in the Tampa area? Inquire about joining Holly’s Circle.
Feel the call to start a Circle of your own? Join us for Wild Woman Project Circle Leader Training!
On the Horizon
Join us for an hour-long New Moon Meditation Adventure on December 30th!
Online, from anywhere.
Using a dynamic meditation journey, we will tune into the New Moon, to your own Inner Guidance, synced up with wild-hearted women from around the world. This offering will include music, storytelling, meditation, journaling prompts & intention-setting.
Can’t make it live? No worries. All participants will receive a copy of the recording with 24 hours of the session.
Join the WILD WOMAN UNDERGROUND.
"The Circle Leader Training Program at The Wild Woman Project was one of the most transformative and healing experiences of my life. I have received many tools, resources, support, and connections that I will carry on with me forever." ~ Hannah Devin, Graduate
We have Wild Woman Project-trained Circle facilitators is 26 countries, and 44 out of the 50 United States.
Chris Maddox is the founder of The Wild Woman Project where she teaches women how to utilize the gifts of the Wild Woman Archetype in their everyday lives & how to lead women’s circles in their local communities. She is the organizer & facilitator of the beloved annual WILD WOMAN FEST, a women’s retreat-festival hybrid which fosters a deep connection to nature, a direct experience of the divine feminine & profound spiritual sisterhood among the women in attendance.
An ever student of the great mysteries of existence and nature itself, Chris believes women are holding innate gifts & tools that society at large needs – now more than ever. She is committed to helping women remember their special magic and to bring it forward into every corner of their lives, for the greater good of the planet.