“One thing about circle is it’s truly organic. The wisdom and energy is co-created by the circlers. My job as a circle leader is to provide a space, a foundational monthly theme, a meditation and guidance along the way, but when women get together with a unifying theme, magic happens. I simply sit back in awe sometimes as I see the wisdom and energy build and intensify.”
Welcome to the 3rd installment of our Circle Leader Spotlight 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 this wildish path for some time.
Women’s Circles sit at the very heart of our mission here at The Wild Woman Project and Lynne is a shining example of how one creates a community of wild support that grows and evolves organically over time. Lynne is a Yoga Teacher by trade who has held Wild Woman Project Circles in Toronto for nearly 12 years.
She facilitates her Circles in-person and online. As so many of our Circle Leaders do, she weaves many of her personal interests, such as herbs & the Wheel of the Year, into her Circles. So her circle evolves and grows as she does.
So, in the spirit of Circle, and sharing our stories, please enjoy this interview with the lovely Lynne P. McNelly, Wild Woman Project Circle Leader since 2013. 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?
Sept – Dec 2013 From Autumn Equinox – Winter Solstice.
My first circle was Dec 2013; I remember the theme Sacred Architecture.
How long have you been facilitating Circle?
I have been facilitating Circle for 12 years this December.
What is 1 thing you’ve learned by sitting in Circle?
First and foremost, simply listening. No interruptions, no solving, just listening. We create a space for each other and a safe container where we can share unedited.
This is an ancient art and it’s incredibly important that everyone gets to share, if they want. (And if not, we simply hold space and breath together.)
Please tell us a little bit about your Circle.
Early on I held circles in my cozy downtown home in the east end of Toronto. My first circle was friends who were excited for my new endeavor and wanted to support me, but as the months went on, women who were searching for connection to The Wild Woman Project started to find me online or through my FB group.
I welcomed everyone who walked through my door and it often felt like I’d know them forever.
As we began to build our community of sisters, meeting every month nearest the New Moon, all ages and stages came together each month as we explored the monthly theme, lit candles, burnt herbal bundles, sat around in Circle, drew inspirational cards, meditated, shared, listened and journaled together, as we crafted our intentions for the month. Some themes included wild crafting, vision boarding, using plants, flowers, oils, art work, and crafting with natural materials.
In early March 2020 our circles went online and I learned quickly how to use zoom. During this time we met twice a month, including New and Full Moon. Folks were homebound and were grateful for more sister circles. During the summer and warmer months we’d meet in the park (six feet apart but still together) and circles outside began to grow.
When indoor circles started again in 2022, we continued meeting at my home and also in my shady backyard under the maples trees during the warmer months. We also kept the online circles going, as many enjoyed meeting online especially for those that had moved out of the city.
I also now hold Winter/Summer Solstice and Fall/SpringEquinox gatherings, should they not fall on the New or Full Moon. We celebrate the new season with food and wild crafting herbal bundles from our collective gardens in the fall, spice bundles for Yule, bath salt teas for spring time and flower garlands and lavender and rose petal bags for summer solstice I feel this an important time to be together as wild sisters to celebrate the Wheel of the Year.
How has facilitating Circle changed you?
Facilitating circle has become the cornerstone of my month.
I love starting a new moon cycle and getting together with all my wild sisters. Circling has given me such an appreciation for the seasons, the elements, and the Wheel of the Year. I have also connected with my own inner Wild nature.
How has the Circle impacted the women who attend?
Women come to circle for many reasons. I think one of the most unifying reasons is to connect with like-minded souls.
One thing about circle is it’s truly organic. The wisdom and energy is co-created by the circlers. My job as a circle leader is to provide a space, a foundational monthly theme, a meditation and guidance along the way, but when women get together with a unifying theme, magic happens. I simply sit back in awe sometimes as I see the wisdom and energy build and intensify.
The circlers create the circle, I simply provide gentle guidelines.
Why do you choose the facilitate Circle?
I love it. I love preparing it. This is my magical time with the theme and the zodiac sign of that particular month. A sweet time when the wild in me comes out to play. It quenches my creative nature and I love looking for items for each monthly themes. It’s also encouraged me to take up new endeavors like wild crafting, herbalism, astrology, foraging, and beginning to learn tarot cards.
Also, I have met some to the most fascinating women I’ve ever met through circle.
What is your favorite thing about facilitating Circle?
Listening to the wisdom and stories and also witnessing the resilience and courage of women who choose share. The camaraderie, the depths we dive and the relationship developed with ourselves and each other.
What is 1 tip you’d offer someone wanting to start their own Women’s Circle?
Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Learn along the way and have fun with it.
Chris has spent thousand of hours and years fine tuning the training and circle planning and it’s rock solid.
From what I’ve learnt I would recommend doing your due diligence of getting the word out to friends, start a FB group, find a space, prepare your circles, attend some circles to get the idea of circle flow. Open your heart and dive in!
Is there anything else you’d like to share or include?
What I love about Chris’s teaching is her commitment to her community of leaders and her support through online workshops, Wild Woman Fest, Leadership Training, and Wild Woman Underground. I love her advertising support through ‘Find a Circle Near You’ on The Wild Woman Project Site and Newsletter.
I have always felt 100% support in my role as a Wild Woman Project Circle Leader.
Would you like to Circle up with Lynne? Inquire about joining Lynne’s Circle.
Feel the call to start a Circle of your own? Join us for Wild Woman Project Circle Leader Training this Spring!
Find a Wild Woman Project Circle Leader Near You.
On the Horizon
"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
Join us for an hour-long New Moon Meditation Adventure on April 28th.
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.
We have Wild Woman Project-trained Circle facilitators is 26 countries, and 44 out of the 50 United States.
Join the WILD WOMAN UNDERGROUND.
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.