This week has been the final of the Fall 2025 Session of Wild Woman Project Circle Leader Training. For the past 7 weeks our international pack of trainees has been working through weekly Lessons, weekly Live Classes & weekly Circles. Now they are finishing up any remaining coursework and getting ready to graduate.
To celebrate more Circles coming into the world, I want to introduce you to Verena Claudia Haage, who was part of the Fall 2023 Class. She began facilitating her Wild Woman Project Circle in Berlin, Germany in the Summer of 2024. With a year and half of facilitating under her belt, she has lots insight and encouragement to share.
If you are part of a Circle, or if you’ve ever wondered what a Circle is like, I think you will appreciate this interview, a little window into Circle through Verena’s eyes.
Please tell us a little bit about your Circle.
My Circle meets regularly every month either around New Moon or Full Moon. We mostly meet in my spacious attic apartment, sitting under the skylight. Sometimes if we are lucky, the moon shines into the Circle. We currently a rather a smaller group and usually have some tea and chatters until everyone arrives.
Once we all sit down in the Circle, I open the space by lightning a candle and we draw some cards from a card deck. To land in the space and transition into circle, we either start with a music meditation or soft background music and a short guided meditation. I then introduce the theme of the circle, usually by telling my personal connection to it and reading out some quotes or poems. We then go into the visualization followed by journaling with some soft music in the background. Then we open the Circle for sharing. After each share we take a breath together for the person who just shared before the Circle reopens.
We then have a short reflective meditation followed by intention sharing and close the Circle either with a music meditation or the Wild Heartlight meditation.
What is 1 thing you’ve learned by sitting in Circle?
One thing I have learned by sitting in Circle is how powerful sharing can be for building connections reaching far beyond the circle itself.
No matter how different our stories appear on the surface, the emotions and longings underneath are surprisingly few. When we strip our experiences down to their core, we all face similar challenges. We all long for love, connection, safety, peace of mind, and health. Holding this in mind, knowing that we are all seeking the same things helps me see people more truly.
How has facilitating Circle changed you?
Facilitating Circle has shown me a new side of myself. It has allowed me to tap more into my intuitive self and to allow and follow whatever wants to emerge.
I have built confidence in this version of myself and every circle I learn to appreciate the beauty of creating and holding space for others more. Facilitating Circle grounds me and allows me to be in the ultimate present, listening and holding what is there to be held and collectively learned from.
How has the Circle impacted the women who attend?
Those who attend my Circle usually leave feeling lighter. I can sense a kind of relief in them, and a deep gratitude, mostly gratitude toward themselves for having given themselves that time.
The ones who come more regularly grow more connected, both to themselves and to me and the group.
Why do you choose the facilitate Circle?
Circle is my time to step into a different version of myself that is there to add to and hold something bigger than myself. Holding a container that is different each time and that only exists because a handful of people decide to take time for themselves to be vulnerable, and share raw and honest from their hearts, to learn and grow from it, is truly special.
Facilitating Circle feels like giving and receiving at the same time and makes me feel rooted and reminds me of my wild nature.
What is your favorite thing about facilitating Circle?
My favorite thing about facilitating Circle is that each one brings its own kind of magic. What I mean is the incredible unfolding of compassion that flows through the different heart shares – so much so that, at times, I can almost see an invisible net being woven between our hearts.
What is 1 tip you’d offer someone wanting to start their own Women’s Circle?
Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself and accept, but don’t give the inner critic too much attention.
Holding a Women’s Circle is not about perfection, it is all about surrender, flow and trusting your intuitive parts. Go and start your Circle, it might become one of your pillars in life.
Wild Woman Project Circle Resources
Would you like to Circle up with Verena in Berlin? Inquire about joining Verena’s Circle.
Find a Wild Woman Project Circle Leader Near You.
Feel the call to start a Circle of your own? Join us for Wild Woman Project Circle Leader Training in 2026.
Join Wild Woman Underground January 2026 and get access to weekly Circles & ongoing sisterhood.
On the Horizon
Join us for an hour-long New Moon Meditation Adventure on March 18th.
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.
"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
Wild Woman Fest returns…
Join us for the 10th Annual Wild Woman Fest August 19-23rd, 2026
All on a beautiful & sacred land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Asheville North Carolina.
Wild Woman Fest 2025 sold out in minutes. Sign up for Wild Woman Fest '26 Updates.
We have Wild Woman Project-trained Circle facilitators is 27 countries, and 44 out of the 50 United States.
Calling wild-hearted women, in and around the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville ~ let’s stir up some sisterhood magic in 2026.
Monthly on Sunday afternoons, 3-5pm, near the Full Moon at The Well in West Asheville.
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.
