“Women are so, so deeply wise – and our wisdom emerges in a special way when we have a circle of sisters to “hear” it into being!”
Welcome to the 2nd 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 the wildish path for some time.
Women’s Circles sit at the very heart of our mission here at The Wild Woman Project and Kathleen is a shining example of how one can call upon the special magic of Circle to support one’s personal mission. Like so many of our Circle Leaders who are healing and helping professionals, Kathleen weaves The Wild Woman Project Circles into her business. As a former Campus minister, she specializes in helping women from Christian backgrounds integrate the Goddess into their spiritual journeys.
She facilities her Circles online and shares special insights and tips for Circle Leaders who are creating sacred space online.
So, in the spirit of Circle, and sharing our stories, please enjoy this interview with Kathleen Joan, Wild Woman Project Circle Leader since 2019. 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?
Fall 2019
How long have you been facilitating Circle?
Since March 2020
Why do you choose the facilitate Circle?
It’s my favorite part of my work, and I think that is because I, too, need to be nourished with women’s wisdom. My circlers share so generously about their lives and their hearts, and I always leave feeling inspired and filled up!
Please tell us a little bit about your Circle.
We meet online every New Moon. The New Moon circle is part of my larger women’s circle program, Brigid’s Well, which helps women from Christian backgrounds integrate the Goddess into their spiritual journey.
We feature a guest speaker every month who presents her wisdom on the topic of the New Moon circle, so everyone’s network grows!
How has facilitating Circle changed you?
It has given me the confidence to know I can lead transformative retreats with women in a Divine Feminine setting! This was crucial to helping me birth my Goddess-focused business after I left my previous job as a Catholic high school religion teacher and campus minister.
What is 1 thing you’ve learned by sitting in Circle?
Women are so, so deeply wise – and our wisdom emerges in a special way when we have a circle of sisters to “hear” it into being!
How has the Circle impacted the women who attend?
I think the most powerful thing women receive from my circle is a community of like-minded sisters! Many of them do not have other places to talk about their journey as recovering, former, and/or current Christians who are drawn to the Goddess. The circle reaffirms their journeys with discovering God/dess as She and gives them a space to explore this evolution without judgment.
What is your favorite thing about facilitating Circle?
I take a special joy in choosing songs that will support the thematic journey of the circle. In an online circle, we can’t rely as much on physical decoration of our space, but music sets the energetic tone and invites people into a sensory experience of the circle!
What is 1 tip you’d offer someone wanting to start their own Women’s Circle?
Let it be EASY! You can get started with just two friends in your living room, or online if that’s easier for you. All the content and format is provided by The Wild Woman Project (thank you Chris for literally YEARS’ worth of circle themes and meditations in the content vault!).
You have everything you need to do this… just make it fun and joyful and see what happens!
Is there anything else you’d like to share or include?
I would love to have other Wild Women join my circle as guest presenters or participants! Please connect with me at www.brigidsflame.org (join the mailing list or send me a message!)
Would you like to Circle up with Kathleen? Inquire about joining Kathleen’s Circle.
Feel the call to start a Circle of your own? Join us for Wild Woman Project Circle Leader Training next Spring!
Enjoy weekly Circles in Wild Woman Underground (doors open back up soon).
On the Horizon
Join us for an hour-long New Moon Meditation Adventure on December 2nd!
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.