How to start
a women's circle

Most women who start circles do not feel ready when they begin. They feel called. There's a difference — and it matters. Readiness is a destination that never arrives. The call is happening right now.

This guide is for the woman who knows she wants to gather women — even if she can't yet articulate exactly why, or exactly how. Here is the practical and the sacred, together.

Step 1: Clarify your intention

Before you plan anything practical, spend time with the question: Why do I want to gather women? Not the polished answer — the real one. Is it loneliness? A sense of mission? A tradition you want to carry forward? A grief you want to hold in community?

Your intention becomes the energetic container of the circle. The clearer it is, the more easily the right women will find their way to it. You don't need to share it word-for-word — but you need to know it yourself.

Step 2: Choose your format

There are endless ways to run a women's circle. Some decisions to make early:

• Size: Intimate circles of 6–10 allow deeper sharing. Larger circles of 15–25 create more energy and variety. Start small — you can always grow.
• Frequency: Monthly is the most common rhythm, often tied to the moon cycle. Seasonal (four times a year) works well for less frequent gatherings.
• Open or closed: Closed circles (same women each time) build deeper trust over time. Open circles welcome new women and create more diversity. Many circles start open and become closed as the group forms.
• Theme or free-form: Some circles have a theme each gathering (a goddess, a season, a question). Others follow where the women are. Both work.
• In-person or virtual: Virtual circles remove the geographic barrier entirely and can be just as powerful. Consider starting virtual if you're not sure there are enough women in your area.

Step 3: Create a simple structure

A basic circle structure you can use from your very first gathering:

1. Opening (10–15 min) — Light a candle. Take three breaths together. Read a poem or a piece of writing that sets the tone. State the intention of the gathering.
2. Check-in (20–30 min) — Pass a talking piece. Each woman shares briefly: her name and how she's arriving. One word, one sentence, or one minute — your choice.
3. Main sharing (30–60 min) — A question, a theme, a practice, or open sharing. Pass the talking piece. Listen without advice.
4. Closing (10–15 min) — Each woman offers one word or sentence: something she's taking with her. Extinguish the candle. Mark the close of the sacred space.

Step 4: Invite the women

Start with who you know. You don't need to advertise to strangers — your first circle can be three friends around your kitchen table. Tell them why you want to gather. Be honest. The right women will say yes.

When you're ready to expand, list your circle in the Divine Feminine App directory — women in your area who are actively searching for exactly what you're creating will find you there.

Step 5: Hold it, even imperfectly

The first circle will feel imperfect. The timing will be off. You'll forget something. Someone will arrive late. That is fine. The women who show up will feel the intention underneath the imperfection, and that is what matters.

After each gathering, sit quietly for a few minutes and ask yourself: what worked? what wants to shift? Let the circle teach you what it needs to become.

Frequently asked questions