In a world dominated by patriarchal systems, the voices of women have often been silenced and their potential untapped. However, a powerful movement is emerging that seeks to break free from the chains of patriarchy and oppression. Women's Circles, a millennia-old tradition of gatherings where women come together to support and empower each other, are being revived as a transformative tool for societal change.

 

 

This article explores the historical oppression of women's circles, the revival of this ancient practice, the empowerment that comes through connection, and the role these circles play in promoting respect and equality in society. 

 

 

Join me as we delve into how women's circles shift societal norms and create a more balanced and harmonious world for all.

 

 

The Oppression of Women's Circles and Matriarchy 

 

 

Women's circles have a rich and complex history, shaped by the oppressive forces of patriarchal societies that sought to suppress the voices and agency of women. Any sign of feminine power, sensuality, and divinity was wiped from the record. The version of history we were told is not the whole story. Let me tell you herstory. 

 

 

Before I dive into this, ask yourself these questions: 

• Who wrote the version of history that you were taught? 
• When does that story start (what historical period)?
• In that story, who benefits? 
• Who gains something, and at whose expense does that gain come?
• Why is it so hard to find credible, peer-reviewed, published, and cited information on ancient women's circles or matriarchal societies? 

 

 

Now, consider this alternate version of the story, which is based on my notes taken while listening to a module of Sarah Jenks' Holy Woman course:

 

 

Trigger Warning Note: To some, this version may seem anti-Christian. That is not the intent. It was told to me by a Christian woman who married a Jewish man and raised her children in both religions, along with knowledge of the sacred feminine. Any belief system can become a tool for oppression and violence if misused the way Christianity was. However, if you are an easily triggered Christian, you are forewarned. 

 

 

2.5 million years ago to 10,00 BC

 

 

Basically all known societies were egalitarian, with an equal balance of power between males and females. Society was migratory, hunter-gatherers. Female goddesses were worshipped during this time because they represented fertility. 

 

 

• One of the oldest artworks found is the Venus of Willendorf, a female fertility idol.

 

 

 

 

• Old ruins often have female fertility idols buried near the hearths of buildings. 

 

 

12,000-8,000 BC: Neolithic Era Begins

 

 

During this time, agricultural practices began. Records indicate that women helped invent tools such as jugs for food storage, contributing to this societal shift. 

 

 

Resources are now more fixed. Some communities have an overflow. Others, where the weather doesn't cooperate, or the ground is less fertile, don't have enough. Wars begin to break out more frequently as people fight over resources. However, the worship of feminine deities is still alive and well.

 

 

People begin domesticating animals and turning to organized religion to establish a system of rules. The first temples appear, shaped like a woman's body. You enter the temple by walking through her vulva. At certain times of the year, the sun enters the vulva entrance, fills the temple with light, and exits through the crown of "her" head. 

 

 

8,000 to 3,000 BC: The Rise of Bronze Age

 

 

Since they no longer migrate around and plows and metal tools have been invented, cities begin to pop up. Temple becomes the center of the community. Both male and female deities are honored as the sacred masculine and sacred feminine co-create.

 

 

During this period, pagan customs such as Winter Solstice/Yule, Imbolc, and Ostara became established in England and Western Europe.

 

 

This was also the rise of the pyramids and worship of the goddess Isis in Egypt. Aphrodite was worshipped in Greece, and they were honoring Vesta in Rome. Hebrews worshipped Ashira, also called the Great Mother. 

 

 

3,000 BC - 0 AD: The Rise of the Patriarchy Begins

 

 

At the end of the Bronze Age, Hebrews stopped worshipping Ashira, the Great Mother. They turned their attention to Yahweh, a vengeful male God who announced that he was the only God and that all idols of other gods or goddesses, and anyone who worships them, should be destroyed. Male Rabbis took over control of the temples from female Priestesses. Fear of worshipping the divine feminine was installed. More wars break out. This causes the emerging patriarchy to clamp down even harder.

 

 

However, the remaining Ashira worshippers, who have gone underground, start to prepare for a prophet who would come to restore balance between the masculine and feminine. Miriam, or Mary, Mother of Jesus as most know her, was born and instantly recognized as a powerful force for the divine feminine. She was trained as a Priestess early on and lived in a sacred feminine temple. 

 

 

When she learned enough about channeling the divine and the sacred sex magic practices, she consciously mated to birth the soul that was to restore the balance between masculine and feminine (Jesus). 

 

 

0 AD - 400 AD: An Era of Hope

 

 

Jesus is born and raised in the sacred feminine arts. His mother takes him to the holy feminine temples in Egypt. He is a representation of the sacred masculine in contrast to the power-hungry, toxic masculine Rabbis and Romans. 

 

 

Jesus proclaims, "I am is the way." This is often mistranslated as "I am the way." Jesus was not telling us that he was the way; he was telling us that we are directly connected to the divine source. This made the Rabbis angry. They preached that God could only be reached through them. 

 

 

The fact that Jesus's following was constantly growing started worrying the Romans. They were on a mission to maintain control over that part of the world, and Jesus was a threat.

 

 

Jesus meets Mary Magdalene, who is also trained in the sacred feminine arts. He declares her the feminine Christ. They are a non-hierarchal union that unites the sacred masculine and sacred feminine. 

 

 

The Rabbis and Romans co-conspired to crucify Jesus to maintain their control over the people. Mary Magdalene and her sister Priestesses anointed Jesus's body with the sacred oils, allowing him to resurrect. 

 

 

After Jesus is crucified, Mary Magdalene spends a few years with the Avalon Priestesses in England before heading to France, where she spends the rest of her days writing her story. It was then lost and randomly discovered in Egypt in 1942. 

 

 

The original form of Christianity, which was about embodying the light of the divine, uniting the sacred masculine and sacred feminine, and empowering those without money or societal status, was spreading like wildfire. Early Christians were often persecuted because their message threatened the current fabric of society, and Hebrews were persecuted in Egypt before that. However, the rise of religious persecution truly began when Constantine got involved. 

 

 

300 AD - 1200 AD: Using Religion as a Means for World Domination

 

 

Constantine and the Roman Empire decided they would take over the world. They agreed that religion was the best tool, specifically the Bible. Constantine and the Nicaean Council reinterpreted and retranslated the book to suit their aim. They also remove entire gospels, such as the Book of Mary. 

 

 

With Mary, Mother of Jesus, they erased all signs of her sex magic Priestess origins. The etymology of the word "virgin" means "a woman unto herself," which in those days meant a Priestess, as she was one of the only unmarried women with access to money, therefore allowing her to be "unto herself." They turned the Virgin Mary into a pious, quiet, sexless mother figure and claimed the conception to be immaculate. They didn't understand that a conception could be divine if it happened because of two humans mating. 

 

 

At the same time, they painted Mary Magdalene as a fallen whore that Jesus pitied. Now there were essentially two female archetypes - the pious, sexless mother and the fallen whore, despised by society. 

 

 

Anyone who didn't accept this new Christianity was punished, tortured, and killed. This was the time of the Crusades when land in countries all over Europe, Africa, and Asia was seized in the church's name. They say that underneath the Christian churches of Europe are the bones of our Priestess sisters.

 

 

1200 AD-1900 AD: The Patriarchy Continues Its Takeover

 

 

In rural communities, the sacred feminine had managed to stay alive until this time. Pastoral land was seized for feudal control. The only landowners were those appointed by royalty, who were in cahoots with the Church. This was particularly hard for unmarried and elderly women. Previously, they could inherit land and money. Now, they could not. Unmarried and widowed women turned to medicine or sex work to survive.

 

 

Men, the primary labor force of this new system, being distracted by paying sex workers was bad for society, and male doctors were in direct competition with female herbalists and midwives. Both began being vilified as heretics and witches. The etymology of the word witch is wise one. Still, the church converted it to mean someone who worshipped anything other than what they preached and called it "the Devil."

 

 

The burning times spread through Europe, and thousands are executed for stepping out of line in even the most minor ways. Everyone was afraid of being next, and when people are afraid, they are easy to control. This was precisely what the church wanted.

 

 

 

 

However, a "new" land had been discovered, and those with alternate beliefs or who wanted a chance to own land started fleeing to what would become the United States and Canada. But this so-called religious haven almost immediately became dominated by stringent, puritanical ideals. All signs of feminine worship or power were forbidden, and even menstruation was viewed as unclean and evil. The witch hunts in Europe spread to the emerging colonies. 

 

 

At the same time, European settlers were committing mass genocide against the indigenous peoples of North America. Once again, the nature-based healers and wise ones were being killed off. 

 

 

1900s-Present

 

 

Slowly but surely, women began regaining their rights and power. Today, we've made much progress. We can vote. We can own property and have our own money. We can work in any profession we choose. But we also have a long way to go before we once again live in an egalitarian society where all sexes are equally worshipped. 

 

 

Before we end this sad chapter, I would like to note that for millions of years, the feminine was worshipped as divine. We've only been under the chains of the patriarchy for the last 800 or so years. And the more we revive this ancient practice of honoring the divine feminine through women's circles, the faster we bring the era of feminine oppression to an end.

 

 

The Role of Women's Circles in Shifting Society

 

 

 

 

Despite the challenges and barriers faced, women throughout history continued to gather underground in circles to share stories, offer support, and foster empowerment. This historical oppression of women's circles serves as a poignant reminder of women's resilience and strength in the face of systemic inequalities and injustices. As we examine the revival of this women's practice, we will uncover how women's circles have persevered and are a powerful force for societal transformation.

 

 

Reviving the ancient practice of women's circles means reconnecting with our roots and reclaiming the traditions passed down through generations. By honoring the wisdom of those who came before, we can tap into the collective power of women and create a space for healing, growth, and transformation. Whether sewing circles, suffragette rallies, the women's groups of the Progressive era, or the moon and red tent circles gaining popularity today, we celebrate the resilience and perseverance of women who have kept this tradition alive. Through sharing stories, passing down wisdom, and cultivating empowerment, women's circles pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for all. Empowering women through Circle is not just a trend. It's a powerful force for societal change and growth.

 

 

Why Circle?

 

 

In the safe space women's circles provide, connections and relationships go beyond surface-level interactions. These circles provide a safe and supportive environment for women to express themselves authentically, share their experiences, and lean on one another for guidance and strength. Through these connections, women can empower each other to break free from the chains of patriarchy and take control of their own narratives. By promoting respect and equality within these circles, women can cultivate a sense of solidarity that transcends beyond the circle and into society.

 

 

Promoting Respect and Equality in Society

 

 

Psychiatrist, author, and activist Jean Shinoda Bolen says that society will return to its egalitarian roots when one million women's circles are held worldwide. Within women's circles, the values of respect and equality are not just emphasized but actively practiced. We sit in a circle so everyone can see everyone else, and no one is in front or behind. By fostering an environment where every woman's voice is valued and heard, women's circles serve as a microcosm of the society we strive to create - one where everyone is treated with dignity and fairness.

 

 

The respect and equality within these circles generate a ripple effect that extends beyond their boundaries, influencing the wider world and challenging the norms of patriarchy. As women support and uplift each other within these spaces, they pave the way for a future where everyone is valued for who they are, regardless of gender. This commitment to respect and equality is a goal within women's circles and a guiding principle that can lead to a more inclusive and just society.

 

 

 

 

A New Beacon of Hope

 

 

In a world where all sexes are plagued by patriarchy's constraints, women's circles emerge as a beacon of women's hope for empowerment and unity. By reviving this ancient practice, women reclaim their voices and reshape society. These circles promote respect and equality through connection and support, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond their gatherings.

 

 

As we stand at the threshold of change, let us remember that our collective power lies in our unity. Let us continue to gather, share, and uplift each other, breaking the chains of patriarchy one circle at a time. For in our unity lies the strength to reshape a world where all voices are heard, and all genders are valued equally. As Audre Lorde famously said, "I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own."

 

 

Let us continue to break free together. How? Click here to join my Women's Circle interest list and get info by email when new opportunities to join a Goddess Glow Circle arise! 

 

 

I can't wait to see you in Circle! 

 

 

XOXO,