How to Start A Soul Sister Circle

Within the last decade, a new form of non-hierarchical, ecumenical spiritual community has arisen: sacred circles. Prayer circles, healing circles, wisdom circles, social change circles, dream circles, storytelling circles and especially womens circles have flourished, nurtured by books and conferences centered on this grass roots phenomenon. In a world characterized by rapid change and uncertainty, a sacred circle can provide a much-needed anchor of calm and repose. Indeed, write the authors of Wisdom Circles, our predominant feeling of A lack of community may actually stem from too many commitments too shallowly made. Thus a sacred circle can be a place for the soul to expand and breathe free.

Soul sisters, of course, are a kind of contemplative kinship based on equality, respect, and a love of the spiritual quest that lends itself naturally to a womens circle. Those women who would like to cultivate female friendships with greater depth and commitment to social transformation may find many of the concepts in this book a useful starting point for beginning a regular soul sister circle. Each one of the chapters in this book provides a road map of inner and outer exploration. Women could initiate a soul sister circle by beginning with the books introduction and studying the developing field of womens spirituality, the Divine Feminine, and the ancient traditions of the goddess.

From there, the circle could go on to devote a period of time to the divine qualities that I have chosen to write about through the lens of feminist spirituality: courage, faith, beauty, love, magic, and peace. The books and music listed in each chapter, as well as the stories of both historical, mythological, and modern-day women provide the material for dialogue, meditation, ritual, and ways to help improve the human condition. Drawing inspiration from the chapter on A The Way of the Soul Sister, circles can spend time as well consciously cultivating the time-honored art of womens friendships as an emotional A ecosystem that nurtures both women, their loved ones, and society.

Before beginning your own soul sister group it may be helpful to study many of the current books on sacred circles for ideas on how to set the intention of the circle=s purpose, share co-leadership, express intimate feelings, create rituals, and maintain a committed schedule. Because the very essence of a sacred circle is non-authoritarian, however, remember to keep alive the spirit of spontaneity. I have participated in many womens meditations, circles, and spiritual gatherings over the years. The older I get, the more I find that I equally appreciate the simple tradition of hosting a group of women for a potluck dinner, then enjoying the rich conversation that invariably unfolds, wandering naturally over a wide range of topics from books, breast cancer, and politics, to children, pets, men, make-up, exercise, and the environment.

I offer here a list of books to get you started on your circle, as well as websites based on some of the womens organizations mentioned throughout this book. May the circle you create be like the first small circle cast by a pebble into the water - rippling outward into ever wider circles of care and community throughout the world.