Red Tent Worcestershire – Open circle

We generally gather together and greet one another outside of the circle, make drinks – lots of lovely teas available and maybe some delicious snacks, then enter the circle by removing our shoes and taking a seat (cushions, beach chairs or dining chairs) in the circle, making ourselves comfortable with blankets if necessary to encourage relaxation. We light candles – a large red candle that sits in the centre of the circle; and others according to where the Red Tent is being held, several on altars for healing, connection to other women’s circles, and three that are dedicated the Triple Goddess: the Maiden, Mother and Crone. We take some space for quiet contemplation and I general guide a grounding and releasing meditation to center ourselves to the intention. We use a beautifully handcrafted Babushka doll as a ‘talking stick’, and she travels around each of the women to support active listening. We each start by either introductions if there are new comers, or open with catching up on where we are, what’s been happening since our last gathering. During the circle we will either have a discussion about something that has come up through our starter, or talk about a topic which we have arranged previously, or about a concern or issues someone needs support or advice with. We also light candles dedicating them to people we wish to think about for various reasons, and this generally leads to more and more people being dedicated. In the circle are divination and affirmation cards and books to choose from, then reflect and interpret the meaning it has to that individual woman. This generally leads to a closing where we join hands and share our gratitude, sending our love our into the world with our breath as we blown out the candles. Each woman departs with a gift of a single red rose.