Who we are
Started by Mary, Huntingdon Women's Circle was birthed in May 2018 from an inner call: first heard in ceremony years prior — a loud, clear message to create community. At the time the call was not fully understood; but as she travelled the mothering journey it revealed its need more fully. Women need safe space to gather, to remember who they are, and to weave their magic.
What began as a seed has grown through many seasons, shaped by every woman who has sat in the circle, shared her truth, and left something of her essence in the air. Some women come for something specific. Some come and stay. There are always seasons — blooms and harvests. Like the land itself, the circle moves with the greater impulse of life, evolving through-out the years and we bow to every woman who has been part of it.
The circle is currently held by four women — Mary, Esther, Amanda and Claire — who offer their time, their gifts and their hearts to its safe growth. We hold dreams for how it will continue to bloom, and we trust that the ripples from what happens here travel further than we can see. You can find a little more about us and our experiences below.
Mary
Mary is a mother of three working in technology. Underneath the daily juggle of family and work, she has spent most of her adult life captivated by one question: what is consciousness? Over twenty years ago, she studied Artificial Intelligence and the philosophy of mind - but her heart was searching for something more lived and felt, a search that led her out of her childhood church and onto a deeply personal spiritual journey.
Along the way, she was profoundly shaped by contemporary non-dual teacher Amoda Maa, whose invitation wasn't to escape into "spiritual" ideas of the mind, but to be with the direct experience of our true nature, of being and the living heart. For a short time, Mary had the privilege of supporting Amoda Maa's gatherings in London.
Mary has always had a natural pull to create groups that initiate change and build community in many different, messy, and beautiful ways - from organising Baby Raves in Camden, to helping launch local environmental groups, and birthing this Women's Circle.
A lifelong student of the mystery, Mary has gathered tools, teachings and credentials from transpersonal psychology, breathwork, ecstatic dance, and kundalini yoga to support her own grounding, and is currently finishing her apprenticeship with Shamanka (the UK's only female-centred shamanic training). Among the threads closest to her heart have been her years with mentors and guides Fleur Inanna and Thessa Sophia, exploring meditation, embodiment and consciousness through the Hidden Feminine Ways. Ultimately, it is in the ordinariness of life that the practice becomes real - in being a mother, sister, daughter, friend and lover.
Esther
After lurking on the Facebook page for several months, I finally took the plunge and went to my first womens' circle in February 2022. The theme that month was 'Empowerment' and whilst we spent time exploring the topic I wrote this is in the brand new note book I had bought to take along...
"It doesn't serve anyone if I play small. I need to own my life, my space, my desires, my hopes, my intentions. I need to own my abilities; not just know or believe I can, but be what I am."
For me, this affirmation is the magic of being in circle. It is a place to explore all parts of yourself and to be seen for all that you are. There is such beauty in coming together with other women to witness and hold each other in a safe space. Together we laugh, cry, rage, dance, drum, reflect, create, breathe... the list goes on...but mostly we just BE.
Spending time in circle has helped me to deepen my connection to myself, others and the incredible universe we are all part of. As I continue to walk along the path and contemplate this mystery we call life, I feel so blessed to be able to pause along the way to share time with sisters in circle.
Amanda
When I think back to my first circle, walking through the door feeling incredibly vulnerable, not really knowing what to expect, being SO tongue tied I realise how far I have come thanks to my circle of sisters.
Mary is such a pure, kind and giving soul and instantly put me at ease. I am so grateful to have found her and my circle sisters.
For me it's a constantly evolving journey. It's exciting and empowering. It's emotional and it's fun. It's scary and it's a joy. It's everything all at once.
Spending time in circle, being truly supported in a judgement free environment has been incredibly nourishing for me. I find it very healing to be surrounded by positive, conscious feminine energy and I cherish deeply the friendships I have made in that space.
Magic happens when we gather and we are bound by invisible threads when we're apart.
We would love it if you joined us ✨
Claire
