Bespoke circles to mark milestone moments…
Beautifully unique ceremonies, created with you, for you, to mark the moments in our lives where we want to honour what has passed, or what is yet to come… births, marriages, coming-of-age, loss, death, moving house, divorce, birthdays…
“Ritual is a language older than words…”
Francis Weller
As human beings we have always marked the big moments in our lives in some way - we throw baby showers and hen dos, we give gifts and send cards, we make cakes and host parties, we hold memorials and pray, we blow up balloons and decorate tables, we gather to witness, to offer wisdom and to give thanks, and - most importantly - to hold each other in our biggest, deepest, and sometimes, darkest moments.
At their core, these ‘events’ are rituals, an ancient way of honouring our lives, our choices, our wins, and our losses. They are how we bear witness to what is happening in our families, with our friends, and in our communities. They are how we offer gifts of love, wisdom and prayer for the journey ahead. They are steeped in tradition and form an integral part of our culture and our relationships. We see them as a rite of passage to the next stage in our journey.
And yet - many of the ways we mark big moments have become less about ritual and honouring, and more about money and status. Commercialised and pressurised, from hen nights and baby showers to weddings and birthday parties, we have lost the element of ritual and replaced it with ‘events’ that speak more to colour-coded decorations, games and activities, budget booze, excessive spending and exotic destinations than they do to coming together to hold each other in our milestones moments.
We feel the instinct to gather, to honour, to mark the moment with a process that touches us deeply and gives voice to the importance of the moment. But the events in themselves fall short. And we are left feeling empty and unfulfilled.
I truly believe we can do better. And that bringing circle into the moments of your life that matter is a beautiful way to do this.
Read more below about how I can create and host a circle that brings ritual into your life in a meaningful and beautiful way.
Circles for the milestone moments…
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Birthday Circles
Step back from the frenetic pace of life, and allow yourself a gentler way to welcome another year, and reflect on the one that has just gone. Bring friends together to celebrate with birthday rituals and reflections. and plenty of tea, cake, stories and joy. My circles are beautifully curated - and decorated - spaces that feel special, unique, creative and put together with you at the centre of them.
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Bridal Circles
A hen-do with a difference - celebrate your marriage with intention and grace. Gather your women, from grandmothers and aunts to cousins and nieces, in a cosy, comfortable spane that has been designed with you in mind - and allow yourself a beautiful session of pampering and nurturing, coupled with love, wisdom and insight from the most important women in your life.
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Pregnancy Circles
This is such a precious time - and whether you are the mama-to-be or the friend organising a baby shower, this is such a special way to hold an expectant mother in love and compassion. A pregnancy circle creates a space for other mothers to impart their wisdom, to reminisce on their own motherhood journeys, and offer love, gifts and hopes for the future. Circle around her, gather her tribe.
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New Baby Circles
If you want to mark the birth of your baby, or your own journey through motherhood, but feel that a christening or naming ceremony is too much of an event, or not something you’re ready for yet, a new baby circle can be a beautiful way to welcome new life in a space that feels safe and easy for you. Imagine comfort, cushions, candlelight, quiet music, warmth, a group of trusted and treasured friends and family, and space for you to celebrate you, and your baby with love, joy and compassion.
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Memorial/Grief Circles
A circle of remembrance, a space for reflection, a gentle way to remember and honour what or who you have lost – to hold loved ones close, to say their names out loud, to tell their stories. Grief and memorial circles can be held in place of a funeral, as part of one, or as something entirely separate. They might be held in the days after death or loss, or many months or years later. Each space is unique and created for what you need, you can choose who attends and how it all comes together.
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Threshold Circles
Perhaps the change that’s coming in your life doesn’t fall neatly into a specific ‘area’ - but it feels important to mark it in some way nonetheless. Divorce, retirement, infertility, moving house, illness, redundancy - there are so many things that come to shake our foundations, and we can often feel lost and uncertain. It can truly help to come together- one-on-one or with some trusted companions to witness, and honour the journey of change that you are on.
Working with me…
It would be both an honour and a joy to work with you to create a circle ceremony that marks an important moment in your life. I have over two years experience in running women circles, as well as working with new mothers in creative art therapy circles, and holding grief circles and women’s support groups.
First, we talk…
The process of creating a bespoke circle begins with a conversation, in-person or over the phone - we establish what you need from this space, and how it will feel to sit in a circle with friends and family. We consider what is important and what needs to be acknowledged. We talk about what makes you feel safe, joyful, and able to be heard. We’ll also discuss possible dates, and locations - I can either find a beautiful location or host it in your home.
Then, I create…
I will then put together a circle to honour the journey you’re on, with words, reflections, readings, meditation, rituals, space for sharing and anything else we’ve discussed that feels important. I will share this with you, and we can add or remove things, or change anything around until we curate something that feels right for you. This process can take as long as it needs to.
And, then we gather…
I take care of all the preparation, designing invites/info emails if needed, decorating the space, bringing all the little extras that we need. You only need to turn up, ready to be held in this space and to mark this milestone moment with intention and love.
Bespoke circles start from £120 - depending on numbers - and prices can include refreshments, gifts, decor etc, depending on your requirements. Travel is charged according to distance.
