A once-forgotten tradition is seeing a resurgance in popularity. We take a deep dive into how these sacred circles are creating a space for belonging and connection

There’s a scene in the movie Midsommar where Dani (played by Florence Pugh) breaks down after seeing something disturbing. The women of the commune she’s visiting scoop her away, stare into her eyes, and wail with her, simulating her pain. Despite the surrounding nightmarish gore, this moment feels strangely cathartic. Watching it, I felt a raw, primal sense of sisterhood. It felt good.

Now, I’m not saying women’s circles are, or should be, like scenes from a folk horror film. But that moment in Midsommar taps into something real: the enduring tradition and power of women communing.

What is a women’s circle?

In its simplest form, it’s a gathering of women sitting in a circle, taking turns to talk and listen – you may already have some women’s circles in your life without even realising, like that monthly brunch or book club with your girlfriends. But there are many varieties: some incorporate tarot, crystals, Reiki, music, movement, or journaling; some focus on specific themes like grief, lunar cycles, or gratitude.

These gatherings are not a modern invention. Different forms of women’s circles can be traced back to many indigenous cultures, where women came together in ‘red tents’ or ‘moon lodges’ for sacred rituals. In the 20th century, feminist movements revitalised these gatherings.

In recent years, women’s circles have risen in popularity again amid growing interest in spirituality and wellness. On Instagram, the #womenscircle hashtag is currently featured on 330,000+ posts, compared to 160,000 in 2021.

Freedom and belonging

From her study of circles across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, Chia Longman, a professor in languages and cultures, writes in her 2018 article published in the journal Religions that circles are a form of women’s post-secular agency and subjectivity. The research reports that circles offer a “non-institutionalised” space that is lacking in secular-liberal society, and that women “attend out of a desire to ‘re/connect’ with each other, their bodies, their inner selves, and sometimes with the sacred”.

These ‘by-and-for-women’ spaces are free from judgement, the male gaze, the pressures and expectations of everyday life, and organised religion. They represent a more fluid, personal, and eclectic form of spirituality or, at the least, self-care.

The rise in popularity of women’s circles comes at a time when loneliness is a common theme in the lives of many, with 49% of women aged 18–24 reporting feelings of loneliness some or all of the time, according to the 2025 Belonging Barometer. Combined with widespread home working, increasingly digital lives, and anxiety about the state of the world, women seem to be craving a meaningful community.

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Psychotherapist Gigi Kaur’s top tips on finding the right women's circle for you:

. Let your intuition guide you. 

. Look at the theme and outline, to see if it resonates with what you need right now.

. Consider the environment; e.g. you might prefer one set in nature, instead of a dimly-lit indoor space.

. Check out previous events, and read customer testimonials.

. Reach out to facilitators with questions to get a sense of how they communicate and hold space. 

Building connection

Heidi Gowthorpe, a women’s circle facilitator, sound healer, and yoga and embodied movement practitioner, based in east London, started holding her own women’s circles in 2023.

“London is such a busy place, but it can also be incredibly lonely,” she says. “It felt like every woman I spoke to in her late 20s and early 30s was feeling the same.”

In response to this, Heidi started holding small gatherings, which blossomed into sisterhood circles and retreats in Yorkshire, London, Denmark, and Croatia.

Heidi believes the resurgence in women’s circles is the result of a deep longing to return to a simpler, more meaningfully social, way of life.

“Despite being more connected than ever through technology, I think we’re starved of true human connection,” Heidi explains.

As is tradition, Heidi’s gatherings typically start with a sharing circle: inspired by a prompt or question, everyone has the opportunity to speak without interruption or unsolicited advice.

For those intrigued, trauma psychotherapist and energy healer Gigi Kaur offers a word of warning before stepping into a circle: “I would be careful of circles where there is lack of facilitation and boundaries. The facilitator must clarify the rules around sharing in order to set a safe supportive container.”

For example, somebody sharing a recent trauma might trigger another person in the circle. Gigi says an experienced facilitator will set clear rules, and be mindful about this. “A women’s circle is not therapy, so unless this is monitored, it can be harmful,” she notes, highlighting that this isn’t a replacement for other forms of professional support.

At Heidi’s events, the sharing portion of the circle is often followed by journaling, guided meditation, and a sound bath.

Circles as quiet resistance

More than a chance to wind down and connect, women’s circles can also act as a form of resistance against the systems of oppression that seek to keep us numb, divided, and distracted. “Women are fed up with the patriarchal narrative we’ve been fed that we are one another’s competition,” Heidi says. “I think our eyes are opening to the idea that something has to change. Returning to sisterhood and reclaiming these spaces is a small step in making that change.”

She explains that when we come together with other women and share our experiences, “we finally see that we are not alone, and we are not so different from one another. We feel empowered to start speaking up about injustices and inequalities.”

This push for female empowerment goes hand in hand with making sure everyone feels welcome and included at these gatherings. “I typically call my spaces ‘sisterhood circles’, as I hope that may feel more inclusive [...] I think as a space holder, I’m always learning and growing in my work and the spaces I hold.”

The benefits of women’s communities

Women’s circles don’t just provide emotional support; community gatherings like this are proven to improve our mental and physical health, and even life expectancy.

Research shows that strong social connections not only boost happiness, but can also increase longevity by up to 50%, as mentioned in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science. Similarly, social support is reported to alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, as noted in 2024 research shared in Frontiers in Psychology.

“I’m constantly blown away by the power of being in these spaces,” Heidi says. “Having a space that feels safe and encouraging, where you can cry, laugh, and be witnessed and held in whatever you’re feeling, that’s powerful.”

The evidence is clear that social connectedness, like that found in women’s circles, makes us happier, healthier, and live longer. Whether you’re deeply spiritual or just want to find a community, women’s circles really do have magical properties.