Women Weaving Words

Yesterday (10 January) was the first writing group of 2018 and it was such an enriching experience, gathering around several tables in John Lewis and writing. We were inspired by poetry from Louise Erdrich, Ellen Bass and @nakedwriting and the insights and discussions that followed each piece were wonderful. The focus was on reflecting on 2017 and our aspirations into 2018. Writing really does allow a deeper sense of reflection, which is why I feel it is an important approach to meditation. It simply invites you to start where you are, encapsulating that all important meditation instruction 'beginners mind'. We can only write in the present moment, which is where we find ourselves with our breath. I can't think of a more perfect way to have begun the year. [Image: Pixabay.com]

You may like to use this 'in-between' time of Christmas and the New Year to tackle one (or all) of the following prompts. Set your timer for 10 minutes and...go! What matters to you most at this time of your life? With the season in mind, what traditions are meaningful to you? Or, what seasonal / spiritual traditions do you need to let go of? Who or what has had the greatest impact on you this year? Have fun and I look forward to seeing you across the page or table in 2018. Image: pixabay.com

This week saw the six month anniversary of the women's writing group, having started our journey in June. Small steps, but it has been wonderful each and every time I meet women across the page to hear their words. Here's to the next six months!

Another successful writing circle this morning (on St Andews Day). The theme was 'objects' which took us in a variety of directions. One attendee bought a poem to share, which we used for some inspirational writing at the end of the morning. The poem can be viewed on the link below: Miracle on St David's Day - Gillian Clarke

On Saturday 18 November I spent the day at Canterbury Yoga with a group of 19 wonderful women. The workshop had been arranged back in February, following on the heels of a successful workshop in Stamford in January, so it had felt like a long wait until the day finally arrived! The day was planned to give all present, irrespective of experience in yoga, meditation or writing, an opportunity to dive deeper and also to leave feeling deeply nourished and relaxed. I am delighted to say that the feedback has been overwhelming, and all who joined me reported many benefits (which can be seen in some of the feedback below). If you would like me to bring a Women's Stories workshop to your area, please do get in touch .

I am currently enjoying Jackee Holder's Paper Therapy course and have to say, it is jam-packed with so much, not only on the benefits of writing (which we all know is fantastic right?) but so many writing prompts and directions in which to take your journal writing. In addition, Jackee is regularly feeding back on all that is contributed online. If you often find your enthusiasm fades with online courses, or you feel that you have to contribute something, have no fears. There's absolutely no pressure to contribute online, you can work privately at your own pace and the lessons on the platform are available for 6 months following the end of the course. To find out more on Jackee's offerings, please visit her website here She has an absolute wealth of knowledge that she so generously shares.

At the recent writing group (Monday 09 October) our theme was Autumn. Though this encompassed a variety of prompts. Autumn carries many flavours for women. Typically it is the change of season, but less considered are the many rites, archetypes and aspects of myth that this time of year holds. We recently moved through the autumn equinox and within women's cycles, autumn usually relates to the pre-menstrual phase. Even women who are no longer cycling, these phases still hold potency for us. It is a time when we may lack mental clarity and also have a sense of needing to slow down, perhaps even wanting to move into hibernation. The full moon this month was known as either the Harvest Moon or Blood Moon. In myth, spells were often considered during this month for protection as well as undoing spells associate with bad luck. We visited as a writing prompt through The Matriarch, being a strong women's archetype. See, there's far more to autumn than leaves falling f...