Women's circles

Women, and people generally, have been gathering in circle to share their stories since the birth of humanity. They’re nothing new, but there is a way to do them well.

As one of the few Australian accredited Mother Nature Circle facilitators, I am honoured to bring this simple yet powerful methodology to the Dunsborough community.

Mother Nature Circles are accepting, nurturing groups that can support us by creating a safe, comfortable space to share our journey as mothers, and as people.

In circle, we don’t need an expert to give us advice because we listen with care and intention and are supported by the wisdom of one another, and the wisdom of the Mother Nature cards, to access our own insights, resources and strength.

The Mother Nature Circle is a methodology developed within the framework of the International Mother Nature project. Learn more at www.mothernatureproject.org.

To book your place at circle, please go to the Events or Store pages.

Four women are gathered in a rural setting, dressed in traditional clothing with bonnets and aprons. They are seated or standing on a grassy path surrounded by lush vegetation. The scene includes several clay pots and baskets filled with produce.

Mother Nature Circles FAQ

What are Mother Nature Circles?

Mother Nature Circles are facilitated intentional gatherings. They help us to slow down and connect with our inner wisdom and resources. They also support connection to our communities and to nature.

Mother Nature Circles were born from the collective knowledge of an international group of women on how to lead circles and speak to the essence of parenthood and womanhood, with the support of illustrations on Mother Nature Cards.

Can I take part in a Mother Nature Circle even if I have no children?

Yes, you can participate even if you are not a mother: the theme of motherhood goes beyond the biological concept of ‘having given birth to a child’ (or being the non-birth mother in a same-sex couple). You are mothers of ideas, projects, businesses and places.

Many women who don’t have children but intend to have them value learning from people who already have children and share about their experiences.

And if you don’t have children and don’t expect to, your wisdom and life experiences are equally important to share. The circle space is always a good opportunity for self-reflection and growth.

Mother Nature Circles are places of mutual support, a place to experiment, nurture and grow together, to find walking companions for our individual journeys.

Are children welcome?

I am happy to host women with babes in arms – up to 9 months' old. You are free to feed your baby, stand up and move around to meet your baby’s needs.

Older babies and children will probably need a lot of attention and this will make the experience less nourishing for you, so please find a carer that will take care of them outside the circle.

Dedicate this time to yourself – it is a great investment in your well-being that will feed into your child's well-being as well.

Is the sharing in circle confidential?

Yes, absolutely. I discuss confidentiality as part of setting the group culture at the start of every circle, and explain in detail how we create confidentiality, and why it is important in creating a safe space.

My intensive mothering years have passed, and my children are now mostly self-reliant – can I still receive and share as a mother in circle? Can I attend circle as an elder woman?

Certainly. Many traditional cultures revere elder women, due to their experience, knowledge and perspective. Unfortunately, Western cultures don’t always respect elder women so well, and therefore circle can provide a powerful place for hearing your voice, and creating a shared recognition of wisdom.

Many elder women also gain focus as they move away from their childbearing and child-rearing years, and can be wonderful models of authenticity and empowerment for younger women. Your wisdom and perspectives will likely be greatly appreciated by women in other stages of life, those you may have already passed through. Or maybe you didn't have children, and have other life experiences and wisdom to share.

If you are an elder woman wishing to join circle with other elder women, you can create your own group with people you know and request my facilitation. Alternatively, let me know of your interest so I can collate a group of women wishing for a circle of elder women.

Where do you run your circles?

I host my Mother Nature Circles in Quedjinup, south-west Western Australia.

Three women sit closely together outdoors, engaged in conversation. They are wearing casual clothing, and their body language suggests they are sharing an intimate moment. The setting includes a garden with red and white tulips, indicating a bright and sunny day.

I’m a man and I’d like to access a similar kind of gathering to a women’s circle. Can you recommend any?

Connecting with self, nature and community are not the exclusive privilege of women – men equally deserve space and support to cultivate their well-being, reflection and personal growth.

While my offerings are for women, I equally wish for men to access similar services. I’m just not the right person to provide those services. I understand there is a Busselton Men’s Group you may wish to look up.

I would love to hear recommendations of other men’s circles and events so I can refer people who enquire. Please let me know if you know of local groups and events you recommend.

Here’s some websites that may also help your journey:

https://mankindproject.org.au/mkp-western-australia/

https://menshealthwa.org.au/

I would love to see or one day run a circle for ‘default parents’ (credit Anna Cusack) – that is, any person in the primary caregiver role for a child/children, including responsibility for the majority of the mental load of parenting. This is most often mothers, but of course not always.

Get in touch

Client feedback

Hear what our clients say. More testimonials on the Testimonials page

Joanna is a very attentive, wise and intuitive space holder and healer and creates a deep level of safety with her intention and delivery. The way she runs her women's circles is both thoughtful and carefully curated - she blended all the practical elements to make me feel comfortable whilst creating a space for some deep emotion and healing to arise within myself. The learnings and insights are continuing on well after the event. I felt incredibly held and seen by her and she has such a wisdom from her own experiences, knowledge and skills to bring into her work. I would highly recommend you experience her magic.

Local Vasse woman

Joanna created a safe, calm and authentic space in which we had our circle. I found the experience powerful, it connected me with the other women in the group and I was able to really listen and feel heard. I valued the norms of the women's circle process and left feeling grounded. Thanks so much Jo!

Melbourne mother and teacher

★★★★★

Mother Nature Connection

Supporting people to connect to themselves, each other, and nature

Grow

joanna@mothernatureconnection.com.au

Acknowledgment of Country

I work, live and play on the unceded lands of the Wadandi people, and acknowledge them as the Traditional Custodians of Country. I recognise continuing connection to land, water and community, pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and am grateful for the sharing of knowledge.