The Inner Circle Workshops

There are currently two types of this workshop on offer at the moment.

1. The original workshops usually take place around the Pagan celebrations that mark the turning of the wheel throughout the year such as Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon etc. Although we use the natural cycles as our basis for these workshops, you do not need to focus on anything in particular when it comes to "working" on something specific whilst here; your completed mandala will signpost your way.

2. "The Pregnancy Inner Circle Workshop" is focused on those who are currently pregnant and navigating their feelings around this. During the time it takes to conceive (however long, quick, complex, or straightforward that may be) and throughout the perinatal period, we find ourselves going through many changes. Some of these changes are ones which we fully anticipate, for example our bodies changing to accommodate the growing life within us. However, some of these changes can take us completely by surprise. Perhaps we longed to be pregnant and now feel guilty for not enjoying it; maybe we could never see ourselves carrying a baby and yet, here we are and it’s incredible and we love it; or perhaps we don’t feel ready to bring a baby into this world at all or again. Whatever your complex thoughts are around this journey, they are valid and unique. 

 

Both workshops entail creating circles, or mandalas which represent our inner selves. The word mandala means "circle" in Sanskrit. Mandalas are found in various places all over the world such as India, Tibet and China and play an important role for Hindus and Buddhists. A circle is considered a sacred form as it has no beginning nor end.

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Carl Jung (a Swiss psychoanalyst, psychiatrist, and founder of analytical psychology) stated that mandalas were the “archetypes of wholeness”. Jung observed that:

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• When making a mandala, it was a representation of that person as a whole in that moment

• The process of making a mandala presented the opportunity for inner understanding and wholeness

• Making mandalas had a calming and focusing effect

 

Mandala therapy is now a widely used tool amongst psychologists and art therapists.

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This is a beautiful opportunity to combine the cycle of the seasons and honour ourselves through this healing practice. Each new season brings with it changes; this can be in the literal sense but also the metaphorical; the changes within ourselves. As such, you are welcome back throughout the year, should you wish to do so, to keep taking part and seeing your inner changes in your mandalas. You are also welcome to any as a one-off. For pregnancy, this can allow the time to sit, to breathe, to “be” and to consider how you really feel, rather than focusing on how you “should” be feeling.

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Prior to the workshop, please feel free to gather some natural resources such as leaves; feathers; stones etc and bring those along with you as we will be combining these (if we feel called to do so), with drawings, doodles, paint, crystals, string etc into our very own unique mandalas.

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Using the Hermetic Principles as a guide, too; as above, so below; as within, so without; we’ll gather some inspiration from outside in nature and bring that inside to work into our mandala if that is what we are called to do at the time.

 

Please do not say “Oh I’d love to, but I’m not very creative!” “I can’t draw!” – this isn’t about that, at all! Our mandala is not meant to be a beautiful, creative piece or aesthetically pleasing artwork. Of course, the outcome may be something beautiful, but that’s not necessarily the goal. It is just meant to be true and a reflection of our inner season at that moment in time.

 

Once the mandalas have been created, we’ll pause for some refreshments and cake. You’ll be given the opportunity to journal on what has come up for you during the session and be given prompts on things to ponder further on.

 

I will then guide you through the analysis of your mandalas.

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Provided at the workshop:

• Refreshments

• Cakes, biscuits

• A journal

• Paper

• Pens, pencils, pastels, paints to use on the day

• String and ribbon to use on the day

• Crystals to use on the day (you are able to choose to buy them separately, subject to availability)

• Company; a warm smile, a hand to hold, a shoulder to lean on and a safe space for sharing if you wish to do so

 

This workshop is hosted and led by Abby (they/them) who is a Pagan and a Crystal and Energy Healing Practitioner. Given that, please expect some ritual practices during the session as we sit in circle.

 

£20.00 pp for this 3 hour workshop

Upcoming workshops:

Mabon; Friday 22nd September 17:30-20:30
Samhain; Saturday 4th November 14:00-17:00

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FAQ’s

Q: Do I need to bring anything with me?

A: No, just your lovely self! Given the time of year and that this is an evening session, we won't be walking around to collect leaves etc, so please do feel free to bring those natural resources along with you if you wish to do so.

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Q: Do I need to be good at art or be creative?

A: Absolutely not! This isn’t about creating an art piece; it’s about creating something real. Of course, the outcome may be something beautiful, but that’s not necessarily the goal.

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Q: Will I get to keep my mandala?

A: You may keep the paper it was on, but as it's a 3D piece that is not glued down, it will be taken apart again once you have sat with it, contemplated its wisdom and analysed it.

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Q: Can I bring along my child?

A: Babes in arms are fine (pre crawlers) but I’m afraid that this session is not child friendly due to too many small, chokeable items and we're aiming for a calmer setting.