Derby Women's Circle

A little music to accompany, if you'd like:

Lammas, 2026.

The experience.

This was my first Women's Circle in a long time.
When you've been to a really good one - that feeling doesn't leave you.
Sits with you as a need to experience it all again.
I'd met Ali a few weeks before at an event at the Elephant Rooms and her energy was simply magnetic.
And before I knew it we were in cahoots - ready to paint a response piece to her Women's Circle on Lammas.

I arrived and smelled the balmy scent of incense - saying hello to new, friendly faces as we entered the space.
An altar, a hot cup of turmeric and the sense of welcome you find nowhere else - a circle of women -
showing up as they are on the given day ready to listen to each other and also their inner selves.

Blackberry cake and oracle cards drawn as the sun set on what was a difficult day for me.
But what better place to land than this?

Able to sketch away and experience everything.
The only photo taken the one of the light beams through an open window.

Many nervous to share but finding a relief in doing so.
All passionate about life and the things they hold dear.

The inspiration.

Knowing in the back of mind I was making some art - I tried to remain open - and at last settled that not all had to be decided that day.
There was always tomorrow.
I found myself watching the intricate and individual ways everyone held their cups of tea.
Bare hands, tattooed hands, ringed hands, young hands, old hands.
I adored the description - 'a brave space' - for sometimes we have to sit with the uncomfortable to let it go and it doesn't always feel safe to do so.
These are my scribbled scrawls - if you can't read my handwriting I don't blame you.

The Tea.

I always treat my cup of tea quote as a mini oracle card- I don't know about you.
The actual oracle card I pulled was sanctity.
sanctity
noun
uk /ˈsæŋk.tə.ti/ us /ˈsæŋk.tə.t̬i/
the sanctity of human life, marriage, etc.
the quality of being very important and deserving respect.
Very fitting indeed - respect the circle babeh.

Watercolour Sketches

I made a few initial watercolor 'sketches' on the night - mostly of a few moments that look barely legible.
Feeling rooted with,
Hands around a teacup,
Light hitting just so,
The pattern of flowers on the display.

Usually I'd find myself more 'productive' in creating - but in all honesty, I was so tired.
I trusted that the idea would come to be if I processed what I was going through, rested and simply listened.

Reflection.

Reflecting the next day I posted these words to my story.
I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling that way -

A soft and brave space to land
as the sun sets on the day
and you're reminded you're not alone
and there are new reasons to try
again each day.
A group sighing
out.
Letting go.
Landing and sharing.

It was a special evening and I was ready to create something
that captured that.

Final Piece

Where white tendrils of magic land - they know they are
protected,
held,
relatable,
a problem shared - a problem halved.
The energies in the room combine -
One soul connects to another -
and all along - right in the centre -
is this sense - that you are not alone -
you have never been so.

The wheel of the year -
show up in whatever season of life you are in
and don't try to change it -
not before you've felt it,
shared it,
healed it,
accepted it.

As attendees of the original Women's Circle - please feel free to print a copy out for your personal use!

Lots of love,
From Zoe... and also, Ezio xx

because I was about to take this photo and I saw him scampering into shot in the background after
I had just complained he kept doing cute things and then stopping before I got chance to get a picture.

You can reach me on social media here:

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and this is my email:
Say hello! I'd love to hear from youuuuu

[email protected]

Some words from Ali:

"It was such a pleasure having Zoe as part of the circle, and she's really captured the essence of what it's about.

Magic happens when we come together, and the weaving of the seasons and narratives is captured beautifully here.

It feels especially fitting to have a painting for Lughnasadh. A time of year where we start to see the fruits of our labour and contemplate abundance.

This is the end of Derby Women's Circle first cycle round the wheel of the year. It feels like the circle is blossoming with more women joining and holding space for themselves and each other.

There is a depth to being in circle, which can hold us at the different seasons of our lives. I just adore Zoe's painting and how it weaves all this together.

Thank you. "

The next Circle with Ali

A brave space to land.