"Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has," states Margaret Mead, noted American anthropologist and writer. It's this belief, along with the ancient knowledge of the force created when women gather together, that's the driving force behind grassroots efforts to turn the tide on poverty, violence, greed, and war through the creation of women's sacred circles.

When I was in New York last February, for the UN Commission on the Status of Women, I went to a workshop put on by Jean Shinoda Bolen¹ and titled after her book, Urgent Message From Mother: Gather The Women, Save The World. A message I've been hearing frequently and clearly for the past few years—in social justice meetings, around the coffee table, at religious gatherings, and on the Internet—is that there's an unprecedented urgency to respond to the immediate needs of the planet, because time is running out. The human race appears to be on a direct course to self-obliteration and utter destruction of the world in which we live.

Bolen believes it's time to gather the women, for the ancient wisdom of the circle where women come together will give birth to the healing power the world needs now. Many male leaders in the global peace and social justice movements are acknowledging that it's time for women to take the lead. Desmond Tutu, in his book God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time², mentions that in order for there to be real peace in the world, women must take over. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in December of 2004, he goes on to say, "Women have a way of reaching out to others. I want to suggest that women start a revolution. God depends on you that you are going to turn this world into the kind of place you want. It should be a place of compassion, of gentleness, of sharing, or caring."³

"We need to know that we are a part of a network of mystics who are helping the world to come alive with love, working from within to redeem a world that has become desecrated with materialism and forgetfulness," writes Llwellyn Vaughan-Lee, Sufi teacher and Jungian psychologist.⁴

Llewellyn, with his mystical insights, also sees the significant role women play in today's world when he writes, "Women have a specific role to play in this work, as their bodies contain a creative force that unites matter and spirit. This creative principle naturally allows the inner to flow to the outer, nourishing what has been forgotten with the light and love of the divine."⁵

Most of us realize that there's a spiritual significance to the circle—that it's a sacred symbol of completeness. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life, itself—a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds. Combining this knowledge with the energy of the feminine principle creates a very powerful transforming force that's unrecognized in the world's path of domination and violence.

I've met women, this year, who have become braver because of the uniting force of other women (and, also, men) in the face of violence, poverty, oppression, and abuse. Women whose genitals have been forcefully mutilated have taken a stand against this practice and their collective global shouting is being heard across the oceans and into the living rooms of people who would never, otherwise, have known FGM (Female Genital Mutilation), let alone that it's a growing practice throughout the world.

There are women who have been forcefully conscripted into military combat—not to be used as soldiers, but, rather, as sex slaves to male soldiers. These women are telling their stories of shame and violence to the world in an effort to save their sisters. Women are exposing high-powered business and governmental practices that participate in the booming sex trade industry. In doing so, these women risk their lives for the lives of those who come after them. How do these women get the strength and support to step out in the face of such opposition? By coming together across cultural, religious, geographical, and political divides and taking a united stand against these atrocities.

This powerful tool of the sacred circle has inspired women from the developed world to take note and try to recapture the social fiber of the gathering of women which keeps civilizations together. A grassroots movement among Anglican women, The Beijing Circles, has been birthed (often including men) to address the 12 principles of the Beijing Platform for Action created in 1995 at a special UN gathering of women from around the world. In a small group setting, women come together and share stories and hear (or read) the stories of other women who are fighting for equality, fair treatment, education, a chance to support themselves, and even their own lives. These stories enter the homes of women who are far away from military combat, forced sterilization, sex trade, and oppression. But all of these women have their own stories to tell because pain and suffering cross the boundaries of social and economic status. The swapping and telling of stories—practiced by women, for thousands of years, around the water well—is empowering people to respond to what they hear.

There are other groups and training opportunities, as well—some religious in nature and some secular, such as The Institute Circleworks™—and studies on Sacred Geometry from Bruce Rawles. Wisdom of the Elders also celebrates the importance of Women's circles, as do many, many others. One needs only search the Internet to realize the growth in this movement.

From my own experience with women working through the UN and Beijing Circles experiments, along with conversations and readings from other women involved in circle groups, I've come to understand that the circle is, first of all, grounding, as one must keep a physical—as well as mental—focus on the center. A sense of safety is created in a circle, which is very important for a healing to occur. For example, even a simple Talking Circle among Native Americans allows for the even-handed discussion of contentious issues. No one else is allowed to speak other than the person holding the talking stick. No interruptions at all. When the speaker is finished, she may then pass the stick to the next person, who is allowed to say whatever she thinks, or she may choose to pass the stick along.

In a circle group, one learns intellectually but, also, experientially. The approach engages more wholly the body, mind, and spirit, and it doesn't matter what the religious beliefs or backgrounds are; there's always an acknowledgment of the Spirit. Therefore, over time, the group becomes aware that it's also being led and guided toward growth and realization of its purpose. A deeper understanding of life transforms the people in the circle and, from that knowledge, energy is created—energy that ebbs out of the group and touches the world wherever these women go. Staying centered in the circle is important, as is staying interconnected with those in the circle. These are also some basic principles of sacred geometry.

The interconnectedness isn't just with the people in the circle, however. It continues up and out from the group and taps into spiritual sources that keep the earth and its inhabitants alive. This circle of Oneness is a source of Love, and it's just as necessary, for our continued life on earth, to free it from the forces of violence, abuse, war, and hatred, as are the air we breathe and the water we drink. These circles are happening now, among women whose voices haven't been heard before. And, once again, the women who gather together over tea or at the water well, will begin its centuries-old job of changing the world.