FAQ

A Sophia Circle is a small, heart-centered conversation Circle for women and women-identifying individuals who are ready to reconnect with their inner wisdom and live with greater presence, purpose, and power. Sophia Circles offer a sacred yet accessible space for honest dialogue, reflection, and embodied healing. They’re not about expertise or performance. They’re about showing up, telling the truth, and remembering what it means to be whole.

Our gatherings honor and explore the wisdom, healing, and leadership that arise through feminine ways of knowing and being. We center those who feel called into relationship with the feminine—including female-identifying and non-binary people—while welcoming all who resonate with our mission and the values of Sophia Circles. If you are male or male-identifying and feel called to Circle, we welcome you to connect with us.

Not at all. You don’t need credentials to hold space. You just need sincerity, curiosity, and care. Leading a Circle isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating a safe and welcoming environment where collective wisdom can emerge.

Each Circle is unique, shaped by the people who gather and the stories they bring. A gathering might include a simple ritual or grounding practice, a reading or reflection, open conversation centered around a theme, and a closing moment of gratitude or integration. The rhythm is yours to define. What matters most is authentic connection.

That feeling is completely natural. Many of us were never taught how to hold space for others, let alone ourselves. The good news is that you don’t have to feel “ready.” You just have to begin. Our materials are designed to support you step-by-step so you can relax into your role by creating a Circle that works for you.

Start close to home with friends, colleagues, community members, or anyone who longs for deeper connection. When you start talking about starting a Circle, the right people will begin to show up. (And they might know of others, too!) Once you’ve hosted a gathering or two, word spreads naturally. A successful Circle is not about size. Even two or three people gathered with intention can create powerful transformation.

That’s often where the real growth begins. Each Circle is founded on shared group agreements regarding confidentiality, respect, non-judgment, and personal responsibility. Our Toolkit is designed to help keep the Circle container resilient by enlisting our innate intelligence and nurturing the group’s capacity to problem-solve. Discomfort can be a doorway to healing when held with compassion and curiosity.

Sophia Circles weave together elements of reflection, community, and ritual but without hierarchy or agenda. They are not designed to teach or fix anyone. Instead, they invite mutual discovery. Each Circle honors the feminine principle of relational wisdom: slowing down, deep listening, and allowing what wants to emerge.

Sophia Circles are grassroots and service-oriented. Circles gather at no cost, making participation accessible to any and all. Many Circle leaders choose to host Circles as a gift. Others share costs for simple materials or snacks. Some Sophia Circles adopt an optional pay-it-forward donation to support a charity or cause they care about, such as a local women’s shelter, food bank, or community organization. There’s flexibility to do what feels aligned and sustainable for you and your Circle.

All our resources are offered freely as well—the Start-Up Guide, Sophia Circles Toolkit, and Monthly Care Package Emails are shared in the spirit of the gift. This work is rooted in the belief that wisdom grows through circulation, not ownership, and that when resources are shared openly, the whole community is strengthened. The intention is never profit, but generosity, reciprocity, and interconnection.

Sophia Circles are meant to adapt to any context. You can gather around a kitchen table, in a garden, online, or at a library. Circles welcome all who come with an open heart, across generations, faiths, and lived experience. Diversity enriches the collective field, reminding us that wisdom has many voices.

No. Sophia Circles are not religious and are not affiliated with any faith tradition. “Sophia” simply means wisdom—the deep, human capacity for compassion, insight, and interconnection that lives within all of us. 

Sophia Circles honor the sacredness of life in a universal and inclusive way, welcoming people of all beliefs and backgrounds. You’ll never be asked to adopt a doctrine or follow a leader. The intention is to create a space for reflection and connection, an authentic experience that is rooted in shared humanity not dogma.

Life moves, seasons change, and Circles evolve. Sometimes a Circle’s life cycle completes naturally, opening the way for new energy or focus. Every experience deepens one’s capacity to lead with authenticity. Trust this as flow (not failure), and know that each gathering, however small, plants a seed for something new to arise.

Inspiration is woven into the rhythm of Sophia Circles. Each month brings a new theme to spark reflection and renewal, along with supporting resources to enrich your understanding of what it means to be Sophian.

As our community grows, we look forward to providing opportunities for Circle leaders and members to connect for shared learning and cross-pollination. The more you stay engaged with these touchpoints, the more your Circle will naturally flourish.

You’re not alone. Many women are longing for connection and shared reflection but don’t necessarily feel called to lead (at least not yet).

For now, the best way to get involved is to just start! Begin small and trust yourself to engage with the process. Download the Start-Up Guide and explore it for yourself. You might be surprised to discover that “leading” a Sophia Circle doesn’t look like conventional top-down leadership. It’s more about calling others in and holding space, not directing it. Circle leaders can also rotate, allowing for shared governance.

That said, we know many people are eager to join an existing Circle. A directory of active Sophia Circles will come later as our network grows. Until then, signing up for the monthly emails will keep you inspired and  informed.