Circle Conversations
The purpose of Circle Conversations is to provide training about Circles. It's a place for women new to Circle to come learn, and a place for those experienced in Circle to hone their skills and knowledge. Format varies from a presenter sharing about a specific topic and then having small break-out Circles to discuss it, to having a brainstorming session. At the end, women are invited to share what is happening in their own, local in-person Circles.
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The Next Circle Conversations
Topic: Shadow in Circle
Presenting Sister: Janis H.
Hosts: Lisa S. and C. Sloane S.
Date: Monday, June 8, 2026
Times: 5:30pm (PT) | 6:30pm (MT) | 7:30pm (CT) | 8:30pm (ET)
Duration: 75 minutes
What we project onto others, and what we often act out in moments of dissension, is psychic material Carl Jung termed, ‘the human shadow.” The shadow consists of the unwanted aspects of our personalities — whatever doesn’t fit into the ego ideal of the good self.
If we do not look at shadow, we create a repeating scenario. There is a circle of “good” people who come together with the best intentions and dedication to accomplish a good thing. We are nice to each other. We are polite and unconsciously conforming. Sometimes one or two people commandeer more leadership, attention, or time in the group than others want, but we don’t know what to do and so we let them. Our dissatisfaction goes underground, or we begin withdrawing our hopes that this will be the circle that really nurtures and protects our fragility. If we are invested in the group, we get angry in our disappointment and begin trying to make others behave. If we aren’t invested, we drift off, showing up less often, looking for another, better situation. Without the concept of shadow being introduced into the group, people do not have the opportunity to live out healthier alternatives for dealing with accumulating energies. ~ Christina Baldwin, Calling the Circle
Questions to ponder:
What’s showing up in me that might be shadow?
What does shadow in the circle look like to me?
How am I expanding my courage to speak authentically?
How am I willing to show up and be fully myself?