Virtual Circles

Virtual Circles will meet using Google Meet and last 2 hours. Because of the connective nature of circle, Cole Michelle requests that participants have their cameras ON during circle (unless they absolutely must step away for a moment, etc.), so please plan to be seen! That's why we are here.

Circle structure and activities will vary by session, but may include ritual, vocalization, movement/dance, journaling, sharing, inspirational readings, tarot, guided meditation, inner journeying/dialogue/shadow work, breath work, energy work, EFT, art/crafts and more.

There may be other optional supplies suggested for a given circle activity (ie: a candle, art or drawing supplies, etc). If there are any needs for this specific circle, details will be sent in a separate email.

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Full details regarding event logisitcs for each specific circle will be provided via email after registration.

In Person Circles

Circle begins with a tea social (30 minutes). Cole Michelle prepare a specially formulated herbal tea for all to share (a $5 value).

Circle begins after our tea social and will last for 2 hours. Circle structure and activities will vary by session, but may include ritual, singing/vocalization, dancing, journaling, sharing, inspirational readings, tarot, guided meditation, inner journeying/dialogue/shadow work, breath work, energy work, EFT, art/crafts and more.

Each participant will also receive a 1/2 ounce, bottled flower essence to take home, specially formulated for the new/full moon (a $12 value!).

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Full details regarding event logisitcs for each specific circle will be provided via email after registration.

Sovereign Circle is based on a model of "Co-Creative Leadership". Co-creative leadership is like a wheel- each woman in circle is a spoke on the wheel, contributing her unique gifts, talents, strengths & medicine, which is what makes the wheel turn. The wheel is created by the diversity of the community. Each woman contributes and together we co-create the mission, because we value and celebrate each woman's contribution and we are committed to her being her full self-expression. When we get that we each matter; that we each have something to offer; we can relax and stop trying to be everything to everyone. We can lean on our sisters, and trust the law of giving & receiving. We'll learn how to collaborate and come together as one. (Excerpted from "The Art of Leading Circle", Tanya Lynn, 2020).

This is also a space that welcomes and honors members of all spiritual and religious paths. All participants are invited to hold and share their individual beliefs and views while respecting those of others that may differ from their own. We are here to learn from and support one another in our individual journeys of spiritual and personal growth. There will be many spiritual practices or views that may be incorporated or referenced in any given circle. One of the primary foci of circle is aligning with the natural world, its cycles and rhythms (the seasons, movements of the moon, the elements, etc.). Practices and modalities such as yoga, breath work, tarot, crystal healing, Reiki/Energy/Sound Healing techniques, astrology, flower essences, meditation, chanting, prayer, ritual and many others may be incorporated into various circles. If an individual is uncomfortable with or offended by an open approach that incorporates a wide variety of philosophies, practices or modalities, Sovereign Circle may not be the ideal fit.

Sovereign Circle is not intended as therapy or to be used as a substitute for professional advice by legal, mental, medical or other qualified professionals. Cole Michelle recommends that you seek independent professional guidance for such matters. If you are currently under the care of a mental health professional, Cole Michelle also recommends that you inform your mental health provider.

There aren't “rules” in the standard sense. However their are agreements that Cole Michelle requests all participants to subscribe to when attending circle. The purpose of these agreements is to foster and build TRUST & INTEGRITY. This starts with clear agreements and communication, which fosters the creation of a strong container- a safe, boundaried space where all participants can allow themselves to be truly open, vulnerable and authentic in their words, actions and expression. This opens the way for us to build intimacy and deep meaningful connections with one another and ourselves.

Below are the key agreements for Sovereign Circle:

First Agreement: Confidentiality

Circle is a completely confidential space. No participant or the Circle Facilitator will share what is discussed in circle (i.e.: another's story, message or trauma, etc.) with other individuals outside the circle. Whatever is said in circle, stays in circle. This is intended to be a safe space supporting each participant in being open, honest, vulnerable and authentic in their expression with others and themselves.

Second Agreement: No Expectations

All participants come to circle open with no expectations. Each participant comes to circle for a reason, and is expected to trust in the medicine that circle offers to each participant, including themselves.

Third Agreement: Feedback

Participants do not provide one another feedback unless requested. There may be times where an individual becomes emotional, cries, has a breakdown of some kind, etc. Circle participants should endeavor to refrain from fixing, advice giving, coaching, rescuing or consoling one another. Instead participants beam one another at the end of a share. To beam, hold both hands up with palms facing the woman sharing (this will be demonstrated by the designated Circle Facilitator at each circle). This practice is intended to honor and celebrate what the participant has shared and experienced, so that she feels seen, heard, and valued. By eliminating feedback, each woman is allowed to experience finding the answers within herself and not look for external validation.

Fourth Agreement: Timing

In order to honor all participants, the Circle Facilitator will endeavor to begin and end Sovereign Circle on time. For in-person circles, please plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early; For virtual circles, please plan to login using Google Meet (link provided on registration), 5-10 minutes prior to our start time. This respects all circle participants and the creation of sacred space and a strong container.

Everyone understands unexpected delays occasionally occur- If you are late for circle, please enter the space quietly and take your seat. If you are delayed by more than 5-10 minutes, you may want to consider skipping circle in order not disrupt the sacred space for other participants. On the rare occasion that Sovereign Circle will go past the scheduled end time, the Circle Facilitator will let everyone know and give circle participants permission to leave if they need to.

When sharing, the Circle Facilitator (or a designated Time Keeper) will use a timer to ensure each participant receives an uninterrupted amount of time to share. This allows all participants to have an equal opportunity to participate and keeps the schedule on track so Circle can end at the intended time.

Fifth Agreement: Full Presence

In order to create a safe space for all participants to be open and authentic, all participants are respectfully asked to refrain from intoxication by substances that may inhibit their ability to be fully present during circle events (this does not apply to any prescription medications- however if you feel any side-effect of your prescription may interfere with your ability to be present fully, then it is recommended you use your own best judgement as to whether attending circle is appropriate for you and honoring to other participants at any given time).

Cole Michelle does not recommend or advise the use of any illegal substances, but also holds ZERO judgement towards anyone who may choose to use recreational or other healing substances (prescription, non-prescription, psychoactive or otherwise) outside of circle. Each person is the sovereign creator of their life experience and may choose what is right for them in terms of their growth and healing. This agreement is only for purposes of ensuring the emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical safety of ALL participants, and is not in any way a judgement on the use of such substances for participants own personal, recreational, healing, or spiritual development. Any circle participant who is visibly intoxicated and at risk of disrupting the container and sacred space, may be respectfully asked to leave circle. Repeated/ongoing violations, may result in the participant no longer being welcomed to future circle events.

All circle participants are asked to offer the signature in acknowledgement of their agreement with these 5 tenets signature prior to attending their first Sovereign Circle. If any of these agreements are not in alignment for you, then Sovereign Circle may not be the right fit.

Each Sovereign Circle will last 2.5 hours total. We will kickoff with a tea social which will last for the first half hour. Our formal circle begins promptly on the hour and will last for a full 2 hours.

In order to honor all participants, the Circle Facilitator will endeavor to begin and end Sovereign Circle on time. On the rare occasion that Sovereign Circle will go past the scheduled end time, the Circle Facilitator will let everyone know and give circle participants permission to leave if they need to.

Please plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to respect all circle participants and the creation of sacred space and a strong container. Everyone understands unexpected delays occasionally occur- If you are late for circle, please enter the space quietly and take your seat. If you are delayed by more than 5-10 minutes, you may want to consider skipping circle in order not disrupt the sacred space for other participants.

Sovereign Circle may be offered in both in-person and online formats.

Online meetups are held via Google Meet. Meeting link provided at time of registration.

In person meetups are held at my private residence in Renton, Washington (Fairwood Greens neighborhood). Exact address will be provided at time of registration.

If no dates are available for booking, this generally means a given circle has reached capacity (unless there is a technical issue). If you are interested in being placed on the waitlist in the event of a cancellation, email Cole Michelle at cole@colemichelle.com with the desired circle name & date. Cole may also periodically offer alternate dates for a 2nd or 3rd circle if at least 5 parties express interest- see the calendar registration page for each circle to view the specific alternate circle dates/times (when offered).

Cole Michelle understands that unplanned emergencies do sometimes occur, however it is greatly appreciated if you provide no less than 48 hours' notice whenever possible in the event that you need to cancel/reschedule your seat reservation so that space can be made available to other participants. Please contact Cole Michelle via phone at (458) 214-2180 or email at appointments@colemichelle.com, or use the cancellation/rescheduling links provided in your email registration confirmation (when booking online). Repeated and excessive cancellations with less that 48 hours' notice may result in fees for the full cost of your registration.

Booked seats are non-refundable, but may be transferred to a future Sovereign Circle session in the event you need to cancel/reschedule.

Please note that a minimum of 5 signups is required for Sovereign Circle to run. If the minimum enrollment is not met for a particular Sovereign Circle gathering, it may be cancelled at the discretion of the Circle Facilitator. Registered participants will be notified and offered a refund or may elect to apply their payment to a future Sovereign Circle or another service/product offered by Cole Michelle.

Payment, when applicable, is due at time of registration. Payment on day of circle and/or payment plans may be available in certain circumstances (but must be arranged and approved in advance of circle/event participation. Contact Cole Michelle for details.). Reservation payments are non-refundable, but in the event you are unable to attend and need to cancel/reschedule, your payment may be applied to a future Sovereign Circle Session (or another product/service offered by Cole Michelle). If this should occur, contact Cole Michelle at 458.214.2180 or cole@colemichelle.com) to make arrangements.

For those in financial need, Cole Michelle does have one scholarship seat available for each circle session in exchange for assistance with set up pre-circle and clean-up post circle. If you are interested, contact Cole Michelle at cole@colemichelle.com with a brief explanation of your circumstances and why you feel you need assistance, why you want to attend circle, and the skills or talents you can contribute.

All information exchanged between Cole Michelle LLC (including its staff) and a participant is entirely confidential. No information about any participant will be discussed or shared with any third-party without written consent of the participant or parent/guardian (if the client is under 18).