My first Women's Group

I went to my first ever Women's Group on Friday night. "Moontime" has been started by a wonderful friend of mine who is a brave and fearless woman. My only real knowledge of women's groups before this was based on my reading of various feminist tracts from the seventies - not an altogether positive or relevant picture for 2008.

Happily, my misconceptions were blown away! The first thing I noticed was that our village hall was full of peace...no small children running around at toddlers or playgroup! The peace stayed with our small group of women for the rest of the evening. There were nervous smiles, joyful laughter, fearful tears as we brought to mind something we wanted to Give Away. Then we jumped with purpose over the fire (well, some candles actually, health and safety after all!) after expressing what we wanted to Invite In to our lives.

We were a small group - only six of us - and for at least half it was all very new. But everyone embraced the evening in the spirit of which it was offered. Hugs abounded at the end and I think most of us will be back next month.

Only the moon has secrets,
The moon in her silvery home,
And in this hour of the evening
She'll share them with you alone.

You can trust the moon to hold you,
Keep you from fear or from harm,
Go with the moon on her journey,
Feel yourself safe in her arms.

Keep what you see on the journey,
Keep what you see as your own,
After the bright silver journey,
I'll whisper you all the way home.

From: Mrs Moon Lullabies for Bedtime, Clare Beaton
Published by Barefoot Books