Episode 6: Women's Circle with Emily Elya
In this episode, I'm joined by counsellor, women's circle facilitator and flower essence practitioner Emily Elya, whose work gently invites women back to themselves through conversation, ritual, nature and community.
I first attended one of Emily's Winter Solstice women's circles a little over a year ago. At the time, I had never experienced a women's circle before. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I left knowing I had just experienced something truly profound and felt deeply nurtured.
Since then, I've often reflected on why that afternoon stayed with me.
In a world that constantly asks us to be productive, available and switched on, there is something incredibly healing about simply sitting in a circle with other women, free from judgement, expectation or comparison.
That's exactly what this conversation explores.
What is a women's circle?
One of the questions I was most curious to ask Emily was one many people are probably wondering themselves.
What actually is a women's circle?
As Emily explains, women's circles are far from a modern wellness trend. Women have gathered in circles since the beginning of time to prepare food, support births, pass down wisdom, grieve, celebrate and guide one another through life's transitions.
Today, many of us have lost that sense of community. Instead of living alongside generations of women, we're often navigating motherhood, careers, relationships and life's challenges in isolation.
Emily believes women's circles help restore something we've always needed: a place where women can simply belong.
Her circles combine meditation, ritual, reflection, crafts, conversation and seasonal ceremonies to create a safe space where women can slow down, reconnect with themselves and feel genuinely seen.
Why gathering with other women matters
One of the most beautiful parts of our conversation is Emily's explanation that women aren't designed to navigate life alone.
She speaks about the importance of being witnessed, heard and supported, not because something is wrong with us, but because connection is part of being human.
We also discuss how intentionally gathering with women differs from simply catching up with friends.
While both are incredibly valuable, a facilitated women's circle creates space to pause, breathe and listen, without needing to organise, host or carry the emotional load yourself.
It's an opportunity to simply arrive exactly as you are.
Learning to trust your intuition
Another thread woven throughout our conversation is intuition.
Many of us have heard phrases like "trust your gut" or "listen to your inner knowing," but what does that actually feel like?
Emily shares a beautiful perspective on intuition, describing it as something experienced through the body rather than the mind.
Instead of another thought racing through our heads, intuition often arrives as a quiet knowing in the heart, the gut or the nervous system.
The challenge is that modern life can be incredibly noisy.
When we're constantly busy, distracted or overwhelmed, it becomes much harder to hear that inner voice.
Women's circles, meditation and practices that regulate the nervous system create space for that wisdom to become clearer.
Healing doesn't have to happen alone
One part of the conversation that felt particularly important was our discussion around counselling.
So many women carry the belief that they simply need to "keep going" or figure everything out themselves.
Emily gently reminds us that seeking support isn't weakness, it's part of being human.
As a qualified counsellor, she combines traditional counselling with flower essence therapy, creating sessions that allow each person to receive exactly what they need, whether that's talking, silence, reflection or simply being held in a safe space.
It's a beautiful reminder that healing doesn't have to be something we navigate alone.
What are flower essences?
We also explore flower essences, a topic many people are curious about but may not fully understand.
Flower essences are vibrational remedies created from the energetic imprint of flowers and plants, traditionally used to support emotional wellbeing.
Emily explains how each personalised blend is created specifically for the individual and evolves alongside them, supporting what's present right now rather than defining them forever.
I loved this perspective.
Rather than seeing ourselves as fixed, flower essences remind us that we're always growing, evolving and moving through different seasons of life.
A simple grounding practice
Before finishing our conversation, Emily shares a short grounding meditation that anyone can practise.
With one hand on the heart and one over the womb space, she gently guides listeners back to their breath, encouraging us to breathe in light and breathe out gratitude.
It's simple.
Accessible.
And perhaps exactly what many of us need in the middle of a busy day.
Listen to the full conversation
Whether you're curious about attending your first women's circle, learning to trust your intuition, exploring flower essences or simply craving a reminder to slow down, this conversation offers a beautiful place to begin.
Emily has a remarkable gift for making ancient wisdom feel grounded, practical and deeply welcoming.
I hope this episode leaves you feeling exactly as I did after attending my first women's circle, more connected to yourself, and reminded that you were never meant to do life alone.
If you would like to connect with Emily you can find her here:
https://www.magdalenasgarden.com
Email: magdalenasgarden@proton.me
You can listen to Episode 6 of the Seven Sisters Podcast: Women's Circle with Emily Ela wherever you enjoy your podcasts.