Next Red Tent Circle
In the spirit of reconciliation, we humbly acknowledge that we gather on the unceded traditional territory of the original keepers of this land, who know themselves as the Pentlatch, Sathloot ('sath-loot), Sasitla (sa-'seet-la), Ieeksen (eye-'ick-sun) and Xa'xe ('ha-hey), and are known in colonial terms as the K'ómoks First Nation.
There are no further circles planned after spring 2023
Information will be posted here if this changes, as well as on our Facebook group. Thanks for a wonderful stretch of circles, from September 2013 through May 2023, with a break in 2020 and 2021. What follows is information on how the circles unfolded.
What to expect: An opening ceremony, a short grounding meditation, an introduction to the theme of the month, sharing from the group and a short closing ceremony. The circles offer a space strictly for women, teen girls, trans women, and non-binary and two-spirit people who identify strongly with women's issues. Expect to co-create an inclusive space where everyone is free to express themselves and feel respected. Participation is always a choice, you are welcome to observe until you are ready to join in.
Contribution: Comox Valley Red Tent circles are volunteer-run and offered by donation. This covers operating expenses, rental of the space and if there is excess, a monthly donation to different local charities. If this will be an obstacle to your attendance, other opportunities to contribute are possible with the behind-the-scenes efforts that support these circles.
What to bring: You may wish to bring a journal and pen, a water bottle or insulated mug to drink, and a friend or two. Although the yurt is heated, wearing layers and bringing slippers are great ideas. Please help us keep this a scent-free environment.
Location: A beautifully decorated private yurt at the back of the property at 1957 Arden Road, Courtenay. Please carpool and arrive early as it can be tricky to find the first time. Parking is limited on the property, so please pull well off of Arden Rd when parking on the road.
Accessibility: The site has uneven ground and stairs, hence is not wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you have accessibility concerns and would like to attend these events.
Regular circles in the yurt ran one Sunday afternoon each month, September through May, with a break for summer. Outdoor circles have been held in summer, at a different location.
There are no further circles planned after spring 2023
Information will be posted here if this changes, as well as on our Facebook group. Thanks for a wonderful stretch of circles, from September 2013 through May 2023, with a break in 2020 and 2021. What follows is information on how the circles unfolded.
What to expect: An opening ceremony, a short grounding meditation, an introduction to the theme of the month, sharing from the group and a short closing ceremony. The circles offer a space strictly for women, teen girls, trans women, and non-binary and two-spirit people who identify strongly with women's issues. Expect to co-create an inclusive space where everyone is free to express themselves and feel respected. Participation is always a choice, you are welcome to observe until you are ready to join in.
Contribution: Comox Valley Red Tent circles are volunteer-run and offered by donation. This covers operating expenses, rental of the space and if there is excess, a monthly donation to different local charities. If this will be an obstacle to your attendance, other opportunities to contribute are possible with the behind-the-scenes efforts that support these circles.
What to bring: You may wish to bring a journal and pen, a water bottle or insulated mug to drink, and a friend or two. Although the yurt is heated, wearing layers and bringing slippers are great ideas. Please help us keep this a scent-free environment.
Location: A beautifully decorated private yurt at the back of the property at 1957 Arden Road, Courtenay. Please carpool and arrive early as it can be tricky to find the first time. Parking is limited on the property, so please pull well off of Arden Rd when parking on the road.
Accessibility: The site has uneven ground and stairs, hence is not wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you have accessibility concerns and would like to attend these events.
Regular circles in the yurt ran one Sunday afternoon each month, September through May, with a break for summer. Outdoor circles have been held in summer, at a different location.
Below is more information that you might want to know about our Red Tent Circles.
The Comox Valley Red Tent circles create an opportunity to honour the feminine side of ourselves and develop community with local women of all ages, plus teen girls, trans women, those who identify as female and for those who are two-spirited or questioning. We gather together, listen, share, nurture and support our soul’s journey in being honest, authentic and heard. With beautiful, billowing red fabric around us and a simple ceremony of honouring the feminine, we create a sacred space in an atmosphere of open exploration and suspended judgment.
The Red Tent afternoon is an opportunity to go deeply inside ourselves and explore what is true for us, as well as to connect with others. Sharing out loud is optional, so please know that we respect your choice to be quieter and more inward; we honour your presence and energy in the group. Confidentiality is a key element of the Red Tent circles, required of everyone, and ensuring the safety to be brave and speak openly and honestly.
AFTERNOON FORMAT
We sit in circle (either on chairs, or many "backjacks" with a cushion at ground level and attached backrest), start with a welcome and explanation of protocols by a few of the regular co-facilitators, open sacred space, then introduce the topic and if applicable, the guest facilitator. There are a variety of presentation styles and possible activities in the first hour or so, depending on the topic and facilitator(s)...sometimes journaling, sometimes silent pondering a question followed by small group sharing, sometimes guided visualizations or meditations, sometimes movement... In the latter part of the afternoon we have a sharing circle, passing around a talking piece and deeply listening as each person shares on their experience of the afternoon and their perspective on the topic. We have a closing ritual and finish the main event around 430pm. Participants are welcome to stay and chat a while, and volunteers are always appreciated to help take down the beautiful red fabric decorating the inside of the yurt.
If you know of anyone who may want to attend, please share this page ~ this is an open group, with a slightly different mix of participants each event. We look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces sharing across generations ~ all are welcome to participate in the circle in whatever way they feel comfortable. There is more information on the background, facilitators & past topics of Comox Valley Red Tents at other pages on this website. There is also a Facebook Group which is "private," meaning that you must request to join, and subsequently any posts that you share, like or comment on will not be seen by any of your Facebook friends who are not also part of the group. This allows some privacy for communications and input on this Facebook page, and we welcome non-commercial postings of interest to women.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/240185692808136/
We welcome participants to join in the fun and help with various elements of putting on Red Tent circles. Guest facilitators and *set-up* helpers are exempt from giving a financial donation, since you've given generously of your time and energy. Whether it is offering a reading / teaching / meditation / activity / movement break that fits with the topic focus of the night, or if you have ideas for future topics.
The Comox Valley Red Tent circles create an opportunity to honour the feminine side of ourselves and develop community with local women of all ages, plus teen girls, trans women, those who identify as female and for those who are two-spirited or questioning. We gather together, listen, share, nurture and support our soul’s journey in being honest, authentic and heard. With beautiful, billowing red fabric around us and a simple ceremony of honouring the feminine, we create a sacred space in an atmosphere of open exploration and suspended judgment.
The Red Tent afternoon is an opportunity to go deeply inside ourselves and explore what is true for us, as well as to connect with others. Sharing out loud is optional, so please know that we respect your choice to be quieter and more inward; we honour your presence and energy in the group. Confidentiality is a key element of the Red Tent circles, required of everyone, and ensuring the safety to be brave and speak openly and honestly.
AFTERNOON FORMAT
We sit in circle (either on chairs, or many "backjacks" with a cushion at ground level and attached backrest), start with a welcome and explanation of protocols by a few of the regular co-facilitators, open sacred space, then introduce the topic and if applicable, the guest facilitator. There are a variety of presentation styles and possible activities in the first hour or so, depending on the topic and facilitator(s)...sometimes journaling, sometimes silent pondering a question followed by small group sharing, sometimes guided visualizations or meditations, sometimes movement... In the latter part of the afternoon we have a sharing circle, passing around a talking piece and deeply listening as each person shares on their experience of the afternoon and their perspective on the topic. We have a closing ritual and finish the main event around 430pm. Participants are welcome to stay and chat a while, and volunteers are always appreciated to help take down the beautiful red fabric decorating the inside of the yurt.
If you know of anyone who may want to attend, please share this page ~ this is an open group, with a slightly different mix of participants each event. We look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces sharing across generations ~ all are welcome to participate in the circle in whatever way they feel comfortable. There is more information on the background, facilitators & past topics of Comox Valley Red Tents at other pages on this website. There is also a Facebook Group which is "private," meaning that you must request to join, and subsequently any posts that you share, like or comment on will not be seen by any of your Facebook friends who are not also part of the group. This allows some privacy for communications and input on this Facebook page, and we welcome non-commercial postings of interest to women.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/240185692808136/
We welcome participants to join in the fun and help with various elements of putting on Red Tent circles. Guest facilitators and *set-up* helpers are exempt from giving a financial donation, since you've given generously of your time and energy. Whether it is offering a reading / teaching / meditation / activity / movement break that fits with the topic focus of the night, or if you have ideas for future topics.