What is the Way of Council?The Way of Council is based on ancient principles of listening; we sit in a circle, pass a talking piece and create a sacred space for what needs to be witnessed. It is a practice that can spread into other parts of our lives if we give ourselves space and time.
The principles - speak from the heart -listen from the heart - be lean with words -be spontaneous By being fully present in this way, we can hear others - and ourselves - more fully. Everything can be present, all can be heard. Sometimes what is most shocking is not hearing others, it is hearing ourselves. What this can lead to, in our experience, is a space to be with the wholeness of life, as the dark and light parts are equally welcomed. The edges are often the most fertile areas to bring, as they are often not allowed to be heard in everyday conversations. Most often people are surprised at what it is like to be fully heard, and to fully hear others, with no need to fix or placate or make better. And, Council is more than words. So, we often use movement, sound or other ways to share experiences together. I honour the teachers who have so profoundly shared this way with me and so many others. Pip Bondy from Ancient Healing Ways, Meredith Little (and others) from the School of Lost Borders and Jeremy Thres from Regenco and Joe Provisor from Circle Ways. "If we never find ourselves in spaces of unconstrained openness, we might not even know what we really think, hiding truths even from ourselves." Samuel Alexander 
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Dates & Bookings 2021 Dates
We are opening our groups as lockdown eases. If you would like to know more about future open events then please contact us. Co-led by Jane Embleton and Jenny Archard. jembleton63@hotmail.co.uk Evening Campfire Councils Woods. 2021 Young Wood, near Taunton. 5pm-7pm £20 May 7th A glorious face to face session by the campfire. A chance to listen, sit, speak and to invite in the 'other' - we are often joined by the land, the trees or some other being. Arrive by 4.30pm latest to settle in. Bring your now hot drink, something to eat if you need and we will light the fire and guide the council. Overnight Campfire Councils in the Woods. 2021 Young Wood, near Taunton. 6pm-midday £45 NEW DATES TBC Hot drinks provided - please bring a mug or a flask if you prefer. Please bring your own supper and your own breakfast; we finish before lunch. If you want to heat things up on the fire bring a pan etc. Bring your own tent / hammock / camper van / bivi so you can sleep outside in the woods. These sessions are a great deeper step into Council, and introduction to Council with nature. Booking essential jembleton63@hotmail.co.uk To book a place please email to check if there are spaces and for more details. 
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