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Where are your circles held?
Most Women's Well circles are held at our center in West Concord, Massachusetts. We are located near the West Concord commuter rail stop. A few programs are held at other locations. When this is the case, it is generally noted in the course description.

Directions to 120 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord, MA:
     Take Route 2 to the intersection with Route 62 and turn toward West Concord (going west out of Boston, this is a left).  Go through two stoplights and a blinking light. At the second stoplight, bear right, which will put you on Commonwealth Avenue. As you approach the train tracks (near Concord Teacakes on the left and an ATM booth on the right), bear right again to cross the tracks.  Go about one and a half blocks to the building with Starz Beauty Salon and Jones Upholstery. You can park on the street, or in any space behind the building where there is no individual name.
    There are also trains out of North Station and Porter Square, Cambridge, that stop just a block from The Women’s Well space.  Check the MBTA Fitchburg Line schedule.  
     FINDING US: We are on the second floor, and our entrance is at the back. As you come in the driveway, our building will be on your left, with Lawless Upholstery on the ground floor. Drive straight to the back of the lot and park. Walk towards Lawless Upholstery and look for our door behind it, in the corner formed between our building and a small apartment building attached to it. We have two signs on the sides of the building and a sign on the door.
   
How can I register for a class?
You can register online using a credit card by clicking on the links on the registration page. You can print out the form on that page and complete it; then mail it to us with your payment. Our printed catalog usually includes the same form.

If a class that you're interested in is imminent, it would be good to call and speak with the Registrar about whether there are any spaces available.

When should I sign up?
If space is available, registrations are taken until the first day of the class. However, most of our classes have a maximum enrollment and fill up in advance. We encourage you to sign up early.

How can I talk to someone in your office?
When you leave a message at our automated voice mail number (978-371-0469), you will soon hear from our Registrar. You can also email her at info@womenswell.org

Are your classes handicapped-accessible?
Unfortunately, our classroom space is on the second floor of a building with no elevators. We very much regret that this makes it inaccessible for some people.

What happens in case of inclement weather?
If a class must be cancelled for any reason, our Registrar will try to reach enrollees by phone (first) and email. For weather-related cancellations, we will also leave a message on our phone voice mail.

Is the Women's Well affiliated with any particular spiritual organization or tradition?
We are not affiliated with any particular spiritual tradition. We welcome women from all religious and spiritual traditions.

What is the focus of the Women's Well?
While classes at the Women’s Well explore different topics, at our core is a way of being together – the circle. The circle is our tool for fulfilling and expanding the Women’s Well mission.
     We see the circle as a practice, a technique, a ritual, based on the principles of power-from-within and power-with, not power over others. A circle creates sacred space; this is the base of its power. As ritual, it acknowledges the availability of wisdom and help from something beyond our human personalities. It is a way of consciously asking grace to enter. For this to happen, sacred space needs to be clearly established in each circle. This can be done in many different ways – using ritual, creating altars, offering blessings or readings, guided or silent meditation, chanting and singing, sacred play, movement or dancing. There is no one way to do it. At the Women’s Well, we welcome each woman’s unique way of acknowledging the sacredness of our endeavors.
     We see the circle as a safe and strong container for empowerment. Sitting in circle, each place is equidistant from the center; energy is distributed equally. Council format, an ancient tool used by native peoples and others, acknowledges this principle. In council, a talking object is passed, giving each woman a space in which to speak without interruption. Each person and voice is invited, given attention and respect.
     Council practice involves learning to be present to ourselves and others, not planning what is said, but letting speech come out of the truth of the moment. It also involves deep listening, cultivating an ability to truly hear, to acknowledge without judgment, and to resist offering quick fixes. Council values silence as well, and acknowledges each person’s right to pass without speaking.
    We hold confidential what is said within the sacred circle. This commitment to confidentiality supports deep and honest sharing. As women and girls begin to feel safe enough to tell their stories, they begin to know and trust each other. As the truth of their lives is spoken, women learn that their narratives are valuable and come to trust their own inner wisdom.
     Finally, we see a circle as a held space. Although each member contributes to the group’s character, mood and direction, one or more women take the responsibility for establishing the parameters, monitoring the energy, inviting the deep speaking and deep listening, encouraging trust, honesty, and authenticity to grow. These women are leaders, but not in the hierarchical sense. Power-with is a movement, a relationship, a fluid and changing balance, and responsive leadership wields power-with in ways that foster growth. The goal is to help each woman in the circle, including the facilitator(s), rest in her own balanced power. 

Women's Well programs are not intended to be separative or exclusive.  We seek to contribute to the healing and empowerment of women and the re-honoring of the feminine in a world out of balance.

What is the history of The Women's Well?
The Women's Well originated in the Women's Spirituality Program of the Interface Foundation, a center for holistic education in the Boston area. Between the fall of 1994 and the spring of 1998, four nine-month-long programs ran at Interface. When Interface closed, the Women’s Well came into being and offered two further nine-month circles. In 1999, we also began holding the Circle of Circles, a monthly gathering open to all women without preregistration. 
     In the fall of 2000, the organization’s focus shifted somewhat, and we began to offer a variety of shorter course offerings, ranging from one evening or one day to multiple sessions. Soon after, the Women’s Well found its own space, a home base for all our classes to gather. In 2004, a new nine-month program, the Mystery School, began. And in 2005 we added regular circles for girls and for mothers and daughters.

Is the Women's Well a nonprofit organization?
Yes, we are a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization. Our financial support comes mainly from donations. Our administration is by a volunteer council of women.

How can I support The Women's Well?
We welcome all donations, including matching grants from employers. Checks should be made out to The Women's Well and mailed to us at P.O. Box 1410, Concord, MA 01742.

If you are interested in volunteering or have a suggestion, please call our voice mail number at 978-371-0469. The call will be returned by our Registrar or another appropriate person.