Mothers Circle: The Birth of Your Sacred Village

By Romina Cavagnola

A mothers circle is an intimate gathering where women find compassion, validation, and acceptance through sharing their stories and experiences with other mothers who can truly offer understanding and support.

These days, mothers have all but lost the networks that were organically put in place in early cultures. They say it t

• Language: English
• Publisher: ALCHEMY OF ALIGNMENT™
• Release date: Nov 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9780645223019

Romina Cavagnola

Romina Cavagnola is a story coach and publisher working with her clients on bespoke projects to empower them in their book publishing journeys. Romina also works with spiritual women in business to draw out and articulate the essence of their message - what she calls "soulcopy". With a masters degree in publishing, as well as qualifications in project management, information systems, and astronomy, Romina weaves her diverse expertise and knowledge with her love of books, stories and writing to provide a unique experience for her clients. Through her company, Alchemy of Alignment™ Publishing, Romina facilitates the writing and publishing of powerful stories. Her independent 1:1 and group book programs are designed to Activate Self-healing through Story™️ and the writing process. The inspiration for her programs can be found in Romina's own journey, particularly in the aftermath of her marriage breakdown when her son was an infant. It was largely through writing that Romina was able to shift the narrative of her experience and empower herself in pursuing her dreams and creating spaces to support others in their own unique healing journeys. Romina lives in Sydney with her son and can be found reading, going on "adventures" with her little man, looking at stars, and bursting into song at any given moment.

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First published by Alchemy of Alignment™ Publishing 2021

Copyright (publication) © Alchemy of Alignment™ Publishing 2021

Copyright (individual works) © Individual Authors 2021

The moral right of the authors has been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, published, performed in public or communicated to the public in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Alchemy of Alignment™ Publishing or its authorised representatives.

Edited by Romina Cavagnola, Alchemy of Alignment™ Publishing

Cover design and graphic elements by Stephanie Wicker-Campbell

Text and page design by Alchemy of Alignment™ Publishing

Typeset in Australia by Alchemy of Alignment™ Publishing

Proofread by Kate Witteveen

ISBN 978-0-6452230-1-9

motherscircle.com.au

This book contains stories that include accounts of personal trauma, including domestic, verbal and emotional abuse. If you are affected by any account related in this book, or you or someone you know needs help, you can reach out to the following organisations in Australia:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA): 1300 726 306

Similar organisations may be available in your country of residence, and you are encouraged to seek out appropriate support for yourself or anyone you know who is in need of assistance.

This book is a gift from the authors to all mothers who—at any given moment—feel alone on their journey.

These women have met with some truly raw moments, things that may challenge your own fears or unhealed trauma. Any such effect is unintentional and if you feel any discomfort when reading these stories, we encourage you to seek support.

The mothers who share their powerful stories, wisdom, and pivotal motherhood experiences in these pages do so with the hope that you feel witnessed, empowered, inspired, and held by a circle of mothers who walk alongside you in spirit.

Table of Contents

Introduction

I Believe Me

About Fiona Louise

From Conflict to Connection

About Erena Oliver

Back to Myself

About Romina Cavagnola

My Magic saved my Motherhood

About Dania Foster

Awakening through Motherhood

About Sunita Pamamull

Acknowledgements

Join Mothers Circle

Introduction

When I started working on my own chapter for this book, the process was rather unusual. It has rarely been challenging for me to express my thoughts in writing, so the fact that my story kept forming and re-forming in my mind was new to me. It wasn’t until I sat down to write at a critical point in our production timeline that I realised why it felt so elusive…

When I created Mothers Circle, it was to provide a platform for mothers to explore self-expression and Activate Self-Healing through Story™ within an environment in which it felt safe to be seen in their vulnerability. To give them a vessel that would carry their stories to other mothers who don’t have a safe space to express their experiences and to those whose journeys are running in parallel with ours, but who don’t have a circle to witness, validate and empower them in their truth.

The story I’d been tossing around in my head was one of a profound period in my life, but still articulated only to a superficial degree: so that it would be safe to be seen—by those I did not know and by those who’d witnessed my journey firsthand. I had been falling into the very trap that I was trying to support other mothers in avoiding.

It can be hard, allowing yourself to be seen. It can be hard, letting your story be read—or even heard—and opening yourself up to potential judgment from people you know, or even those you don’t. Opening up may not be easy; the journey we embark upon as a result of this action may be peppered with challenges. But it is those challenges that provide us with moments to reflect, process, feel, choose and grow.

Our journeys and our choices are what take us where we are destined to go in life. We are all here for a higher purpose, but each of us must choose whether or not we step into the journey and follow our calling.

While what you are holding in your hands is a book—the product of our love, learning, wisdom and soul work—know that what we intend is something much greater than simply a collection of empowering stories.

This anthology holds five powerful stories from women who have grown through motherhood and collected valuable lessons that have shaped their lives in profound ways. It is our deepest wish that you, mama, feel truly held in your journey as a result of reading these stories; that every mother can see her reflection within this book and know that there is hope and healing waiting for her, as soon as she chooses them.

Yes, Mothers Circle is a book. But it is also a movement to inspire and empower mothers (and mothers-to-be) everywhere to connect with their innermost desires; to do the healing work that is needed; to embrace the role of life-maker and nurturer, of Self and others; to seek agency in their own destinies; and to make their own inspired contributions to the world.

Romina Cavagnola

Publisher, Alchemy of Alignment™ Publishing | Creator of the Mothers Circle movement

Fiona Louise

I Believe Me

I wanted to be a mother for as long as I can remember. I always dreamed of having children and imagined myself braiding hair, sewing costumes and sipping cappuccinos with my daughters. When the time came for me to be a mother, I found myself overwhelmed by the inevitable mess, dirty socks and boisterous sounds of three boys.

Becoming a mother in the first place was far from an easy journey. My motherhood experience began with a period of profound sadness. I suffered many miscarriages, the grief of which fell upon me with such a weight that I started to doubt my ability to become a mother.

I recall a day early on in one of my pregnancies. I was going for a job interview in a small town about an hour from my home. I had started spotting in the morning. Although spotting is considered normal in pregnancy, I instantly feared the worst. My rational brain activated. They will just send me home unless something more drastic happens. And if it is a miscarriage, I can’t stop it.

I reluctantly and nervously dressed for the interview and began the drive for my appointment. As I continued spotting, tears rolled down my cheeks, but I kept on driving. I pulled it together for the interview. Then, I left the building and went to a nearby public toilet, knowing that the inevitable was happening.

I lost my precious little baby, alone in a dark, cold, unkempt concrete toilet block. I cried all day. Though the feeling was all too familiar—I’d experienced several miscarriages by this point—it was always raw, and