at 17nineteen, Sunderland from 5th November 2025
What is the Wheel of the Year?
The Wheel of the Year is a calendar of seasonal festivals that mark and celebrate the turning of the year. The focus is on connecting to the shifting energy of the seasons and working in harmony with it.
There is renewed interest in this connection to the earth and nature, as many of us struggle with the demands of modern life and feel disconnected from the natural rhythms that used to guide us.
What is a writing circle?
A writing circle is just a group of people who come together to spend time exploring ideas through writing. This Wheel of the Year Writing Circle is an opportunity to reconnect to nature, to ourselves, to the places we love and to each other.
Each week we will focus on a theme connected to where we are in the Wheel of the Year, exploring Celtic folklore and festivals and paying attention to what is happening in nature as the seasons change. There will be creative prompts each week to stimulate ideas and get us writing.
You don’t need any previous writing experience. This is not about being or becoming a great writer. It is a space for sitting with other people in a creative space while journeying inwards to explore ideas.
To book your place, please email me karen3magpies@gmail.com
Who is leading this?
Hi, I'm Karen and the writing circle is led by me. I am an End of Life Doula and I use the Wheel of the Year in my own spiritual practice as a way to connect to something bigger than myself.
I am curious about Celtic folklore and traditions and what they can teach us about life's beginnings, endings and transitions.
What might I enjoy about this?
There are lots of reasons to come along, including
- to learn more about Celtic folklore and traditions
- to develop a regular habit of writing to improve your well-being
- to create time for yourself
- to gently reflect on life's beginnings, endings and transitions through a creative medium
- to connect to other people and feel part of a group
- to receive gentle encouragement and support with your writing and reflections
- time and space to think
- to feel more connected to nature, to yourself, to other people and the planet
When and where is this happening?
The Writing Circle will start with a 6-week winter term. It will take place every Wednesday afternoon for 6 weeks, starting on 5th November 2025, from 1pm to 3pm.
The group will meet at 17nineteen, Sunderland. The address is Holy Trinity Church, Church St East, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 2BB. We will be using the Library which is up a flight of stairs.
Downstairs is a café where you can buy a drink and a snack if you wish. For venue details and accessibility, see their website.
How much does it cost?
The first two sessions are free, to give you the chance to try it out and see if you like it. After that the cost is split into 3 bands and is based on what you can afford. This is done on trust with no questions asked.
The pricing bands are
Feeling the pinch - £32 for the remaining 4 weeks = £8 per week
Doing ok - £40 for the remaining 4 weeks = £10 per week
Feeling flush - £48 for the remaining 4 weeks = £12 per week (the extra £2 per week goes towards subsidising a Feeling the Pinch place)