People in a Flying Mermaids Writing Circle have called it an oasis and a greenhouse. It's solace in a busy week and there's plenty of warmth and light to encourage circle members to be their authentic selves. A place to be real where we gain lots of insight from our own journey and from one another.   The Flying Mermaids motto is: Be seen. Be heard. Be amazed at what comes out of the stillness.

The Flying Mermaids purpose is to help people voice their personal stories and uncover their own special path.

In that stillness there is space for insight, and access to the inner well of wisdom. Self-love and nurturing is strongly encouraged. Think of what we can do when we feel confident in ourselves, knowing we have a unique contribution to make, knowing we are worth looking after first.
 

Flying Mermaids Writing Circles & Retreats, founded by Mary Ann Moore, began in Toronto in 1997. In the beginning, the circles were a place for women to have a voice in the form of writing and sharing their personal stories. Mary Ann's intent has always been to provide a safe place for people to do that. Of course each person has to determine what "safe" means to them but the circle is welcoming to people of all races and ethnicities, various ages and abilities.
 
The original Flying Mermaids logo was inspired by a watercolour by Toronto writer and performance artist Christina Starr. Mermaids then became the theme to encourage women to find their voices; to explore the depths - and the heights.
 
There are mermaid tales from all over the world: China, Japan, Ireland, Germany, Greece, the West Indies and from North America where the Anishinaubaek have mermaid legends.
 
The legends of mermaids may have evolved from snake goddesses such as the ones found at Knossos in Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. Thousands of years ago, the snake was sacred for its ability to transform in the shedding of its skin and to explore the light of day and the darkness of the earth. The mermaid is a fish-tailed Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love who represents the power of creativity inspired by love. She brings visions to the surface and inspires dreams and desires. She is able to move from the receptive watery depths to the focus of firm land.
 
Like mermaids, women explore the depths, surface for air and go where they haven't been known to be seen before - flying overhead. They know when to be still, when to listen to their own voices and when to fly to new heights. They find extraordinary glee in ordinary occurrences. Mermaids explore all the elements, all the senses, all the seasons.
 
The stillness of the circles offers an unexpected surprise. Sometimes just the act of sitting still knowing you are allowed to be here and holy just as you are, can bring up tears of emotion. Before we've done anything else but maybe ring the Tibetan bells, the circle has become a welcoming place.