Trick or Treat - Why We Need To Listen To Witches

Last week I had the absolute honour of being invited to Paris to speak at a two day Women's Forum for the Economy & Society . I spoke about organisational health and mental health and women’s health.??

Two days spent with some of the most incredible, interesting, humble, powerful thought leaders, activists and change agents I have ever met. A speaker list comprising politicians, NGOs, Corporate leaders, Diplomats… Jane Goodall, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Scilla Elsworthy… Participants from all around the world. The breadth and diversity of voice was second to none. I have never attended such a thing.??

The Forum’s topic of ‘Reconciliation’ ran through everything and we covered a wide range of topics:

AI, Tech, gender data bias, the role of women in politics, Roe vs Wade, Madame Pelicot's trial, peace keeping, rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war. Gender violence, domestic abuse. environmentalism, destruction of the planet, colonialism, disability, toxic masculinity, women in Afghanistan... we covered everything and did not shy away from hard or difficult topics.?

The most beautiful thing about the Forum for me was to spend two days in the energy of the empowered feminine. Whilst most participants were women this was by no means all. The atmosphere was calm, positive, hopeful, collaborative, and conciliatory. The absolute best of women supporting each other and working together.?

It is clear to everyone that the planet and our world isn’t working well right now. Wars, climate change, AI everything seems to be an existential crisis. We need new ways of doing things. Patriarchy hasn’t worked.?

I have spent the year doing a lot of women’s personal development work around rites of passage (birth, menstruation, motherhood, menopause) and sitting in women’s circles. Mixing and learning from all different types of women. A blend of demographics, backgrounds and experiences. All committing to heal.?

When we come together well (and we so often don’t manage this due to competition or bitching) women are an unstoppable force.?

It is that unstoppable force that led to the rise of patriarchy and the witch hunts. Women systematically being denied their power and controlled. The power of women was frightening and taken away.?

One of my favourite books this year has been ‘Witches, Midwives and Nurses’ by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English. A disturbing but fascinating book about the history of how traditional women healers who supported the poor in their towns were diminished and devalued by the male ‘doctors’ who served the rich. The church and religious structures working with the ‘professions’ to strip women of their power systematically.?

Traditional ways of healing, usually delivered by women, demeaned while the male, patriarchal system of medicine flourished. This was intentional and strategic and has led to the world we now live in where the ‘cult of the expert’ reigns supreme. Once you have taken the red pill and seen this pattern you can’t unsee it. It is everywhere. All our institutions, cultures and systems. The ones that are now breaking down.?

So to be surrounded by women of all walks of life, at their best, last week was a tonic. Discussing how to be and make the change the world needs now. Together. Collaboratively. Reaching all, especially the demographics and groups that are underserved and need it the most. Just as the traditional healers used to work. Women in circle serving all. Supporting each other. As we used to. Reconciling and creating new ways.?

But they aren’t new. It is about recreating what traditional women knew and how they worked. Listening to the witches, midwives, nurses and healers. Bringing their voices back into the world. Giving them their power.?

Have a good week?

Best Wishes

Amy x?

P.S. Free Masterclass on ‘Do Workplace Health Right’ Live - Monday 18th November 2025?

I’m running a free masterclass at 12pm Monday 18th November to take attendees through my Workplace Health and Mental Health Framework, where it fits in terms of other global frameworks and benchmarks, and to answer questions about next year’s ‘Do Workplace Health Right’ Live.

Sign up here to register and received the recording.