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The Insouciant Assembly

The Insouciant Assembly is the coordinating body of the Insouciant tradition. It maintains shared resources, publishes texts through Stillwater Press, organises the annual summer solstice gathering, and connects individual Circles.

Structure

The Assembly describes itself as having "no president, no board, and no hierarchy," with decisions made by consensus among serving Stewards and "a strong presumption in favour of local autonomy." Its nominal headquarters are at 14 Wellhouse Lane, Glastonbury, Somerset—the same address as Stillwater Press. Several former members and journalists have nevertheless alleged the existence of a more exclusive invitation-only network, the Far Circle, operating alongside the public Circle structure. The Assembly denies that any such separate body exists.

Financial model

The Assembly states that there is no fee for attendance, the Settling, or any teaching. However, settled practitioners are "expected to contribute financially according to their means." The Assembly solicits donations through its website. See financial concerns.[26][43]

The annual gathering

The Assembly organises an annual gathering traditionally held at the summer solstice. The gathering is described as open to all practitioners regardless of level and serves as the principal occasion for inter-Circle contact. Former members have described the gathering as "the emotional high point of the year" and as an occasion at which the collective field is experienced with particular intensity. Some former members have also described the gathering as an occasion for significant fundraising.[A1]

Membership figures

The Assembly has consistently declined to disclose membership figures, stating that it "does not count its members." Independent estimates place active practitioners at between 8,000 and 15,000 worldwide as of 2025, with approximately 60 per cent based in North America.[3][29]