I could post a picture of my incredibly strong wife here. I could make a post about being raised by an incredibly strong woman (hi mum). Both of those things would be true. Both of those women are powerful, transformative figures in my life. Both are a testament to what it means to be a strong, powerful and smart woman. A poster child for “international women’s day”, if you will. For them, and all women out there, I am incredibly grateful.
However, I wanted to offer a different perspective, of what international women’s day signifies to me, as a man.
I think we should celebrate strong women every day, not just on their “special day” but more than that, I think this is an opportunity to reflect upon the power of the sacred feminine.
The sacred feminine is something that has been lost, or corrupted in our modern-day, largely patriarchal society, we find ourselves living in. The rise of empowering females, what many call “feminism”, has been a long over due and necessary intervention.
It is important to remember that eons before the dominance of patriarchy, there were worldwide, female, matriarchal honoring societies. Mother Earth. Pacha Mama. It could also be argued that these egalitarian cultures lived more peaceful lives, without war, in harmony, for centuries.
It is not just important that we recognize this, it is necessary that we remember and adopt these sacred feminine values, as we seek to build a healthier, more balanced world.
The yin and yang ☯️ is about balance. A dance between order and chaos, the balance between the masculine and feminine, in equal parts, and in that balance, we find peace. I can’t help but feel that the masculine (Yin) is not in synchronicity with the feminine (Yang), in our modern world, and this is causing much unnecessary suffering.
The sacred feminine isn’t about women being paid the same as men, or being afforded the same opportunities, or being treated the same. These are, of course, issues that need addressing. Any women that wants to rise to the top of a male dominated industry, or work in a field that is “mans work” should absolutely be able to do so and have the same opportunities to succeed, if that is the want. I think this is common sense and how some people miss that, is beyond me.
That said, men and women are fundamentally different, from a physical and psychological perspective. There is a reason the top of the workforce is often dominated by men. There is a reason that most nurses (91%) are women. Both of these have little to do with “sexism”. These are because of our vastly differing traits, wants and innate desires as men and women. These aren’t something to be tangled with and argued over. These are facts and something to be celebrated and honored, as has been the case for the vast majority of our evolution.
You know what else is dominated by women? Child birth. Women literally make ALL THE PEOPLE. How much more powerful, empowering, sacred or divine could that be?
The sacred feminine isn’t about “beating” men or even being on a level playing field. The sacred feminine isn’t concerned with such folly. It is about celebrating the real power, truth and grace of what the feminine is...life.
Men should honor that, and own the sacred feminine within themselves, as women should own the masculine within themselves, for we all have aspects of both. The balance, the Yin and Yang.
I can’t help but feel we are leaning much more yin, instead of honoring the balance between the two that got us here.
It is time to search for that balance. Realign our masculine and feminine belief systems, see them for what they really are.
Teach our children about this, educate our men as to what this means, empower our women to harness their unique contribution to the betterment and continuation of the species.
Awareness of the sacred feminine will help with this. We also need to understand true masculinity and what that means. Masculinity is not what common culture is portraying it as. When used appropriately, masculinity is a true gift, not a toxic burden.
If we can get our heads out of our asses (and phones), have these conversations, ask what it means to be a man, what it means to be a woman, what it means to harness our roles and what we really want, we may be able to be the change we so desperately need.
Maybe I am way off the mark? After all, I am “just” a man, speaking of things that I do not know. However, I think I know what it means to be masculine. I *think* I know what it means to be feminine. Neither of which fit into the modern day boxes we have built for them.
I don’t know? These are just my thoughts after being around amazing and strong women, learning about what the sacred feminine means and is, being in touch with Mother Nature. If nothing else I think these topics are worth discussion. I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’d love your side of the coin. What is the sacred feminine to you?
Above all else, embodying the Sacred Feminine means valuing the innate worth of woman’s mind, body and soul, as well as appreciating the “feminine” qualities in the male character, and that, I think, we can all agree upon.