Balance of Masculine and Feminine Energies
A healthy existence needs to center on balance. Balance between the Masculine energy of
- activity
- forward movement
- DOING
- the bright sun
- competition
- independence
- logic and rational intelligence centered in the head
and the Feminine energy of
- rest
- receiving
- BEING
- the darkness and quiet of night
- cooperation
- interdependence
- emotional intelligence centered in the heart
These are just a few examples of the two types of energy. We need both for balance both personally and culturally, and our modern Western culture is enormously imbalanced in favor of the Masculine. This has led to issues like the inability to "turn off," inability to sleep, and pathologizing of anyone who doesn't fit the Masculine character traits of ambition, focus, and the desire to go go go. The religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which strongly underpin our Western culture, are centered around an authoritarian Sky God/Father who punishes his children when they break his rules. These religions embody archetypal Masculine energy, and although there are Feminine parts of these religions, they are secondary to the Sky God. (One might argue that Jesus is a beautiful combination of the archetypal Masculine and Feminine... but that's beyond the scope of this exploration.)
If the Sky, or Heaven, is archetypal Masculine energy, Mother Earth is the archetypal Feminine force. Mother Earth will always welcome us back into her arms, soothing us with the rhythm of ocean waves, the peace of a glassy lake, the deep quiet of the woods. The recent explosion of forest bathing shows that people profoundly crave experiences of silence and connection in the midst of natural splendor. Study after study shows that spending time in Nature greatly contributes to the health and wellbeing of mind, body and spirit.
The time has come for each of us to get in touch with and reclaim our powerful Feminine energy. Each of us as members of our culture is being called upon to "bring balance to the Force."
Why the term "Sacred Feminine" and not just Feminine? To me, the powerful Feminine force radiated by Mother Earth feels holy, in a spiritual but non-religious way. Steeping in the Sacred Feminine helps me feel connected with all of life, which in turn creates deep contentment and inner peace.