I am writing this article on the eve of Women’s Day, and as a war rages on the continent- with ripples across the globe. This follows on the heels of a pandemic. When I had first thought of the topic for this month’s Muse-Letter, only the title had come to me. It took on greater significance as the global scenario shaped up in weeks since.
Everyone instinctively gets that we need a balance of masculine and feminine energy in individuals and in the world. However at the moment, and for past several decades at least, we live in a heavily masculine world. Not just a man’s world, but a hyper-masculine world. Requiring of both men and women to lean heavily into their masculinity and away from their femininity.
What am I referring to when I say hyper-masculine world? Economically, this looks like productivity, consistency and upward curve focus (with feminine aspects of seasonality, cyclicity, rest and rejuvenation, environmental balance being less valued). Politically it looks like a focus on boundaries, progression of one’s territory, protection of what qualifies as one’s own (with feminine balancing qualities of recognizing interconnectedness of all living creatures and earth itself, focus on well-being of all, providing for all.. taking a back-seat).
Socially it looks like attaching one’s own self-worth and respect for others to achievements and wealth, rather than the inherent value of living beings. Environmentally, it looks like more and more efficient production and utilization of natural resources.. while feminine aspects of caring for the environment and other creatures are neglected.
WHAT ABOUT FEMINISM AND GENDER EQUALITY?
Most modern discourse on feminism and gender equality, while much needed and well meaning, operates within the confines of this hyper-masculine worldview. It talks of giving more opportunities to women to prove that they can play by the rules of a masculine world.
At a personal level, it pains me deeply to see women shedding their intuitive, creative selves in the belief that rationality and analysis are inherently more valuable (or to look down upon fellow women who rely more on feminine than masculine ways of operating), to see women feeling the need to push through natural bodily rhythms like menstruation and pregnancy to prove themselves worthy or equal. It is also painful to see men who are divorced from their feminine self and/ or who see women who lean into their femininity as less than them and fail to benefit from the beautiful complementarity of skills and ways of being with their feminine partners and colleagues.
These are not failings of individuals. These are fallouts of operating in a hyper-masculine system. What does femininity really mean and look like? What does it look like in individuals? What would it mean in systems?
There are many ancient traditions which revere and mythologize femininity very well, as well as its partnership with masculinity. In this article, let me dwell on the archetypes in the Tarot to meditate on these complimentary energies.
MASCULINE AND FEMININE ENERGIES IN THE TAROT
The Tarot depicts the evolution journey of the human psyche, and its 1st four numbered cards bear representations of masculine and feminine energies. These capture natural principles that a soul must assimilate for a holistic journey through life.
TO WILL AND TO BE STILL
After its initiation into a new adventure into this mortal world, the soul learns the masculine principle of shaping reality to its will (represented by the Magician Card). No doubt a critical skill for a child to learn even for its own survival. To get what it wants and needs.
The corresponding feminine principle is that of being, observing what is and receiving insight/ information/ intuitive awareness by being still (represented by the High Priestess). Many people who value this state are attracted to the internal balance and peacefulness that comes with it.
However it is not just something that feels good internally, it is critical to survival at an individual and collective level.
Because: What happens when someone learns only to follow one’s will, without being in tune with the realities manifesting around them and within them? Everything from the scale of overeating to environmental destruction to wars come to mind.
KINGDOMS AND MOTHER EARTH
The next two archetypes of masculine and feminine principle are the Emperor and Empress. The masculine energy of Emperor provides structure, rules and boundaries… the things it takes to establish and maintain a kingdom, a family unit or a company/ country..
The Empress is the Mother archetype. It has the qualities of:
- Understanding that everything is connected: all living creatures and the earth itself. A sense of compassion and nurturing for all of these (think Mother Earth)
- Being a cyclical creature and understanding that nature (and hence all of its creatures) live through seasons and cycles
- Being a physical being. Owning the body and being in tune with it. Focused on nourishment, sexuality, bodily wisdom and intuition.
Just as the qualities of the emperor are needed to embrace a productive and purposeful life- one need not be an actual emperor or father figure- similarly a man or a woman does not have to be a parent/mother to know and imbibe the qualities of the Empress. These are essential to living a life of belonging and connection, even survival.
To know (not intellectually, but instinctively) the Empress qualities is to experience oneself as a part of the world, of nature, of being connected to one’s true self, and feeling connected to others and the world one lives in.
What happens when one follows structure without following one’s nature? Everything from depression and ennui to wars (again!) for inanimate boundaries come to mind.
THE BALANCE OF MASCULINE & FEMININE
When we talk of a more feminine world, we talk of moving towards a balance of the masculine and feminine. Not because it is nice to do, not because it is spiritually grand, or for some obscure idea of equality- at this point, it is in the interest of our own survival. Our evolution and existence itself require that urgently.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on these themes, as also on:
What are ways in which you want to balance the masculine and feminine energy in your way of being and living?
What are ways in which you can start building a more feminine world in your family, environment and work place?