Masculinity and Femininity in the Age of Roe v Wade
Image credit Autumn Skye
There is a collective force rising up on the earth today, an energy of the reborn feminine ... This is a time of monumental shift, from the male dominance of human consciousness back to a balanced relationship between masculine and feminine.
- Marianne Williamson
Thoughts about Masculinity and Femininity:
I believe that the dance of these two complementary essences is what makes up the whole of our lived experience. Each of us has both the masculine and feminine within, in proportions unique to the individual. We embody a spectrum of these vibrations and express each in our way. My views are not the truth; they are an evolving, experiential study.
Together, Cameron and I created two amazing, funny, intelligent, beautiful, curious, opinionated, loving, athletic little girls. They are so enthusiastic and full of discovery and self-determination.
I practice holding space for them to blossom into who they are becoming.
I practice holding space for Cameron to melt into our partnership, love, and intimacy so that we may become all we can be together.
I practice holding space for myself to stumble forward, forgive my past, and find inspiration in each moment.
Broadly speaking, I see masculinity as about holding space for life to happen within it.
Wildness.
Emotion.
Action.
Even calm.
And feminine energy as the lifeforce that fills the space held by the masculine energy.
The blood pumping through our veins is the feminine energy flowing within masculine blood vessels.
An airplane in flight is the feminine energy soaring within the masculine envelope of the earth’s atmosphere.
A theater is a masculine edifice for the feminine expression of life through music, people, movement, dancing, eating, laughing, and clapping.
Throughout the years of the human march forward, we have seen both remarkable expressions of progress and instances of regression. As beings that incorporate both the Masculine and Feminine energies inside each of us, we have a responsibility to check in with each of these poles as we make daily choices.
Masculinity can become toxic; some examples are overstepping the bounds, aggressiveness, and abuses of power–“might makes right”. The recent decision to repeal Roe v. Wade is an illustration of this. In the coming months, we will witness state governments try to establish other Masculine and Feminine policies related to the decision.
Below is a practice for exploring your Masculine and Feminine energies.
Practice for Exploring Your Masculine and Feminine Energies
Take a look at the chart below. As you read through each side, notice your internal responses: a subtle tightening or loosening of tension as you work through each layer of this practice.
Are you resonating more with the masculine or feminine energy at this moment?
Which do you idealize or wish you had more of in your own composition?
Which would you choose to have a smaller proportion of within yourself?
As you move through your days, reflect on how you are feeling about orienting yourself toward or away from the Masculine or the Feminine.
One powerful opportunity to create more clarity, empowerment, and decrease stress is to work toward finding a balance between these energies within yourself.
Take on this practice with love and courage to create greater harmony and balance between the internal and external!