FEMALE POWER

What do you envision when you read the words "female power". Does your consciousness drum up visions of Gloria Steinem in a mini skirt and see through blouse holding up an "equal pay" protest sign? If so, be certain that your perception is based entirely on how society has viewed a powerful woman.

What exactly is "power"? After all, it does us little good as women to subscribe to the visions of our societal thinking if this thinking isn't in line with how we view ourselves and our roles as powerful women.

As women in the Western world, we have not been held back by political power, but by centuries old forces of female oppression. Emotional toxins are handed down through the ages.
Yes, we've stopped burning witches - but we haven't routed out the Western consciousness of our suspicions toward powerful females, nor have we defined what a "powerful woman" really is.

In the Middle Ages, the word witch meant "wise woman". We have painted this vision of the wise woman to resemble an ugly, worn out, evil old woman. Take a look around you, it's Halloween, how many of us have daughters who want to be witches? Mine never did. She always chose something powerful and beautiful for herself. Ever see a "beautiful" witch depicted with white light around her, let's not forget the halo, no, I personally can't remember ever seeing one either!

It is very clear that the disturbing image of "wise women" was fabricated by the early church. The intention of this male dominated power structure was intent on denigrating and suppressing female power. Our knowledge of herbs, childbirth, earthiness as well as our spirituality was deemed an enemy. Where pagan priestesses initiated men into their manhood through sexual rites, Christianity would declare that our sexuality was holy only if it was used for procreation purposes.

History (or should we say herstory?) will show us that when we can no longer make babies, then we had no other "holy" function. During the holocaust of women (witch burnings) it was the older unmarried women who were usually the first to be burned at the stake. If we were not in agreement with the church then we were cavorting with the devil. This notion is of course ridiculous. But there is nothing humorous about several hundred thousand or more women burning at the stake. Witch burnings were a female holocaust.

Because of herstory women have been afraid to show our deep fierceness.
Our mass primal fear being so deeply etched and woven into our own tapestries of what power actually means to a woman. The word "witch" may not be used in our daily dialog, it has been replaced by "bitch". Clever, how just one letter was changed. Can we define a word for males that is equal in negativity? Try to think of one, you won't find it in our culture - but "bitch" has stuck.
We can all foster up an image of a woman who fits that description - even if it's ourselves!

The wise woman knows the importance and the interconnectiveness of each individual and the natural world. Their historical disappearance paved the way for today's environmental crisis, paving the way for an era in which it has been deemed acceptable for humanity to dominate nature. In order to really end this global crisis, we must first understand the cause that produced it.

We have desecrated the earth in the same manner that we have desecrated the wisdom of women.

As women, collectively we must not forget our ancient powers but embrace them.

Now is the time to move forward, arms held high with self respect, joined together in strength and triumph. We are not home yet, but are headed in the right direction.

Perhaps the witches of yesteryear can rest now, knowing that we are carrying the torch in their behalf. I personally grieve for every woman who cannot find her own voice, who has lost it due to societal conformity. These elders will finally be honored as we step up to the plate and own our own power.

Next post: how to become a powerful woman. We are all powerful women, we just need a reminder!

Happy Halloween!