Secret Garden of the Feminine

          The Lost Feminine

The polarization of spirit and matter has unavoidably resulted in an imbalance of the masculine and feminine principles. Because our myths implicitly dictate our culture, it is no coincidence that our Western paradigm, with the looming chasm of the lost feminine, has desacralized nature. The feminine principle, which is symbolized by and embodied within the Goddess, must be retrieved from the recesses of our human consciousness.

Many of the wrongs and injustices in our society today, as well as the destruction of the planet, can be traced directly to the lost feminine. Attributes in both men and women that are commonly labeled feminine–such as relational, creative, intuitive, cooperative, and nurturing are neglected in males and often disparaged in females, leading to a psychological imbalance. The paradigm of Western society is based on a hierarchical, dominator point of view that overlooks the balance and value that integrating masculine and feminine aspects can bring to a society based on equality and partnership.

The devaluing of the feminine in our partriarchal, dominator society has not only hurt women, but wrought untold damage on our sons, our brothers, our fathers, our lovers, and our husbands. It is important to understand that the manifestation of Divinity in female form carries unimaginable potential for impact on our society. Reclaiming and restoring the feminine is crucial to the survival of the human race, and the planet as we know it. The feminine principle, as an aspect of human consciousness, must be retrieved, integrated, and brought back into full complementary balance with the masculine principle if we are ever to achieve a harmonious balance between these two basic and essential ways of experiencing life[1]. Ultimately, and always, by healing the mothers (women in our society) we will also be able to heal the imbalance suffered by men . . . our sons, husbands, fathers, brothers, and lovers.

As we start a new millennium, we once again find ourselves at a pivotal point in cultural evolution. We have nearly decimated the planet in our drive to dominate and control the forces of nature. We have displaced and destroyed millions of people in the pursuit of conquest. The social fabric of our society has been devastated by the strangulation of domination. The fear used to control humanity for the past four thousand years has finally turned on itself and is destroying our society and our children.