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.
[1]. Baring and Cashford, The Myth of the Goddess,
p. xiii.
© Copyright 1995 Judy Tatum aka Xia except where
otherwise noted. All rights reserved worldwide. This publication is
protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other
applicable international, federal, state, and local laws.
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