If you’re like me and explored what some call the “woo-woo” side of wellness (otherwise known as healing and medicinal practices outside of modern Western medicine), you’ve likely seen depictions of “feminine energy” alongside ethereal images of the cosmos and mystical goddesses with enviable Rapunzel-like hair. Or even better, maybe you’ve seen all the TikToks about women “claiming their feminine energy” by being taken care of, either physically or financially.
While mesmerizing at best, the mass media portrayal of feminine energy only scratches the surface (and as for the TikToks? Captivating but highly misinformed).
Read on for some misconceptions about feminine energy. I definitely am a new learner to this but these are some of the things I noticed that I think we can help people to get a clearer understanding of that doesn’t reduce our true internal power to cheesy stereotypes.
5 myths about feminine energy (that need to stop)
#1 Feminine energy is NOT only for women
I’ll be honest, it does make sense that people get confused, I know I did. I would attribute this to two reasons:
- female and feminine are very similar words and are often used interchangeably
- in our society, we expect women to have qualities that align with feminine energy and expect men to express more masculine energy
It‘s likely that more women do indeed naturally display more feminine qualities. But is that biological? Or social conditioning?
In reality, all people have a blend of masculine and feminine energies within them, regardless of their gender identity.
Maybe changing the language around the concept would help? Personally, I am more drawn to the term yin energy – it is a more neutral wording that we can all relate to.
#2 Feminine energy is NOT weak
In a world celebrating masculinity, the feminine has often been viewed as weak. To this day, many men are afraid to open up to their emotions and show vulnerability because it is considered “feminine” and therefore has a negative connotation.
Well, that’s definitely not the case. Feminine energy can be incredibly powerful and transformative. We can use our intuition to make better decisions, tap into our creativity to solve problems in innovative ways, and connect with others and ourselves on a deeper level. Feminine energy helps us heal from past trauma and pain–and I think that’s incredibly strong.
In short, embracing feminine or “yin” energy can help us become the best versions of ourselves, and can be a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation.
#3 Feminine energy is NOT subordinate to masculine energy
The idea that feminine energy is subordinate to masculine energy is a deeply ingrained cultural myth that has persisted for centuries. This misconception is based on the value that society places on masculine qualities like strength, power, and dominance and the de-valuing of feminine qualities like nurturing, empathy, and intuition.
In reality, they are simply halves of the same whole, and both are equally essential for creating a balanced and harmonious life. I think of things like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs–all of these things are better together and one is not superior to the other.
When we buy into the misconception that masculine energy is superior, we can end up neglecting our feminine energy and missing out on all the gifts that it has to offer.
Together though? We can create magic.
#4 Feminine energy is NOT passive
The misconception that feminine energy is passive or submissive is not only incorrect, but it can be dangerous. We don’t want spirituality to reinforce harmful stereotypes that contribute to abuse and violence against women.
Someone passive or more submissive may be viewed as less deserving of respect and autonomy, creating an unhealthy power dynamic where the person with more perceived power feels entitled to exert control.
While it’s true that feminine energy is receptive and open, it’s far from passive. A healthy connection to feminine energy includes both firm boundaries and the ability to stand up for ourselves and others.
#5 Feminine energy is NOT incompatible with success
The world of business (still) sadly celebrates and rewards primarily masculine traits like ambition, assertiveness, and competitiveness.
Ultimately, this has led a lot of professionals to suppress their feminine energy. I know as a leader (at times) I was questioned for managing my team with gentleness, empathy, and intuition. I was judged sometimes as soft, weak, or overly emotional.
However, embracing feminine energy can actually be a powerful tool for success, as it allows us to tap into our creativity and emotional intelligence to make more informed and holistic decisions. I saw that in the relationship I had with my team and even years later, still receive messages thanking me for the impact I made in their personal and professional lives.
Thankfully though, we are finally starting to see some more appreciation for feminine leadership.
Love and light,
Jaime
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