We will celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March. This year’s theme is ‘Embrace Equality’. Some Psychic News readers will ask whether those that 'think' like a woman, 'feel' like a woman, or have the 'physical' attributes of a woman, can be included in this category! We hope by sharing our ideas and knowledge, that we can shed some light on this - or will we perhaps make the topic even more confusing!
Women collectively come together for mutual support every International Women’s Day. Women across the world have needed to fight hard for equality and despite legal equality in many modern countries, women are still not equal to men in many ways. They still suffer discrimination and have poorer life choices. They don’t earn equal pay, and they don’t reach positions of power as easily, or as often, as men. Their life is sometimes arduous, their health not taken so seriously, and they can be at major risk of being a victim of crime from those who they have loved. They usually accept caring duties that involve looking after their partner, their children and their elderly or disabled relatives.
In psychological terms, we all have both male and female attributes within our character. The masculine and the feminine are not polarities, except in stereotypical examples, and the reality is a continuum of varying and diverse traits between the two extremes. In today’s world we can be whatever we would like to be, sporty, musical, outgoing, retiring, gregarious, flouncy, tough, whatever we wish to express, we can do this without needing to comply with what were very standardised gender roles.
Fifty percent of the world’s population are male, and they can take part in this event by saying to the females in their life, whether mother, sister, partner or daughter, friend, neighbour or work colleague. “I treasure and appreciate you. I will stand up for you, and keep you safe. I will support you to be healthy, and to live your life with joy, strength and accomplishment. I offer you equality”.
What is life like for an average woman? Girls from birth are usually given dolls and prams to help them to develop a nurturing and caring attitude. From their very earliest teenage years or before, they begin their menarche, every month there is a time of taboo - the inconvenience of a sometimes painful disability which is the beginning of the female body’s preparation to have children, and their psychological preparation too. Bearing children is a big initiation into adulthood. And all that is involved in rearing them - the potty training, using utensils, learning to walk and talk, to count and read - the duties of a mother are considerable! Some women will rear one or several children while keeping a job or career going, and sometimes, they do this alone. Mental health problems are also a part of many women’s lives. International Women’s Day is an annual day of volunteering, fundraising, petitioning and donating to the cause of women’s issues around the world.
It is likely that in ancient times, women were equal to men. Women were shamans, healers, spiritual teachers, midwifes, and medicine women. Many of the very earliest cultures were peaceful matriarchal societies. We see in ancient art that archetypes of powerful women were common. A female deity, such as Artemis, the Goddess of the wild hunt and skilled archer had what we consider today to be male attitudes and abilities. Athena was a war goddess. The moon was generally thought to be female, but in some cultures, the sun as the source of power, light and growth represented a female and the reflective, softer moon, the male deity.
When we look around our spiritual organisations, we see that women are in the majority, by far! It has been suggested that women appreciate people and want to meet and relate on a more caring level. Speaking about their life and their emotions is easier for women in the company of other women. There is no competition, just cooperation, no judgement. Skills can be exchanged, friendships made, and a new desire to develop the self in a way that is new and of benefit.
We are aware that women are seeking more than men for spiritual guidance and a spiritual life path. This is also true for religious movements and self improvement. Women are inclined to offer their services very freely. Girls are doing better in school than boys, so males have some catching up to do! In a channelled message, a female guide, named Diotima said,“Women and men are not natural competitors or enemies. Each person has a unique combination of strengths, talents and abilities to share whatever their gender. Be broad-minded, be generous, be grateful, be helpful, and be thoughtful. See the big picture where we all help each other to be the best we can be! Reach up for the highest attainment.”
Women want to express their individuality, their abilities and their strengths. We are not ‘also rans’ in the world of success but can show how we can make the world a better place on our own terms.
There are some interesting dates in March, in addition to International Women's Day.
2nd March is World Book Day. Watkins rate the top 100 spiritual influencers of winter 2023. These were 32 women and 68 men yet women have a far greater interest and knowledge than men overall.
12th March is a day to recognise working women especially those who are mothers.
19th March is Mother's Day and a day to celebrate women who are mothers. Grandmothers are includes as are stepmothers.
21st March is the Spring (vernal) Equinox when hours of light and darkness are equal. It heralds the beginning of springtime when nature recovers from winter.
25th March is the date when Earth Hour is celebrated, when lights are switched off to see the stars at night.
Wendy Stokes is a qualified healer, counsellor, writer and tutor. Visit her website: https://wendystokes.co.uk
In a box:
Excerpt from The Wild Goddess Oracle by Amy Zerner:
"The Wild Goddess resides in the natural world, eternally watchful and nurturing. She tells us that we are made from the elements present in the stars since the Universe was created. Her temples are our gardens, caves, crystals, oceans, and mountains. In these sacred spaces, the Wild Goddess absorbs negativity and positivity, and cleanses and transmutes everything into healing energy. We are all fed by Mother Earth, a treasure beyond value and we are stewards of her bounty. She expresses Her love to us, greets Her shadow, reclaims Her power, listens to Her intuition, and taps Her creativity. She takes steps to free Herself from past hurts and works to heal pain and shame and asks that we do this too. "If you understand the Wild Goddess and desire to emulate Her, you will live in tune with nature and dance to its rhythms, changes, and cycles. You will explore your inner world and tap into the spiritual strengths and mystical powers that you were born with. A Wild Goddess is always learning and growing, and is increasingly aware that Her gratitude and attitudes toward life are connected to the well-being of mind, body, and spirit."
Karen Tate – Thought leader, speaker, podcaster and author of the new book, Normalizing Abuse. Visit: www.karentate.net : "My mother used to say “It’s a man’s world.” Every year on Women’s History Month, we are reminded of that truth by the dearth of historical information available about women, their lives, successes and difficulties, their achievements, which are social, economic, cultural and politica. Gradually, this opression is changing for our daughters and grand-daughters but women still have much to overcome in our patriarchal societies. We have not yet achieved equality, and we have had major set-backs, such as in the US Supreme Court which is taking away women’s rights to reproductive health that affects among other things, such as to decide on her emotional, economic, and educational future. But women are fighting back in ways that our parents could never have dreamed possible.
"One new development in the last few decades (because change happens too slowly) is the reclamation of Goddess or the Feminine Face of God. Sekhmet, the lion-headed Egyptian Goddess, is one deity, archetype or role model that offers women a beacon of light for empowerment that can shake off patriarchal shackles.
"Sekhmet, or The Lady of Tenacity Manifested, as I and many others call her, is a role model for everyone to express strength and courage - to be able to say “NO” without shame or guilt, and to set healthy boundaries so as to avoid abuse, misuse and exploitation. To emulate Sekhmet means to stand firm in your convictions and to not conform for the sake of the status quo. Sekhmet is a mother and a healer. Her son, Mehes, was a patron to doctors and her consort, Ptah, was the god of creation. As a lioness, she teaches about working in harmony and support with other women – as a lioness pride takes care of their cubs. I’d suggest looking into some of the contemporary writings about Sekhmet and see what she and other Goddesses offer women in the way of achieving wholeness, autonomy and the strength to be one’s authentic self.
"That said, it is vitally important we begin to recognise that we are living in a culture of domination. We are saturated in corruption, like fish that no longer sees the water they swim in. Women across the world deem the huge injustices endured each day to survive, as normal. We must not normalize our oppression. We must recognize the pervasive culture of patriarchy that permeates the workplace, religion, corporations, government, media, academia, culture, society – even our family and friends can be guilty of overlooking the need for equality. We need to have the courage to recognise these inequalities, challenge them, walk away and create new beginnings of justice, truth, kindness, compassion, and equality."
Excerpt from The Wild Goddess Oracle by Amy Zerner:
"The Wild Goddess resides in the natural world, eternally watchful and nurturing. She tells us that we are made from the elements present in the stars since the Universe was created. Her temples are our gardens, caves, crystals, oceans, and mountains. In these sacred spaces, the Wild Goddess absorbs negativity and positivity, and cleanses and transmutes everything into healing energy. We are all fed by Mother Earth, a treasure beyond value and we are stewards of her bounty. She expresses Her love to us, greets Her shadow, reclaims Her power, listens to Her intuition, and taps Her creativity. She takes steps to free Herself from past hurts and works to heal pain and shame and asks that we do this too. "If you understand the Wild Goddess and desire to emulate Her, you will live in tune with nature and dance to its rhythms, changes, and cycles. You will explore your inner world and tap into the spiritual strengths and mystical powers that you were born with. A Wild Goddess is always learning and growing, and is increasingly aware that Her gratitude and attitudes toward life are connected to the well-being of mind, body, and spirit."
Karen Tate – Thought leader, speaker, podcaster and author of the new book, Normalizing Abuse. Visit: www.karentate.net : "My mother used to say “It’s a man’s world.” Every year on Women’s History Month, we are reminded of that truth by the dearth of historical information available about women, their lives, successes and difficulties, their achievements, which are social, economic, cultural and politica. Gradually, this opression is changing for our daughters and grand-daughters but women still have much to overcome in our patriarchal societies. We have not yet achieved equality, and we have had major set-backs, such as in the US Supreme Court which is taking away women’s rights to reproductive health that affects among other things, such as to decide on her emotional, economic, and educational future. But women are fighting back in ways that our parents could never have dreamed possible.
"One new development in the last few decades (because change happens too slowly) is the reclamation of Goddess or the Feminine Face of God. Sekhmet, the lion-headed Egyptian Goddess, is one deity, archetype or role model that offers women a beacon of light for empowerment that can shake off patriarchal shackles.
"Sekhmet, or The Lady of Tenacity Manifested, as I and many others call her, is a role model for everyone to express strength and courage - to be able to say “NO” without shame or guilt, and to set healthy boundaries so as to avoid abuse, misuse and exploitation. To emulate Sekhmet means to stand firm in your convictions and to not conform for the sake of the status quo. Sekhmet is a mother and a healer. Her son, Mehes, was a patron to doctors and her consort, Ptah, was the god of creation. As a lioness, she teaches about working in harmony and support with other women – as a lioness pride takes care of their cubs. I’d suggest looking into some of the contemporary writings about Sekhmet and see what she and other Goddesses offer women in the way of achieving wholeness, autonomy and the strength to be one’s authentic self.
"That said, it is vitally important we begin to recognise that we are living in a culture of domination. We are saturated in corruption, like fish that no longer sees the water they swim in. Women across the world deem the huge injustices endured each day to survive, as normal. We must not normalize our oppression. We must recognize the pervasive culture of patriarchy that permeates the workplace, religion, corporations, government, media, academia, culture, society – even our family and friends can be guilty of overlooking the need for equality. We need to have the courage to recognise these inequalities, challenge them, walk away and create new beginnings of justice, truth, kindness, compassion, and equality."
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