I wish I’d known it 60 years ago. I wish I’d known I had the choice. I was born in 1932. There were not many of us because of the depression. Women had only had the right to vote for 22 years. Young men from my generation returned from war when I was in high school. In college the only ambition of every female was to get married and have children. We didn’t know we had a choice. I was nearing 40 when the Women’s Liberation Movement began. And finally, when I’m 83, we may have a female president. As the saying goes: “We’ve come a long way, baby.”
The two aspects to the feminine energy
I was gratified to recently learn that in the Shamanic tradition there are two kinds of feminine energy. First there’s the great “Nurturing Mother” who takes care of everyone. That’s the role model I was certainly brought up with and one that, even with a shift in consciousness, still prevails as the more desirable one.
However, it’s the other expression of the feminine energy that fills my heart, that makes me make peace with myself for my unconventional ways. That other aspect of the feminine energy is the “Rainbow Mother”, the poet, the writer, the dancer, the one who doesn’t fit in. Oh how I wish I’d known that 60 years ago. I am a Rainbow Mother, a full fledged, card-carrying member of the Rainbow Mother band. And I had to break out of the mold to do it.
Do you understand your choices?
Here’s my message to the young women coming along – you have a choice. In this moment in time you still have to work to give yourself permission to be a Rainbow Mother, you have to go against the grain a bit to do it; but you do have a choice. The Rainbow Mother is a valid aspect of your feminine nature.
When I was divorced and found myself in my mid-40s needing to get a job to support myself, nothing I’d ever done as a stay-at-home mom counted in the world of work. Today, wise young women know how to educate themselves and develop a profession even if they do choose to marry and become a parent.
When I was working, women were not executive, they were only working versions of the nurturing mother. There were no rainbow mothers in the corporate world!
Rainbow mothers have great adventures
If I hadn’t honored my “Rainbow” self, I would never be in a position to share what I give today. I would never have known my own capabilities, my own gifts. Because I’m a Rainbow Mother, I know my passion, I still have impact at my advanced age, I have active plans to help change the consciousness around our fragile earth. I have work to do. And I’m loving it.
If you are a Rainbow Mother, go for it
The Incas think in terms of 500-year cycles. We’re just entering a cycle of the feminine. We’re coming from the aggressive, warrior, masculine energy into – well it can go both ways – soft and nurturing and the individualist, the explorer, the leader, the philosopher.
Honor your gifts and follow them. Be the leader, the inspirer. Follow your calling as a Rainbow Mother. The world needs you!
To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
The Length of Your Reach
The Many Faces of Your Calling
How Do You Nurture “Different”
Learn to Honor Your Inner Rhythm
35—How to Hold the Space for Change.
27 – Why Have You Been Chosen
