Hungry Wolves

I like the screaming.

''A good deal of literature on the subject of women's power states that men are afraid of women's power. I always want to exclaim, ''Mother of God! So many women themselves are afraid of women's power.'' '' *

This is true, and I'm guilty of having been one of those women, and for not realising this, until now.

When women stand up for themselves and become more attuned to their own inner strengths, they receive a mutual respect from both men and women alike. When women are at ease in their own skin and when self respect for oneself nourishes their being, this is not only attractive, but also admirable and inspiring.

And standing up for ourselves doesn't mean we have to be loud, bold, boisterous beings - like butch lesbian nuns on speed; unable to control such 'feminist' issues/beliefs.

But to hold a true belief for what you truly believe in, with pure feeling, deep in your soul and psyche, which in turn feeds your intuition; your virile hunger, enabling you to see in the dark, and to venture into those woods with sheer honesty, ready to face even the most gruesomest of hags without running away with your tail between your legs, facing whatever fears are projected into the ugliest and strangest of forms, and facing them with grace, gratitude and indestructible dedication.

''She presents herself honestly, and just as herself.'' *

If you ignore this power, this power in yourself so great that you can't even face, it will eventually begin to eat  at you 'til it's at your very core, so that sooner or later, you'll have to face it.

And it can show itself in many different guises.

 Your deepest fears will become greater and more profound.

And it's nothing sinister that is out there to 'get you;' it is nothing separate from yourself, for it is yourself.

This power that you shun turns itself into your fears, and this is why we must face our fears, head on, in order to develop and recognise our power; simultaneously overcoming our fears.

''..learn to stay close to what you once feared.''

You can choose the path of ''flying paw-pads and frightened tails,'' or you can choose to venture on, into the vast unknown; into that valley of the dead, and you can run among the wolves; other women like yourselves. And you know that they are out there, you know, deep within yourself that you will not be entering a valley of eternal solitude - you may at first have to enter this valley alone, that in itself is wise - but once there, you will be dancing, you will be dancing with the wolves.

x

''To be strong does not mean to sprout muscles and flex. It means meeting one's own numinosity without fleeing, actively living with the wild nature in one's own way. It means to be able to learn, to be able to stand what we know. It means to stand and live.'' *

It's feeding time in the woods, are you hungry?

* Quotes from the book - 'Women Who Run With the Wolves' by Clarissa Pinkola Estes