WOMAN: Courage and Love
In her seminal work, When Drummers Were Women, Layne Redmond ((1952-2013) writes about the role of women as divine musicians and leaders of ritual. The work is inspiring for the historical focus on feminine power and the deep spirituality carried within female bodies for those able to access the gifts of such wisdom. All cultures and traditions recognized the power of women as seed-bearers and carriers of a new pulse. The rituals and practices of various historical periods embraced an inclusive and evolving humanity that was not just for the moment, but a time into the future.
Whether your image of divine femininity is Sophia, Shakti, Skywoman, or Mary the power of women is undeniable in this season of waiting and expectancy. Philip Britts suggests that we should be “like Mary, in obedience to God’s will. Then something decisive happens for this earth.” No doubt it takes courage to live in the world with so much uncertainty, yet, believe in divine goodness as future generations have proven and manage our wills. No doubt, the task can seem overwhelming.
For me it comes down to being aware and knowing from our hearts that anything is possible regardless of outer appearances. This kind of fortitude is not something that I’ve come to easily. Some days it seems that getting to that place of loving every neighbor and not reveling in ego-driven moments of personal power is extremely challenging and moving boulders is not far behind. I would not risk writing about emulating Mary, if I had not spent some time (years) in prayer and practice attending to the concept (at least) in the developmental stage and nurturing a well of courage and love that occasionally overflows and at the same time also recognizing that the well is just as often dry. Such is life—we keep up the practice anyway.
I think it is worth mentioning that men are just as responsible for identifying their feminine side that is nurturing, caring, and tender. This aids in facilitating balance with and among opposing forces. In Eastern traditions, the yin/yang philosophy invites interconnectedness, interdependence, and complementary actions along with the opposite forces in order to develop a harmonious universe.
In closing I invite you to ponder with me on your well of courage and love and contemplate the words of Alfred Delp (1907-1945) a German Jesuit priest, resistant leader, and philosopher. About the blessed feminine, he had this to say: “Mary is the most comforting of all Advent figures. Advent’s holiest consolation is that angel’s annunciation met with a ready heart in Mary. The Word became flesh, and in the holy place of a motherly heart the earth gave birth to a world of God-humanity.”