80 years ago, WWII opened the minds and hearts of American women. Filling men’s jobs gave us glimpses of our capabilities, and what we might become – if only allowed. Pandora’s box had opened exposing the big lie …patriarchy-imposed gender discrimination, was our intended fate. But Feminine archetypal consciousness had sufficiently expanded to begin defying this MANdated, indentured servant lifestyle. Historically we had accepted the ‘barefoot-and-pregnant’ construct of the little homemaker, and believed conforming to this unevolved Cancerian archetype would keep us safe, valued, and loved. We were wrong.
Those who chose to procreate, often unconsciously inherited annihilating fears of inevitable familial separation. After a miscarriage, during postpartum periods, empty-nesting stages, or parental passings, the emptiness of not feeling needed, followed by depression, could arise. When such unavoidable experiences of separation and loss did occur, they reinforced an intended reality – that no archetype, relationship or individual, should ever be, or remain, another’s property. Ideally, healthy Cancerian relationships (with mothers, nannies, nurses, caregivers) would provide the most foundational human need – to feel, and be, physically and emotionally SAFE. But have they?
Role modeling subservience, self-diminishment, codependency, and neediness, didn’t make us happy, and it certainly didn’t keep us safe. Yet, habitually many transferred devalued, under-estimated, and vulnerable self-identity to their progeny. Unfortunately, when our wards/children prepare to grow up, move out and individuate, many leave home with conflicted messages of maternal desertion. If guilt-inflicting or love-withdrawing behaviors, accompany the farewell, we could be unintentionally aborting an otherwise healthy launch into adulthood. These are the times when a more conscious and evolved version of Cancerian energy must deliver on its promise to promote its offspring’s physical self-sufficiency, emotional self-nurturing and independence. Otherwise we are colluding with The Masculine to stall our own evolutionary development.
Even this Covid – Petrie – Dish of a pandemic targeted our need to deconstruct and release advancement – blocking Cancerian characteristics. After a very long year of primarily shouldering child- rearing, parent-caring, schooling, home-making, and employment responsibilities, those deeply embedded fears of separation are starting to fall away. Women’s unsustainable pressure-cooker-lives are dramatically exposing the inescapable need for everyone to be more self-supportive, equal and independent. Disgracefully, in two-income families, too many American women have been working 3-4 additional hours a day, on their ‘second shift’. That’s 15-20 hours a week more than their male partners. The pandemic’s inequality microscope has also intensified government and corporate pressures to increase wages, child, parental, and healthcare benefits. Redefining the family’s financial and social support systems will truly give women – not just men, an opportunity to self-actuate. Considering women compose almost 50% of the workforce, isn’t it time these changes were made?
Eradication, of this Feminine karmic story, requires persistent and intentional coordination by Women Launching Women. Synchronistically, The Aquarian Age couldn’t mark a more divinely- appointed time to seize the moment, and bring gender balance into world order.
Read Janey’s article in the April 2021 edition of Sybil Magazine.