Women leaders and the emerging Divine Feminine

[This post was originally written in November 2005, as part of a CENet dialogue about a Newsweek international-edition article about the increasing presence of women leaders in countries throughout the world.]

In Western culture, particularly in the more patriarchal systems and institutions, I think one may be hard-pressed to identify executive-level women who haven't become 'one of the boys' in order to ascend the ranks. If you look at much of the decision-making, particularly in 'bottom-line' times, it reflects an alignment with the dominant system, not a transformation of it.

However, I do believe and sense that the Feminine -- via both women and men, though predominantly women -- is encroaching 'around the edges', like the ivy that grows and ultimately finds its way right through manmade concrete and mortar. Hence the expanding interest in spirituality, balance, Goddess, the Feminine, the 'sacred marriage' of the Feminine and Masculine, the Black Madonna; and the growing lack of alignment with 'things as they are', given the very clear unhealthiness and destructiveness of it.

This may be why it can be so hard to 'name' particular women or organizations where 'the Feminine' is actually lived and not just given lip service. Instead of a couple of easily identified 'celebrity' types, there are lots and lots and lots of people doing their thing in their corners of the planet. Very decentralized, very organic, very much the sacred Feminine working in concert with the sacred Masculine.

In ancient wisdom traditions, the Christ or Buddha or 'enlightened' person was one who, though Wisdom and often 'the dark night,' integrated the sacred or archetypal Feminine and Masculine. The result? Power with mercy, Wisdom and compassion. Action rooted in Wisdom. And also a fierce compassion that doesn't tolerate cruelty or injustice ... that 'righteous anger' that deconstructs what is ultimately harmful.

I remember reading an insight from Meg Wheatley a couple of years ago, in which she spoke about a natural systems phenomenon in which an existing and powerful system would not tolerate 'competing' systems that it found a threat, but ultimately some burgeoning system would 'fly under the radar' and slowly sap the strength that fed the old system whose time had come.

That's what I see as potentially happening now, coming from the edges, creeping up like ivy. Something that is explored and embodied in each of us, in our own way.

Your thoughts?

Until next time ...