Every year on Women’s History Month we are reminded of that truth by the dearth of historical information available about women, though, gradually, today’s women are changing that for our daughters and grand-daughters.
I can remember my mother saying, “It’s a man’s world.” Every year on Women’s History Month we are reminded of that truth by the dearth of historical information available about women, though, gradually, today’s women are changing that for our daughters and grand-daughters. Women still have much to overcome in this patriarchal society. We have not yet achieved equality and we have had major set-backs like the Supreme Court taking away a woman’s rights to her reproductive health and body that affect among other things, her emotional, economic, and educational future. But we are standing up and fighting back in ways my mother and hers never dreamed possible.
One new development in the last few decades (because change happens too slowly) is the reclamation of Goddess or the Feminine Face of God. Sekhmet, the lion-headed Egyptian Goddess, is one deity, archetype or role model that offers women a beacon of light for empowerment to shake off patriarchal shackles. To begin with, those who know and love Sekhmet will tell you the myth out in the world about her rampage is patriarchal propaganda, so I suggest you take it with a grain of salt, so to speak. There is not much in the story worth keeping if you want to know Sekhmet.
Sekhmet, or The Lady of Tenacity Manifested, as I and many others call her, is a role model for women (or anyone) to have strength and courage. To be able to say “NO” without shame or guilt. To set healthy boundaries so as not to be abused, misused or exploited. To emulate Sekhmet means to stand firm in your convictions and not conform for the sake of the status quo who might not have your best interests at heart, especially if you’re a woman. Sekhmet is a mother and healer. Her son, Mehes, was a patron to doctors and her consort, Ptah, the god of builders. As a lioness she teaches about working in harmony and support with other women – as a lioness pride together takes care of their cubs and family. I’d suggest looking into some of the contemporary writings on Sekhmet and see what she and other Goddesses offer women in the way of achieving wholeness, autonomy and the strength to be one’s authentic self.
That said, it is vitally important we begin to recognize we are living in a culture of domination, abuse and exploitation. We are so saturated in it, like a fish that no longer sees the water they swim in, we deem the horrible things we endure to survive as just normal and the way things are. We cannot fall victim to this thinking. We must not continue to normalize abuse. We must recognize our pervasive culture of abuse for the sins, injustices and unacceptable practices that permeate the workplace, religion, corporations, government, media, academia, culture, society – even family and friends. We must rid ourselves of toxic people in our lives and have the courage to walk away and create new beginnings. –
Karen Tate – Thought leader, speaker, podcaster and author of the new book, Normalizing Abuse. For more information please go to www.karentate.net
