Celebrating the Wild Woman Within

“No matter by which culture a woman is influenced, she understands the words wild and woman intuitively.”

-Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run with the Wolves

What do the words ‘wild woman’ stir up for the feminine within you? At a phase of my life when I first remember being drawn to (and needing) the wild woman, she appeared dangerous, daring, and witch-like to my wide-eyed hesitant self. My perception of her has transformed over the years to fierce, passionate, joyous, generous, and free. I believe this perception shift occurred with letting myself wield and share more of the wild woman within me.

When others identify with the beautiful feminine energy within themselves, they inevitably invite others to share in the dance of the wild feminine. Byron and I experienced this in Pittsburgh at a year old restaurant in Shadyside - Lilith. Already you know by the name that the feminine power and empowerment you feel there is not by accident. Owned by two women, this restaurant is pure magic. The flow, the layout, the service, the food is all feminine - delicate, sharp, thoughtful, nourishing. You can taste that the food is made with love and gratitude for the plants and animals that provided it and for the person who is going to enjoy it. Every dish we had was able to achieve delicious complexity with every bite that sustains your curiosity but still tastes like the plant it is.

It was beyond a lovely dinner date with my man, it was deeply nourishing. So much so that I felt the healing of wild woman energy through my whole body that carried into the next day. Even watching customers come of all ages - their confident, calm walk up to the place that gave the feeling, “this is my place. I am welcome here.” It was the kind of experience that inspired to share more of my own wild woman gifts, knowing much joy I felt by other women giving their gifts in a big way.

Here is more medicine in words about the wild woman:

“No matter by which culture a woman is influenced, she understands the words wild and woman intuitively... When women hear these words, an old, old memory is stirred and brought back to life. The memory is of our absolute, undeniable, and irrevocable kinship with the wild feminine, a relationship which may become ghosty from neglect, buried by overdomestification, outlawed by the surrounding culture, or no longer understood anymore. We may have forgotten her names, we may not answer when she calls ours, but in our bones, we know her - we yearn toward her. We know she belongs to us and us to her. We lose her - and when we pick up her trail, it is typical of women to ride hard to catch up - clear off the desk, clear off the relationship, insist on a break, break the rules, for we are not going on without her any longer.” 

-Clarissa Estes, Women Who Run with the Wolves

I found incredible healing in the wild woman myths of Clarissa Estes book where I learned how to intentionally recognize and invite the wild woman into my heart. Doing so helped me find the healing I needed in studying the chakras and meditating. This gave me strength to make big changes in my career and relationships. Now, I enjoy her daily by moving my body in delicious ways, getting creative in the kitchen, taking intentional slow walks in nature where I listen to the birds and stare at the sky, and building content for Paradigm Expansions that is deeply resonant with my soul. 

Thank you Diane, Jamilka, and staff at  Lilith for the nourishment, love, and inspiration. To those of you in Pittsburgh - check them out!

And ask yourself - how is the wild woman within you calling you forth to share your gifts? 

Photo: enjoying the sunset with my fellow wild woman, Aixa, at Grand Anse beach