Relating to your sacred anatomy
Feminine power isn't created, it's awakened
In the depths of our being resides a sacred essence, a fierce energy longing to be unleashed—a force that holds the key to our empowerment, pleasure, and self-love. This power is our body. However, in a world overshadowed by patriarchal conditioning and societal norms, our connection with our bodies has become fragmented, and our understanding of our own sacred anatomy has been distorted.
The Power of Words
I’m not afraid of being pedantic or being meticulous when it comes to words because, as I’ve shared before, words are creative. They are not merely expressions but actions in themselves. Words possess a profound impact on our relationship with our bodies.
Within the realm of feminine embodiment, the term "yoni" emerges as a beacon of truth—a word abundant in symbolism and meaning. Its Sanskrit origin reveals a downward-pointing triangle, representing the womb, the sacred gateway to life. Yoni embodies the symbol of the goddess Shakti, the feminine generative power. Each letter within this word carries esoteric significance, illuminating the core essence of our being—union, preservation, love, desire, consciousness, motherhood, and the boundless potential of creation.
In stark contrast, a term has long dominated our cultural lexicon—the word "vagina." Derived from Latin, it translates to "sheath," as in a sheath for a sword, reducing the sacred vessel of feminine pleasure and power to a mere container for male gratification. This linguistic legacy reinforces a narrative of disconnection—a narrative that places the responsibility of pleasure solely in the hands of others, instead of embracing the truth that our pleasure is our own sovereign birthright.
Taking another etymological perspective, the Chinese word for vagina is "yindao."
阴道 Yindao is composed of two characters. The first character represents yin (as in yin yang), signifying the female principle in Asian philosophies (while yangdao is the word for penis). The second character, dao, signifies "way," "path," or "principle." Essentially, yindao encompasses the concept of the "way of the yin."
Understanding the Meaning of Yin
Yin, a term derived from Chinese philosophy and Taoism, encapsulates a downward energy that embodies femininity, slowness, passivity, the moon, stillness, space, darkness, coolness, introspection, and rest. Yin cannot exist without its relative opposite, Yang, which represents masculinity, dynamism, upward energy, the sun, warmth, movement, and outwardness. Both Yin and Yang complement and relate to each other, forming a necessary harmony in our lives.
Reconnecting through Disconnecting
To rejuvenate both our bodies and minds, it is essential to disconnect from constant activity. In Western society, we are often encouraged to operate in a more Yang-like manner—dynamic, fast-paced, energetically upward—keeping ourselves incessantly busy, overcommitting, and engaging in activities that may not truly nourish our well-being. This can include binge-watching shows, excessive consumption of social media, continuously saying yes to commitments, and continually piling more on our plates, numbing our senses. As a result, we find ourselves busy but lacking activities that replenish, slow us down, and create space for recharging. The prevalence of burnout is a testament to this imbalance.
Reevaluating Terminology: Vagina and Vulva
I am not suggesting erasing the word "vagina" from our vocabulary. However, precision in its usage is crucial. Many women mistakenly refer to their vulva as their vagina. The vagina refers to the canal itself, while the outer and inner lips and clitoris form the vulva.
Exploring the Roots: Vulva and its Meaning
The sacred feminine embodies an ever-changing cycle of transformation. The Latin root word of vulva, "volvere," means "to turn, twist, travel in a circle, to bring about." This aligns with the continuous cycle of creation and transformation that the sacred feminine represents.
The Valley Spirit Never Dies
As the Mysterious Female is named,
And the doorway of the Mysterious Female
Serves as the base from which Heaven and Earth sprang,
It exists within us constantly.
We can draw upon it as we wish, for it never runs dry.
Tao Te Ching, Chapter VI, Translated by Arthur Waley
Embracing the Sacredness
The journey of reclaiming our bodies as sacred vessels begins with acknowledging our inherent holiness. Within us lies the power of creation—the force of life itself. Through our bodies, we have the capacity to experience pleasure, give birth, and form intimate connections. Our bodies are not mere containers for someone else's pleasure; they are conduits of our own desires and sources of immense joy.
However, this reclamation goes beyond pleasure—it extends to trust and connection. How can we trust our bodies with the miracle of birth when we are not intimately familiar with our own sacred anatomy? The disconnection we feel from our bodies reflects a cultural view that distorts the essence of the female form. We are here to invoke the divine within us, to honor the creative process that flows through our very beings.
Sensual Awakening
The feminine is characterized by her ability to feel deeply. What feeds the sacred within a woman? Pleasure—pleasure derived from engaging all five senses.
Treasure your body with utmost care and attention. Indulge in baths by candlelight, savor delicious and nourishing foods prepared with love and mindfulness. Dress your body with care and beauty. The more reverence we bestow upon our senses, the more we embrace our inherent power, radiance, and confidence. This generosity extends to others as well. Caring for our appearance is not frivolous, indulgent, or irresponsible—it is an act of honoring our sacred selves.
The absence of the feminine is the absence of pleasure. It is the absence of listening to our desires, dreams, and feelings. The feminine embodies the feeling part of us, our deepest intuition, our sense of community and connection. It is our sense of spiritual morality and consciousness.
The feminine is life itself. Although it may come as a shock, the feminine does not prioritize production, accomplishments, domination, assertiveness, or winning. Those are masculine values. On the contrary, the feminine cherishes enjoyment, inclusion, surrender, and sustainability.
Cultivating Radiance
Our cultural connection to the Divine Feminine manifests in the radiant woman. A joyful, rested, and fully alive woman becomes a portal to the Goddess, the feminine principle, both for herself and others. We can see and feel radiance emanating from her, much like light or heat. Its magnetic attraction is undeniable. What creates radiance? Self-approval. Self-acceptance. Self-love.
Your Body, Your Choice
Dear beauty, I extend an invitation to you—a call to embark on a transformative journey of self-love, embodied empowerment, and the reclamation of our sacred anatomy. Join us in the Summer of Self-Love, an illuminating feminine embodiment program. Together, we will delve into the depths of our being, unravel the mysteries of pleasure, desire, and self-discovery. We will reclaim our sovereignty, recognizing that our pleasure is our own responsibility and rewriting the narrative surrounding our bodies with fierce authenticity, love, and reverence.
The Summer of Self-Love eagerly awaits your presence, dear beauty. Embrace the power that lies within you and step into a realm where self-care becomes a sacred act, and where our bodies are honored as vessels of wisdom and grace.
Come, join us on this extraordinary journey of awakening, healing, and transformation. We start July 22nd.
The Summer of Self-Love awaits you.
All my care,
Christina
Thank you, Christina. This is such important information. Women are taught in overt and covert ways to be ashamed of their bodies and deny, distrust, or judge sexual urges and desires. The Latin root of the word pudendum, a woman's external genitals, means to be ashamed.