Contributing Writer Forrest Evans, Favorite Librarian @favoritelibrarian
The Divine Feminine engages more than oiling your scalp, pairing the right essential oils with your emotions or using Palo Santo to cleanse your home— it’s a collection of numinous and enigmatic energy that comes from within, and the universe.
From the global pandemic, protests about racial and social injustices seen in many corners of the world, an increase of Queer Black violence and more is moderately generated by the Divine Feminine— in a consistent cycle of awakening, rebirth, and destruction.
There is a duality of masculine and feminine energy in the world and within; yet, obtaining a balance of both energies is often a difficult journey for some. Learning what is your leading energy and how to utilize the appropriate energy to guide your healing, life and path is essential to elevating to your highest self.
Before what developed into the current state of Black Culture, a range of Black expression from African-centered, Pan Africanism, Eco-Womanism and earth-honoring faiths to sacred woman practices, made popular by Queen Afua— the Divine Feminine was and still is one of the world’s greatest sources guiding the Black Community, Black Family and prompting healing universally.
The Divine Feminine is one of the most essential and fruitful resources for the Black Family. Historically, the Black Family is commonly defined as a heteronormative and traditionally Christain-centered community, with flares of specific cultural region influences shaping narratives; yet, the Black Family is similar to the Black Experience— a collective narrative. Each family and narrative is different and is not monolith; yet, all families have the presence of both divine energies; thus, the importance of obtaining a balance and leading with the appropriate energies.
Throughout American history, Black Families have been the poster child for “broken homes,” as implicit biases, romanticized stereotypes and archetypes of Black Life are circulated by news outlets, major publications and seen in the usage of microaggressions— and plausibly still in circulation today. Yet, popular images by Gordon Parks and his iconic 1950 and 60’s documentation of Black family life offer a bittersweet portrait of southern life on the brink of the Civil Rights struggle.
In 1950, just 9% of black children lived without their father. The American Enterprise Institute reported from 1988 to 1993, “Black single mothers are 50% more likely than white ones to face a marriage penalty that exceeds 10% of their income (46% versus 31%). A dramatic shift, seen from 1890 to 1950, Black women had a higher marriage rate than white women.
Many government-assistance programs, especially during the Kennedy administration discouraged marriage, and conclusively any unionization in the Black community ultimately crafting the “Man in the House Rule.” The Man in the House Rule stemming from welfare assistance programs enforcing policies and restrictions so mothers could obtain assistance, so long as no male was boarding in the household— Leaving marriage as an unrealistic choice for families prioritizing resources over love. This contributed to a rise of unemployment, dependency of government assistance and a lack of unity in the balck community. Ultimately, leaving zero to little room for Black mothers, and women, to obtain financial stability, explore entrepreneurship, establish multiple streams, or wealth building.”
From brilliant pillars in the community and catalysts for change such as the former political prisoner Angela Davis, Afeni Shakur to the Mothers of Pan-Africanism— Audley Moore and Dara Abubakari. Moore and Abubakari used their platform to combat and address “the question of Black Women” in the liberation of African people and the Black community, and to also explain their views on the black woman’s struggle to liberate the Black Nation and Family.
Yet, in order to advance not only in life, professionally and publically, especially in predominantly White or male-driven industries, Black women have needed, and are anticipated to exert their influence through masculine energy. In order to truly perform at our highest potential and self, it is vital to explore both our feminine and masculine energies— irrespective of gender.
There are traditional functions of the psyche that are associated with masculine energy: rationality, logic, linear thinking and understanding. Yet, traditional concepts of feminine energy consist of: compassion, unconditional love, maturity, and emotional qualities.
Although many define The Divine Feminine differently, the leading qualities of The Divine Feminine are:
Nurturing— A source of uncomplicated tenderness, affection, unhampered acceptance, and mothering.
Abundance— The ability to freely give and nourish without any expectations of anything given or lost to be returned.
Intuition— A form of insight, inner wisdom and the muses that inspire art and music.
Beauty— in every form and hue.
Peace— The impulse to live as a family in harmony.
Ambiguity— Genius stems from ambiguity and historically “Anonymous was a woman” reflecting
Self Love and Self Care— “Your rest is Your Revolution.”
Sexual charm and attraction— Sexual vs Sensual. Love vs Lust.
Black women have unquestionably been present, engaged or orchestrated many pursuits of equality, justice and have continued progress towards a greater future for many communities, other than their own and intersections they represent. The Divine Feminine has always been present and a lighthouse with uplifting light for so many.
From historical figures and sheros like Queen Afua, Erykah Badu, Adama Alaji, Iyanla Vanzant, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel— illustrating a range of Black Excellence and also symbolizes Divine Feminine energy that must be included in a complete human being— no matter of what an individual’s gender and identity.
Walking in your Divine Feminine requires the present of Divine Masculine counterpart— a contrast, not a competition. A respect for the balance and the synergy between the two is essential to truly walk in your Divine Feminine.
Firstly, progress is not linear; yet, every step is essential to move towards a brighter and better future. Navigating and utilizing energies is a learning experience. Black Literature is a fulcrum that provides a wealth and balance of information on the Divine Feminine and energy. Utilize Black Literature to explore your strengths and weaknesses, to begin walking in your Divine Feminine.
Reading can assist anyone seeking to explore Feminine and masculine energies, the Divine Feminine, feminist and womanist theories, Queer Women of Color narratives, #thefutureisfemale and God is a Black Woman concepts and art archives, and much more. Check out the below suggested list of Black Literature and resources for more insight:
- Sacred Woman by Queen Afua
- Heal Thyself for Health and Longevity by Queen Afua
- Sacred Women of Africa and the African Diaspora: A Womanist Vision of Black Women ’s 4. Bodies and the African Sacred Feminine by Arisika Razak
- Ecowomanism : African American Women and Earth-honoring Faiths by Melanie L. Harris
- No Crystal Stair: Womanist Spirituality by Diana L. Hayes
- Mouths of Rain: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Thought by Briona Simone Jones
- God is A Black Woman: The 9 Meditations of the Queen’s Chamber by Douglas Rugambwa
- Blaxhaustion, Karens & Other Threats to Black Lives & Well-Being by Theresa M.
Robinson - Loud Black Girls: 20 Black Women Writers Ask: What’s Next? (Slay in Your Lane) by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene
